“The Beatles,” one of the most iconic and influential classic rock and roll bands in the history of music, have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment and culture. They have an extraordinary journey from Liverpool to global stardom.
With their timeless hits and revolutionary sound, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were considered some of the most influential people of the rock era.
Here is a list of some of the most fascinating facts about the legendary ‘The Beatles’.
Fact #1
The Beatles were responsible for many ‘firsts’ in the world of rock. One of these pioneering moments was the use of the ‘devil horns’ hand gesture, now closely associated with rock music.
The album cover of ‘Yellow Submarine’ marked the first appearance of this symbol on a cover, and it is one of the earliest instances of its association with rock.
They are also credited as the first to create music videos and for being the first to hold a stadium concert
Fact #2
Everyone loves the Beatles; they continue to hold a special place in the hearts of many. However, during the height of Beatlemania, the Vatican condemned the Beatles, accusing them of Satan worship.
As a result, many parents refrained from letting their children listen to rock and pop music for quite some time. This controversy arose when John Lennon famously claimed that the band was more popular than Jesus.
In 2010, the Vatican forgave the Beatles and officially recognized their album ‘Revolver’ as the best pop album of all time
Fact #3
The first name that the Beatles were known as was the Silver Beatles. During their first tour, each member of the band tried to adopt stage names.
John Lennon was Long John, George Harrison was Carl, and Paul McCartney was Ramon.
The names didn’t stick for the most part but Doug Colvin used McCartney’s stage name for the inspiration of his band’s name, the Ramones.
Fact #4
The haircuts that the Beatles became famous for were already popular in Germany.
During their time in Germany, it is believed that the Beatles adopted this style, possibly influenced by their friend Voormann, an artist.
However, it was challenging for Pete Best to replicate this haircut due to his natural curly hair.
Fact #5
One of the first studios to have a chance to sign the Beatles was Decca. They recorded 5 tracks.
The head of A&R at the time, Dick Rowe turned the Beatles away though because he believed that guitar groups were no longer the hip thing in the music industry. He later was proven wrong and signed the Rolling Stones instead.
Fact #6
Pete Best didn’t last with the band because George Martin, a record producer, thought that he wasn’t the best sound for the band.
At first, Martin would substitute Best for a session musician during recording sessions but the Beatles eventually noticed that he was right and Ringo Starr was hired to replace Pete Best. As a bonus tidbit, Ringo’s real name was Richard Starkey.
Fact #7
One of the members of the band, George Harrison, lost his virginity while with the band.
His fellow bandmates watched on in the dark room from their beds and when Harrison finished they cheered and clapped. He is said to have been happy that they at least waited until the end to make a fuss.
Fact #8
Often known as the happiest place in the world Disney World has a different meaning for Beatles fans.
It was in 1970 that John Lennon sat in his hotel room at Disney World and signed the piece of paper that ended The Beatles officially.
Try not to be sad though, there are still plenty of good things to experience at Disney World.
Fact #9
The era of rock music is often associated with drugs like weed and LSD, and while this is true, it wasn’t always widely known.
Two of the Beatles, Lennon and Harrison, met a young dentist during their travels around the world. During a dinner with the dentist, all of the members’ coffee was allegedly spiked with LSD.
Some people speculate that Harrison and Lennon may have requested the LSD but wanted it to be a surprise. Although this rumor lacks concrete evidence, it remains a possibility.
Fact #10
Because the Beatles were not considered a Soviet band, the Soviet Union banned the ownership and listening of Beatles music.
On the black market, records were available, but they were often expensive and even posed risks to those attempting to acquire them.
As an alternative, people resorted to using old X-rays from hospitals to imprint Beatles music onto them.
Fact #11
The Beatles were expelled from Germany, with George Harrison being the first to be kicked out due to being underage. Consequently, the band decided to relocate as well.
However, before they could make their move, McCartney and the drummer, Pete Best, decided to engage in a rather unusual activity – lighting a condom on fire for amusement. While they found it entertaining, the owner was furious and had them arrested for their antics.
Fact #12
The Beatles have spent a record 1,278 weeks on the Billboard chart and have spent 175 weeks at number one on the charts.
They are the only band to knock itself off the top of the chart twice.
They were the only band in history to have a “double whammy” when they knocked the Rolling Stones off the top spot in both the singles and album charts on July 23, 1964.
‘The Beatles’ impact on popular culture, their innovative approach to music, and their ability to connect with people across generations make them an enduring source of fascination.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just beginning to discover their music, the Beatles’ legacy continues to captivate, inspire, and remind us of the magic of timeless melodies.
