Chapter 3:Chapter 3:

AccomplishmentsAccomplishmentsHad a very short time recording as a group (1962-1970), Had a very short time recording as a group (1962-1970), but set many records that have yet to be brokenbut set many records that have yet to be brokenThe Beatles are the best selling group of all timeThe Beatles are the best selling group of all time– Estimated well over 1 billion records/tapes/CDs soldEstimated well over 1 billion records/tapes/CDs sold

Most multi-platinum albums of any artist or musical Most multi-platinum albums of any artist or musical group (13 in the US alone)group (13 in the US alone)Most #1 singles Most #1 singles – (22 in the US alone, 181 if #1 rank in every country for each (22 in the US alone, 181 if #1 rank in every country for each

single counted)single counted)

April 4, 1965 – the top 5 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 April 4, 1965 – the top 5 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 were all by the Beatleswere all by the BeatlesApril 11, 1965 – the Beatles held 14 total spots on the April 11, 1965 – the Beatles held 14 total spots on the Hot 100Hot 100The Beatles had back-to-back-to-back #1 songs three The Beatles had back-to-back-to-back #1 songs three times in their careertimes in their career

InfluencesInfluencesSeldom directly influenced by the blues (like many British Seldom directly influenced by the blues (like many British bands of the 1960s), Chuck Berry and other early rock/pop bands of the 1960s), Chuck Berry and other early rock/pop artists of the 1950s were a great source of inspirationartists of the 1950s were a great source of inspiration

The Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys attention to harmony The Everly Brothers and the Beach Boys attention to harmony obviously influenced the Beatles soundobviously influenced the Beatles sound

John Lennon named Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, & Bob Dylan John Lennon named Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, & Bob Dylan as influences of hisas influences of his

George Harrison’s early guitar style was derived from Carl George Harrison’s early guitar style was derived from Carl Perkins, Scotty Moore & Duane EddyPerkins, Scotty Moore & Duane Eddy

– Later work shows his interest in Indian culture and a focus Later work shows his interest in Indian culture and a focus on clear melodic lines unlike the distorted riffs of Clapton & on clear melodic lines unlike the distorted riffs of Clapton & HendrixHendrix

Ringo Starr’s contributions widely underestimated known for Ringo Starr’s contributions widely underestimated known for his comic vocals on some songs and steady drumming, his comic vocals on some songs and steady drumming, influenced the group with and interest in country soundsinfluenced the group with and interest in country sounds

John LennonJohn LennonB. Oct 9, 1940 – D. Dec 8, 1980B. Oct 9, 1940 – D. Dec 8, 1980Started the Started the QuarrymenQuarrymen in March 1957 in March 1957– Met Paul McCartney during their 2Met Paul McCartney during their 2ndnd concert concert– George Harrison became lead guitaristGeorge Harrison became lead guitarist

Accomplished performer in his own right after the Accomplished performer in his own right after the BeatlesBeatles– John Lennon/Plastic Ono bandJohn Lennon/Plastic Ono band– ImagineImagine– Double FantasyDouble Fantasy

Murdered Dec 8, 1980 by Mark David ChapmanMurdered Dec 8, 1980 by Mark David ChapmanBBC poll in 2002 listed him 8BBC poll in 2002 listed him 8 thth on the on the 100 100 Greatest BritonsGreatest BritonsRanked 38Ranked 38thth on on Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest Rolling Stone’s 50 Greatest ArtistsArtists (The Beatles were #1) (The Beatles were #1)Rolling StoneRolling Stone also ranked him 5 also ranked him 5thth greatest singer greatest singer of all timeof all timeElected into the Rock n’ Roll HoF in 1994Elected into the Rock n’ Roll HoF in 1994

Paul McCartneyPaul McCartneyB. June 18, 1942B. June 18, 1942

Joined John Lennon’s Joined John Lennon’s QuarrymenQuarrymen in 1957 at the in 1957 at the age of 16age of 16

Most commercially successful ex-BeatleMost commercially successful ex-Beatle– One of England’s wealthiest men (valued at One of England’s wealthiest men (valued at

$1.2 billion)$1.2 billion)

Listed in the Listed in the Guinness Book of World RecordsGuinness Book of World Records as as the most successful songwriter in the worldthe most successful songwriter in the world– 60 gold discs and 100 million singles sold60 gold discs and 100 million singles sold

