United Kingdom

1960
The Smiths By the time Strangeways, Here We Come was released in September, the

By the time Strangeways, Here We Come was released in September, the Smiths had split. The breakup has been primarily attributed to Morrissey’s irritation with Marr’s work with other artists and Marr’s frustration with Morrissey’s musical inflexibility. Marr particularly hated Morrissey’s obsession with covering 1960s pop artists such as Twinkle…
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1959
The Who started the Detours

Daltrey, who was in the year above, had moved to Acton from Shepherd’s Bush , a more working-class area. He had trouble fitting in at the school, and discovered gangs and rock and roll. He was expelled at 15 and found work on a building site. In 1959, he started…
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The Beatles began his studies at the Liverpool College of Art

By January 1959, Lennon’s Quarry Bank friends had left the group and he began his studies at the Liverpool College of Art . The three guitarists, billing themselves as Johnny and the Moondogs, were playing rock and roll whenever they could find a drummer. They also performed as the Rainbows.…
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1958
The Beatles enlisted him as lead guitarist

In February 1958, McCartney invited his friend George Harrison , then aged fifteen, to watch the band. Harrison auditioned for Lennon, impressing him with his playing, but Lennon initially thought Harrison was too young. After a month’s persistence, during a second meeting (arranged by McCartney), Harrison performed the lead guitar…
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1957
The Beatles joined as a rhythm guitarist

Fifteen-year-old Paul McCartney met Lennon on 6 July 1957 and joined as a rhythm guitarist shortly after.

1956
The Beatles formed a skiffle group

In November 1956, sixteen-year-old John Lennon formed a skiffle group with several friends from Quarry Bank High School in Liverpool . They were called the Quarrymen , a reference to their school song “Quarry men old before our birth”.

The Beatles Elvis phenomenon

the Elvis phenomenon of 1956

1954
The Rolling Stones lost contact

the two lost contact in 1954 when the Jagger family moved.

1952
Budgie (band) In late 1974, Boot left and was replaced by Steve Williams for the

In late 1974, Boot left and was replaced by Steve Williams for the album Bandolier . For concerts promoting this album and the follow-up, If I Were Brittania I’d Waive the Rules , the band were augmented by second guitarist Myf Isaac. Music from the 1978 LP Impeckable featured in…
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1950
The Rolling Stones became childhood friends

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards became childhood friends in 1950 in Dartford , Kent