Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney , the Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960 , initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass . The core trio of Lennon , McCartney and Harrison , who had been together since 1958 , went through a succession of drummers , including Pete Best , before asking Starr to join them in 1962 . Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act , and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings , greatly expanding their domestic success after their first hit , " Love Me Do " , in late 1962 . As their popularity grew into the intense fan frenzy dubbed " Beatlemania " , the band acquired the nickname " the Fab Four " , with Epstein , Martin and other members of the band 's entourage sometimes given the informal title of " fifth Beatle " . The Beatles were international stars by early 1964 , leading the " British Invasion " of the United States pop market and breaking numerous sales records . They soon made their film debut with '' A Hard Day 's Night '' ( 1964 ) . From 1965 onwards , they produced increasingly innovative recordings , including the albums '' Rubber Soul '' ( 1965 ) , '' Revolver '' ( 1966 ) , '' Sgt. Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band '' ( 1967 ) , '' The Beatles '' ( also known as the " White Album " , 1968 ) and '' Abbey Road '' ( 1969 ) . In 1968 , they founded Apple Corps , a multi-armed multimedia corporation that continues to oversee projects related to the band 's legacy . After the group 's break-up in 1970 , all four members enjoyed success as solo artists . Lennon was shot and killed in December 1980 , and Harrison died of lung cancer in November 2001 . McCartney and Starr are still musically active
shot and killed
Murder of John Lennon
The Beatles