The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, who are often recognized as the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed act in popular music. From 1962, the group consisted of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals). Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the group later worked in many genres ranging from folk rock to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. The nature of their enormous popularity, which first emerged as the “Beatlemania” fad, transformed as their songwriting grew in sophistication. The group came to be perceived as the embodiment of progressive ideals, seeing their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. More broadly, The Beatles changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced its role in their lives.
“There were some really loving, caring moments between four people… a really amazing closeness. Just four guys who really loved each other. It was pretty sensational.” RINGO
McCartney (from the Mail on Sunday May 12, 2008): “I’ve always had a couple of voices. Originally you’re just a kid at home, like everyone else, and then you start to dream of being a singer. My heroes then were rock ‘n’ rollers, so my ballad voice was based on Elvis and the screamy voice was me trying to be Little Richard. I loved him so much. When I joined the Beatles, John used to like that and it’s stayed with me as something I enjoy doing – that gritty, souly voice. So on this track I was just thinking of how much there is to be grateful for in life, and I wanted to put that into song and use the gritty voice to do it with.”
So, today I am grateful to my favorite rock band of all time, The Beatles, and their empowering influence they have brought to so many around the world. I started to become a big fan of the Beatles in 1982, when the documentary, “The Compleat Beatles”, came out. Learning about their history and how they became pop icons was amazing and very inspiration to me. It felt so great to also introduce my sons to the Beatles, who love the play the Beatles Rockband music video game. A true highlight in my life was the opportunity to see Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in various live concerts. Hearing the old Beatles tunes on stage, I felt I had gone back in time, and just had a little taste, of what it must have been like, to see the Beatles perform during the heyday of Beatlemania.
I love the Beatles as well
The Beatles synthesized all that was good about early rock & roll, and changed it forever!