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| George Harrison Strums his Sitar. The strong influence Indian Culture had on him even shows by the way he is sitting! |
George Harrison
He did not start writing songs until John and Paul had already many hits. He was limited to one or two songs per album. It seems as though George was not taken as seriously as John and Paul. As George says, “"The problem was that John and Paul had written songs for so long it was difficult-- First of all because they had such alot of tunes and they automatically thought that theirs should be priority. So for me, I'd always have to wait through ten of their songs before they'd even listen to one of mine.”
George did not collaborate his writings with another member, as John and Paul did with each other. Despite these difficulties, he managed to write many good songs. On “Rubber Soul” he wrote, “If I needed Someone” and “Think For Yourself”.
George added a unique quality to the Beatles music, as he was very interested in Indian music and their religion. In “Norwegian Wood” for example, one can hear the different kinds of instruments used. This was George’s big contribution to the band. George is often not recognized for his talents, as Paul and John became so famous. However, George was actually the first member of the Beatles to release a number 1 hit in “My Sweet Lord”. George truly contributed a lot to the Beatles, and to “Rubber Soul” specifically through his use of Indian instruments in “Norwegian Wood”. George Harrison died November 29, 2001 in Beverly Hills, California.
Paul McCartney
Brilliant with the instruments, and a good soloist, McCartney made his mark in the Beatles Band and worked most closely with Lennon. Most of the Songs in "Rubber Soul" are a collaborative effort between the two musical geniuses. With a particular interest in avant garde, McCartney represented both the man with the mainstream view, and the band member who pushed the boundaries of music.
John Lennon
Born on October 9th, 1940, John Lennon's first decade-and-a-half were an unlikely precursor to the musician and peace promoter that would emerge in the 1960's to rock cultures around the world. As a child, Lennon was described by his pals as a good natured, funny, and artistic lad, but his school had a different opinion: "Certainly on the road to failure...hopeless...rather a clown in class...wasting other pupils' time." While Lennon's grades more or less backed this claim (he failed every GCE O level exam, got into college only by persistent familial intervention, and was subsequently kicked out for inappropriate and reckless behavior before his final year), whoever wrote this could not have been farther from the truth about Lennon's future as a public star of historical proportions.
So how did an outrageous, fun-loving man with no academic discipline win the hearts of so many? The answer lies in some of John's youngest years, when his Uncle bought him a mouth organ. His constant tootling on the mouth organ drove his friends crazy, but merited him the praise of his bus driver, who, seeing talent in the boy, later gave him a better one to practice on. He soon became quite adept with both the mouth organ and, with the help of his Aunt Mimi, the Banjo. It quickly became clear that, though no academic prodigy, John had a passion and a talent for music.
John organized a band when he was fifteen based at his school, called The Quarrymen playing original pieces and covers alike in both the skiffle (jazz/blues using contrived and real instruments) and rock and roll genres. At his second performance he met Paul McCartney, and from there the rest was history. The Quarrymen evolved into the Beatles by August of 1960.
As John developed as a musician, he also developed his political and social views. Always a relentlessly outspoken person, he found a strong voice through his music, singing of peace through love, and promoting the hippie view of the world. In his later years, he adopted a more psychedelic style, getting a little too involved in drugs, but his message of peace and love never changed. At one point, Lennon and his second wife, Yoko Ono, lay in bed, with reporters and cameras pestering them, for two weeks to protest the Vietnam war!
Forever a symbol of peace, John Lennon remains a figure who rocked nations with his ingenious and beautifully written, and sometimes deep, insightful tunes. He brought a sense of hope to communities in political and cultural turmoil with every "Say the word and you'll be free
Say the word and be like me
Say the word I'm thinking of
Have you heard the word is love?
It's so fine, It's sunshine
It's the word, love
Now that I know what I feel must be rightI'm here to show everybody the light" that he sang. But perhaps more importantly, he finally got people to take him seriously, as a man with an important message, not the rambunctious boy he used to be. In songs like "In My Life", Lennon really inserted himself very personally, exposing part of himself to the world. This allowed his audience to form a bond with this charismatic character, and understand him, and listen to him. Through Lennon's example, especially after his assassination on December 8th, 1980, many followed the path of peaceful protest, and to this day carry his legacy with them.
So how did an outrageous, fun-loving man with no academic discipline win the hearts of so many? The answer lies in some of John's youngest years, when his Uncle bought him a mouth organ. His constant tootling on the mouth organ drove his friends crazy, but merited him the praise of his bus driver, who, seeing talent in the boy, later gave him a better one to practice on. He soon became quite adept with both the mouth organ and, with the help of his Aunt Mimi, the Banjo. It quickly became clear that, though no academic prodigy, John had a passion and a talent for music.
