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The Beatles |
THE (Early) BEATLES (1959-1963) Formed 1959, Liverpool, England. The impact of the Beatles - not only on Rock & Roll but on all of western culture - is simply incalculable. Prior to forming the Beatles, John and Paul were in a band called the Quarrymen. They started writing songs together and later invited George to join them. In 1960 the band's name was changed to The Silver Beatles and finally 'The Beatles'.
Band Members
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I'll Follow The Sun |
The Quarrymen 1958
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Movin 'N' Groovin |
Although Epstein had had no prior experience of artist management, he made it clear he wanted to change The Beatles’ early dress-code and attitude on stage, as they wore blue jeans and leather jackets, ate and swore, stopped and started songs when they felt like it, pretended to hit each other, and turned their backs to the audience. Epstein put a stop to their behaviour, insisting they wear more suitable clothes, and later suggested the famous synchronised bow at the end of their performances. Epstein: "I encouraged them, at first, to get out of the leather jackets and jeans, and I wouldn't allow them to appear in jeans after a short time, and then, after that step, I got them to wear sweaters on stage, and then, very reluctantly, eventually, suits". |
The Beatles - Money 1962 |
The Beatles finally had good news
in June 1962, when they were signed up by lowly Parlophone headed up by a knowledgeable musician known as George Martin who had the ambition of making Parlophone big in the industry. He liked what he saw and heard in the Beatles and knew they had potential. In July he offered the minimum EMI contract, one year and 4 songs, at a royalty of one penny per-double sided record. |
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In September 1962, the
Beatles recorded ‘Love Me Do’ which eventually climbed to No 17 by December 1962. In late November, the Beatles recorded ‘Please, Please Me’. Television appearances on Thank Your Lucky Stars and a radio appearance on the BBC’s 'Saturday Club' certainly helped their popularity. |
Please Please Me |
Their fourth hit, ’She Loves You’ also zoomed to number 1. In September, the Melody maker poll showed the Beatles as the top British pop group. Their most notable TV appearance of the year came in October with Sunday Night At the London Palladium, before a viewing audience estimated at 15 million. In late October came a successful tour of Sweden; and in November came an appearance as part of the 1963 Royal Command Performance for an exclusive audience that included the Queen Mother and Princes Margaret. It was at this show that John made his famous quip, ‘Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands? All the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewellery…” |
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Finally he also contacted Ed Sullivan, host of a CBS television variety show that had aired for some twenty years. Sullivan had seen the Beatles, and Beatlemania, on a recent trip to the UK. He booked the group for 2 shows in February as a novelty act. |
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Over the course of two and a half years, The Beatles appeared at The Cavern a total of 292 times. Their final performance was on 3rd August 1963. During 1961 and 1963, the band also had residencies in Hamburg. |
See List Of Live Performances |