Test - The Beatles

The Beatles

I / Who are they?

A / Origin of name

The group name contains "beat" (tempo) and beetles (beetles). Their "symbol" is green apple.

B / Presentation

The Beatles is a Pop-rock band well known established in Liverpool in 1957 and separated in 1970. The group includes: Paul McCartney (bass), John Lennon (rhythm guitar), Ringo Starr (drums) and George Harrison (lead guitar ). They all sing and they all know play several different instruments (guitar, synthesizer, drums, wind instrument ...).

II / Their history

A / Debut (1957-1963)

Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a party and decided to form a band. Soon after, George Harrison joined, also on guitar. Between them they play at clubs in Liverpool. They hire a drummer named Pete Best, they are not happy .. When recording their first album, they ask a drummer named Ringo Starr replaced Pete Best. In 1962 and 1963, they encountered their first success with the albums "Please, please me" and "With the Beatles".

B / Beatlemania (1964-1966)

Beatlemania is the period when the Beatles are gaining popularity in England: they have a fan club united and they make one of every newspaper. In 1964, Beatlemania is exported throughout Europe and the United States, in all these countries they know a great success. Their triumph at U.S.A. causes other English bands to export to, this marks the beginning of the "British Invasion". They do a lot of concerts and turning some movies. The Beatles invent a style; they wear them long and thick hair, this aspect gains the crowd: she carries the cup to the Beatles. Their most famous songs of this period are: "A Hard Day's Night" (1964) and "Help" (1965).

C / The Studio Years (1967-1970)

In early 1967, the Beatles stopped their concerts and moved full time in the Abbey Road studios. This is the beginning of period Years of Studio. They decide to create more complicated music recording (many instruments). Their album in the studio is more representative "Sgt Pepper", the Beatles took a long time to achieve: they put a lot of sound effects (a first in the history of music).

D / Separation

John Lennon ad other Beatles he definitely left the band in 1970. "I founded the Beatles and I dissolved, it's that simple," he said. "Yes, I was in the Beatles. Yes, we have made great records together. Yes, I love those guys. But it is the end of history. "Says Ringo. "I have not left the Beatles. The Beatles left the Beatles, "says Paul. 4 The Beatles continue each a brilliant solo career.

III / Records

In seven years of recording career, the Beatles had the most selling record of all twentieth sciècle (estimated at over a billion). The Beatles hold the largest number of albums Number 1. In the US and UK, they spend more weeks at the top spot sales: 132 (U.S.A.) And 174 (U.K..). They also established the record audience on television in the United States. The Beatles set a world record of assistance (about 56,000 spectators) and profitability in a concert. MTV Musics dedicates a video game: The Beatles: Rock Band.

 IV / Legacy

Many groups and artists claim the influence of the Beatles (Prince, Michael Jackson, U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, among others), some specialize resume their repertoire and are quick to imitate them completely, until imitations 'to in clothing and hairstyle. Liverpool City based tourist activities on the Beatles career: a museum devoted to them, a luxury theme hotel (the Hard Day's Night Hotel). Every year in late August, is held the "International Beatles Week Festival" which occurs hundreds of groups in front of thousands of fans. 

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