The Beatles’ story begins in Liverpool, England, in July 1957, when 16-year-old guitarist John Lennon met 15-year-old Paul McCartney at a church gathering. Lennon’s group at the time was called The Quarrymen, a skiffle band. Impressed by McCartney’s musical ability, Lennon invited him to join. Later that year, McCartney introduced his friend George Harrison, then just 14, whose guitar skills earned him a place in the group. Over the next few years, the lineup shifted frequently, with members coming and going. In 1960, they adopted the name The Beatles (after experimenting with names like The Silver Beetles), inspired partly by Buddy Holly’s Crickets and Lennon’s love of wordplay. In August 1960, The Beatles - then Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, and drummer Pete Best - traveled to Hamburg, Germany. Playing long sets in the city’s clubs toughened their performance skills and broadened their musical range. It was in Hamburg that they developed their distinctive sound and stage presence. Sutcliffe left the band in 1961 to pursue art, and McCartney took over bass duties. The group’s popularity grew in Liverpool, especially at The Cavern Club, where they caught the attention of local record store manager Brian Epstein. Epstein became their manager in late 1961, helping refine their image and securing a record deal. In June 1962, The Beatles signed with EMI’s Parlophone label, where producer George Martin oversaw their recordings. Before their first session, Pete Best was replaced by drummer Ringo Starr (real name Richard Starkey), solidifying the “Fab Four” lineup: Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Starr. Their first single, “Love Me Do”, was released in October 1962, followed by “Please Please Me” in January 1963, which hit number one in the UK. Their debut album, “Please Please Me” (1963), was recorded in just one day. Beatlemania swept Britain through 1963, and by early 1964, it had reached America. In February 1964, The Beatles made their historic appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, watched by over 70 million viewers. That year, they released “A Hard Day’s Night” (film and album), which dominated the charts, and began changing pop music’s cultural and creative boundaries. The mid 1960s saw The Beatles evolve from pop idols into groundbreaking artists. Albums like “Rubber Soul” (1965) and “Revolver” (1966) incorporated folk, classical, Indian, and avant-garde influences. In 1966, they retired from touring, focusing entirely on studio work. In 1967, they released the psychedelic masterpiece “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, hailed as a landmark in rock history. That summer, they broadcast “All You Need Is Love” to a worldwide TV audience during the “Our World” satellite special. The Beatles founded Apple Corps in 1968, a multimedia company that reflected both their ambition and growing internal tensions. That year’s album “The Beatles”, commonly referred to as “The White Album”, showcased their individual styles, often recorded separately. The sessions for “Let It Be” in early 1969 were famously strained, though the album would be released posthumously in 1970. Despite conflicts, they regrouped to create “Abbey Road” (1969), featuring iconic songs like “Come Together” and the medley on side two. It was the last album they recorded together. In April 1970, McCartney publicly announced his departure, marking the end of The Beatles. All four members pursued solo careers with varying success, including Lennon’s “Imagine”, McCartney’s Wings and later solo work, Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass”, and Starr’s steady string of hits. Lennon was tragically murdered in 1980, and Harrison died of cancer in 2001. The Beatles transformed popular music, influencing songwriting, recording techniques, fashion, and culture. With over 600 million records sold worldwide, they remain the best-selling band in history. Their catalog continues to inspire generations, and their songs are still a touchstone for musical innovation and emotional connection.