YesterdayYesterday is the most covered song in modern is the most covered song in modern history (3,500 versions)history (3,500 versions)

Only person in British history to have #1 as a Only person in British history to have #1 as a soloist, duet, trio, quartet, quintet and sextetsoloist, duet, trio, quartet, quintet and sextet

1997 - Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II1997 - Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

1999 – inducted into the Rock n’ Roll HoF1999 – inducted into the Rock n’ Roll HoF

George HarrisonGeorge HarrisonB. Feb 24, 1943 D. Nov 29, 2001B. Feb 24, 1943 D. Nov 29, 2001

Befriended Paul McCartney at the Liverpool Befriended Paul McCartney at the Liverpool Institute in the mid-1950sInstitute in the mid-1950s

Joined Joined QuarrymenQuarrymen in 1958 at age 15 in 1958 at age 15

Harrison wrote several of the Beatles well know Harrison wrote several of the Beatles well know later songs: later songs: Taxman, Here Comes the Sun, Taxman, Here Comes the Sun, Something, & While My Guitar Gently WeepsSomething, & While My Guitar Gently Weeps

Had a commercially & critically successful solo Had a commercially & critically successful solo careercareer

Probably 1Probably 1stst modern musician to organize a major modern musician to organize a major charity concertcharity concert

Ranked 21Ranked 21stst in in Rolling Stone’s Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest 100 Greatest GuitaristGuitarist

1999 – stabbed by a crazed fan, punctures lung1999 – stabbed by a crazed fan, punctures lung

2001 – died due to a brain tumor2001 – died due to a brain tumor

2004 – inducted into the Rock n’ Roll HoF2004 – inducted into the Rock n’ Roll HoF

Ringo StarrRingo StarrB. Richard Starkey July 7, 1940B. Richard Starkey July 7, 1940

known for his easygoing personality and known for his easygoing personality and comic singingcomic singing

Drummer for Drummer for Rory Storm and the Rory Storm and the HurricanesHurricanes 1959-621959-62

Joined the Beatles in 1962Joined the Beatles in 1962

Generally sang one song per albumGenerally sang one song per album

Didn’t write many songs b/c the songs he had Didn’t write many songs b/c the songs he had would unintentionally be a clear knock-off of would unintentionally be a clear knock-off of some popular songsome popular song– Did help w/ lyrics and song titles in many casesDid help w/ lyrics and song titles in many cases

Acted in several movies & the voice of Mr. Acted in several movies & the voice of Mr. Conductor on Conductor on Shining Time StationShining Time Station– Played himself on Played himself on The SimpsonsThe Simpsons

Only Beatle not inducted into RR HoF as a Only Beatle not inducted into RR HoF as a solo artistsolo artist

The Quarry Men

Originally formed by John Lennon and high school classmates in Liverpool, England

July 6, 1957 – John met Paul McCartney after the Quarry Men’s second concert

July 20 ’57 – McCartney joins the group

Feb ’58 – Paul introduces George Harrison to John

Aug ’58 – Lennon asks Harrison to join the band

The Quarry men would grow to a seven member band before it disbanded in 1959, due to a lack of gigs

Formation of The BeatlesAfter the Quarry men disbanded, John, Paul & George continued on as “Johnny and the Moondogs”– John & George on guitar and Paul on drums

Jan ’60 – John invited college friend Stuart Sutcliffe into the band to play bass– Started playing as Long John and the Silver Beetles

Aug ’60 – Pete Best joins as drummer, Paul switches to rhythm guitar– Band name shortened to Beetles and later - Beatles

Band makes first trip to Hamburg, Germany to play a stint of 30-set weeks in the bars/clubs– Harrison gets deported for being under age in December– The rest of the band has to leave soon after for working w/o permits

April ’61 – return to Germany; Sutcliffe leaves the group

Paul would switch to bass after Sutcliffe departs– Sutcliffe would die from cancer

less than a year later

July ’61 – returned to Liverpool

Nov ’61 – spotted by Brian Epstein at the Cavern Club– Epstein becomes their manager &

changes their image

May ’62 – signed to EMI for a recording contract by George Martin– Pete Best is asked to leave the

group

Aug ’62 – Ringo Starr leaves Rory Storm and the Hurricanes & joins the Beatles

The Pop YearsPlease, Please Me (Mar. ‘63)Please, Please Me (Mar. ‘63)

