The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication following their return from Hamburg, Germany where they had cut several records under the guidance of producer Tony Sheridan for Polydor Records, their international success expanded into what was termed “the British Invasion”.
As individuals, Lennon was the eldest Beatle by birth (born 1940), followed by Harrison (1943). McCartney (1942) was next youngest; Starr (born Richard Starkey in 1940) is two years younger than McCartney but his exact date of birth is uncertain due to a fire at the hospital where he was born which destroyed all records.
