The Beatles (Pete Best; George Harrison; John Lennon; Paul McCartney)

1 portrait of George Harrison

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The Beatles (Pete Best; George Harrison; John Lennon; Paul McCartney)

by Mike McCartney
bromide print, early 1960s
10 1/2 in. x 10 3/8 in. (266 mm x 263 mm)
Purchased, 2001
Photographs Collection
NPG x88777

Sittersback to top

  • Peter Randolph ('Pete') Best (1941-), Musician; drummer for The Beatles. Sitter in 3 portraits.
  • George Harrison (1943-2001), Musician; member of The Beatles. Sitter in 78 portraits.
  • John Lennon (1940-1980), Musician; co-founder and singer for The Beatles. Sitter in 90 portraits, Artist or producer of 2 portraits.
  • Sir (James) Paul McCartney (1942-), Musician and member of The Beatles and Wings. Sitter in 88 portraits, Artist or producer of 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

This portraitback to top

FOUR SHINY BLACK BEATLES...with instructions from photographer me to 'All look at the ceiling light bulb'...two got it right. The lads had adopted their Marlon brando, motorbike-style leathers from Hamburg, which looked magnificent, but when they got on the oven-like Cavern stage (behind them) made them sweat like pigs!

Caption originates from Remember: The Recollections and Photographs of Mike McCartney, 1992

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Cooper, John, Great Britons: The Great Debate, 2002, p. 143 Read entry

    John Lennon formed The Quarry Men in May 1957; Paul McCartney joined later that summer and George Harrison in February 1958. They became The Beatles in June 1960.

Placesback to top

Events of 1960back to top

Current affairs

Prince Andrew is born, the third child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
The Contraceptive Pill is introduced in England, dramatically changing the nation's approach to sex and relationships, and significantly contributing to the 1960s culture of liberation.

Art and science

Penguin books defend D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover against charges of obscenity by demonstrating that the novel was of literary merit. The 'not guilty' verdict was seen as a victory for free speech and marked the beginning if a new era of liberalism.
The satirical revue Beyond the Fringe launches the careers of Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.

International

Harold Macmillan delivers his 'wind of change' speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, announcing Britain's decision to grant independence to many of her colonies. The speech recognised the emergence of African nationalism, and criticised the policy of Apartheid in South Africa.

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