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50 YEARS AGO TODAY: Introducing…The Beatles

By  //  January 10, 2014

GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME

ABOVE VIDEO: The Beatles sing “I Saw Her Standing There.” In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the Beatles as the greatest artist of all time.

Introducing… The Beatles is the first Beatles album released in the United States. Originally scheduled for a July 1963 release, the LP came out on January 10, 1964, on Vee-Jay Records, ten days before Capitol’s Meet the Beatles!

The Beetles gained 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 over the following year, and by early 1964 they had become international stars, leading the "British Invasion" of the United States pop market. (Shutterstock image)
The Beetles gained 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 over the following year, and by early 1964 they had become international stars, leading the “British Invasion” of the United States pop market. (Shutterstock image)

The Beatles included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and gained 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 over the following year, and by early 1964 they had become international stars, leading the “British Invasion” of the United States pop market.

After The Beatles break-up in 1970, each member enjoyed successful musical careers. Lennon, above, was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr, the remaining members, remain musically active. (Shutterstock image)
After The Beatles break-up in 1970, each member enjoyed successful musical careers. Lennon, above, was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr, the remaining members, remain musically active. (Shutterstock image)

From 1965 on, the Beatles produced what many critics consider their finest material, including the innovative and widely influential albums Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (White Album) (1968), and Abbey Road (1969).

After their break-up in 1970, they each enjoyed successful musical careers. Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980, and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001. McCartney and Starr, the remaining members, remain musically active.

According to the RIAA, the Beatles are the best-selling band in the United States, with 177 million certified units.

the Beatles are the best-selling band in the United States, with 177 million certified units.
The Beatles are the best-selling band in the United States, with 177 million certified units.

The Beatles have had more number-one albums on the British charts and sold more singles in the UK than any other act. In 2008, the group topped Billboard magazine’s list of the all time most successful “Hot 100” artists; as of 2014, they hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with 20.

GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME

They have received 7 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Score and 15 Ivor Novello Awards. Collectively included in Time magazine’s compilation of the 20th century’s 100 most influential people, they are the best-selling band in history, with EMI Records estimating sales of over one billion units.

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the Beatles as the greatest artist of all time.