During their eight years together, The Beatles rose to the top of the global charts and have been remembered over time for their catchy songs, various musical eras, memorable movies and witty humor. From the early days of Beatlemania to their final rooftop concert, with their psychedelic experimentation in music in between, take a look back at the lives and musical careers of the four lads from Liverpool.
Prior to Ringo Starr joining The Beatles, the group consisted of, from left to right, George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and original drummer Pete Best, all here in a club prior to signing their first recording contract in Liverpool, England, in 1962. Best was cut from the group and Starr replaced him that same year.
British pop group The Beatles on stage at the London Palladium on Oct. 3, 1963.
From left to right, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, front row, Ringo Starr and John Lennon of The Beatles received awards from the Variety Club of Great Britain in 1963.
The Beatles rehearsing at the Prince of Wales Theatre for their Royal Variety Performance on Nov. 4, 1963.
The Beatles meet for the first time after their holidays by candlelight at the Star Steak House in Shaftsbury Avenue, London, on Oct. 5, 1963. That night, they appeared on the British music television program “Ready, Steady, Go.”
Paul McCartney and George Harrison of the Beatles perform on stage at the London Palladium on Oct. 13, 1963.
Viewed by 73 million people, The Beatles’ appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” took the world by storm on Feb. 9, 1964. Here, the Fab Four chat with the host himself. The historic show marked the beginning of the Beatles’ first U.S. 10-day tour.
From left to right, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon and Ringo Starr (on drums) of The Beatles perform on “The Ed Sullivan Show” in New York on Feb. 9, 1964.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison of The Beatles take a fake blow from Muhammad Ali, at the time known as Cassius Clay, while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Fla., on Feb. 17, 1964.
Next stop, Washington, D.C.! The Beatles hit the road as they left for the capital during their 10-day tour in 1964.
The Beatles (minus a sick George Harrison) were overwhelmed by the view of the New York City skyline seen from Central Park in February 1964. Harrison missed out on a day of fun and instead rested a sore throat.
Ringo Starr, John Lennon and Paul McCartney couldn’t contain their excitement when they arrived at Central Park in New York City.
As The Beatles made their second American tour of the year, fans lined the rooftop at Kennedy International Airport to get a glimpse of the group before they hopped on their flight back to England on Sept. 21, 1964.
The Beatles rehearse for another appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on Aug. 14, 1965.
On Aug. 15, 1965, the Beatles took the stage at Shea Stadium to a crowd of 55,000 screaming fans.
Tickets for the Aug. 15, 1965, Beatles concert sold for a mere $5.10. This concert paved the way for musical acts from Bruce Springsteen to Stevie Wonder to also perform at the Flushing ballpark.
The Beatles take the stage! The iconic rock band is pictured here among thousands of screaming fans at their historic concert at Shea Stadium on Aug. 15, 1965. Nearly 50 years later, member Paul McCartney played the last concert at Shea Stadium with fellow rocker Billy Joel before the stadium finally closed.
The Beatles’ 1965 concert at Shea Stadium was the very first of its kind and the first major music event at the baseball stadium. The success of the event led to the Beatles returning in August of 1966 for a second show.
One of the biggest stories out of Shea Stadium that night was the hysteria of the audience. Among the delirious teenagers at the sold-out concert was this fan, who had to be carried off after fainting on Aug. 15, 1965.
The Beatles perform live on stage at the BBC TV Centre on June 1, 1966.
Spectators watch the Beatles perform at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Aug. 29, 1966.
The Beatles perform at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Aug. 29, 1966.
From left to right, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are seen backstage during a break in rehearsal for the live broadcast of their new song “All You Need Is Love” on the “Our World” program at EMI studios in London in June of 1967.
From left to right, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison rehearse for “Our World,” the BBC’s contribution to a two-hour live global television broadcast to an audience of 700 million, on June 24, 1967.
From left to right, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr take a break during the filming of “The Magical Mystery Tour” at Plymouth Hoe in England on Sept. 13, 1967.
George Harrison, left, sits cross-legged with his musical mentor, Ravi Shankar of India, on Aug. 3, 1967, in Los Angeles, as Harrison explains to newsmen that Shankar is teaching him to play the sitar.
From left to right, John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney record voices in a studio for their new cartoon film “Yellow Submarine.”
George Harrison, right, Paul McCartney, left, and John Lennon, center, make some time for fans during a day out circa 1968.
Ringo Starr, left, and George Harrison are embraced by a “Blue Meanie,” a character from their animated musical film “Yellow Submarine,” on July 8, 1968.
Beatle George Harrison spends time with members of a Hindu sect on Aug. 29, 1969.
The Beatles perform their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg’s film documentary “Let It Be” on Savile Row, London, on Jan. 30 1969. Paul McCartney and John Lennon perform at their microphones, while George Harrison is seen on the right. Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono also sits at the right.
The Beatles perform their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg’s film documentary “Let It Be” on Savile Row, London, on Jan. 30 1969. The group would go on to disband the following year.
