The Beatles History – Transcending Time and Space

There are few groups that have such an enduring claim to fame that they become an essential part of history and thousands of rock tees for years to come. The Beatles is one of these few musical groups that have managed to accomplish this. Without the Fab Four, it’s likely that current popular music would have taken a different evolutionary turn.

For hardcore fans, the real story of the band began in 1960 when John Lennon formed The Quarrymen. Lennon originally played music with his friends. The prototype for The Beatles originally included Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe who is often regarded as the fifth Beatle. Paul McCartney and George Harrison soon became members as well. Ringo Starr however did not come in until much later when Pete Best was dismissed from the group.

The firing of Best is often a contentious part in the band’s history. He was simply informed that the other members no longer wanted him in. There have been theories as to why he was not liked. It’s possible that he just did not look or act like the rest or that he was far too popular with the fans because of his looks. It has also been suggested though that his musical abilities were not up to par. It’s hard to tell how the group might have turned out if he was allowed to stay.

The Beatles history as we know it came to be in 1962, with Starr playing drums. At this point, it was Lennon and McCartney who became the more prominent members. This was probably because they were the writers and had a say as to which songs would make the cut. It was a pleasant surprise that early on, the members met eye to eye considering that the two songwriters were almost worlds apart in musical style. McCartney produced music that was naturally melodic, uplifting and almost bubbly. Lennon on the other hand produced songs that were grounded on a mature and realistic outlook.

Regardless of the differences between the composers though, they found common ground in merging a myriad of genres and influences. The revolutionary and inclusive approach of The Beatles is perhaps the main reason why their appeal has stretched across five decades. They are primarily labeled a rock and roll band but they have been known to integrate elements of folk, blues, pop, country, psychedelic and even classical and Celtic music.

What made the group’s music entirely appealing is that the mixture of genres did not come out as evolutionary. There was no shift of genres just because the band had matured or changed. The mix was simply just a mix. What made their songs even better is the fact that the varying elements did not clash or create discordant sounds. They were able to meld so many different parts into outstanding pieces that touched base with the common people. People came to love their music so much that by 1964, they had unknowingly been able to launch the British music invasion.

A deeper analysis of the story and style of band would probably be too excessive. After all, greater musical minds have weighed in and attempted to define the group’s genius and outstanding commercial success. In a sense, there is no definite way to put a box around The Beatles history. Suffice it to say that they opened the doors to the popular acceptance of revolutionary, inventive and overreaching creativity in every band store.