BACKGROUND

     The group first formed in Liverpool, England in 1957 by John Lennon and was called The Quarry Men. Some members played on wash boards and others on real instruments. They played country, rock, and folk music. On July 6th 1957 John Lennon was introduced to Paul McCartney and was impressed by Paul's guitar playing skills. Paul joined the group the next day. In February, 1958, George Harrison also joined The Quarry Men. In January,1960, Stuart Sutcliffe joined. After that they changed their name several times to the Beatals, Silver Beats, and the Silver Beetles. In the early 1960's Pete Best joined up and their name changed to The Beatles. They wore black leather jackets and had long hair combed forward. In 1961 they were discovered by Brian Epstein, who later became their manager. Stuart Sutcliffe died suddenly and they were forced to ask Pete Best to go, based on what their manager recommended. In 1962 Ringo Start joined the group. This is how the final group was formed, John Lennon (vocals, guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals, bass guitar), George Harrison (vocals, guitar), Ringo starr (drums). They four were offered a record deal shortly after Ringo joined. Paul and John wrote the song, "Love Me Do". That song brought them instant success as it went to #1 on the America's charts. That number was only the beginning.^[1]

     The Beatles had a large influence on popular culture in the 1960's and beyond and "encouraged a whole generation of young people to assert themselves in a way that had never happened before."^[2] Beatlemania, as it was called, was everywhere. The groups pictures were on TV, in the movies, made into dolls and into paintings. The Beatles have come to influence hair styles, pop art, and fashion. They were credited with establishing large scale concerts. But, most of all, the Beatles were known for revolutionizing music and creating the idea that pop music is an form of art. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame says: "They literally stood the world of pop culture on its head, setting the musical agenda for the remainder of the decade."       ^[3] [4]