The British Invasion - Beatlemania Quiz

If you were around in 1964, chances are good that you were glued to your family's black and white TV set on three Sunday evenings in February (Feb. 9, 16, and 23). What we didn't know was that we were watching history in the making. The Fab Four from Liverpool impacted not only our music, but our culture, fashion, lifestyle and most importantly, our parents didn't get it. This British music was ours alone.

We embraced Beatlemania with a passion, reading teen magazines to glean every fact about these magical mystery men. Every middle schooler knew the dates of each Beatle's birthday, his family members and favorite foods. How much do you remember? Take this quiz to find out.

BEATLEMANIA TRIVIA  QUIZ

Take a walk down Abbey Road to Strawberry Fields........

1. What year did the Beatles officially disband?
A. 1971

B. 1968
C. 1981
D. 1975

2. In 1960, Pete Best joined the Beatles as ___________?

A. lead vocalist
B. keyboard player
C. guitarist
D. drummer

3. What was the Beatles' first single as a group?

A. "Liverpool Sound""
B. "Please Please Me"
C. "Love Me Do"
D. "We are The Beatles"

4. Who was the oldest Beatle?

A. George Harrison

B. Paul McCartney
C. Ringo Starr
D. John Lennon

5. What Beatles' song was the first to make it to number one on the UK charts?

A. "My Bonnie," 1961
B. "Please Please Me," 1963
C. "She Loves You, " 1963
D. "Love Me Do," 1962

6. In August 1966, John Lennon was quoted as saying, "The Beatles are now more popular than Jesus Christ."

A. True
B. False

7. The Beatles gave their last live concert performance on August 29, 1966. What city did this monumental event occur?

A. San Francisco, California
B. Little Rock, Arkansas

C. Atlanta, Georgia
D. Jacksonville, Florida

8. In December 1970, what Beatle made the comment, "I didn't leave the Beatles, the Beatles have left the Beatles."

A. Ringo Starr
B. George Harrison
C. Pete Best
D. Paul McCartney

9. The Beatles played in a cellar club called The Cavern Club.

A. True
B. False

10. When Producer Brian Epstein created a contract with the Beatles, his was the only signature not on the contract.

A. True
B. False

Answers:

1. A. 1971.

2. D. Drummer, in 1960. He was replaced by Ringo Starr in 1962.

3. C. "Love Me Do", 1962.

4. C. Ringo Starr, born 1940.

5. B. "Please Please Me", 1963.

6. A. True. The remark caused outrage and burning of Beatle records by ministers.

7. A. San Francisco, California, 1966.8. D. Paul McCartney, 1970.

9. A. TRUE

10. A. TRUE. The contract was signed in 1961.

QUIZ SCORING:

8-10 correct:  Official Beatlemaniac

7 - 9 correct:  Not bad for a middle ager

0 - 6 correct:  Too young, too many banana peels or you need Ginkgo Biloba. 

MEET THE BEATLES

The Beatles were John Lennon (guitar), George Harrison (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass) and Ringo Starr (drums).

Lennon and McCartney began playing together in a group known as "The Quarrymen" in 1957; Harrison joined later that year.

Before they became "The Beatles", they were also called "Johnny and the Moondogs" and "The Silver Beatles."

In those early years, Lennon and McCArtney were joined by drummer Pete Best. Best was replaced by Ringo to form the final foursome. Performing on the Ed Sullivan Show rocketed the Beatles to world class stardom.

The early Beatles performed shows in Hamburg, Germany and Liverpool, England, playing covers of early American rock and roll plus original songs by Lennon and McCartney. Their music grew and changed, influenced by Indian culture and their own unique talent.

In December of 1970, Paul McCartney brought a lawsuit to dissolve The Beatles as a legal entity, and the group broke up, due to creative differences and internal friction. Their final album was called "Let it Be".

Considering that they had been recording for only six years, the Beatles were remarkably prolific composers and musicians. Their hits are too numerous to mention, and their impact on music and the culture of the 60's is history.