The Beatles were an English rock band created in 1962. The components were John Lennon (rhythm guitar, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, vocals) and Ringo Starr (drums, vocals). The group released 12 studio albums, 13 EPs, and 22 singles (the number may change depending on the country).

At the beginning the group has five members: Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe (bass) and Pete Best (drums), but in 1961 Sutcliffe left the group, and in 1962 Best was replaced by Starr. The Beatles musical style changed through time and they worked in many genres always in innovative ways (from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, including classical). They were good representatives of the ideals of the social and cultural revolutions of the 60s.

The group split up in 1970 but due to legal issues the dissolution of the partnership did not take effect until 1975. Since then, the four members succeed in their own solo careers. In 1980 Lennon was murdered outside his home in New York City, and in 2001 Harrison died of cancer, but McCartney and Starr are still active.