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John Lennon Research Papers

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“The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility” (cite source). The empowering musical legend, John Lennon, recalls the sixties as a time of maturation and optimism for the world as a whole. Instead of fighting world wars, cowering in economic depression, or riding the wave of regularity, people began to express the values near and dear to their hearts. Four young men in particular took to the stage to spark this wildfire of change. From their humble beginnings in Liverpool clubs, the band infamously known as “The Beatles”, made up of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, ascended to superstardom atop …show more content…

It took a lot of time and a lot of chance. Originally, all members of the group were leading their own musical lives. It wasn’t until July 6th, 1957, that John Lennon was first introduced to Paul McCartney (citation). At the time, John Lennon was in his own musical group called, The Quarry Men (citation). However, this group couldn’t quite catch on because it was missing a second vocalist and songwriter (John being the first). For years, Lennon had been looking for a high caliber performer and, luckily for him, the smooth toned McCartney fit right in (citation). With Paul, the group was able to rise to a higher level of recognition in Liverpool. Most of the group found the sprouting popularity ample, except for John and Paul that is (citation). The iconic duo were looking for another leg-up on other groups in the area. This is why Paul McCartney turned to his pal, George Harrison. He was an excellent guitarist and vocalist that added an immediate edge to the Quarry Men’s stage presence (citation). These three young men became the backbone of the group. While other non-important members came and went, the group tried different names that might catch the ear of listeners, these included: The Silver Beatles, and Johnny and the Moondogs (citation). The name-changing tactic worked because it attracted the fourth and final member to the band, Ringo Starr. After the previous drummer, Pete Best, was fired, Starr was brought on, …show more content…

It was February 9th, 1962, when the shaggy-haired seventeen year old, George Harrison, was running late for the group's debut performance at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England (citation). Hastily running to the rehearsing room, the teen was stopped dead in his tracks for wearing jeans. Since it was against club policy to wear jeans, bouncer Paddy Delaney wanted to kick the youngster out (citation). But, after a bout of sweet-talking and persuading, the frantic youth was able to accompany his band for their official “coming-out” concert (citation). The show was an immense success as The Beatles rocked the stage, and triggered their landslide of musical success. By September 11th of 1963, the Beatles had released their first two singles, “Love Me Do” and “P.S. I Love You”, both of which rose to the top twenty of UK’s Music Hits chart (citation). Now the Beatles were getting national recognition, a surreal feeling for them all. However, this was just the beginning. They began to release more and more singles that added to the building of “Beatlemania”. Songs like “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Can’t Buy Me Love” swept nations, creating a “hysterical outbreak of fans” (citation). The amount of hype accumulated by the group led to national tours of Europe, America, the Middle East, and Australia by 1965 (citation). Their sudden outbreak in popularity brought

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