The Beatles

The Beatles

1. THE BEGINNING

   • 4 guys from Liverpool.
     • John Lennon
     • Paul McCartney
     • George Harrison
     • Ringo Starr
   • Mersey Beat 1960
   • Brian Epstein
     • Heard them play and became their manager.
   • Parlophone 1962
     • Record deal
     • George Martin
       • 5th Beatle
       • Became their producer.

2. STYLE

   • Origins in Skiffle
     • Bangos
   • Beat band
     • Straight-forward, humoured songs.
     • Memorable tunes.
     • Vocal harmonies.
     • Driving rhythms.
     • Guitar line up.
       • Lead
       • Rhythm
       • Bass
       • Drums

3. INFLUENCES

   • During
     • The Beach Boys 1960's
       • Harmonies
         • Close vocal harmonies
         • Complex vocal texture
       • Chords
         • Simple with some unusal
       • Throw ins
         • Unusual instrumentals
           • Day In The Life (The Beatles)
           • Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)
     • The Kinks 1960's
       • Similar guitar line up and harmonies
       • British feel and sound
   • Before
     • The Shadows 1950-64
       • Same line up of instruments: Guitars, sitars + tamborines
       • Similar simple harmony chords
       • Similar appearance: Suits and sharp hair styles
     • Chuck Berry 1955
       • Blues heading towards rock 'n' roll
       • Simplicity e.g. drums
       • Performance
         • Cheeky smile
         • Witty lyrics
         • Selling the personality
     • Bill Haley 1956
       • Blues + rock 'n' roll
         • Upbeat tempo
         • 12 bar blues sequence
         • Big melody range
     • Louis Jordon 1956
       • 'Bluesy' feeling
       • Fills at the end of each line
         • guitar lick in "something"
     • Little Richard 1956
       • ROCK 'N' ROLL!

4. SONGS

   • Love Me Do
   • Eleanor Rigby
   • A Day in the Life
   • Something