On Their Way!

In June 1962, the Beatles were in London again - this time, at the Abbey Road studios. George Martin was one of the producers who was listening to them for the record company. Martin didn't like their songs much, but he liked the boys. After the Beatles finished playing, he showed them around the studio. The band were quiet.

'Is there anything you don't like?' asked Martin.

Finally, George spoke. 'Well, I don't like your tie.' The fifth Beatle?

Before the Beatles, the producer George Martin mainly produced records of funny songs. But Martin knew a lot about music and about recording. Over the years, he helped the Beatles to grow as musicians. At first, he was really the boss. But after a time, the band told him what they wanted.

A few weeks later, Martin called Brian Epstein. Yes, the band could make a record with him... but not with Pete Best on drums. In the producers opinion, Pete wasn't good enough. It was a hard decision for the band, but Pete had to go. The drummer was angry when Brian Epstein told him the news.

The next decision was easier. In Paul's words, they wanted 'the greatest drummer in Liverpool' - their friend from Hamburg, Ringo Starr. Epstein called Ringo on a Wednesday and asked him to join the band. By Saturday, Ringo was the new drummer. Some fans weren't happy about the change. At The Cavern, a few people shouted angrily and held up signs: 'Pete is Best!' The married Beatle

Before they went back to London John married his girlfriend, Cynthia. Marriage to a Beatle wasn't easy. John was often away from home. When their son Julian was born in 1963, fans even ran after John at the hospital. Later, the Beatles didn't want their young fans to know that one of the band was married. After their first tour of the US, a reporter asked John, 'Did your wife like the country?' John joked, 'Who? Who?' The band recorded their first single, 'Love Me Do', at Abbey Road in September 1962. It was one of Paul's songs. Fans wrote to radio stations, asking them to play the record. By December 1962, the song was quite successful at number seventeen. The Beatles were on their way!