to 1935
to 1960
to 1962
to Featured Artists
to 1935
to 1960
to 1962
to Featured Artists
| THE BEATLES started their career modestly with a prolonged stand in Hamburg, churning out simple rock derivative of their favorite American influences--Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis--but with elements of Motown and country mixed in. When they returned to England, drummer Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best, and Paul McCartney moved from guitar to bass, replacing the departed Stuart Sutcliffe. With John Lennon and George Harrison playing guitar they made their first recordings in 1962. By 1963 they had conquered England with their good looks and their driving pop, and by 1964 America was theirs too. The incredible songwriting skills of Lennon and McCartney, the band's charm and wit, and the progressive influence of producer George Martin all helped the Beatles to mature from teen idols into pop legends, becoming the first truly original English rock band in years and essentially defining the boundaries of rock with their catchy sonic experimentation before breaking up in 1970. It is incredible that, in eight years, one band could produce the straight rock of their early 60's records, the psychedelic forays of Rubber Soul and Revolver, the audacious Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the brilliant excesses of the White Album, and the well-balanced Abbey Road. Although we may take them for granted (with dozens of their songs lodged permanently in our heads), it is still amazing to realize that they have left their mark on almost every single pop song to this day.
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