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Beatles and their journey to Spiritual World

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Formerly known as the Fab Four, Quarrymen, and even the Silver Beatles, the Beatles was the British rock band from Liverpool that was active between the years 1960 and 1970. Beatles members included John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. The entire decade of the 1960s reverberated with some top numbers from the Beatles, which still top the playlists of today’s generation. 

Released by the record label Parlophone, “Love Me Do” in 1962 was their first hit song. It had been recorded before the band was even signed and remained at the peak at number 17 on the U.K singles charts. 

Beatles Members & Their Contributions To The World Of Music

The nucleus of the Beatles was John Lennon and Paul McCartney who first performed together in Liverpool in 1957. They were both self-taught musicians with Lennon being a guitarist and singer, while McCartney was a bassist and singer. Soon, George Harrison, who was a lead guitarist, joined the group. Ringo Starr, who was a talented drummer, joined the group last. Their rich rock and roll music which broke all barriers of age, class and taste, put the Beatles on the highest pedestals in the musical world and led to frenzy ‘Beatlemania’ worldwide in the 1960s. 

The Beatles remain a pop culture phenomenon even among Gen Z fans

Even after the Beatles disbanded formally in 1970, all members released various solo albums which gained immense popularity. While Harrison and Starr won hearts as solo artists, Lennon produced innumerable songs with his wife Yoko Ono and McCartney formed a band known as Wings. 

Also Read – Unbelievable Historical Mortals: Famous And Genius People From History

Beatles, Spiritualism & Rishikesh

Spiritual exhaustion took over the Beatles by 1968. The Beatles members denounced drugs and travelled to Rishikesh, India in February 1968, to participate in a transcendental meditation training course being held at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Musicians Donovan, Mike Love, Paul Horn, along actress Mia Farrow, were other celebrity meditators present there. 

50th anniversary of The Beatles' visit – celebration in Rishikesh | Times  of India Travel
Beatles ashram, Rishikesh

While in Rishikesh, the Beatles wrote many songs, some of which were used for solo projects. Two of them were recorded for the Abbey Road Album and eighteen were recorded for the White Album by the Beatles. This visit was considered to be amongst the most productive and successful one for the Beatles’ song-writing career. Soon McCartney and Starr left the ashram in March. 

Harrison and Lenon were last to depart from Rishikesh quite abruptly in April. Rumors spread about Maharishi’s inappropriate behavior towards his female students including Farrow and many believed this to be the reason for their abrupt departure. However, they later condemned any allegations against Maharishi’s behavior and apologized to him for the way they treated him.

Also Read – Greatest Philosophers Who Changed The World With Their Philosophies 

The Tragic Loss of A Legend 

On 8th December 1980, late at night, John Lenon was shot dead by one of his American fans Mark David Chapman, in the archway of The Dakota, which was his residence in New York City. Lenon was fatally shot five times in the back and a police car rushed Lenon to the Roosevelt Hospital where he was declared to be dead on arrival. Chapman, and after having done it, instead of escaping the crime scene, remained there reading the novel The Catcher in the Rye until he got arrested. The fictional character of Holden Caulfield from this novel by J.D. Salinger was his source of inspiration. Apparently, Chapman was enraged by the lavish lifestyle that Lennon had and also the comments Lennon made with regard to the Beatles that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus”. 

The shooting of John Lennon: Will Mark David Chapman ever be released? |  The Independent

Chapman underwent psychiatric testing and was diagnosed as a schizophrenic by a doctor. In June 1981, Chapman pled guilty and claimed that the Lord wanted this. He was charged with second-degree murder and received a sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment. He was repeatedly denied parole to ensure his own safety and those around him. 

The Beatles Members Now

Beatles members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr reunite to film historic  concert - New York Daily News

Even though the band was active only for a decade, people from all generations still groove to their music. In 2001, George Harrison passed away from lung cancer. Ringo Starr who is believed to be the wealthiest drummer in the world is alive and living in the United Kingdom while Paul McCartney is still travelling the world making appearances occasionally.

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