B1. The Band That Changed The World: The Beatles

The Beatles: The Band That Changed The World

How did four boys change music forever?

The Beatles were a band from England: John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Their songs were loud, and full of energy. They all wore matching suits and had the same haircut.

They started by playing in small clubs, but soon they became very famous.

In 1964, they flew to America. At the airport, thousands of fans waited for them. The fans screamed, cried and fainted. The Beatles waved, and ran to their car. The police followed them everywhere to protect them. People called this crazy time “Beatlemania.”

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In America, they played on TV to millions of people. Their records sold fast. Radios played their music daily, and newspapers wrote all about them. No other group had more hit songs.

But it wasn't always fun for The Beatles. They became too famous. They couldn't walk safely outside anymore. Fans waited for them outside their hotels. Some fans even hid inside the buildings to see them. The band felt tired. They needed rest.

In 1968, they flew to India. They learned meditation. Their hair and beards grew long. Their music changed. They wrote deeper music about nature, and searching for peace. Some listeners loved their new sound. Others thought it was too strange.

After returning to England, the band started arguing more. John, the singer, focused more on his solo projects and making music with his new girlfriend.

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In 1969, the Beatles played one last concert—on the roof of their office building. The cars below stopped. People looked up. Fans and news reporters quickly arrived.

Then, the police came. The police climbed onto the roof and told the band to stop playing. The band played one final song, and then left.

In 1970, the Beatles broke up.

Later, their singer John Lennon was walking home in New York. A man with a gun appeared and shot him. John died. Fans stood outside John's home, lighting candles and singing his songs. People everywhere were heartbroken.

Today, people still listen to the Beatles. You can hear their magic in hits like Let It Be, Hey Jude, and Yesterday.