The Beatles

After World War 2, central Liverpool was in ruins and the shipping trade was in decline, it
was a dark time for Liverpool. It was the Beatles who made Liverpool world famous again.

The four Beatles- John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocalist), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, lead
singer), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocalist) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocalist) - were all born
in Liverpool.

In March 1957 John Lennon formed his rst group which he called “The Quarrymen”.
The name came from the Quarry Bank Grammar School in Liverpool, the school John was
attending at that time. He was 16. John met Paul McCartney at a summer festival in July of the
same year. Paul was 15 and had a very good voice, so John asked him to join the band. Paul
and George were students ay the Liverpool Institute and they went to school together on the
school bus. George was only 15 but he was really talented, so Paul introduced him to John. At
rst John didn’t want him in the band because he thought he was too young, but he nally said
yes.

John, Paul and George, together with Stu Sutcli e and Pete Best began to play in
German clubs. During their time in Germany, Stu Sutcli e decided to leave the group and later
died of a brain haemorrhage. The remaining members changed their name to “The Beatles” in
1960 and after a few more years spent away from Liverpool, they decided to go back to their
hometown.

Their luck changed when they met the young record store owner Brian Epstein who
convinced them to change their hairstyles and their clothes. The “Beatle look” was born. In
1962 the group decided to drop Pete Best as drummer and Ringo Starr joined the band. In the
same year the famous record company EMI o ered them a contract. Their rst album Love Me
Do, was an instant hit at number 17 on the charts.

The Beatles had their rst number 1 hit with Please, Please Me in 1963. They gave their
rst US concert the following year. From this point on in history “The Beatles” became
immensely popular. Hysterical fans followed them to every concert and Beatle-mania ruled
world wide. They changed pop music forever because they were the rst British band to write
their own songs and music.

In Paul o cially left the Beatles in 1970, and the other members went on to their own
solo careers and separate lives. Their relationships remained tense and although fans were
hoping for a reunion, their gathering came too late after John Lennon was shot in 1980.

Choose 2 more members and write a short biography about them based on Ringo’s example:

Ringo Starr was born in 1940. He sang and played the drums. He was also a songwriter for
the Beatles. He wrote the song ‘Don’t Pass Me By’. He was married twice and has three children.
He now sings and plays with the “All-Starr-Band”.

Name Paul McCartney George Harrison John Lennon

Born 1942 1943 1940

Instruments Bass guitar, piano, etc. Lead guitar Rhythm guitar

Famous song Yesterday Here Comes The Sun Imagine

Married twice, ve Married twice, two

Marriage & children Married twice, one child
children children

He is Sir Paul McCartney,

Now rich, continues to write Died in 2001 of cancer Died in 1980
music
fi
fi
fi
ffi
fi
ff
fi
ff
ff
fi
fi
fi
1. ______________:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. ______________:

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Answer the following questions in full sentences;

1. Where were the Beatles born?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. When did the Beatles start their career?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

3. Where did John and Paul rst meet?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why didn’t John want George in the band?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

5. Why was Brian Epstein important?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

6. What kind of music did they play?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

7. When was their rst concert in the USA?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

8. When did they split up and why?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

9. How did John Lennon die?

_______________________________________________________________________________________
fi
fi