The best-selling band in history, with sales of
over a billion, The Beatles; John Lennon, Paul
McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, have had
more number-one albums and sold more singles in the UK
than any other act and achieved more sales in the USA
than any other artist. They became one of the most
critically acclaimed acts in popular music. Formed in
Liverpool in 1960, The Beatles had their roots in
skiffle and 1950s rock 'n' roll, but as their career
progressed they dabbled in many musical forms, including
pop ballads and psychedelic rock. In the early days,
they honed their skills playing clubs in their hometown
and Hamburg, Germany, while manager Brian Epstein
polished their act. He brokered a record deal with EMI
producer George Martin, who helped the band make the
most of their musical potential. The Beatles' first
single, Love Me Do, was released in 1962, becoming a
modest hit. Towards the end of that year, they recorded
Please Please Me, their first number one. The following
year saw the advent of Beatlemania, and they became
known as the 'Fab Four'; by early 1964, they had become
international stars, leading the so-called 'British
Invasion' by musical acts of the United States.
Throughout the remainder of the 1960s, their stature
grew, even though their last commercial concert took
place in 1966. During that time, they released many
influential and innovative albums, including Revolver,
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Abbey Road.
After the band's break-up in 1970, the individual
members continued with successful musical careers. John
Lennon was murdered in 1980, while George Harrison died
from lung cancer in 2001; Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr
remain active. This book takes a nostalgic and
affectionate look at Britain's most famous pop group,
from their early days in the 1960s to the most recent
activities of the surviving members, with the aid of
approximately 350 photographs from the extensive
archives of Mirrorpix.
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