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John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Four young lads from Liverpool who shook the world in the 1960's. Maybe the most ironic quote that I ever heard was when one of The Beatles said "all we ever wanted to do is make a record." Not only did The Beatles make a record, they revolutionized rock and roll!

They had 20 number one hits in the United States between 1964-1970. In 1976, six years after the group had broken up, they had a top 10 hit with "Got To Get You Into My Life." A song that was originally released on their 1966 "Revolver" album and was not good enough to be released as a single. In 1996, 26 years after the group had broken up and 16 years after John Lennon was murdered, The Beatles released 2 more number 1 songs! No artist has ever done that before and most likely never will. John Lennon had some tapes of a couple of songs that he had been messing around with and Yoko Ono was nice enough to give those tapes to the remaining Beatles. The remaining Beatles added their instruments and voices and suddenly there were two new Beatle songs. "Real Love" and "Free As A Bird."

The Beatles were blessed not only with talent but also with good timing. They arrived in the United States in 1964 just months after President Kennedy had been assassinated. The United States was looking for something upbeat and here came The Beatles. They looked different with their long shaggy haircuts. They joked around in interviews and had magnetic personalities. And of course their music was outstanding.

It is interesting to see The Beatles grow along with the rest of the world in the 1960's. You can look at pictures of The Beatles and pretty much pinpoint what year it is. You can especially do this with John and George. You can also see their growth in their music. In 1962 they wrote the very basic "Love Me Do", in 1964 the more rocking "I Feel Fine", in 1965 they wrote the first 3 minute number 1 song with "Ticket To Ride". Then came 1967. First the single "Strawberry Fields Forever" was released and then in June, the album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". It was said that "Sgt. Pepper" opened doors to other rooms for musicians to play in. There were instruments and sounds on "Sgt. Pepper" that had never before been used on a rock album.

By the time The Beatles had recorded their last album, they had done just about anything a band could do. In my humble opinion, the album that they last recorded "Abbey Road" was their best. They recorded it in August 1969 and people close to them felt like The Beatles knew it would be their last album.

The Beatles music is still fresh today, 45 years after they first arrived in the United States. They are and always will be the greatest group of all time. Long live The Beatles!

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