The Beatles were a Liverpool, England based rock and roll band consisting of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Richard “Ringo” Starkey. They began as a small skiffle-band called the Quarrymen, and in the early 1960’s, their popularity soared to an unforeseen degree, transforming them into an international phenomenon and permanent rock icons. (BeatlesTributeBand.co.uk) A band that has been known, loved and praised for over half a century; The Beatles pushed and broke American cultural boundaries as they promoted peace and love through their masterful lyrics and powerful music throughout the time of the Vietnam War. Despite being of British Origin, the Beatles greatly affected the thinking, culture and actions of many Americans. …show more content…
Kennedy, possibly the most admired and respected presidents in American history, was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in November of 1963. (McAdams.edu) His assassination not only politically injured the entire United States, but also culturally, the lives of all Americans were negatively impacted. By the time the British Invasion had begun in America, less than 5 months later, The Beatles had already written, produced and released nearly 100 songs. The Beatles message of peace and love allowed Americans, who were paralyzed by the death of not only their leader, but also their symbol of hope, to feel safe and be distracted from their loss. Stated by John Lennon in his song Working Class Hero, “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.” (UTexas.edu) This displays The Beatles incredible admiration of love and peace, one of the many reasons they were able to grow into the astonishment they …show more content…
The Beatles started off as a small skiffle/rock and roll band playing in pubs and clubs throughout Europe. They, through their talent and abilities, pushed their way to the top of charts across the world, becoming one of the greatest music groups of all time. Their appearance into American culture has permanently shifted the musical thinking of citizens throughout the United States. Their influence on the American music industry, beginning in in early 1964, has continued for over 50 years and will continue to as long as producers and listeners maintain their comparing of bands of all genres to The Beatles. They pushed for peace in a time where peace was not on many minds, they fought for what they knew was right. On the condition that The Beatles continue to be compared to as they are being, they will always be remembered as one of the greatest bands ever to play in the United
The Beatles are known, respectively, as the fathers of modern pop music. After their first #1 hit “Please Please Me” was released in 1963 the Beatles were set in motion to become one of the most influential groups of musicians to ever rock our world. With over forty-nine records, 37 #1’s, and thirty- four number one albums (the highest amount of any band in history), there is no denying that they made a monumental ripple in the musical world. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr surprisingly all come from humble beginnings in a town that, until their superstardom, was barely noticed on the map. Liverpool, being kn...
The Beatles are an iconic English rock band and are widely regarded as the “foremost and most influential act of the rock era” (Unterberg). Formed in Liverpool in 1960, the Beatles were comprised of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, with Stuart Sutcliffe on bass guitar in January and Pete
In addition to the 23 albums (counting soundtracks and separate US and UK releases) released during the band's life (1960-1970) there have been more than 150 compilations, recorded interviews and videos issued. Hundreds of books have been written about their personal lives, their music, and their influence on pop culture and rock
The Effects of Race Music on Rock and Roll “African Americans invented rock and roll,” noted a prominent American historian. “Without their musical contributions, we would not have the genre.” Based on what you’ve learned in History 105 about the origins and the first decade of Rock and Roll in the United States, is this an accurate statement? Why or why not? Rock and Roll is a genre of popular music that originated in the United States of America during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
Hamburg had a street called Reeperbahn which had more strip clubs than any street in the world. Hamburg also had a really high crime rate because all the gangs from Berlin moved to Hamburg due to the Berlin Wall (Davies 80.) This makes me think this is why their parents were hesitant about letting them go. They played in an Indian club called Indra. They became very good, so good that they started playing 7 days a week until 2 am. Eventually the club got so loud that they had to move due to complaints by the neighbors (Davies 82.) They would play so much they would usually get around 5 hours of sleep. This shows that if you want to be really good at something you must work really hard. They wanted to play and wanted to be successful and were willing to work for it. The Beatles were not only headliners at parties; the Beatles also were big partiers themselves. There were also fights in the club while they were playing. There was so fighting and alcohol that the people inside the clubs would be half dead (Davies 83-84.) This also caused some on-stage fight or arguments. Sometimes they would throw food at each other while performing. It did get out of hand sometimes. The group made very few friends while they were in Hamburg. They didn’t like the Germans. John said,” They are all half-witted.” They didn’t make friends with the British people there because they would start arguments with Germans (Davies 85.) Eventually they had to come back home. When they came back from Hamburg, one of their friends put up a sign that said: The Beatles, Direct from Hamburg. This lead to people thinking they were German. People actually complemented them on how well English they spoke (Davies 97-98.)
