The Beatles

The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The band's best-known lineup consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to developing 1960s counterculture. As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy called "Beatlemania", the band became known as "the Fab Four".

WHO ARE THEY?

George Harrison

Ringo Starr

John Lennon

Paul Mc Cartney

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Adapted from Britannica Kids.com

John Lennon

John Winston Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, on October 9, 1940. After his father left the family, John was brought up by his aunt Mimi. His mother was killed in an accident when he was 17.John was interested in both art and music. When he was 15 he formed a pop group called the Quarrymen. He also attended art school in Liverpool. Lennon met Paul McCartney in 1957. They became friends, and McCartney joined the Quarrymen. In the next several years the band gained other members and changed its name. By 1962 the name of the band was the Beatles. Lennon was one of the singers, songwriters, and guitarists in the band. The other members were George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Together the four became the most successful group of the 1960s. They toured the world and appeared in several films. Lennon married his art-school girlfriend Cynthia in 1962, and they had a son the following year. However, he divorced Cynthia when he met the artist and musician Yoko Ono. He married Ono in 1969. In April 1970 Paul McCartney left the band. Eight months later, the Beatles officially split. Lennon began a solo career and became involved in the campaign for world peace. In 1971 he released his album Imagine, which reached number one on the music charts worldwide On December 8, 1980, as he was returning to his apartment in New York City, John Lennon was shot dead by a fan. His murder inspired outpourings of grief around the world. Fans were devastated when they heard the news. Lennon’s music still inspires people all over the world.

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Paul McCartney

Adapted from Short biographies of famous musicians for kids, Visit: https://mocomi.com/learn/culture/famous-people/music/

Sir James Paul McCartney was born on June 18, 1942, in Liverpool, England. He is the former singer-songwriter and composer of one of the greatest bands of all time – The Beatles, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. He also played the bass guitar. Mary Patricia McCartney, his mother, worked as a nurse in a hospital’s maternity ward, and James McCartney, his father was a cotton salesman. He also has a brother, Micheal who was born two years after him. McCartney’s father was a trumpet player and pianist for a band and always encouraged his two sons to be musical. McCartney was heavily influenced by American Rhythm and Blues music. At age 15, McCartney met John Lennon and his band The Quarrymen which eventually evolved into The Beatles in 1960. After the band broke up, McCartney continued his musical career and collaborated with many popular musicians such as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Costello. He continues to perform even today, touring the world and performing at a large number of concerts and events. He has also composed film scores, classical and electronic music and released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist.Apart from his work in music, McCartney is also an advocate for animal rights, vegetarianism, and music education. He is also active in campaigns against landmines, and seal hunting. He is a keen football fan, supporting both Everton and Liverpool football clubs.

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Adapted from Britannica Kids.com

Ringo Starr

Ringo Starr was born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England. He was an only child. His parents split up when Starkey was only four, and he never saw much of his father after that. His mother worked as a cleaning woman and then a barmaid to support them.Starr got the nickname “Ringo” because of his fondness for rings. A sickly child who missed school often, he left school in his early teens and worked as an engineer’s apprentice. He dreamed of becoming a rock star and fashioned drums out of tin cans before getting his first real set in 1959.Starr became acquainted with members of The Beatles while touring with Rory Storme and the Hurricanes in the early 1960s. In 1962 Starr was chosen as the replacement for Pete Best. He also sang the lead on a handful of Beatles hits. When The Beatles split up in 1970, Starr released 2 successful albums. He also had several chart successes and even acted in a few films. But in the late 1970s and early 1980s he struggled with substance-abuse problems which slowed down his career. After undergoing a detoxification program, Starr toured in his All-Starr Band in the late 1980s and 1990s with many different musicians. He is currently the richest drummer in the world and is a staple of Top 10 drummer lists even today, with other artists citing him as an influence and an inspiration.

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George Harrison

Adapted from Kidsconnect.com

George Harrison was born in Liverpool on February 25, 1943, and was the youngest of four children. His father was a bus conductor, while his mother worked as a shop assistant. Since he was young, he had always been keen on guitars. When George’s mother was supportive, his father was worried about George pursuing a music career. Yet, he bought him an acoustic guitar. George first met Paul McCartney on a bus to their school, the Liverpool Institute and they quickly connected. Paul encouraged George to audition for the band he and John Lennon formed, the Quarrymen. Unfortunately, John Lennon thought the fifteen-year-old George was too young to join the band. However, after some time, he was accepted as an official member. Some of the band’s most famous songs were written and composed by George. In January 1966, George married Pattie Boyd, a model. However, they separated in 1974 and their divorce was finalized after three years. On September 2, 1978, George married Olivia Trinidad Arias and they had a son. After the Beatles split up, George started a solo career. he even became a film producer. George was a long-time smoker and he died on November 29, 2001, at Paul McCartney’s property in Los Angeles from lung cancer.

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