The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential act of the rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In the early 1960s, their enormous popularity first emerged as "Beatlemania", but as the group's music grew in sophistication, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the counterculture of the 1960s.
The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player. The core of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison went through a succession of drummers, most notably Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their popularity in the United Kingdom after their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962. They acquired the nickname "the Fab Four" as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year, and by early 1964 became international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market.
From 1965 onwards, the Beatles produced increasingly innovative recordings, including the widely influential albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (commonly known as the White Album, 1968) and Abbey Road (1969). After their break-up in 1970, they each enjoyed successful musical careers of varying lengths. McCartney and Starr, the surviving members, remain musically active. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001.
John Lennon in New York City in 1974, this was during the period when he recorded 'Walls and Bridges'.
This iconic 'Umbrella' image was taken in Scotland in 1964 on the banks of Loch Earn.
The Beatles having fun at Cliveden House whilst taking a break from filming the comedy, Help in May 1965.
Iconic photo of John Lennon with a flower in his eye, fondly known as 'Adoration'.
A very relaxed looking John Lennon taken by photographer Robert Whitaker at his studio in London.
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
Graffiti tribute to The Beatles on Abbey Road Studios in 1996, this shot was thought to best represent the groups ‘Anthology’.
Paul McCartney and George Martin in an editing suite in Abbey Road Studios in 1984
John, Paul & George by the swimming pool at Cliveden House in 1965
Photo shoot of the fab four taken at Sheriff Road, London in 1965
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The original Pink Floyd line-up on their first ever photo shoot in Ruskin Park, London
Nirvana in Madrid during their European Tour of In Utero in July 1992
Bono from U2 performing live on their Joshua Tree Tour in Rotterdam, Holland in July 1987
Pink Floyd are currently getting set for the 'Their Mortal Remains' exhibition at the V&A - Check out our range of images for sale.
Jimi Hendrix was an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter & arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music.
Cat Anderson was an American jazz trumpeter known for his long period playing with Duke Ellington's orchestra & his extremely wide range.
Elvis Costello is an English musician, singer-songwriter & record producer, his career began in London's pub rock scene during the 1970s.
All our traditonal darkroom prints are hand printed from the original negative by a master printer to give them a crafted and unique feel
Edition 100 was created to give fans & collectors a chance to own classic, historical pictures of their favorite bands.
20/20 is a series of prints by Storm Thorgrson showcasing some of his more personal, highly-valued and obscure images.
We remember the late, great David Bowie one year after his untimely passing. This collection captures his innovative, uncompromising genius
