Final answer:
The Beatles stopped touring due to overwhelming fan hysteria, logistical issues, the complexity of replicating their studio work live, controversies, and a desire to focus on studio recordings for artistic growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Beatles stopped touring and playing live concerts for several reasons. By 1966, their fame had led to a level of fan hysteria and overcrowded venues, which made live performances logistically difficult and often perilous. Moreover, the sonic complexity of their later studio work, starting with albums like 'Revolver,' made it nearly impossible to replicate the sounds live with the technology available at that time.
The Beatles also faced criticism and controversy, such as the backlash to John Lennon's 'more popular than Jesus' comment, which had a toll on the band members. Finally, the desire for artistic growth led them to focus on groundbreaking studio albums, which allowed them to explore new directions in their music without the constraints of live performances.