During the early to mid 1960's, The Beatles set live audience world records.
However, the band were upset and frustrated at the mindless screams of the fans which droned out all sound on the stage. In early 1966, Lennon made a statement in which he said " We are more popular than Jesus". This statement outraged people,especially in America (where they were currently touring). Due to this bad publicity they stopped playing to live audiences.
Now that The Beatles had more time to record, they spend December 1966 - June 1967 recording what has been considered their masterpiece album. McCartney noticed that in America due to the status of the Vietnam War, bands began to have names like General... or GI... So he and the band decided to call the new album " Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."
It's cover consisted of the band standing alongside statues of famous people such as Marlon Brando and Marilyn Monroe.
During early 1969 The Beatles recorded what they thought would be their last time together which was called the " Get Back" sessions. However, due to lack of commitment they left the recorded material in someone else hands. They decided to make amends and recorded their next album " Abbey Road" in a space of four days. It's cover has become one of the most well known album covers in the world. It does not have any titles printed on it but simply shows the four members crossing a zebra crossing towards Abbey Road Studios. The photo was done so quickly that it shows McCartney walking bare-feet and holding a cigarette.
The famous producer Phil Spector took the failed Get Back sessions and added an orchestra with the final product being called Let It Be. It was released in May 1970 and would be The Beatles' last album.
The Beatles split in May 1970, after a year drifting apart musically and personally due to Paul McCartney and John Lennon's marriages to Linda Eastman and Yoko Ono, respectively. They each had massive solo success and surprisingly George Harrison was the first to have a number one single, beating all expectations.
In 1976 The Beatles were offered 300 million to reform for one show only in Madison Square Garden, however they declined and nothing more came of it.
Over the years The Beatles have collaborated on solo albums, but never all of them on the same song.
Tragically, John Lennon was shot and killed on 8 December 1980 in New York by a crazed fan called Mark Chapman. Deja vü almost occurred when on New Year's Eve 1999, Harrison was almost stabbed to death but luck prevailed and he didn't die until 2001 due to lung cancer. Their music is still being played even to this day, 40 years on.
In 1994/95 the three remaining Beatles recorded a song " Free As A Bird" with previously recorded Lennon vocals, which became a huge hit.
In September 2009 The Beatles re- released all their material on digital stereo and they have also released the video game " The Beatles Rock Band".
In February 2010 EMI have decided to sell Abbey Road Studios and many people think it would be a good idea if Starr and McCartney bought the studio.
Due to McCartney's success from The Beatles, his own band Wings during the 70s and his own solo success, he has become the richest uk musician that is still living. His song " Yesterday" has become the most covered song in the world.
McCartney's fortune is now estimated to be 1- 1.1 Billion pounds.
Their music is being played even to this day, 40 years on. They are an inspiration to many, (not just musicians) and I think their legacy will not be forgotten.
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