* This is an updated edition, published in 2019 *

In the space of just seven years, the Beatles released twelve landmark albums and 22 groundbreaking singles - a total of 208 songs that would influence artists and musicians for decades to come. And the Band Begins to Play is the definitive guide to the complete catalogue of songs recorded and released by the Beatles between their first EMI session in 1962 and their break-up in 1970. Each track is fully analysed, giving the story behind the composition, a brief musical analysis, and a description of the recording process, studio techniques used, peculiarities of the released track including mono/stereo anomalies or notable overdubs, and other interesting aspects of the song or its recording. Unquestionably, the Beatles remain the key band of the rock era. And the Band Begins to Play tells the story of their unique musical legacy.