10 defining moments of The Beatles
As tribute bands take to the streets of Liverpool as part of the Beatles Day celebrations, we look at 10 of the most important moments in the history of the legendary band.
:: The beginning
John Lennon and Paul McCartney met when they were still in their teens and playing for separate bands on the church hall circuit. Impressed with Paul's ability to tune a guitar, John invited him to switch sides and join his band The Quarrymen. A year later George Harrison came on board and the three had their first gig together in 1060 in Hamburg, West Germany.
:: Brian Epstein
While playing their hearts out each week at the now-legendary Cavern Club, The Beatles caught the attention of one Brian Epstein. Brian was a local entrepreneur and with his help, the band were signed to EMI-Parlophone in April 1962.
:: Ringo joins
When The Beatles' original drummer Pete Best was dismissed without reason in 1962, Ringo Starr was asked to step up to the role, thus completing the fab four as we know and love.
:: First No 1
The band's second single Please Please Me shot them into the spotlight by rocketing to No 1 in the NME Chart on February 19, 1963, and to No 2 in the official UK charts.
Their first single Love Me Do/PS I Love You had only just scraped into the Top 20.
:: Conquering the US
The boys' first visit to the US, in 1964, was heralded by 3,000 fans gathered at New York's JFK airport to welcome them. Despite John Lennon being taken ill the band performed without him on the Ed Sullivan Show, amassing a viewing audience of 74 million - nearly half the US population.
Their single I Want To Hold Your Hand went to No 1 in the US charts, and in the week of April 4, 1964, they set a record when they occupied all five of the top positions on Billboard's Top Pop Singles chart, with Can't Buy Me Love at No 1.
:: Making movies
Beatlemania was consolidated by the band's appearance in several films. They joined forces with director Richard Lester to make A Hard Day's Night and Help!, both of which had Beatles soundtracks. They also made two television documentaries - Magical Mystery Tour and Let It Be. Their characters and music were featured in the animation film Yellow Submarine.
:: MBEs
The band made history in 1965 by being appointed Members of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen.
:: Sgt Pepper
Considered the first example of a concept album, the band's eighth album featured some of the band's biggest hits such as Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and A Day In The Life. The release was the first rock album to be awarded the Grammy Award for Best Album of the Year and is thought to have sold nearly 30 million copies worldwide.
:: Split
John announced to the band that he was leaving to pursue solo projects in September 1969. I Want You (She's So Heavy) was the last song they recorded together. Paul followed suit in 1970 when he announced the break-up of the band as a whole.
:: Deaths of John and George
John was shot in the head in December 1980 by Mark David Chapman. His wife Yoko Ono announced there would be no funeral for John but instead organised a mass 10-minute silence to remember him.
George died in his Hollywood mansion in November 2001 after suffering from lung cancer.
