The Rutles were born over 50 years ago when Ron Nasty met Dirk McQuickly in Liverpool. They soon hooked up with guitarist Stig O'Hara, and they formed a trio. After finding drummer Barry Wom living in their van, the Rutles were born. A fifth member named Leppo joined, but disappeared after crawling inside a trunk. They soon became known as 'The Prefab Four'.
In 1961, one-legged chemist Leggy Mountbatten discovered the boys playing in a club. He disliked their music, but enjoyed the cut of their tight trousers. He soon became their manager, signing them to Parlourphone Records. Their first single was I Must Be In Love.
They recorded the first album in 20 minutes and by 1963 were a huge success in the United Kingdom. In 1964, Rutlemania exploded internationally, including the states, the group's first film, A HARD DAY'S RUT was released later that year.
Their success continued as they became stars on record, in movies and on magazine covers. 
The film OUCH! followed in 1965.
In 1966, Ron Nasty was quoted incorrectly as saying that the group were 'bigger than God'. However, he had actually said they were bigger than Rod Stewart.
Teen-age girls loved The Rutles and teen-age boys wanted to be them.
In 1967 the Rutles masterpiece Sgt. Rutter's Only Darts Club Band was released, though rumors quickly spread that they wrote it under the influence of tea, which Bob Dylan introduced to them. 
TRAGICAL HISTORY TOUR followed featuring the hits W.C. Fields Forever and I Am the Waitress. 
In 1968, a 'Stig is Dead' rumor spread quickly, prompting Barry Wom to stay in bed for a year.
The group's final release, Let It Rot. was recorded in 1969. 
The band soon fell apart when McQuickly sued Nasty and O'Hara, Wom suing McQuickly, Nasty suing O'Hara and Wom, and O'Hara ended up accidentally suing himself.
A retrospective TV documentary called ALL YOU NEED IS CASH aired on NBC in 1978 ushering a new wave of 'Rutlemania'.
A sequel, RUTLES 2: CAN'T BUY ME LUNCH was released in 2007.
