The lesser-known friends, family and musicians who influenced the Beatles finally receive their due in David Bedford’s ‘Fab One Hundred and Four.’

George Martin could have made the Beatles toe the company line. Instead, Mike Tiano argues, he inspired them to greatness by working as a musical and production collaborator.

The records, those sounds – even in George Martin’s awful absence – will remain, forever.

The Beatles’ “Lovely Rita” provides a moment of levity to ‘Sgt. Pepper,’ distinguishing itself from other tracks through its raunchy subject matter and clunkier sound.

Returning to songs by the Beatles, Talking Heads, R.E.M. and others that – despite being pretty much incomprehensible – captured the public’s imagination.

As these songs by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and others show: Sometimes, having special guests provides just enough competition to make the main act work a little harder.

“I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party” reveals the Beatles’ country and rockabilly roots, even as it foreshadows – like much of ‘Beatles for Sale’ – the musical changes to come.

Tellingly, Paul McCartney still occasionally performs the Beatles’ “I’ll Follow the Sun” in concert. It’s an important stepping stone in his artistic development.

Find out why George Harrison had to be convinced to sing “The Inner Light,” an unlikely b-side to the Beatles’ more commercial “Lady Madonna.”

Kit O’Toole counts down the best Beatles-related releases of the past year, ranging from books to CDs to DVDs to calendars and more.