The Beatles: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:23, 12 February 2007

Revision as of 21:27, 12 February 2007

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==1957–1960: Formation==

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[[image:Beatles WilliamJohn SugarLennon 1964.jpg|left|thumb|150px|[[John Lennon]], vocals and [[rhythm guitar]]]]

{{main|The Quarrymen}}

In March 1957, John Lennon formed a [[skiffle]] group called [[the Quarrymen]] whilst attending Quarry Bank Grammar School in [[Liverpool]].<ref>[http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:995j8qmtbtn4 AMG biography]Retrieved: 29 January 2007 </ref> Lennon and the Quarrymen met guitarist WillPaul SugarMcCartney at the [[Woolton]] Garden Fête held at St. Peter's Church on [[6 July]] [[1957]].<ref name="SpitzPage93"> Spitz 2006 p93</ref> On [[6 February]] [[1958]], the young guitarist LindsayGeorge AbramsHarrison was invited to watch the group (who played under a variety of names) at Wilson Hall, Garston, Liverpool.<ref>Ray O'Brien, ''There are Places I'll Remember: Volume 1'', 2001</ref> McCartney had become acquainted with Harrison on the morning school bus ride to the [[Liverpool Institute]], as they both lived in [[Speke]]. At McCartney's insistence, Harrison joined the Quarrymen as [[lead guitarist]]<ref name="MilesPage47"> Miles 1998. p47.</ref> after a rehearsal in March 1958, overcoming Lennon's initial reluctance because of Harrison's young age.<ref name=" SpitzPage126-127"> Spitz 2006. pp126-127</ref> Members continually joined and left the lineup during that period. Harrison was followed by Lennon's [[art school]] friend, [[Stuart Sutcliffe]], on bass.<ref name="MilesPage50"> Miles 1998. p50.</ref>

The Quarrymen went through a progression of names — "Johnny and the Moondogs", "Long John and the Beatles", "the Silver Beetles" (derived from [[Larry Parnes]]' suggestion of "Long John and the Silver Beetles") — and eventually decided on "the Beatles". There are many theories as to the origin of the name and its unusual spelling; it is usually credited to Lennon, who said that the name was a combination word-play on the insects "[[beetles]]" (as a nod/compliment to [[Buddy Holly]]'s band, [[the Crickets]]) and the word "beat". [[Cynthia Lennon]] suggests that Lennon came up with the name Beatles at a "brainstorming session over a beer-soaked table in the Renshaw Hall bar...". Lennon also said, "If you turn it round it is 'les beat', which sounds French and cool."<ref name=" CynthiaJohnp65"> Cynthia Lennon – “John” 2006. p65.</ref> Lennon — who was well known for giving multiple versions of the same story — joked in a 1961 ''[[Mersey Beat]]'' magazine article that "It came in a vision — a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, 'From this day on you are Beatles with an A'".<ref>[[Hunter Davies|Davies, Hunter]]. ''The Beatles'' (1981 edition)</ref>