The Beatles

The influence and success of the Beatles cannot be overstated, who would have thought that these four liverpudlians could have affected the music industry and people lives so much.

The main and famous songwriting partnership of Lennon and McCartney were first introduced in 1957 at the now famous 'Woolton Parish Church Fete' where John was performing with his skiffle band the Quarrymen, after that meeting Paul joined the band. In 58 after Paul's recommendation George Harrison joined and in 60 Stu Sutcliffe an art school friend also joined as there bass player.

It was then the band changed it's name to the Beatles after several variations which included 'Johnny and the Moondogs' and 'The Silver Beatles'. They got the name 'The Silver Beatles' after John claimed that in a dream a man on a flaming pie told him that from now on they shall be called 'The Silver Beatles' with an 'E'. The band liked the idea of Beatles with an 'E' as it was a play on words and similar to the Crickets by having two meanings.

It was in 1960 when accompanied by drummer Pete Best they went to Hamburg for 3 months, playing 5 sets a night in a seedy club. This constant performing helped mould them in to a very solid live act. They went home after George was deported, but they visited Hamburg again 4 times in the next 3 years playing clubs like, The Star', The Top Ten', 'The Reeperbahn', 'The Indra' and the most famous because of the film 'Backbeat' 'The Kaiserkeller'. In 1961 Paul changed from rhythm to bass guitar after Stu's departure and death from a brain haemorrhage.

It was in Liverpool that the Beatles shows were attracting a following especially in 'The Cavern Club' and it was during one of these shows, when they were noticed by Brian Epstein, he had gone to see them play after getting some requests for their records at his shop. In November 61 Epstein became their manager and he had an immediate affect on them. They had already adopted the 'mop top' hairstyles which later became famous from there avant-garde German friends Astrid and Klaus. Epstein polished their look and took them out of leathers and put them into smart suits, he wanted them to look more friendly and less menacing. In January they had a audition with Decca and were famously rejected, although they all admit they weren't very good that day. Epstein got them a contract in June 62 with Parlaphone part of EMI. Ringo joined the band after the departure of Pete Best and the Beatles were on there way!