21 Interesting Facts About the Beatles

The Beatles revolutionized the music world with their unforgettable songs, influencing countless musicians to aim for similar success.

Here, you’ll explore the Fab Four’s incredible rise from modest beginnings to dominating the global stage.

So, keep reading as we take a nostalgic trip through the band’s most iconic moments and milestones in history!

Interesting Facts About the Beatles:

1. In March 1966, John Lennon controversially claimed that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus,” predicting that Christianity would eventually decline while rock and roll would prevail. This sparked outrage across the U.S., with protests, record burnings, and radio stations boycotting their music. Tragically, years later, this statement contributed to Lennon’s assassination by Mark Chapman, a disillusioned fan.
2. Before becoming The Beatles, the group was known as The Quarrymen, a skiffle band formed by John Lennon in 1956 with his school friends from Quarry Bank High School. Paul McCartney joined later that year as the second vocalist and rhythm guitarist, and George Harrison auditioned for the lead guitarist role atop a double-decker bus in 1958.
3. The Beatles scored an incredible 20 singles that reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, including hits like “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Come Together,” and “Let It Be.” As of 2024, they hold the record for the most number-one hits, followed by Mariah Carey with 19 and Rihanna with 14.
4. The Beatles performed their final official concert on August 29, 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Weary from touring and internal conflicts, they decided to stop live performances. The concert was marked by empty seats and dwindling enthusiasm, partly due to Lennon’s controversial comments about Jesus.
5. During the Beatles’ 1964 world tour, Ringo Starr was sidelined by tonsillitis and pharyngitis. Jimmie Nicol stepped in as a temporary replacement, earning £2,500 per performance. Ringo returned to the band after recovering, and Nicol’s brief stint with the Beatles ended on June 14, 1964.
6. The Beatles’ name originated from their original bass guitarist, Stuart Sutcliffe, who suggested naming the band after an insect, inspired by Buddy Holly and the Crickets. They experimented with names like Beatals and Silver Beetles before settling on The Beatles in 1960. Sutcliffe left the band in 1961 to pursue painting but tragically passed away the following year.
7. Over the years, The Beatles had several drummers, including Pete Best, who played from 1960 to 1962. He was replaced by Ringo Starr, who became the band’s permanent drummer. However, Ringo himself was occasionally replaced by other drummers, including Jimmie Nicol and Andy White, due to various reasons.
8. Paul McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” for Lennon’s son, Julian, following Lennon’s separation from his wife for Yoko Ono. Originally titled “Hey Jules,” the song became an instant hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for nine weeks in 1968.
9. Fans once threw jelly beans at The Beatles during a concert after George Harrison mentioned liking Jelly Babies in an interview. Unfortunately, jelly beans, being much harder than Jelly Babies, became a painful nuisance, leading George to write to a fan, clarifying that he didn’t actually enjoy them.
10. The Beatles met their idol, Elvis Presley, on August 27, 1965, in a private, press-free encounter. Though the initial meeting was awkward, the mood lightened when Elvis jammed with The Beatles, playing bass guitar and singing with the band.
11. Bands that emulated The Beatles’ style were often described as “Beatlesque,” a term used to characterize groups like The Byrds and Cheap Trick, who followed in the iconic band’s musical footsteps.
12. Although Pete Best wasn’t part of The Beatles during their peak, his stepbrother Roag Best founded the Liverpool Beatles Museum in 2018, showcasing personal items from the band’s members, including gifts from Elvis Presley.
13. “Yesterday,” written by Paul McCartney, holds the Guinness World Record as the most covered song of all time, with over 1,600 official covers by January 1986. Initially hesitant to record it, Paul feared he was unknowingly copying another song.
14. Decca Records famously rejected The Beatles in 1962, believing guitar bands were on their way out. This decision is often cited as one of the biggest mistakes in music history.
15. Ringo Starr surprised fans by releasing the first solo album by a Beatle, Sentimental Journey, in 1970, though it didn’t achieve significant commercial success.
16. “Love Me Do” was The Beatles’ first major hit, released on October 5, 1962. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the beginning of Beatlemania.
17. The Beatles starred in five films: Magical Mystery Tour, Yellow Submarine, Help!, Let It Be, and A Hard Day’s Night, with the latter considered the best by fans.
18. The band set a record for the highest-attended concert in 1965 at Shea Stadium, with over 55,000 fans. This record was later broken by Led Zeppelin in 1973.
19. John Lennon wrote one of the earliest diss tracks, “Sexy Sadie,” after attending Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s training course in India, where he felt betrayed by the spiritual leader.
20. Despite declaring their San Francisco concert in 1966 as their last, The Beatles performed an impromptu final show on the rooftop of Apple Corps in 1969, with Billy Preston joining them on keyboards.
21. Formed in the 1960s, The Beatles’ music continues to resonate with fans across generations, proving their timeless appeal and unparalleled talent. Their legendary status raises the question: will any band ever reach the same heights as The Beatles?