The Beatles

Author's Note: In Forensics, we had to write a speech to give to the class about something to do with history. I took a look at my knowledge of the past and my interests in the past and decided that I wanted to write about this very influential band. I hope you enjoy this piece and learn some new things about the one and only "Beatles".

Depression and sadness was a common behavior in the England areas and in many other regions of the world, too. This was, because of the Vietnam War that was taking place in the world’s midst. The world needed somebody, something, to pick up its spirits and propel it into a happier place. If only someone knew it would be a band called the Beatles.

John Lennon, James Paul McCartney, James Harrison, and Richard Starkley (also known as Ringo Starr) were average kids growing up in the distraught town of Liverpool. Liverpool was located in England and was hit hard by the bombings of the war. There were virtually total strangers and it seems nothing more than fate brought them together. This is how it happened.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney both played in Skiffle groups which were unsophisticated bands that played a mix of jazz, rock, and folk. John was in a band that called themselves John and the Quarrymen. Paul then introduced John to George Harrison, a guitarist two years younger but was very talented, and he soon became a member. To finish off the group, there was Stu Sutcliffe, John’s friend from art college, and Pete Best. At this time, Ringo Starr was performing at many of the same events for a band called Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

But they could not stay together as Stu died and the band decided to get rid of Pete Best. Then they decided that they would like to introduce Ringo Starr into the Beatles. Even though the Beatles welcomed Ringo, the fans did not always do the same. “Pete forever, Ringo never” could sometimes be heard and concerts and other events the Beatles were at.

Later, fighting and controversy started to get in between the band but they became a very popular band in Europe. Their success elevated as they headed into America. It became very big news when they landed at Kennedy Airport and then were on Ed Sulliven. They were so popular sometimes females would actually faint at the Beatles concerts. At the last American concert you could barely even hear the music being played because the crowd was so loud.

They made to movies entitled A Hard Day’s Night and Help. These were both very popular. Then when John Lennon made a comment about how he thought that they were more popular then Jesus, protests were made, and records were burnt. This chipped into the Beatles popularity and caused some serious issues. These issues came through in their 1966 album called “Revolver” which had a little bit more of a somber tone to it.

Unfortunately, the Beatles got involved with drugs and other things and their next two albums were not as soft as the previous ones. Songs on the new albums included “Yellow Submarine” which was a childish cartoon, but had powerful political references woven into it. They also came out with the song “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band” which suited the attitude of the world perfectly.

The Beatles then came out with the song “All You Need is Love” and changed the mood in their songs again. “All You Need is Love” was actually the first world satellite broadcast to be shown in across the globe.

In 1968, John’s girlfriend, Yoko Ono, became a great influence on the Beatles but not always in a good way. Much of the fighting in the songs was in result of Yoko’s participation in group decision making.

The Beatles later came out with maybe their most famous album “Abbey Road” and a couple of other albums but that didn’t stop Paul from leaving them. The band quickly broke apart and went on their own paths.

That was the end of the road for them but they definitely left a huge footprint on the music business and on the world.