Morricone's hoof beats, whistling and use of human voice as an instrument became standard musical style of Spaghetti Western. Simple but eerie, nearly tangible presence of music was extraordinary and absolutely original. Leone made instant celebrities out of not just his music composer but Eastwood - who would star in his trilogy of Westerns: A Fistful of Dollars (1964), A Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good, Bad and Ugly (1966).

In a scene in A Fistful of Dollars, one of characters gets shot and a close-up of his face reveals thick, red blood gushing out of his mouth. By today's standards it would have no impact on average viewer, but 40 years ago it was monumental. From then on filmmakers began to allot a large part of their film budget to what was called a "blood budget".

Critics attacked these films for their gratuitous violence, but audiences loved them. And Leone's revamped Western formula was imitated for years to follow.

Then "The Other Sergio," Sergio Corbucci, showed up in 1966 with Django. Critics had a field day with this film, and it was banned in several markets. Its nauseating brutality (I shut my eyes and covered my ears!) became part of formula. The most brutal of Spaghettis is one of 30 unofficial Django sequels (yes, 30), aptly named Django Kill! (1967) Aside from being most sadistic, with elements like torture, vampire bats, a crucifixion and an army of homosexual outlaws, it's also by far strangest.

Leone only made a total of five Spaghetti Westerns, releasing his final film in 1972 and retiring from his self-made genre when he noticed that audiences were mocking film titles and contrived storylines.

Naturally, filmmakers began to spoof films, and a plethora of Western comedies followed. But by mid-'70s, Spaghetti Western genre faded away.

I haven't always been a fan of this genre, it just happened by fluke. These films defy description. The whole magic is in rattling of spurs and cutaways to Eastwood's squinting glare. Next time you're at Blockbuster move away from New Releases wall (they all suck, anyway) and pick up a copy of The Good, Bad and Ugly. You'll be hooked, and I ain't just whistlin' Dixie.

While recording Abbey Road together in 1969, it became more apparent that band were pursuing their own individual interests (Let It Be was an abandoned album that was recorded earlier in year, but was compiled and released by their record company in 1970). McCartney tried to take over for Epstein, first by involving group with film The Magical Mystery Tour. The film captured their psychedelic period, but was a drastic flop.

While Lennon was busy in love with artist Yoko Ono, and McCartney was off talking to press and ceremoniously leading group, George Harrison was pursuing his own style of artistry. Lennon and McCartney were principal songwriters and Harrison, eager to burst free of his two-song-per-album limitation, released first solo effort from a Beatles band member in 1968, with film soundtrack Wonderwall Music.

There was also a terrible business decision that would plague them for many years. Apple Corps. was originally set out as a company that would give grants to poets, songwriters and fashion designers of late 1960s - in other words, hippies. But what began as a vehicle for tax evasion soon became a financial disaster. Apple was losing money and The Beatles were publicly mocked for their bad business sense. Their public money squabbles soon sent them on a downward spiral.

New manager Allen Klein was hired in 1970 to restructure company, but McCartney disliked him and had wanted to hire his lawyer father-in-law instead. John's insistence on collaborating with Yoko sparked tensions within group. They officially broke up in 1970, before release of their final album, Let It Be.

Each member pursued careers as independent artists. John Lennon proved his talent as an independent artist with albums such as John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, but his career ended abruptly evening of December 8, 1980 when he was shot to death outside his New York City apartment building.

Lennon's assassination marked end of Paul McCartney's new band, The Wings, as well. Formed with wife Linda (and six other members) in 1971, they had toured for almost 10 years, with some hit singles and profitable albums, until Lennon's assassination caused them to stop touring and breakup thereafter. McCartney remains most successful popular music composer and recording artist ever with sales of 100 million singles worldwide. "Yesterday" (from 1965 Help! album) is world's most popular song with over 6 million airplays in US alone.

One of George Harrison's most notable post-breakup achievements was releasing two very successful albums with The Travelling Wilbury's, which included members such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Roy Orbison. He pursued a solo career until he died of brain cancer in November 2001.

Last and least (in public eye, anyway), Ringo Starr, nicknamed for having always worn lots of rings on his fingers, released a successful self-titled album in 1973, after producing two back-to-back number one hits. He dabbled in television and films, and later formed The All Star Band.

No band has ever come close to mimicking The Beatles' overall success and popularity. The Beatles gave us more than 22 number one singles, and a dozen albums that spanned and exemplified a decade rich with historical achievements. But most importantly, what we got was a "Revolution" (Well, you know).