1. Liverpool and Post-War Britain: In the 1950s, Liverpool was a bustling port city in England recovering from World War II. Popular culture, including music, became a crucial means of expression for the youth.
2. John Lennon: John Lennon, a teenager with an interest in music, formed a group called The Quarrymen in 1956 with his friends Peter Shotton, Ivan Vaughan, and Nigel Walley. They primarily performed skiffle, a genre that combined jazz and folk music.
3. Paul McCartney: In July 1957, John's friend Ivan Vaughan introduced him to Paul McCartney at a local church fête. Paul, an accomplished musician, impressed John with his guitar skills and became the second guitarist in The Quarrymen.
George Harrison and Stuart Sutcliffe:
4. George Harrison: In early 1958, Paul convinced John to audition his 14-year-old friend George Harrison. Although hesitant due to George's age, John was impressed with his talent and invited him to join the group.
5. Stuart Sutcliffe: In late 1959, Stuart Sutcliffe, a fellow art student at the Liverpool College of Art, joined the band as the bassist. He played an essential role in transforming the band's image, suggesting they change their name and adopt the leather jacket look.
Transition to Hamburg:
6. The Cavern Club: The Quarrymen played at various local venues, including the renowned Cavern Club in Liverpool. Their performances became increasingly popular, attracting attention from club owners and promoters.
7. Bruno Koschmider: In 1960, Bruno Koschmider, a promoter from Hamburg, Germany, was impressed by The Quarrymen's performance and offered them a residency at the Indra Club in Hamburg.
8. Hamburg: The Beatles, as they were now called, moved to Hamburg. During their residency, they performed several sets each night, honing their musical skills and developing a unique sound heavily influenced by rock 'n' roll.
Return to Liverpool and Recording Contract:
9. The Beatles: Back in Liverpool, the Beatles continued to perform and caught the attention of Brian Epstein, a local record store owner and music enthusiast. Epstein became their manager in early 1962.
10. Recording Contract: Under Epstein's guidance, the Beatles recorded their debut single, "Love Me Do," on October 5, 1962. The single was released in October and became a hit in the United Kingdom, marking the beginning of their incredible success.
In summary, The Beatles started as The Quarrymen in 1956 with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and a few other members. Through various changes in lineup, they evolved into The Beatles and gained popularity through their performances in Liverpool and Hamburg before achieving international fame with the release of "Love Me Do" in 1962.