No rock'n roll group had more influence on a gernation and the world as did the Beatles.They single handedly changed the period known as the ‘Sixties’ and their influence is still being felt today. Music, culture, lifestyles, hairstyles, clothing styles and attitudes all changed because of this remarkable band that emerged out of Liverpool England in the early 1960s. The Beatles were George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.In 1957, John Lennon formed a group called "The Quarrymen". Soon after, Paul McCartney, joined. Afterwards, George Harrison, who rode on the bus to the Liverpool Institute with Paul McCartney was invited to watch the band play. Harrison would later on become The Quarrymen's lead guitar player. Eventually, after several lineup changes, The Quarrymen would mold into "The Beatles". When The Beatles were initially signed to EMI, George Martin suggested that they used a session drummer for recordings as he was unhappy with the timing of Pete Best. The remaining Beatles had some misgivings about Best and prompted by Martin's musical reservations, asked their manager to sack Best and they recruited Ringo (whom they'd known from Hamburg) to replace him.It's fair to say that the music style adopted by the Beatles has in roots in 1950's American rock'n roll. After all they were greatly influenced by American rock'n roll stars such as Elvis Presley,Fats Domino,Buddy Holly,Gene Vincenet,and more.
The Beatles dawned on the music scene in the very early 1960’s and by 1963 had established themselves as the premiere rock ‘n roll band in all of England. Frenzied crowds greeted the Beatles wherever they appeared throughout all of England. Beatlemania was born. The America music scene had all but ignored what was transpiring in England. But by January 1964, after the release of the Beatles second album in England, America could not longer resist the onslaught of these four loveable guys with mop-top haircuts. They stormed onto the American music scene in February 1964 with their historic performances in Washington DC, Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium. Their music, coupled with their first class humor and personalities, firmly established them as the rock ‘n roll kings for an entire generation. Their popularity, both yesterday and today, still remains unequaled by any other rock ‘n roll artist.
Everyone knows the Beatles, the hot pop rock group from Britain that rocked the nation. Their success and popularity in America brought closer ties between Britain and the United States. They were the only foreign musical group that has made a hit like that in the United States. A generation of people grew up loving the British Beatles. This helped Britain and the United States to share social values.The Beatles developed a new style of music that was a mix between American rock and roll and rhythm 'n' blues. They had a unique sound and lyrics that were easy to sing along with. The Beatles have been one of the last groups so far in history to start a new kind of music.This new kind of music got people interested in music again. People were tired of the same old music and craved something new. They started to buy more music which jump started the multimillion dollar musical industry that we have today. The Beatles also paved the way for future musicians to become worldwide megastars through the musical industry.Before the Beatles, people used to joke about not letting their daughter marry a starving musician. However, after the Beatles, musicans started making more money and people started to change their feelings towards musicians. Now if your daughter married a rock star, she'd be a millionaire.
The Beatles were also trend setters. They started the group or band craze. Before the Beatles, most popular musicians were soloists, such as Elvis Presley. After the Beatles, musicians tended to perform in groups. This became more popular as time went on.
The Beatles also started the trend of men having long hair. Before the Beatles, only short hair was considered attractive. The mop-tops on the Beatles were considered to be long in their time. However, now, mop-tops are considered to be short. Men's hair now ranges to just about every length. Although short hair on men is still considered attractive, long hair is becoming ever more popular.
The Beatle's clothes were also unique. Like musicians of their time, they started out wearing matching suits. However, as time went on, their clothes started to match the personality of their songs. This revolutionized clothing for musicians.
The Beatles were the first pop group to write their lyrics on the back of their albums. For example, on the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album, there were lyrics so people could sing along with them. This album was also the first album that did not have breaks in between songs. The breaks were replaces with noises such as laughter, electronic noises, and animal sounds. Their lyrics were silly, happy, and about love.
The Beatle's song writing was also different from that of other bands of their time. Their meter was square, the main beat was accentuated, the syncopation was at a minimum, and the harmony was modal. This new groovy beat captured the hearts of many Americans which lead to Beatlemania. The people who liked the music usually took on the values of the Beatles which was shown in their lyrics.The memorabilia licensed by The Beatles is vast and seemingly endless. No other group in history generated more public thirst for merchandise than did The Beatles. Today’s serious Beatles collectors concentrate on the early 1960’s licensed Beatles as well as the Yellow Submarine wave of memorabilia produced in 1968. North End Music Stores, NEMS, granted merchandising licenses to hundreds of companies around the world to manufacture ‘official’ Beatles memorabilia. These items have become ‘better than money in the bank’ as prices and demand for Beatles memorabilia continues to skyrocket. For example a mint condition metal Beatles lunchbox in 1970 sold for $20; in 1980 $100; in 1990 $300 and as we enter the millennium, prices are upwards of $1000+.The Beatles are the most collected and celebrated group in rock ‘n roll history.
But sadly Lennon had to joke "we're bigger than Jesus." By 1970 they were no longer performing in public and were beginning to pursue individual projects. In December of 1970 McCartney brought a lawsuit to dissolve The Beatles as a legal entity, and the group broke up. Their hits are too numerous to mention, and their impact on pop music can't be overstated. In 1980 Lennon was murdered,shot dead, and in 2001 Harrison died of a horrible cancer, but McCartney and Starr continue to have busy solo careers.
My Favorite things about the Beatles
- awsome
- colorful
- energetic
- awsome
My Favorite Beatles Web Sites
John Lennon
Ringo Starr
Paul McCartney
George Harrison