Certified platinumCertified platinum

Entire album recorded in 1 dayEntire album recorded in 1 day

Notable SongsNotable Songs– I Saw Her Standing ThereI Saw Her Standing There– Love Me Do Love Me Do (#1, 1962)(#1, 1962)– She Loves You She Loves You (#1, 1963)(#1, 1963)– Twist and Shout Twist and Shout (#2, 1964)(#2, 1964)

With The Beatles (Nov. ‘63)With The Beatles (Nov. ‘63)Released in US as Released in US as Meet the Beatles (Jan ’64)Meet the Beatles (Jan ’64)

Notable SongsNotable Songs– Roll Over Beethoven Roll Over Beethoven (#68)(#68)– Money (That’s What I Want)Money (That’s What I Want)

70 million people watched the Beatles 70 million people watched the Beatles appearances on appearances on The Ed Sullivan ShowThe Ed Sullivan Show (Feb 9(Feb 9thth & 16 & 16thth ‘64) ‘64)

A Hard Day’s Night (July ‘64)A Hard Day’s Night (July ‘64)

Soundtrack for the movieSoundtrack for the movie

11stst Beatles album using 4 tape tracks Beatles album using 4 tape tracks

Notable songsNotable songs– Can’t Buy Me Love Can’t Buy Me Love (#1, Gold)(#1, Gold)– A Hard Day’s Night A Hard Day’s Night (#1, Gold)(#1, Gold)

Beatles For Sale (Dec. ‘64)Beatles For Sale (Dec. ‘64)

Recording session started only 6 Recording session started only 6 days after last for days after last for A Hard Day’s NightA Hard Day’s Night– In those 6 days - played concerts in 5 In those 6 days - played concerts in 5

countriescountries

Notable SongsNotable Songs– I’m A Loser I’m A Loser – Eight Days A Week Eight Days A Week (#1, Gold)(#1, Gold)

Help! (Aug ‘65)Help! (Aug ‘65)Soundtrack to movie of same nameSoundtrack to movie of same name

Music begins to show the band moving Music begins to show the band moving beyond “pop” soundbeyond “pop” sound

Notable SongsNotable Songs– Help! (#1, Gold) (#1, Gold)– Ticket to Ride (#1, released w/ (#1, released w/ HelpHelp))– Yesterday (#1, Gold) (#1, Gold)

Rubber Soul (Dec. ‘65)Rubber Soul (Dec. ‘65)11stst album w/ set recording dates album w/ set recording dates

title was a pun after hearing Mick title was a pun after hearing Mick Jagger’s singing style called “plastic Jagger’s singing style called “plastic soul”soul”

Many tracks have a folk rock feelMany tracks have a folk rock feel

Notable songsNotable songs– Nowhere Man (#3, Gold)Nowhere Man (#3, Gold)

– Drive My Car, MichelleDrive My Car, Michelle

The Psychedelic YearsThe Psychedelic YearsRevolver (Aug. ‘66)Revolver (Aug. ‘66)

The beginning of their studio years; The beginning of their studio years; released before their last tour in ‘66 but released before their last tour in ‘66 but none of the songs were played livenone of the songs were played live

Considered one of the greatest technical Considered one of the greatest technical achievements in rock historyachievements in rock history

Notable SongsNotable Songs– Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby double /Eleanor Rigby double

A-side (#2, #11; Gold)A-side (#2, #11; Gold)Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (June ’67)Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (June ’67)

Took 168 days to recordTook 168 days to record

Ranked Ranked #1#1 on on Rolling Stone’s Rolling Stone’s 100 100 Greatest Albums of All TimeGreatest Albums of All Time

Won 4 Grammys in 1968Won 4 Grammys in 1968

Continues and expands on Revolver’s Continues and expands on Revolver’s innovations and musical experimentationsinnovations and musical experimentations

One of the first “concept” albumsOne of the first “concept” albums

Spent 15 weeks at #1; but no singles Spent 15 weeks at #1; but no singles at releaseat release

Has sold over 8 million copiesHas sold over 8 million copies

Notable SongsNotable Songs– Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club BandSgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

