The Beatles
The Beatle's were the band that started the rock n" roll genre of music as we know it. Before they came along music was bands were based around a single singer, but The Beatles helped to change the focus over to rock groups. The Beatles were formed in 1960, and at the time consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Colin Hanton on the drums. They started out playing clubs in Liverpool and even in Germany, where they were expelled from playing due to the young age of Harrison. Sutcliffe later left the band to pursue a solo career, but he died of a brain hemorrhage later that year. The band signed a contract with George Martin of Parlophone records, who suggested a new drummer, and that's where Ringo Starr came along. This was to be the beatle lineup for their career. By 1962 the band had taken over Britain with their humerous antics and rebellious rock n' roll. The band became idols for the younger generations, with their long hair and boyish good looks. By 1964 the band had taken over the U.S. with Meet the Beatles, their first U.S LP. Beatlemania hit the world that year, and for some it has never ended. The Beatles introduced the world to present-day rock, and their original and influential songs have lived on since their beginning. Unfortunately, the band took a turn for the worst when the members began fighting in the late 60's. Paul McCartney was the first to quit, and there was no way The Beatles could have gotten along without any of their members. Each of the members released solo albums in the following decade, but none were to ever be anywhere near as successful as The Beatles were. Sadly, in December of 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed by a crazed fan named Mark David Chapman. This ended all hopes for a reuniting of the band.
R.I.P.
John Lennon
1940-1980