Essay, Research Paper
The Beatles Rise to Stardom
The Beatles are a legendary band that underwent numerous changes over the
years. They rose from a little English band to the most famous rock and roll
band in the world. During the 1960?s, the Beatles used war and drugs as
dominant themes in their music. They brought a whole new view of reality to the
American culture.
In the early years, The Beatles struggled with band membership. Ultimately,
the band?s final members were John Lennon, Paul McCarthy, Ringo Starr and
George Harrison. In 1957, John Lennon decided to compose a band, never expecting
to become the greatest rock band of all time. John experienced many band names
and members such as: ?The Blackjacks?, ?The Quarry Men?, ?Johnny &
the Moondogs?, and ?Silver Beetles?. Pete Best was a temporary drummer
that was later replaced by Ringo Starr. Rod Davis was a previous banjo player
who failed quickly. John Lennon collaborated the name, The Beatles, after ?having
a vision when he was 12 years old. A man came to him with a flaming pie and said
unto them ?From this day on you are The Beatles with an A? ? (DISCovering
Biography 3). At this time The Beatles were looked down upon in Liverpool, the
grass roots of The Beatles, while not reacting well to rejection they were
determined to become Liverpool?s top band (DISCovering Biography 3). A local
record store manager noticed and paid close attention to the band. He would
later be The Beatles manager, known as Brian Epstein. Brian arranged an audition
with Decca Records. The turnout was devastational ?the head of
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Decca Records told The Beatles manager, ?Guitar groups are on their way out
Mr. Epstein?(Shotton 73). The Beatles did not let that stop them a few months
later they received an audition with Parlophone Records. George Martin with
Parlophone Records signed The Beatles in the mid-1960?s. ?Love Do Me? was
their first single released on October 5, 1962. ?Please Please Me? topped
the British charts in 1963. Please Please Me stayed at the top of the British
charts for 30 weeks, establishing the group as the most popular rock n? roll
band ever seen in UK (shotton 78). Each single created by The Beatles sold over
a million copies in the UK. As time went on The Beatles were growing rapidly as
composers and instrumentalists, as well as celebrities, appearing on the highest
rated TV show in Britain, ?Sunday Night At The London Palladium?.
Beatlemania was soon to strike everywhere.
?Beatlemania broke out in the British Isles in 1963, the group generated
hysteria at all of their public appearances, musical or otherwise?(legends2).
In 1964, The Beatles conquered the biggest record market, America. Capitol
Records heard ?I Want To Hold Your Hand? and took advantage of the
opportunity. The Beatles appeared on ?The Ed Sullivan Show? in February of
1964. They were a smash it was a performance heard around the world. (DISCovering
Biography 5). Months later The Beatles ranked top five best singles in the US
and Brittian.
The Beatles also touched Americans in other aspects than just playing songs
on records. America was continuously mourning the death of John F. Kennedy and
The Beatles revealed American culture through music(Shotton 97). Americans need
joy and excitement to build up the economy. Rock n? Roll had died in America
until The Beatles
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showed them how to dance again(shotton 99). The Beatles toured America for
the first time in 1964. Touring America meant traveling
millions of fans following to be involved in Beatlmania. ?A Hard Days Night?
and ?Help? were two motion pictures produced by The Beatles. The Beatles
performed in front of 50000 fans at the Shea Stadium in New York (Corbin 189).
Lennon states to the press, ?The Reason why kids are so crazy is that nobody
can face the responsibility of bringing them up. Not even jesus?(Corbin 194).
John had to apologize several times to the press, there became anti-Beatles and
death threats became more common. Brian Epstein died in August 1967 due to drug
overdose. Things would eventually fall apart for The Beatles (The Beatles3). The
band went on to film two more films, ?The Magical Mystery Tour? and ?Yellow
Submarine?, dedicated to Brian.
Outside interest and hobbies started affecting the personal interest in the
band. In 1964, The Beatles began experimenting with marijuana and later used
lots LSD. The behind the scene arguments went public and business arrangements
failed. The Beatles last concert played was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco
on August 29, 1966. The Beatles broke out with the album originally titled Get
Back but later became known as Let It Be, in 1969(DISCovering Biography 11).
Each band member continued on with his or her personal lives outside of The
Beatles. George Harrison and Paul McCartney?s disagreements resulted in George
leaving the band. George returned for the final album Abbey Road in 1969. The
Beatles gave their last public appearance on top of the Apple building on
January 30, 1969.
Each Beatle went down the path of individuality, all still producing music
and instigating the peace movement. John Lennon, the founder of The Beatles, is
one of the
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most influential individual in the music industry. John married Cynthia
Powell in August of 1962 and became the father of Julian. Only a few years later
Cynthia realized, ?John was rough, ready and not her type at all, but had an
irresistible character?(legend2). Soon after John re-married to Yoko Ono in
November of 1966. John released his solo album Imagine in 1970. Imagine spoke
for John as in describing his dream and sent his message across to
listeners(Corbin 214). John performed a charity concert in Madison Square on
August 30, 1972 to support the mentally handicapped. This concert ended John?s
experience with the Plastic Ono Bans. John and Yoko separated in 1973 due to the
press and constant struggles they had gone through. John went to Los Angeles and
became a drunk and a manic depressant (Corbin 217). After being alone for some
time, John realizes he loves Yoko and they have a son, Sean. John later released
another album, Double Fantasy, in 1980. John had begun work on his next album,
?Milk and Honey?, when he was shot in front of his apartment complex in New
York. He died at the age of forty in the Roosevelt Hospital on December 8,
1980(Corbin 267). John Lennon created The Beatles and made music that influenced
the entire world. John Lennon was a leader not a follower, he stuck to his
beliefs and stood by people?s rights (Shotton 216). He touched the souls of
many individuals and can never be replaced. His contributions in the music
industry will live on in memory for many more generations to come.
Legend is only a vague word to describe The Beatles and John Lennon. The
Beatles wanted peace, love, and happiness and they gave it not only to Britain
but also to the world around them. Their music touched everybody?s lives and
gave a new meaning of happiness to America.