When John Lennon decided that he wanted to play music, he first recruited his best friend, Pete Shotton to his embryonic group. Lennon was to be the singer and guitarist. Shotton was relegated to washboard, a common skiffle instrument. After just one week as the Black Jacks, they renamed themselves the "Quarry Men," after a line in their school song at Quarry Bank Grammar School and a week later they recruited a friend from that school, Bill Smith to play tea chest bass, despite Shotton's protestations as he had rece ...

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The Quarrymen, The Quarrymen - History, The Quarrymen - Recent history

Read more here: » The Quarrymen: Encyclopedia II - The Quarrymen - History

The Beatles were a British rock/pop group from Liverpool, England. The group shattered many sales records and charted more than fifty top 40 hit singles, including twenty #1 hits in the USA alone, becoming the biggest musical act of the twentieth century. EMI Records estimated in 1985 that the band had sold over a billion records worldwide[1]. The band's songs covered many genres (including ballads, reggae, psychedelic music, blues, heavy metal and country music) and opened the door for many new musical styles and production techniques. The Beatles' influence extended beyond music into ...

Including:

• The Beatles - History
• The Beatles - Studio style evolution
• The Beatles - In film
• The Beatles - Influences and music
• The Beatles - Band members
• The Beatles - Early members
• The Beatles - Song catalogue
• The Beatles - Trivia
• The Beatles - Song samples

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British rock was born out of the influence of rock and roll and rhythm and blues from the United States, but added a new drive and urgency, exporting the music back and widening the audience for black R & B in the U.S. as well as spreading the gospel world wide. Much of what has made rock music unique, in its ability to unite audiences and adapt new influences, came from British bands in the late ...

Including:

• British rock - 1950s birth of British rock
• British rock - 1960s rockers and rock groups
• British rock - The British Invasion 1964–1969
• British rock - Blues-rock
• British rock - Psychedelic rock
• British rock - Progressive rock
• British rock - Heavy metal
• British rock - Folk-rock
• British rock - Glam rock
• British rock - Punk rock
• British rock - Alternative rock
• British rock - Twee pop
• British rock - Space rock
• British rock - Shoegazing
• British rock - Dream pop
• British rock - Gothic rock
• British rock - Modern music
• British rock - Britpop

Read more here: » British rock: Encyclopedia - British rock

In March 1957, John Lennon formed a skiffle group, The Blackjacks, who later became The Quarrymen. On 6 July of that year, Lennon met Paul McCartney through a mutual friend while playing at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Fete, and shortly afterwards, Lennon invited McCartney to join his fledgling group. The lineup that McCartney joined featured Lennon, Eric Griffiths on guitar, Len Garry on "tea-chest" bass, Pete Shotton on "washboard" and Colin Hanton on drums. In February 1958 the young guitarist George Harrison joined the group, which w ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Discography, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples, The Beatles - Notes

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - History

McCartney first rose to fame as a bassist, pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Beatles. He met John Lennon at a church picnic in 1957 and was invited to join Lennon's band The Quarrymen as a guitarist. McCartney's schoolmate, George Harrison joined soon after as a third guitarist, followed by the addition of Stuart Sutcliffe on bass. Pete Best joined on drums, rounding out the original lineup of the band. McCartney took over bass guitar duties in the early 1960s, when Lennon and H ...

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Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney - Early years, Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles, Paul McCartney - Early solo career, Paul McCartney - Wings, Paul McCartney - Solo again: 1980s, Paul McCartney - 1990s, Paul McCartney - 2000s, Paul McCartney - Pseudonyms, Paul McCartney - Discography, Paul McCartney - Achievements World Records and Misc. Trivia

Read more here: » Paul McCartney: Encyclopedia II - Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles

Main article: History of The Beatles John Lennon formed a group, The Blackjacks, who became The Quarrymen, in March 1957. On July 6 that year, John met Paul McCartney through a mutual friend while playing at the Woolton Parish Church Garden Fete, and the two were soon playing music together, with Colin Hanton on drums, and Len Garry on "Tea-Chest" bass. In February 1958 the young guitarist George Harrison joined the group, which played under a variety of names. Recordings of John, Paul and George from that year still exist. During this period, members constantly joined, and left the line up. John, Paul and George were the only ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Band members, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - History

Whatever the beginning, it is clear that rock appeared at a time when racial tensions in the United States were coming to the surface. African Americans were protesting segregation of schools and public facilities. The "separate but equal" doctrine was nominally overturned by the Supreme Court in 1954. It can hardly be a coincidence, then, that a musical form combining elements of white and black music should arise, and th ...

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Rock and roll, Rock and roll - Precursors and origins, Rock and roll - Early North American rock and roll 1953-1963, Rock and roll - Rockabilly, Rock and roll - Covers, Rock and roll - British Rock and Roll, Rock and roll - Decline and rebirth, Rock and roll - Books

Read more here: » Rock and roll: Encyclopedia II - Rock and roll - Early North American rock and roll 1953-1963

Rock & Roll faded as Cliff, the Shads and the others followed Elvis into lightweight pop and schmaltzy ballads, but rock groups were stirring at a basement club level. With their 1960 hit "Shakin' all over" Johnny Kidd and the Pirates introduced a harder beat for motorbike rockers and the song was soon being played by amateur groups at dances all round the UK along with R & B from the likes of Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker and invariably Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode". London's blues clubs featured Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated w ...

