The Beatles were a
pop and
rock group from
Liverpool,
England formed in 1960. Primarily consisting of
John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals),
Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals),
George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and
Ringo Starr (drums, vocals) throughout their career, The Beatles are recognised for leading the mid-1960s musical "
British Invasion" into the
United States. Although their initial musical style was rooted in 1950s
rock and roll and homegrown
skiffle, the group explored
genres ranging from
Tin Pan Alley to
psychedelic rock. Their clothes, styles, and statements made them trend-setters, while their growing social awareness saw their influence extend into the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s. After the band broke up in 1970, all four members embarked upon solo careers.
The Beatles are one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music and the best-selling musical group in history. In the United Kingdom, The Beatles released more than 40 different singles, albums, and EPs that reached number one, earning more number one albums (15) than any other group in UK chart history.[1] This commercial success was repeated in many other countries; their record company, EMI, estimated that by 1985 they had sold over one billion records worldwide. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, The Beatles have sold more albums in the United States than any other band. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Beatles number one on its list of 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. According to that same magazine, The Beatles' innovative music and cultural impact helped define the 1960s, and their influence on pop culture is still evident today.