John organized a band when he was fifteen based at his school, called The Quarrymen playing original pieces and covers alike in both the skiffle (jazz/blues using contrived and real instruments) and rock and roll genres. At his second performance he met Paul McCartney, and from there the rest was history. The Quarrymen evolved into the Beatles by August of 1960.
As John developed as a musician, he also developed his political and social views. Always a relentlessly outspoken person, he found a strong voice through his music, singing of peace through love, and promoting the hippie view of the world. In his later years, he adopted a more psychedelic style, getting a little too involved in drugs, but his message of peace and love never changed. At one point, Lennon and his second wife, Yoko Ono, lay in bed, with reporters and cameras pestering them, for two weeks to protest the Vietnam war!
Forever a symbol of peace, John Lennon remains a figure who rocked nations with his ingenious and beautifully written, and sometimes deep, insightful tunes. He brought a sense of hope to communities in political and cultural turmoil with every "Say the word and you'll be free
Say the word and be like me
Say the word I'm thinking of
Have you heard the word is love?
It's so fine, It's sunshine
It's the word, love
Now that I know what I feel must be rightI'm here to show everybody the light" that he sang. But perhaps more importantly, he finally got people to take him seriously, as a man with an important message, not the rambunctious boy he used to be. In songs like "In My Life", Lennon really inserted himself very personally, exposing part of himself to the world. This allowed his audience to form a bond with this charismatic character, and understand him, and listen to him. Through Lennon's example, especially after his assassination on December 8th, 1980, many followed the path of peaceful protest, and to this day carry his legacy with them.
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey “Ringo” was born on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool England. He is known as “Ringo” due to how many rings he wears. His stepfather bought him a drum kit and began to learn how to play. He did not finish school. In the late 1950’s, Ringo started his musical career as a percussionist in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes using objects instead of instruments to make music. In 1962, he was asked to join the Beatles to replace their drummer Pete Best.
After the Beatles broke up in 1970, Starr pursued a solo career. He produced his first album, Sentimental Journey in 1970. He also played country music in Beaucoup of Blues in 1971. Starr’s great solo success was in his album Ringo in 1973, with songs such as “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph,” and “You’re Sixteen.” At this time, Ringo was also directed and produced the documentary Born to Boogie in 1972. Ringo also acted in 200 Motels in 1971, That’ll Be the Day in 1973, and Son of Dracula in 1974. Later in 1981, he starred in Caveman with Barbara Bach, whom he married. Starr reteamed with Paul McCartney for Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984. He was also the narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine and Shining Time Station.
Later he had a reunion with McCartney and Harrison in the mid-1990s. They worked with “Free as a Bird” recorded by Lennon in 1977 to produce a new Beatles single in 25 years. The song was released in 1995 and soon hit the top ten list. In addition, Lennon’s “Real Love” was also reworked in 1996. It also had great success. His most recent contribution was in Liverpool 8 in 2008. He co-wrote the entire album, and it has become very popular from his fans. Ringo is a very interesting band member, as he had many different talents to contribute in the entertainment business.
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey “Ringo” was born on July 7, 1940 in Liverpool England. He is known as “Ringo” due to how many rings he wears. His stepfather bought him a drum kit and began to learn how to play. He did not finish school. In the late 1950’s, Ringo started his musical career as a percussionist in Rory Storm and the Hurricanes using objects instead of instruments to make music. In 1962, he was asked to join the Beatles to replace their drummer Pete Best.
After the Beatles broke up in 1970, Starr pursued a solo career. He produced his first album, Sentimental Journey in 1970. He also played country music in Beaucoup of Blues in 1971. Starr’s great solo success was in his album Ringo in 1973, with songs such as “It Don’t Come Easy,” “Photograph,” and “You’re Sixteen.” At this time, Ringo was also directed and produced the documentary Born to Boogie in 1972. Ringo also acted in 200 Motels in 1971, That’ll Be the Day in 1973, and Son of Dracula in 1974. Later in 1981, he starred in Caveman with Barbara Bach, whom he married. Starr reteamed with Paul McCartney for Give My Regards to Broad Street in 1984. He was also the narrator for Thomas the Tank Engine and Shining Time Station.
Later he had a reunion with McCartney and Harrison in the mid-1990s. They worked with “Free as a Bird” recorded by Lennon in 1977 to produce a new Beatles single in 25 years. The song was released in 1995 and soon hit the top ten list. In addition, Lennon’s “Real Love” was also reworked in 1996. It also had great success. His most recent contribution was in Liverpool 8 in 2008. He co-wrote the entire album, and it has become very popular from his fans. Ringo is a very interesting band member, as he had many different talents to contribute in the entertainment business.
