The Beatles Study Guide
Who were The Beatles?
The Beatles were the most popular band from 1964-1970. They were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
What was Liverpool like in the 1950s?
Liverpool was a poor, gloomy seaport city.
Describe rock and roll music.
Rock and roll grew out of a bunch of American musical styles, including country- western and African American rhythm and blues. It had a lot more energy and wilder sound.
Name three rock and roll singers that inspired The Beatles.
Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and The Comets, Little Richard, the Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley inspired The Beatles.
(You only need to name three from this list.)
Why did teenagers like rock and roll music?
Teenagers everywhere thought that rock and roll singers understood them and had the same kind of problems as they did.
What was John Lennon like as a child?
John Lennon was known as a trouble-maker in school. He was always getting into fights. He was smart but got bad grades. He was a talented artist.
Who were The Quarrymen?
The Quarrymen was John Lennon’s first band. They practiced in empty classrooms during lunch and after school.
How did Paul McCartney join John Lennon’s band?
Paul saw The Quarrymen playing at a church picnic. Paul played the guitar for John and imitated some famous rock and roll singers perfectly.
How did George Harrison join The Quarrymen?
George played one of John’s favorite songs on the guitar and he was so impressed that he said George could join the band.
How did John, Paul and George learn to play music?
They taught themselves how to play music. None of them had lessons.
Why did Ringo Starr change his name? What is his real name?
He changed his name because he thought it sounded better for someone in show business. His real name is Richard Starkey.
How did Ringo start playing with The Beatles?
People thought Beethoven was a grouch because he had so many problems and a forceful personality.
What instruments did each member of the band play?
Ringo – drums John – rhythm guitar George – lead guitar Paul – bass guitar
Who was Brian Epstein?
He was The Beatles manager. How did Brian Epstein help The Beatles?
He had their songs recorded by a big record company. He set up concerts and had them play on the radio and TV.
What helped “She Loves You” make it The Beatles first million-selling record?
The cherry “Yeah, yeah, yeah” helped sell the record.
What happened when The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show?
The audience was screaming so loud that you couldn’t hear The Beatles sing.
What kind of problems did The Beatles encounter when they traveled?
They had to rush from their hotel rooms so they wouldn’t get mobbed. Traveling made them cranky.
What kind of new sounds did The Beatles try in the recording studio?
They put echoes on their voices and recorded their voices at different speeds. They experimented with music from India and musicians from orchestras.
Why did The Beatles split up in 1970?
The Beatles split up because they wanted to try doing their own music.
Listening example titles:
• She Loves You • I Want To Hold Your Hand • We Can Work It Out • Eleanor Rigby • Yesterday • Yellow Submarine