The Beatles

The Beatles were perhaps the most commercially successful act in musical history, and their impact—both musically and socially—served to change history. During the social and cultural revolutions of the 1960s, the group came to be perceived as the embodiment of progressive ideals, and “Beatlemania” became the trend of the day.

Formed in 1960 in Liverpool, the early lineup consisted of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Stuart Sutcliff, and Pete Best. Sutcliff left the group in 1961 and Best was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962. With the addition of Brian Epstein as manager in 1962, the band achieved mainstream success with their first single, Love Me Do. As the band gained popularity, they toured extensively until August 1966, when they played their final concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From then until their break-up in 1970, The Beatles spent time in the recording studio, releasing what many call their best albums.

In all, The Beatles have received seven Grammy Awards, 15 Ivor Novello Awards, and have had six Diamond, 24 Multi-Platinum, 39 Platinum, and 45 Gold albums in the U.S. In 2009, the Recording Industry Association of America certified that The Beatles have sold more albums in the U.S. than any other artist. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.