Prior to the Beatles’ arrival to the United States in 1964, American society was in a valley of negativity. The following were some of the big headlines the American people had to endure: President John F. Kennedy, one of the most popular presidents ever, was assassinated in November of 1963. President Lyndon B. Johnson was increasing U.S. involvement in Vietnam, which was also creating tax increases, all despite the protests of millions of Americans. Policemen on national television were beating Martin Luther King Jr.’s followers. All of this negative publicity surrounding the American public had the people, especially the youth, needing something to take their mind off of the depression going on all around them. “The Beatles – with their cheeky wit and catchy, upbeat pop songs – proved to be the perfect anecdote for America’s collective depression” (Harry, 2004).
The Beatles made it okay to be different and to not conform was encouraged, it wasn't about being the same anymore it was about being yourself. Another change that had come about due to the influence of a musician was the United States search for social justice and equality which was mainly brought about by the musician Bob Dylan and many others. Spirituality was a very strong and recurring aspect in the late 60’s and was called to attention by many musicians, although the prominent one happened to be The Beatles, who openly accepted different methods of spiritual achievement and turned spirituality into quite a trend that made many people think differently and accept different possibilities spiritually speaking. It’s very easy to see that if it had happened any differently, or if it hadn't happened at all, that the U.S. would be entirely different than it is at this moment.
The Beatles had become one of the most famous band ever of all ages, and their songs have influenced many people in writing songs and living a better life. John Lennon’s song “Imagine” had became one of the most well-known single ever; the song expressed Lennon’s feeling of wanting a better world. After his death, John Lennon and the Beatles became a major milestone in
With over 175 weeks on the number one slot, this band has been the most famous and influential band ever. It all started as a quartet from England, dreaming a dream, a dream about music, and a dream about life. The year is 1960, and 4 young teenage boys are recording their first song “Love Me Do.” Little did they know how famous they would become. I’m talking of course about the famous band, the Quarrymen. Oh, you have never heard of them? You may know them better as “The Beatles”, a band composed of four members. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr made up this legendary quartet. What these four boys did not know, was that only a few measly years after their first single, that they would be starting riots. Concerts sold out, and thousands of people imitating their every move. We have all heard the success story of the Beatles, but I am going to tell you how it all began. (“Beatlemania”)
Whitehead, J. W. (2014, February 06). 50 years after The Beatles: Isn't it time for another political & cultural revolution? Retrieved from
During the time of the Vietnam War and Nixon administration, the society was in a state of anger and unrest. John Lennon took a stand against the government and society by writing music and performing physical acts of protest. He did these separately and alongside his wife, Yoko Ono. Immediately, he was faced with a deportation scandal, and many were rallying for change on his behalf. His long-term impact is shown even to this day, through his song “Imagine” and other political songs that were screaming for someone to take a stand.
..., the Beatles accomplished things no other band had ever done before. Even though they were a band only in the 60’s and 70’s the music is still played throughout society today. The Beatles influenced many other bands and people. Many will agree that the Beatles changed music forever, and mostly became family. It is without a doubt the Beatles were and still are the best band ever.
The Beatles wrote hundreds of songs throughout their long career and many of which had the same main ideas in them. Those two ideas seem to standout in most of their songs, and they are the ideas of peace and love. They were so passionate about these two ideas especially world peace, that they became avid participants and leaders in the anti-war movement, against the War in Vietnam. It seemed strange ...
By the end of the 60’s, The Beatles had acquired a worldwide fan base and legendary iconic status among the youth of the world. John Lennon, the most prolific and famous of the Beatles, wasn’t averse to making political statements through his music. He knew that he had the power t...
The Beatles are an English rock band who originated in Liverpool, England in 1960. They were a huge success locally even before they began to make records in the United Kingdom. The band was comprised of four members: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They owe much of their early, quick success to manager Brian Epstein who molded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin who enhanced their musical potential. Early in the 1960’s, their widespread fame in the United Kingdom was first referred to as “Beatlemania”. Eventually, they acquired the nickname “the Fab Four” as Beatlemania grew rapidly in Britain. By 1964, the Fab Four made their way overseas and officially became international pop stars. The Beatles were the leading factor in the “British Invasion” of the United States pop market.