The Beatles
The Beatles are the most important rock band in the history of the genre. Rock music changed irrevocably between the early 1960s and their breakup in 1970 and they are more responsible for those changes than any other group of musicians.
For our purposes they are extremely important too. They were also among the most significant pioneers of Art Rock, helping to create Art Rock proper, Avant Rock and, at the very least, helping to suggest Prog Rock.
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The Beatles
- Lead Vocals:
- John Lennon
- Paul McCartney
- George Harrison (occasionally)
- Ringo Starr (1962-on, rarely)
- Guitars:
- George Harrison
- John Lennon
- Paul McCartney
- Keyboards:
- Paul McCartney (1963>)
- John Lennon (1964>)
- George Harrison (1967>, occasionally, studio only)
- Ringo Starr (1968>, rarely, studio only)
- Bass Guitar:
- Stuart Sutcliffe (1960-1962)
- Paul McCartney (1962>)
- George Harrison (1965>, occasionally)
- John Lennon (1966>, occasionally)
- Drums:
- Tommy Moore (1960)
- Norman Chapman (1960)
- Pete Best (1960-62)
- Ringo Starr (1962>)
- Paul McCartney (1968, rarely, studio only)
- Percussion:
- Ringo Starr (1962>)
- John Lennon (1962>)
- Paul McCartney (1962>, studio only)
- George Harrison (1962>, studio only)
Skiffle Origins
The Beatles began as a skiffle band, formed by John Lennon in 1956, when he was 16 years old. Skiffle is a hybrid folk music genre that emerged in the United States sometime in the early 20th century. It was revived in the UK in the 1950s. John Lennon and his school friends took up the music because it was popular and easy to play.
