The BeatlesBy Aaron Shober

BIOGRAPHY

The Beginning…

Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney

• Displayed talent from a very young age.

• Began performing at church in Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool England.

• Discovered there by John Lennon.

John Lennon John Lennon

• Played with the group “The Quarrymen” at same church as McCartney.

• Met McCartney and began writing with him in 1957.

• Added McCartney to his group shortly after.

Lennon & McCartney

The legendary writing duo known as “Lennon & McCartney” was born.

In 1959, George Harrison and Pete Best are added to the group.

Before discoveryEarly performances at “The Cavern”

Brian Epstein

Manager of the Beatles

Brian Epstein Music store manager First heard the Beatles in 1961. While scouting the Beatles at “The

Cavern” heard them play “My Bonnie”

Though Epstein lacked experience, The Beatles signed with him in 1962

The Beatles New Image

Partnering with a label The Group signed with ENI’s

Parlophon.

“If anyone was a fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”

-Paul McCartney

Changes in the group In August 1962,

Pete Best is asked to leave the Group.

Ringo Starr replaces Best on the drums.

The beginning ofan era

First album “Please Please Me” is released on March 22, 1963 and including first single “Love Me Do.”

The Beatles are an Instant success

Continued success1. Can’t Buy Me

Love

2. Twist and Shout

3. She Loves You

4. I Want to Hold Your Hand

5. Please Please Me

Week of April 4th, 1964, the Beatles held the top 5 spots on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart.

Epstein’s passing

In 1965, Epstien overdosed on sleeping pills.

Paul McCartney took over managing the group.

Disagreements began to take place.

Apple Records In 1967 the group

formed “Apple Records”.

Signed many talents including James Taylor, and Mary Hopkins.

Poorly managed, and added to existing problems in the group.

The break up 1968- Lennon

married Yoko Ono. This relationship created more hostility within the group.

Lennon decided to leave The Beatles.

“I’m Leaving the group. I’ve had enough. I want a divorce.”

-John Lennon

Paul McCartney- Solo April 10th, 1970- Paul

McCartney released his first solo album.

He publically announced the band was breaking up.

He forms a new group “Wings”

“Wings” is a quick success

• McCartney today has a very successful solo career.

• Continues to write and perform.

John Lennon- Solo 1971- Lennon

released his first solo album “Imagine.”

The song “Imagine” is voted the 3rd best song of all time by Rolling Stones Magazine.

In 1973 Lennon was granted U.S. residency and moved to Los Angeles.

Continued to record music. Did work with David Bowie and Elton John.

John Lennon Murdered

1980 Lennon Recorded the album “Double Fantasy.”

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed.

George Harrison & Ringo Starr Harrison on the break up,

“Just a relief. We should have done it years ago.”

He would go on to pursue a solo career

Saddened by Lennon’s death, he wrote a tribute song “All Those Years Ago.”

November 29, 2001. Harrison died from a long battle with cancer.

Ringo Starr did work with Lennon on his “Imagine” album.

He pursued a solo career and a career in acting.

In 2008 he released his latest solo album “Liverpool 8.”

Continues to perform to this day.

1988 The Beatles are Inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Composition History

"Come Together" Originally written for Timothy Leary’s

political campaign.

Recorded July 31st, 1969

Grammy Award Winner

Later covered by Michael Jackson and Aerosmith

“Let It Be” Song was written about Paul

McCartney’s mother who passed away when he was 14.

Recorded January 1969.

“Love Me Do” Written by Lennon & McCartney.

Inspired by McCartney’s girlfriend Iris Caldwell.

McCartney took over lead vocals due to Lennon’s numb mouth from playing harmonica.

"Across the Universe" Written after an argument Lennon

had with his wife.

Recorded February 1968.

Listening Guide

"Come Together" 2:02- Bridge

A drum fill introduces a lyric-less bridge/solo which is antic ally led by electric piano. After 4 measures an electric guitar solo takes over and eventually resolves into a version of the intro vamp with the bass, electric guitar, electric piano and no drums.

“Let It Be” 0:38- Chorus

The chorus continues with solo piano and vocal lead and adds a (boys quire) of oohs and ahh's over the piano progression.

1:19- ChorusSecond chorus is a livelier version of the first with the addition of a drums and a lead vocal sung with a bit more energy.  The second chorus is four measures longer than the first which allows it to take on a very uplifting tone.

“Love Me Do” 0:00- Introduction The intro is led by a simple

harmonica solo which is accompanied by drums, bass and an acoustic guitar being strummed softly in the background.  The intro sorts out seamlessly into the chorus which follows.

0:57 B-part When the song's monotony becomes too

obvious, this b-section relieves the back and forth feeling the rest of the song is flooded with.  The arrangement and instrumentation does not change in this section but it does end abruptly for a couple of beats at the end of the section.  This abrupt ending serves to reset the song in a way that, again, seems to break up the melodic monotony.

1:25 Second b-part This section is a repeat of the first b-

part with one difference.  The harmonica takes the place of the lead vocals and harmony vocals as it is played across an melodically identical version of the first b-section. 

“Across The Universe” 0:14- Verse 1 The guitar continues to drive the

rhythm alone and deep lyrics are introduced that seem to serve as both information into how the song should be received and as the melody as well.

2:13- Verse 3 The verse breaks down nearly all the energy

that was present and building throughout the last chorus and only the strings and the acoustic guitar remain.  This arrangement seems to make the information that the lyrics are trying to get across important again as there is much less movement in the instrumentation even though the main instruments are still present.  

Bibliography(n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from Song Facts:

http://www.songfacts.comBrian Epstein. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from The Beatles Bible:

http://www.beatlesbible.com/people/brian-epsteinGeorge Harrison. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from The Beatles

Bible: http://www.beatlesbible.com/people/george-harrison/2/John Lennon Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from bio:

http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/john-lennon.html

Ringo Starr Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved june 30, 2013, from bio: http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/ringo-starr.html

Sir Paul McCartney Biography. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from bio: http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biographies/paul-mccartney.html

The Beatles. (n.d.). Retrieved June 30, 2013, from Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/the-beatles/biography