Beatles Photo Gallery

The History of The Beatles can be traced back to March 1957, when John Lennon and his childhood friend, Pete Shotton started a group called "The Black Jacks" to play Skiffle and America Rock and Roll. They soon change the name to "The Quarry Men". Their gigs were mostly neighborhood events.

In Sept John entered "The Liverpool College of Art". Paul and George Harrison were students at "Liverpool Institute High School for Boys". During their daily hour-long bus commute, they became friends discovering a mutual interest in music.
On Feb 6, 1958, Paul introduced George to John. George persisted over time to convinced a reluctant John to allow him to join The Quarry Men-even following him on his dates with his future wife Cynthia Powell.
on Aug. 29^th, 1958, John accepted George into The Quarry Men, which would then grow into seven members, before disbanding in 1959 due to lack of gigs.

George joined another group which disbanded, then he and fellow group member Ken Brown united with John and Paul for seven Saturday performances at the new Casbah Club, from Aug 29, 1959 until Oct 10 when a financial dispute ended their relationships with the club and Ken Brown. The trio continued as "Johnny and the Moondogs" with Paul on drums. Ken formed a group with Pete Best, the son of the Casbah's club owner and continued performing there.

In Jan. 1960, John invited a fellow art student Stu Sutcliff to join the group on the condition he got his own bass. In May They renamed themselves The "Beetles" (as a tribute to Stu's favorite band "Buddy Holly & The Crickets", then, The"Silver Beetles". Allan Williams became their manager. In June, they modified their name to the "Silver Beatles".

In early May a 25 year old drummer - Tommy Moore - joined them. On May 18^th they began a nine day tour in Scotland backing performer Johnny Gentle. Tommy left the group afterwards due to financial obligations.

In July 1960 they discover a drummer - Norman Chapman - who joined them until he was called for national service duty.

On Aug 6^th, 1960, they invited their friend Pete Best to become their permanent drummer after having played together several times during their performances at the Casbah club

Their manager Alan Williams, having been told about the vivid night-life and the love of rock and roll in Hamburg Germany, arrainged gigs for some of the groups he managed. On Aug 18^th, 1960, posing as students, The Beatles began a series of gigs in Hamburg, and John renamed the group The Beatles. They initially stayed in Hamburg until Dec 1^st. The atmosphere was filled with promiscuity, booze and pills. They would return periodically until Feb, 1962.

The line-up of The Beatles now comprised John Lennon (rhythm/ vocals), Paul McCartney (rhythm/vocals), George Harrison (lead/ vocals), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass/vocals) and Pete Best (drums).

After their first Hamburg tour ended (George was deported for being underage, and their dispute with their current boss lead to a police complaint about an attempted fire to his premises. - resulting in the arrest or Pete and Paul) Stu left the group after becoming engaged to photographer Astrid Kirchherr who was partially responsible for The Beatles' "Mop Tops") the beatles broke up for about a month, and Paul was urged by his father to get a job in a factory.

Pete Best became the sex symbol of The Beatles, and his distinctive drumming style was nicknamed by the press the "atom beat". However, his popularity caused jealousy among the rest of the Beatles.

On Feb 9^th 1961, The Beatles first performed at the Cavern Club; Pete's mother -Mona- assisted in getting them this booking. They returned to Hamburg Apr 1^st1961, to work at the "Top Ten" club until Jul 2^nd. A dispute started by John over discontinuing the paying of percentages to their manager Alan Williams for that gig, lead to Alan terminating his relationship with The Beatles.

The Beatles were approached by Producer Bert Kampfert ("Wonderland By Night") at the Top Ten Club and asked if they would be willing to record with Tony Sheridan. The Beatles were soon signed to a Polydor recording contract as the Beat Brothers, and from June 22^nd to 23^rd they recorded "My Bonnie", "In the School Hall", "Cry for A Shadow" and "Ain't She Sweet".

Saturday Oct 28^th. 1961, Brian Epstein, received three requests at his record store for "My Bonnie" by The Beatles. You was informed that they were currently performing at The Cavern Club. After watching the beatles perform at the Cavern Club in Liverpool He introduced himself. Later, he consulted with his friend Alan - who was then still bitter about their disloyalty - about his wishes to Manage them. He took over their management at a 25% percentage.

On New Year's Day 1962, the group was granted an audition with Decca's A&R department, headed by Dick Rowe with his assistant Mike Smith. Mike liked them, as well as The Tremeloes who were also auditioning that day, but was forced to select only one by Dick. Brian Poole And The Tremeloes were selected because of their superior performance (The Beatles has partied until 4:30 am that morning-and were tired), and because The Tremoloes lived just a mile away and would cost the company less in travel expenses.

On Jan 24^th, the band signed a management contract with Brian Epstein.
April 10 ^th, Stu Sutcliff died of a brain hemorrhage; he had been complaining of headaches ever since their first Hamburg tour.
June 4^th, The Beatles auditioned for George Martin and EMI/Parlophone Records, and was offered a contract, however, George expressed concern about the drumming skills of Pete Best, asking them to bring in a session drummer.
Ringo Starr had been playing with The Beatles on several dates when Pete Best was sick. George began urging the others to replace Pete - who was perceived to have prompted jealousy among the other members because of his good looks and sex-appeal.

Enter Ringo Starr

Sept 4^th,Producers George Martin and Ron Richards began their first Beatles recording session in which "Love Me Do" -written by Paul in 1958- was recorded in Mono on a two-track tape, with Ringo on Drums. Martin complained about Ringo's timing to John, Paul and George, and indicated that he would hire a session drummer, and suggested that John include the harmonica solo.
"How Do You Do It" was Martin's choice for their first single, however "Love Me Do" won out and "How Do You Do It" was offerred to Gerry and the Pacemakers. This lineup was on the initial Parlophone 45 release of October 5, 1962.

Sept 11^th, A new Mono recording session for "Love Me Do" & "PS I Love You" with Session Drummer Andy White, and Ringo on the Tamborine and Maracas. This lineup was on the album version, and the U.S. release on April 27, 1964 on Tollie Records. "Please Please Me" was originally planned for the B-side, however George Martin insisted it's pace was too slow. Although The Beatles attempted a faster-paced version, they were not satisfied with the results, and put off re-recording their first number 1 song until Feb 11^th 1963.

Love Me Do
U.K. Chart Entry Date : 11th October 1962
Highest Position : 17     Weeks on Chart : 18 Weeks

EMI, approached Vee Jay Records in the Summer of 1962, after Capitol Records turned down their U.S. option for the distribution of "I Remember You", by Frank Ifield, and The Beatles' releases.
Vee Jay released the single Please Please Me b/w Ask Me Why in the US, on 25 February 1963 (VJ 498) under the name "Beattles".
The Beatles next U.S. release, on May 27 1963 - Vee Jay (VJ522)- "From Me To You" b/w Thank You Girl peaked at #116 on Billboard, August 10^th, 1963. Their next release "She Loves You" , failed to chart at all it's first time.

During Oct. '62, The Beatles performed in England on the bill with Little Richard - who was backed on organ by sixteen-year-old Billy Preston.
They again performed with them in Hamburg during Nov and Dec '62.

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