The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960, consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the most influential band in Western popular music and played a key role in the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music as an art form
. The band evolved from John Lennon's previous group, the Quarrymen, with Paul McCartney joining in 1957 and George Harrison in 1958. After several lineup changes, Ringo Starr joined in 1962, completing the classic lineup
. Managed by Brian Epstein and produced by George Martin, they achieved massive success with hits like "Love Me Do" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand," sparking "Beatlemania" worldwide
. Musically, The Beatles started with rock and roll and beat music but innovated by incorporating classical, Indian, folk, psychedelic, and hard rock elements. They revolutionized songwriting, recording techniques, and artistic presentation, influencing countless artists and shaping modern pop culture
. Their active career lasted from 1960 to 1970, during which they released numerous iconic albums such as Revolver , Rubber Soul , The Beatles ("White Album"), and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. They remain one of the best-selling and most celebrated bands in history, often called "The Fab Four"
. In summary, The Beatles were a groundbreaking British rock band from Liverpool, composed of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, whose innovative music and cultural impact defined the 1960s and continue to resonate worldwide
