Answer :

Final answer:

The original members of The Beatles were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best, and Stuart Sutcliffe, with Best and Sutcliffe leaving before the band reached their later iconic status.

Explanation:

The five original members of The Beatles were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Pete Best, and Stuart Sutcliffe.

When the group was formed in 1960, these individuals constituted the band, although Pete Best was later replaced by Ringo Starr, and Stuart Sutcliffe left the band to pursue his art career before they reached their peak fame.

Their impact on music and youth culture was significant, marking a transition from the clean-cut teen idols to a more rebellious image as they progressed into the late '60s.

Notably, The Beatles are often associated with the cultural shift epitomized by events like the Woodstock festival which highlighted rock 'n' roll's role in social emancipation.