The fab-four; Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are widely regarded as the most influential band of all time. With a sound rooted in skiffle and 1950's rock n roll their eclectic pop tendencies lead them to explore classical music, rock and eastern music in innovative ways.
After Mozart no other musician has come up with as many unique melodies as Lennon and McCartney. They cut their teeth at a nightclub in Hamburg six nights a week from 1960-62 and even took Preludin to maintain their energy through all-night performances. As the worlds first supergroup they were knighted by the Queen of England and dominated the world of music.
From the chart-topping White Album and Abbey Road to the wildly innovative, eastern-inspired Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band, it contained a 40-piece orchestra and ranked at No.1 in the Rolling Stones '500 Greatest Albums Of All Time'.
Towards the end of The Beatles' relatively short career, the tensions that were the source of the band's creative output developed into chasms. After going their separate ways in 1970, the band's chief songwriters and George Harrison went onto to have successful solo careers, with the musical output of each differing wildly.
The world was shocked when John Lennon, aged only 40, was gunned down outside his New York apartment in 1980. His death caused an unprecedented outpouring of grief, which was indicative of his impact as a songwriter on the world. George Harrison died of cancer in 2001, leaving Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney as the only surviving members of The Beatles.
