The Beatles

The Beatles released 13 original albums in ONLY 7 years. Never before or since has any rock band come close to that quantity and quality of output. For example, U2, one of the most popular bands of the day, has released 13 studio albums in 29 years.

There's no denying that the Beatles changed the music industry profoundly. From the way album covers appeared, to writing their own songs, to innovative recording techniques, the Beatles led the way to change what rock bands could do.

But The Beatles were not just a band "who made it very, very big" as John Lennon said. The Beatles became an international phenomenon.

The group's lasting influence in society is evident in many ways from the use of Beatle phrases and lyrics in everyday life to modern-day hairstyles. No musical act can trace more cultural influences to the present than the four lads from Liverpool.

The more time that passes, the bigger the legacy grows.

For example, the city of Liverpool has now built a significant tourist industry around The Beatles. Every August, thousands and thousands of Beatles fans invade the city for a week of music and celebration in honor of The Fab Four. A pilgrimage to Liverpool is something every Beatles fan should experience.

John Lennon was considered the leader of the Beatles since he started the band. The members of the Beatles are always referred to as: John, Paul, George, and Ringo. This reflects the order in which they joined the group, as well as what many consider the order of importance or influence in the band.

John, Paul and George began performing together in various group formations in 1958.

However, the line-up wasn't complete until 1962 when Ringo joined the group. Here are their birthdates in chronological order:

Ringo Starr (real name: Richard Starkey): born July 7, 1940

John Winston Lennon: born October 9, 1940--died December 8, 1980

James Paul McCartney: born June 18, 1942

George Harrison: born February 25, 1943--died November 29, 2001 

All four of the Beatles were born and raised in Liverpool, England.

Cr: http://www.beatles-history.net/

The Beatles - Let It Be