The Beatles were a highly influential British rock band formed in the late 1950s and active until 1970. Originally called the Quarrymen, the core lineup of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr dominated pop music in the 1960s with their unique blend of styles. Their concerts sparked mass hysteria known as "Beatlemania" but they gave their final performance in 1966 as their popularity and the pressures of fame took a toll. They remained hugely popular and successful until officially disbanding in 1970 after the death of their manager Brian Epstein strained the relationships within the group.