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There are many books that detail the history of the Beatles much better than I can do here. But, here is a brief timeline of how the Beatles came to be:

BEATLES' HISTORICAL TIMELINE...
• 1956... John forms a "skiffle" group he calls the Quarrymen. John meets Paul and Paul joins the Quarrymen.
  
• 1958... George joins the Quarrymen.
  
• 1959... John, George, Paul and John's friend, Stuart Sutcliffe become the Silver Beatles.
  
• 1960... Pete Best joins the band as drummer and they play Liverpool clubs. This all leads to their first trip to Hamburg, Germany.

• 1961... They play regularly at the Cavern Club in Liverpool. Stuart Sutcliffe leaves the band. In November Brian Epstein meets the Beatles and he signs them to a recording contract in December.

  

• 1962... Beatles audition for Decca and are turned down. The Beatles audition for producer George Martin. In August Pete Best is replaced by Ringo Starr. In September they have their first recording session at EMI. In December the Beatles hit the Liverpool charts and reach #17 with 'Love Me Do'.

• 1963... 'Please Please Me' is released and reaches #1. The Beatles are a smash in England. In April 'From Me To You' reaches #1. In June the 'Twist And Shout' EP reaches #1. In August 'She Loves You' reaches #1. In November they perform at the Royal Variety Show before Queen Elizabeth.

• 1964... In January 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' enters the US charts at #83. In February the Beatles arrive at Kennedy Airport and attract screaming crowds in excess of 10,000. The Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show. In July A HARD DAY'S NIGHT premiered in London. In August the Beatles make their first major US tour. 31 performances in 24 cities result in all existing attendance, fee and grossing records being smashed. In November 'I Feel Fine' reaches #1. After watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show... I BECOME A "BEATLEMANIAC"!!!