Long before four young musicians from Liverpool began writing songs of their own, they were listening, learning, performing, and absorbing the music around them. Rock and roll, rhythm and blues, soul, country, gospel, skiffle, and folk all helped shape the sound that would eventually become The Beatles.
Among the artists who helped shape their musical world were Arthur Alexander, whose soulful songwriting became part of the Beatles' early repertoire; Elvis Presley, whose combination of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and sheer performance energy captivated a generation; Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, who demonstrated the possibilities of sophisticated songwriting, harmony, and soul; The Isley Brothers, whose explosive rhythm and blues performances gave the Beatles songs like "Twist and Shout" to make their own; The Shirelles, whose girl group sound and songwriting became part of the Beatles' early musical vocabulary; and Bob Dylan, whose approach to songwriting helped inspire the Beatles to look beyond traditional pop songs and explore more personal, ambitious ideas.
These artists should never be considered footnotes in the Beatles history. They were part of a much larger musical conversation that gave the Beatles a foundation to experiment, evolve, and eventually create something entirely their own. The Beatles listened to the artists they admired, brought their songs into Liverpool clubs and recording studios, and then passed that inspiration forward to generations of musicians who followed.
Want to go deeper?
Tony Palmer's All You Need Is Love: The Story of Popular Music, a 17 part documentary series first broadcast in 1977, explored the much larger history behind modern popular music, tracing connections across gospel, blues, jazz, country, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, folk, and more. John Lennon was closely involved with the project, and its title came from the Beatles song.
Because before there was The Beatles, there was music and countless artists worth discovering.
Chuck Berry helped define the language of rock and roll that the Beatles grew up loving. His guitar playing, storytelling, stage presence, and distinctive blend of rhythm and country became a blueprint for countless young musicians. The Beatles performed several of his songs, including “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Too Much Monkey Business,” making his influence part of their earliest live repertoire.
Buddy Holly showed young musicians that a band could write its own songs, play its own instruments, and shape its own sound. His combination of songwriting, guitar, vocals, and a self contained band was hugely influential on the Beatles. Even the name The Beatles has long been associated with Holly's band The Crickets, and his influence can be heard in the Beatles' early approach to songwriting and performing.
Few performers had a bigger impact on the energy and vocal style of early rock and roll than Little Richard. His explosive performances and unmistakable voice were especially influential on Paul McCartney, who studied his singing and stage presence closely. The Beatles regularly performed Little Richard songs in their early years, including “Long Tall Sally,” which became one of their most beloved live numbers.
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Global Beatles Day • June 25
A worldwide celebration of music, love, and unity inspired by The Beatles.
All You Need Is Love.