The Beatles were formed in Liverpool in the late 1950s. John Lennon and Paul McCartney were original members, joining with George Harrison and Ringo Starr to complete the iconic lineup. They released their first singles in 1962 and found international fame the following year with hits like "Please Please Me" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". Internal tensions led to the band splitting up in 1970, though they made lasting contributions to music before pursuing solo careers.