The Beatles-Part 1: Forming the Band

By Annika

In March 1957, sixteen-year-old John Lennon formed the group “The Quarrymen.” In July, he asked Paul McCartney, then fifteen years old, to join the group. By the end of the year, McCartney was able to convince Lennon to allow George Harrison to join them. In 1958, they changed their name to “Johnny and the Moondogs.” In 1960, a friend of Lennon’s, Stu Sutcliffe, became the band’s bassist. The band changed their name once again, this time to the “Silver Beetles.” A few months later, they dropped “Silver” and changed “Beetles” to “Beatles.” In August 1960, the Beatles auditioned and hired drummer Pete Best, and left for their first tour in Germany. In early 1961, Sutcliffe dropped out of the band, and McCartney switched from rhythm guitar to bass. The band now consists of: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best. Over the next few years, they performed at clubs and gained popularity in both Germany and England. During one of their appearances at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, they met Brian Epstein, a local record storeowner and music columnist. He was appointed as the band’s manager in January 1962. George Martin signed the group to EMI’s Parlophone label. In June 1962, the Beatles had their first recording session in London. Martin complained about Best’s drumming, so the Beatles replaced him with Ringo Starr. The Beatles as we know them today were complete. In October, the band released their first single, “Love Me Do.”