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Before arriving at their iconic lineup, The Beatles experienced a series of personnel changes. Notably, Stuart Sutcliffe, who played bass initially, left to pursue an art career. Tommy Moore and Norman Chapman also briefly joined as drummers. However, by the summer of 1962, the group had solidified with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Pete Best.
At this point, The Beatles were already gaining traction, especially in Liverpool, with frequent performances at The Cavern Club and a successful residency in Hamburg that allowed them to refine their craft. Their momentum intensified when manager Brian Epstein secured a recording contract with EMI Records, placing them under the guidance of producer George Martin.