The Beatles created a world music culture, and as they did so they deeply influenced and were influenced by literally hundreds of musicians, friends, lovers, record business executives, and celebrities. At last the complete story of how the Beatles came to impact the world is told through the lives of hundreds of people who played essential roles in their rise to superstardom. This A-to-Z treatment documents the early Liverpool environment in which the Beatles sound was born, with entries on over 500 bands, vocalists, poets, and comics as well as over 300 music venues. Each of John Lennon's earlier groups, their personnel and instrumentation appears in full, from the Blackjacks and Quarry Men to the Silver Beetles and the Silver Beatles. Here also are the most complete descriptions of the many singers, composers, and players of country, blues, and classical styles who were the Beatles' conscious models as they developed their sound. Celebrities and groupies, promoters and road managers, all have stories to tell and they all fill in fascinating facts that help explain how one group of Liverpool 'jive hive' denizens rose to have an era named for them.