(Vocal/instrumental group, 1959–present) In 1963, this Liverpool act’s first three singles – ‘How Do You Do It’, ‘I Like It’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ – all reached the top in Britain, a hitherto unmatched feat. Self-composed ‘I’m The One’ almost made it four in a row but times got harder after ‘Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying’ seized up at No. 6, though it did establish the group in ...
Consisting of John Lennon (1940–80) on rhythm guitar, Paul McCartney (b. 18 June 1942) on bass, George Harrison (1943–2001) on lead guitar and Ringo Starr (b. Richard Starkey, 7 July 1940) on drums, The Beatles evolved from Lennon’s grammar school skiffle group The Quarry Men to become the most successful, acclaimed and influential act in the history of popular music. Liverpool Beginnings Born and raised in the seaport city of Liverpool, northwest ...
(Vocal/instrumental group, 1961–present) Tidy harmonies and restrained fretboard interaction became stylistic trademarks after Tony Jackson (bass), John McNally (guitar) and Mike Pender (guitar) with Chris Curtis (drums) had a UK No. 1 with ‘Sweets For My Sweet’ in 1963. This precipitated further hits over the next two years. Belated success in the States was followed by personnel changes and commercial decline, though years on the cabaret trail were punctuated by two ...
(Vocal group, 1958–present) 1963’s ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ came close to topping the UK chart, and it was to be one of the first examples of Merseybeat to enter the US Top 30. After a soundalike follow-up, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’, peaked at a domestic No. 11, further hits were sporadic, though 1964’s ‘You’re No Good’ was nearly as big as ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’ in Europe. By the late 1960s, their very ...
A basic line-up of drums, bass and two guitars, sometimes augmented by a piano or a saxophone – this was the blueprint for the 500 or so bands who, staying faithful to the spirit and material of classic rock’n’roll, and to many obscure R&B songs, invigorated the pop scene in and around Liverpool between 1958 and 1964. Taking its name from the river that runs through the city, what came to ...
AUTHORITATIVE
An extensive music information resource, bringing together the talents and expertise of a wide range of editors and musicologists, including Stanley Sadie, Charles Wilson, Paul Du Noyer, Tony Byworth, Bob Allen, Howard Mandel, Cliff Douse, William Schafer, John Wilson...
CURATED
Classical, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country and more. Flame Tree has been making encyclopaedias and guides about music for over 20 years. Now Flame Tree Pro brings together a huge canon of carefully curated information on genres, styles, artists and instruments. It's a perfect tool for study, and entertaining too, a great companion to our music books.
David Bowie
Fantastic new, unofficial biography covers
his life, music, art and movies, with a
sweep of incredible photographs.