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British rock, British rock - 1950s birth of British rock, British rock - 1960s rockers and rock groups, British rock - The British Invasion 1964–1969, British rock - Blues-rock, British rock - Psychedelic rock, British rock - Progressive rock, British rock - Heavy metal, British rock - Folk-rock, British rock - Glam rock, British rock - Punk rock, British rock - Alternative rock, British rock - Twee pop, British rock - Space rock, British rock - Shoegazing, British rock - Dream pop, British rock - Gothic rock, British rock - Modern music, British rock - Britpop

Read more here: » British rock: Encyclopedia II - British rock - 1960s rockers and rock groups

Donegan was the first person to become famous playing skiffle in the United Kingdom, and went on to have an influential hit in Britain and the U.S.A.. At the time he sang and played both guitar and banjo for Chris Barber's Jazz Band, and began providing what he called a "skiffle" break during the intervals. With a washboard, a tea-chest bass and a cheap Spanish guitar, he had a lot of fun entertaining the audiences with folk songs and blues by artists such as Leadbelly and Woody Guthrie, casually giving the impression that anyone could do it ...

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Lonnie Donegan, Lonnie Donegan - Early life and trad jazz, Lonnie Donegan - Skiffle, Lonnie Donegan - Quotations, Lonnie Donegan - Discography, Lonnie Donegan - Trivia

Read more here: » Lonnie Donegan: Encyclopedia II - Lonnie Donegan - Skiffle

McCartney first rose to fame as a bassist, pianist, guitarist, singer and songwriter for The Beatles. He met John Lennon at a church picnic in 1957 and was invited to join Lennon's band The Quarrymen as a guitarist. McCartney's schoolmate, George Harrison joined soon after as a third guitarist, followed by the addition of Stuart Sutcliffe on bass. Pete Best joined on drums, rounding out the original lineup of the band. McCartney took over bass guitar duties in the early 1960s, when Lennon and H ...

See also:

Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney - Early years, Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles, Paul McCartney - Early solo career, Paul McCartney - Wings, Paul McCartney - Solo again: 1980s, Paul McCartney - 1990s, Paul McCartney - 2000s, Paul McCartney - Pseudonyms, Paul McCartney - Discography, Paul McCartney - Achievements World Records and Misc. Trivia

Read more here: » Paul McCartney: Encyclopedia II - Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles

James Paul McCartney was born at Walton Hospital in northern Liverpool, where his mother had worked as a nurse, and where his brother, Michael McCartney (also a musician, whose stage name is Mike McGear), was born a year later. He (and presumably his brother) were baptized Roman Catholic, but otherwise raised non-denominationally; his parents were a mixed-religion couple. His father, Jim McCartney, was a self-taught pianist, and dance-band leader who encouraged Paul to be musical. His father gave him a trumpet, which he largely abandoned whe ...

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Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney - Early years, Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles, Paul McCartney - Early solo career, Paul McCartney - Wings, Paul McCartney - Solo again: 1980s, Paul McCartney - 1990s, Paul McCartney - 2000s, Paul McCartney - Pseudonyms, Paul McCartney - Discography, Paul McCartney - Achievements World Records and Misc. Trivia

Read more here: » Paul McCartney: Encyclopedia II - Paul McCartney - Early years

Many observers have noted that understanding the success of The Beatles and their music begins and ends with an appreciation for the diverse ways in which they (especially Lennon and McCartney) blended their voices as instruments. The role of producer George Martin is often cited as a crucial element in the success of The Beatles. He used his experience to bring out the potential in the group, recognizing and nurturing their creativity rather than imposing his views. His earlier production experience, ranging from acts such as Jimmy S ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Discography, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples, The Beatles - Notes

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - Studio style evolution

As The Beatles broke up in 1970, Paul launched a solo career with his album McCartney, which featured him playing all the instruments and singing all vocals except for some backing vocals from his wife Linda. While some found this record underwhelming (including Lennon in an interview), it did contain "Maybe I'm Amazed", which has remained a centerpiece of McCartney's concerts ever since. Another successful track was "Every Night", which was later a hit for singer Phoebe Snow. The simplicity of the album later became a touchstone for ...

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Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney - Early years, Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles, Paul McCartney - Early solo career, Paul McCartney - Wings, Paul McCartney - Solo again: 1980s, Paul McCartney - 1990s, Paul McCartney - 2000s, Paul McCartney - Pseudonyms, Paul McCartney - Discography, Paul McCartney - Achievements World Records and Misc. Trivia

Read more here: » Paul McCartney: Encyclopedia II - Paul McCartney - Early solo career

Main article: Wings Briefly, after an uneven start and despite many personnel changes, Wings became one of the most successful 1970s rock bands, hitting its cinematic apex in 1973 with one of the best-remembered Bond theme songs ever to Live and Let Die, its artistic apex at the end of 1973 with the highly acclaimed Band on the Run album, and its commercial apexes in 1976 with a wildly popular world tour and in 1977 with one of the best-selling British ...

