The Beatles Group Members

John Lennon and Paul McCartney were one of the most successful songwriting teams of the century. Together they wrote dozens of hit tunes, ranging from "Help!" and "Ticket to Ride" to "Penny Lane" and "Let It Be." Lennon's romance with Yoko Ono was a major influence on his post-Beatles career, and he collaborated with her on everything from avant-garde noise to the modern pop hymn "Imagine". After The Beatles, Lennon's solo career was marked by unpredictable records and his public pleas for world peace. After a reclusive five years as a family man, Lennon released an album with Yoko in 1980, Double Fantasy. As their new song "Just Like Starting Over" was reaching the top of the charts, Lennon was shot to death outside his New York home by Mark David Chapman, a schizophrenic fan.

Lennon was credited on Harry Nilsson records as Dr. Winston O'Boogie, and makes an appearance in our loop on Famous Doctors... Lennon published two illustrated books of poetry and wit in the mid-1960s, In His Own Write and A Spaniard in the Works... His son Julian Lennon is also a singer and musician... Lennon's political positions gained him the enmity of J. Edgar Hoover's F. B. I. and the U.S. State Department, and researchers are still trying to get files on Lennon made public.

PAUL MCCARTNEY

Paul McCartney: Rock Musician / Songwriter, Beatles Group Member

Born: 18 June 1942

Birthplace: Liverpool, England

Best Known As: One of The Beatles Group Members

McCartney was a singer, songwriter and guitarist for The Beatles, the biggest rock band of the 1960s. In 1957 Paul McCartney was invited to join John Lennon's band The Quarrymen. Eventually George Harrison and Ringo Starr joined and the new band became The Beatles. Almost all of their songs were written by McCartney and Lennon, everything from "A Hard Day's Night" and "Yesterday" to "Let it Be" and "Hey, Jude." McCartney released his first solo album in 1970, just before the breakup of The Beatles. In the 1970s McCartney formed the band Wings (featuring his wife, Linda), toured extensively and recorded albums, including Band on the Run and Venus & Mars.

Throughout the 1980s and '90s McCartney continued to record and perform, and was awarded the MBE in 1997, making him Sir Paul McCartney. After Linda McCartney died of breast cancer in 1998, he became more publicly active in charitable causes. In July 2001 McCartney announced his engagement to model and activist Heather Mills; the pair were married on 11 June 2002 at Castle Leslie at Glaslough in County Monaghan, Ireland.

Way back in 1979 McCartney was awarded with a special rhodium disc for selling over 200 million albums... McCartney played guitar left-handed... The name The Beatles was a play on the name of Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets... McCartney's daughter Stella became a popular fashion designer.

GEORGE HARRISON

George Harrison: Rock Musician / Movie Producer / Beatles Group Member

Born: 25 February 1943

Birthplace: Liverpool, England

Died: 29 November 2001 - cancer

Best Known As: One of The Beatles Group Members

George Harrison joined John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1957, playing guitar for The Quarrymen. By 1962 the group had added Ringo Starr and become The Beatles, the most successful pop act in music history. George had a reputation as the quiet one, and his interest in Indian music and philosophy flavored the Beatles' work during the late 1960s. Several of The Beatles' most famous songs were written by Harrison, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and "Something." His early solo work included a benefit concert for Bangla Desh and a hit single, "My Sweet Lord," which later became the centerpiece of a legal battle that lasted almost two decades (ultimately Harrison was victorious). Harrison got into the movie business, producing two films by the comedy group Monty Python's Flying Circus, and in 1987 his album Cloud Nine was a popular and critical success. In the '90s he performed with The Traveling Wilburys, a superstar group that included Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison and Bob Dylan. In 1999 he was stabbed and wounded in his home by an obsessed fan. Harrison died in November 2001 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

"My Sweet Lord" was re-released as a benefit for charity after Harrison's death; the single reached #1 on the U.K. charts in January 2002... Harrison's first wife, Patti Boyd, had a famous love affair with guitarist Eric Clapton... Harrison has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of The Beatles (in 1988) and as a solo act (in 2004).

RINGO STARR

Ringo Starr: Rock Musician / Actor / Beatles Group Member

Born: 7 July 1940

Birthplace: Liverpool, England

Best Known As: One of The Beatles Group Members

Ringo Starr played drums with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes from 1959 until 1962, when he replaced Pete Best permanently as a member of The Beatles. Together with John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney, Ringo became world famous. Musically he was known for steadiness rather than flash, and his jolly, guileless image helped him launch an acting career. After The Beatles broke up, Ringo had a solo recording career, releasing hits such as "It Don't Come Easy" and "Photograph." He also starred in movies, including The Magic Christian (1969) and 200 Motels (1971). In 1988 he was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the children's television show Shining Time Station. Beginning in 1990 Starr occasionally performed and recorded with Ringo And The All-Starr Band, which included his son, Zachary.

Ringo met his second wife, actress Barbara Bach on the set of the movie Cave Man (1981)