Beatlemania Origins: The story behind how The Beatles got their name

Back in 1960, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison teamed up with drummer Pete Best to kickstart The Beatles. Just two years later, Ringo Starr took over for Best, and that's when the group's historic journey truly began.

The Quarrymen Beginnings

Before they became The Beatles in 1960, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison were part of a band called The Quarrymen, which Lennon had founded in 1956. In 1958, the group recorded an amateur version of songs by McCartney and Harrison, "In Spite of All the Danger," and Buddy Holly's "That'll Be the Day." Fast forward to 1960, and the trio, along with bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, had transformed into The Beatles. But the question remains: How did they come up with their iconic name?

The Beatles' Name Adoption

As per the Beatles' publicist Derek Taylor, the inspiration for the name came from the 1953 film "The Wild One," featuring Marlon Brando.

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In the movie, Brando portrayed Johnny Strabler, a member of a motorcycle gang pitted against a rival gang led by actor Lee Marvin, known as the Beetles. Despite its popularity, the film received criticism for its excessive violence. Interestingly, it was banned in Britain around the same time John, Paul, and George adopted the name The Beatles.

The film, along with Brando's iconic character, served as a source of inspiration for subsequent movies. Elvis Presley drew from Johnny Strabler's image for his role in "Jailhouse Rock," and it even influenced the punk band, The Ramones, who adopted the iconic leather jacket look.

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The Wild One didn't just spark coolness; it also sowed the seeds for The Beatles' iconic name. Brando's portrayal of Johnny Strabler and his gang, the Beetles, set the stage for the legendary band's moniker.