The 'Fab Four' - The Beatles

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, the Beatles are among the most influential groups in rock. The band formed in Liverpool, England and over several years acquired its members George Harrison (guitar, sitar, vocals), John Lennon (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass, guitar, keyboards, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, percussion, vocals) who would later come to be known as the ‘Fab Four’ (The Beatles 2007).



Influenced by the likes of Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Chuck Berry and Little Richard, it was a combination of the Beatles energetic sound and buoyant melodies with charisma and personality, that won over music listeners around the world (The Beatles 2007). The combination of songwriter genius displayed by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, George Harrison’s mastery of the guitar, Ringo Starr’s ability to play with ease and how that they played together like a well oiled machine became the group trademark. It also didn’t hurt that they utilized their high energy, good looks and quick wits (The Beatles 2007).

Greil Marcus may have put it best when he wrote the following excerpt in the Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock and Roll:

“the form of the Beatles contained the forms of rock and roll itself. The Beatles combined the harmonic range and implicit equality of the Fifties vocal groups with the flash of a rockabilly band (the Crickets or Gene Vincent’s Blue Caps) with the aggressive and unique personalities of the classic rock stars (Elvis, Little Richard) with the homey, this-could-be-you manner of later rock stars (Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran) with the endlessly inventive songwriting touch of the Brill Building, and they delivered it all with the grace of the Miracles, the physicality of ‘Louie, Louie,’ and the absurd enthusiasm of Gary ‘U.S.’ Bonds.”

In 1963 the Beatles topped the British charts with “From Me to You,” “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” (The Beatles 2007). This marked their ascension to the top band in the UK and led them to continue their dominance in the US in 1964, where they would go on to record 45 top forty hits and 20 #1 singles, a record that remains to this day (The Beatles 2007).

References:

The Beatles, 2007, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, viewed 17 May 2009, http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/the-beatles.

Beatles Day In The Life Photo Tribute To The Fab Four - kewego
http://www.learnguitarpro.com/bt The Beatles a photo my tribute to the fab 4. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr. As an extra bonus you can get a FREE Xbox and Rockstar 2.

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