– LLucy in the ucy in the SSky with ky with DDiamondsiamonds

– Getting BetterGetting Better

Magical Mystery Tour (Nov. ‘67)Magical Mystery Tour (Nov. ‘67)Brian Epstein dies of overdose in late Brian Epstein dies of overdose in late August, leaving band w/o managerAugust, leaving band w/o manager

Soundtrack to the TV movieSoundtrack to the TV movie– Movie panned by critics and fansMovie panned by critics and fans

Notable SongsNotable Songs– Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields Forever

(#1,#8; Gold)(#1,#8; Gold)

– All You Need Is Love All You Need Is Love (#1; Gold)(#1; Gold)

– Hello, Goodbye/I Am the WalrusHello, Goodbye/I Am the Walrus (#1,#56; (#1,#56; Gold)Gold)

The Final YearsThe Final YearsThe Beatles (Nov. ‘68)The Beatles (Nov. ‘68)

First release on their own Apple labelFirst release on their own Apple label

commonly known as the White Albumcommonly known as the White Album

Only double album of original materialOnly double album of original material– Harrison said there were too many egos in the Harrison said there were too many egos in the

band at that timeband at that time

#10 on #10 on Rolling Stone’s Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest 100 Greatest Albums of All TimeAlbums of All Time

Recorded during a period of great turmoil in Recorded during a period of great turmoil in the bandthe band– First album undertaken since Epstein diedFirst album undertaken since Epstein died

– Yoko Ono’s presence becomes point of Yoko Ono’s presence becomes point of contention among the bandcontention among the band

– Ringo quit the band for the two weeks earlier in Ringo quit the band for the two weeks earlier in the yearthe year

Switched to 8 track recordingSwitched to 8 track recording

Eric Clapton played lead guitar on “Eric Clapton played lead guitar on “While While My Guitar Gently WeepsMy Guitar Gently Weeps” ”

Notable Songs:Notable Songs:

Back in the USSRBack in the USSR

BirthdayBirthday

While My Guitar While My Guitar Gently WeepsGently Weeps

Helter SkelterHelter Skelter

Abbey Road (Sept. ‘69)Abbey Road (Sept. ‘69)

Last actual album made by the Last actual album made by the BeatlesBeatles– Let It Be Let It Be was recorded first, but not was recorded first, but not

completedcompleted

Biggest selling Beatles album ever Biggest selling Beatles album ever (10 million+ copies)(10 million+ copies)

#14 on #14 on Rolling Stone’s Rolling Stone’s 100 100 Greatest Albums of All TimeGreatest Albums of All Time

Album cover fueled the “Paul is Album cover fueled the “Paul is Dead” rumorDead” rumor– Paul is barefoot, out of step w/ othersPaul is barefoot, out of step w/ others– VW Beetle plate is “LMW 28IF”VW Beetle plate is “LMW 28IF”– Van in the distance appears to be Van in the distance appears to be

heading at Paulheading at Paul

Notable SongsNotable Songs

Come Together Come Together (#1)(#1)

Something Something (#1) (#1) – Double single (2x platinum)Double single (2x platinum)

Maxwell’s Silver HammerMaxwell’s Silver Hammer

Octopus’s GardenOctopus’s Garden

Here Comes the SunHere Comes the Sun

Let It Be (May ‘70)Let It Be (May ‘70)Recording took place in January ’69Recording took place in January ’69

The band wasn’t happy with the album The band wasn’t happy with the album so it was shelvedso it was shelved

The band was falling apartThe band was falling apart

At one point, George got into to a At one point, George got into to a argument w/ John and Paul; stormed out argument w/ John and Paul; stormed out of studio & quit the bandof studio & quit the band– Talked back after a couple of daysTalked back after a couple of days

The members were all going in different The members were all going in different directionsdirections– Paul was taking control of the bandPaul was taking control of the band– The others resented John for bringing The others resented John for bringing

Yoko into the studioYoko into the studio– George & Ringo resented being treated George & Ringo resented being treated

as secondary members by John & Paulas secondary members by John & Paul

Paul sued to dissolve the band Dec ‘70Paul sued to dissolve the band Dec ‘70

Notable SongsNotable SongsLet It Be Let It Be (#1, 2xPlatinum)(#1, 2xPlatinum)

The Long and Winding The Long and Winding Road Road (#1, Gold)(#1, Gold)