<P> During the next two years, the Beatles were periodic residents in Hamburg, where they used Preludin both recreationally and to maintain their energy through all - night performances . In 1961, during their second Hamburg engagement, Kirchherr cut Sutcliffe's hair in the "exi" (existentialist) style, later adopted by the other Beatles . When Sutcliffe decided to leave the band early that year and resume his art studies in Germany, McCartney took up the bass . Producer Bert Kaempfert contracted what was now a four - piece group until June 1962, and he used them as Tony Sheridan's backing band on a series of recordings for Polydor Records . As part of the sessions, the Beatles were signed to Polydor for one year . Credited to "Tony Sheridan & the Beat Brothers", the single "My Bonnie", recorded in June 1961 and released four months later, reached number 32 on the Musikmarkt chart . </P> <P> After the Beatles completed their second Hamburg residency, they enjoyed increasing popularity in Liverpool with the growing Merseybeat movement . However, they were also growing tired of the monotony of numerous appearances at the same clubs night after night . In November 1961, during one of the group's frequent performances at The Cavern Club, they encountered Brian Epstein, a local record - store owner and music columnist . He later recalled: "I immediately liked what I heard . They were fresh, and they were honest, and they had what I thought was a sort of presence...(a) star quality ." Epstein courted the band over the next couple of months, and they appointed him as their manager in January 1962 . Throughout early and mid-1962, Epstein sought to free the Beatles from their contractual obligations to Bert Kaempfert Productions . He eventually negotiated a one - month - early release from their contract in exchange for one last recording session in Hamburg . Tragedy greeted them on their return to Germany in April, when a distraught Kirchherr met them at the airport with news of Sutcliffe's death the previous day from what would later be determined to have been a brain hemorrhage . Epstein began negotiations with record labels for a recording contract . In order to secure a UK record contract, Epstein negotiated an early end to the band's contract with Polydor, in exchange for more recordings backing Tony Sheridan . After a New Year's Day audition, Decca Records rejected the band with the comment "Guitar groups are on the way out, Mr. Epstein ." However, three months later, producer George Martin signed the Beatles to EMI's Parlophone label . </P> <P> Martin's first recording session with the Beatles took place at EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London on 6 June 1962 . Martin immediately complained to Epstein about Best's poor drumming and suggested they use a session drummer in his place . Already contemplating Best's dismissal, the Beatles replaced him in mid-August with Ringo Starr, who left Rory Storm and the Hurricanes to join them . A 4 September session at EMI yielded a recording of "Love Me Do" featuring Starr on drums, but a dissatisfied Martin hired drummer Andy White for the band's third session a week later, which produced recordings of "Love Me Do", "Please Please Me" and "P.S. I Love You". Martin initially selected the Starr version of "Love Me Do" for the band's first single, though subsequent re-pressings featured the White version, with Starr on tambourine . Released in early October, "Love Me Do" peaked at number seventeen on the Record Retailer chart . Their television debut came later that month with a live performance on the regional news programme People and Places . After Martin suggested rerecording "Please Please Me" at a faster tempo, a studio session in late November yielded that recording, of which Martin accurately predicted, "You've just made your first No. 1 ." </P> <P> In December 1962, the Beatles concluded their fifth and final Hamburg residency . By 1963, they had agreed that all four band members would contribute vocals to their albums--including Starr, despite his restricted vocal range, to validate his standing in the group . Lennon and McCartney had established a songwriting partnership, and as the band's success grew, their dominant collaboration limited Harrison's opportunities as a lead vocalist . In an effort to maximise the Beatles' commercial potential, Epstein encouraged them to adopt a professional approach to performing . Lennon recalled him saying, "Look, if you really want to get in these bigger places, you're going to have to change--stop eating on stage, stop swearing, stop smoking ..." Lennon said: "We used to dress how we liked, on and off stage . He'd tell us that jeans were not particularly smart and could we possibly manage to wear proper trousers, but he didn't want us suddenly looking square . He'd let us have our own sense of individuality ." </P>

How old were the beatles when they made their first album