The Beatles were technically formed in 1960, although Ringo joined them in late 1962. They went on making and developing music till 1970, when they released their last studio album "Let it be"(before their break up), which was surprisingly not the last album they recorded, but the last they released, while Abbey Road being their last recorded albums as tension started growing between the fab four. 

The fact that The Beatles remain the highest selling artists of all time till date fascinates me. They have over 600 million units sold worldwide and they made music for just 10 years.

Their recent success with their latest release "now and then" was a huge success. Even half a century after splitting up they have a massive impact on music.