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Paul McCartney, Paul McCartney - Early years, Paul McCartney - Role in The Beatles, Paul McCartney - Early solo career, Paul McCartney - Wings, Paul McCartney - Solo again: 1980s, Paul McCartney - 1990s, Paul McCartney - 2000s, Paul McCartney - Pseudonyms, Paul McCartney - Discography, Paul McCartney - Achievements World Records and Misc. Trivia

Read more here: » Paul McCartney: Encyclopedia II - Paul McCartney - Wings

The Beatles had a limited but largely successful film career, beginning with A Hard Day's Night (1964), a loosely scripted comic farce, sometimes compared to the Marx Brothers in style. It focused on Beatlemania and their hectic touring lifestyle, and was directed in a quasi-documentary style in black-and-white by an up-and-coming Richard Lester, who was known for having directed a television version of the successful BBC radio series The Goon Show as well as the offbeat short film "The Run ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Discography, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples, The Beatles - Notes

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - In film

As youths, the members of The Beatles were enthusiastic followers of Elvis Presley, first and foremost, and later, of British rock-and-rollers, notably Cliff Richard and The Shadows, whose stage presence and female following were often cited by the band as one of their inspirations to begin performing publicly. At the height of Beatlemania, John Lennon declared "Before Elvis, there was nothing". In comments recorded for the Anthology TV series all four band members spoke of him in glowing terms, with Paul McCartney saying "Seeing Elvi ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Discography, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples, The Beatles - Notes

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - Influences and music

He was born Anthony James Donegan in Glasgow, Scotland, the son of a professional violinist. His ethnic mix was Scottish/Irish. He moved with his mother to London at an early age, after his parents divorced. Inspired by blues music and New Orleans jazz bands he heard on the radio, he resolved to learn the guitar, and bought his first at the age of fourteen. The first band he played in was the trad jazz band led by Chris Barber, who approached him on a train asking him if he wanted to audition for his group. Barber had heard tha ...

See also:

Lonnie Donegan, Lonnie Donegan - Early life and trad jazz, Lonnie Donegan - Skiffle, Lonnie Donegan - Quotations, Lonnie Donegan - Discography, Lonnie Donegan - Trivia

Read more here: » Lonnie Donegan: Encyclopedia II - Lonnie Donegan - Early life and trad jazz

Main article: British rock The Trad jazz movement brought blues artists to Britain, and in 1955 Lonnie Donegan's version of "Rock Island Line" began Skiffle music which inspired many young people to have a go, including John Lennon whose "The Quarrymen", formed in March 1957, would gradually change and develop into The Beatles. This primed the United Kingdom to respond creatively to American rock and roll which had an impact across the globe. In Britain, skiffle groups, record collecting and trend-watching were in full bloom am ...

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Rock and roll, Rock and roll - Precursors and origins, Rock and roll - Early North American rock and roll 1953-1963, Rock and roll - Rockabilly, Rock and roll - Covers, Rock and roll - British Rock and Roll, Rock and roll - Decline and rebirth, Rock and roll - Books

Read more here: » Rock and roll: Encyclopedia II - Rock and roll - British Rock and Roll

Main article: Rock (music). At the end of the 1950s the original Rock 'n' Roll rush faded, as stars like Elvis Presley diverted into the more commercial sound of ballads, and the music went out of fashion. It had influenced other genres which were going strong, and in the United Kingdom it formed a major part of the mix that brought the surge of British rock that reinvigorated Rock music worldwide. By the end of the 1960s the term rock and roll was being used for a very different kind of music, and in the 1970s rock 'n' roll revival acts ...

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Rock and roll, Rock and roll - Precursors and origins, Rock and roll - Early North American rock and roll 1953-1963, Rock and roll - Rockabilly, Rock and roll - Covers, Rock and roll - British Rock and Roll, Rock and roll - Decline and rebirth, Rock and roll - Books

Read more here: » Rock and roll: Encyclopedia II - Rock and roll - Decline and rebirth

1963 songs I Want to Hold Your Hand 1965 songs Help!, Yesterday, Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), Nowhere Man, In My Life 1966 songs Taxman, Eleanor Rigby, I'm Only Sleeping, Got to Get You Into My Life 1967 songs Strawberry Fields Forever, Penny Lane, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, When I'm Sixty-Four, A Day in the Life, Magical Mystery Tour, I Am the Walrus 1968 songs Blackbird, Mother Nature's Son, Helter Sk ...

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The Beatles, The Beatles - History, The Beatles - Studio style evolution, The Beatles - In film, The Beatles - Influences and music, The Beatles - Discography, The Beatles - Early members, The Beatles - Song catalogue, The Beatles - Trivia, The Beatles - Song samples, The Beatles - Notes

Read more here: » The Beatles: Encyclopedia II - The Beatles - Song samples