The Beatles Political Influence

“In a country in which popular culture is extremely important, there’s nobody more important than The Beatles.” Steven Stark, a friend of The Beatles once said. The Beatles are not only the biggest band of their time, they are one of the biggest bands of all times. The Beatles did not just sing to sing, they sang to give hope to a generation, they set some of the highest standards in popular culture, they changed music forever, and they still manage to affect our generation today.

Throughout history there are many characters who stood out for their great skills in music as Beethoven, Chopin, Mozart, Bach, and Vivaldi. The Beatles are considered as one of the most important and influential groups of all times. Even 40 years after they disbanded, they are still current reference in the music scene, and influence new artist that see them like role models to follow. It is fair to say that there are not many artists that have not been influenced by the Beatles. There were a group of factors which helped the Beatles get popular in a short time.

The Beatles and more specifically John Lennon had an immense impact on society throughout the 1960s to the 1980s. The Beatles affected society with their music by bringing about an age where experimentation with drugs, sex and hallucinogens (previously taboo) became the norm. They were also very popular amongst the new hippie counter culture as they too were anti-war and shared continuity with the ideals of the band. They served as examples and leaders not only to the hippies and other youth movements, but also to the youth of society in general. The Beatles and their music redefined the rules of society.

I) Introduction: Hello everyone today I will speak to you about an English rock band who most of you have heard off, “The Beatles”. They were one of the biggest musical icons in history. The band consisted of 4 legends: John Lennon (guitar), George Harrison (guitar), Paul McCartney (bass) and Ringo Starr (drums).

It all started in Liverpool in 1960 when four men came together to create the iconic band, The Beatles. The English rock band members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were able to create timeless music that still continues to influence artists even years after the end of the group’s time. Not only did they surpassed every limit that was reached before them, they left a mark on the music industry that most artist can only hope they achieve. They changed the way music itself was created and the way it was presented to people listening all over the world.

The Beatles were an english band, famous for their unique music and hit songs they sang and wrote during the 60’s. The Beatles consist of 4 members John Lennon the lead vocals, Paul McCartney the bass guitarist, George Harrison the lead guitarist and Ringo Starr the drummer. The Beatles became the rock era of music and their fame started in 1963’s till they disbanded in 1970’s. The Beatles members were all born in Liverpool England. John Lennon was born on October 9th 1940 and died in New York on December 8th 1980.

Rock music in the 1960s was egalitarian, eclectic, and real based on a number of reasons. To explain the 'real' piece of rock music in the 1960s, one would have to know that there was war going on overseas that didn't make sense to Americans as to why it was going on (the Vietnam war). There was also still severe inequality between blacks and whites causing protests to occur via the Civil Rights movement, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There was inequality between women and mens rights. These issues caused dissatisfaction to occur in the American people. What better way to vent dissatisfaction than through music! Also in addition to the frustrations described above, teen rebellion from the parental obligations was also in full swing. The result of this was 'free love' and experimenting with drugs. This led to creative, and mind you interesting, rock that Americans loved like "I Can't Get No Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones and "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" by The Beatles. Aside from the above,

John Lennon was a prominent singer/songwriter that founded the Beatles and impacted music like no other band before. This impact on music roused society in many ways during the 1960s. After WWII, there was an inflation in consumerism as people began to settle economically in the 1960s. As a result, the need for entertainment increased since people were able to afford entertainment without rationing or supporting the war. Moreover, as a result of the 1950’s, a period of social conservatism and conformity, the “Baby Boom” (1945-1964) produced 76 million babies that John Lennon and the Beatles would impact and, therefore, move emotionally.

Many of the other British invasion groups of the sixties (i.e. The Rolling Stones, The Kooks, and The Who) came somewhat close, and if it hadn’t have been for the perfect “Beatles formula” may have reached the same amount of success the Beatles did, but they simply couldn’t touch them at the time. Their influence is clear to see considering the fact that their popularity and success has lasted far longer than simply their decade of popularity. I would be willing to bet that there are not very many of my classmates who could not name and sing at least one Beatles song if asked to. If any other musician could be considered close, I would venture to say it’s Michael Jackson in the 80’s. He had a similar insanely large and dedicated fanbase, and he was a major influence on the music that was produced after him.

The “Rolling Stones”, the “Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World”, or the “Stones” are all names of which the influential bad boys of Rock ‘n’ Roll go by. The well deserved and hardly argued title of the “Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World” was first bestowed upon them in the 1960s. Although there were other Rock ‘n’ Roll bands rising to fame at this time, almost simultaneously, the Rolling Stones graciously accepted the title and carried it to the top along with them, taking no breaks from the spotlight. The Rolling Stones left a lasting impression on the music industry as well as on most, if not all, of the people that have had the pleasure of enjoying their music, including myself.

Before when The Beatles where still fairly new in the United States the media portrayed them as clean cut British guys who made good music. The medias eye had always been specifically on Paul and John for being the front men of the band, and the media loved them. Towards the end of the 60 's the media started to develop a different view on Paul and John. When Paul was caught with half a pound of Marijuana and sent to jail the media took this event as an opportunity to diminished the image of Paul by basically depicting him of being just a drugged up musician. John on the other hand was being spied on by the FBI.

Two of the biggest groups to separate themselves from the other bands of the 1960s were the Beach Boys and the Beatles. Each had their own style of rock ’n’ roll and their own way of creating new music. The Beatles had a very British pop style at the start, which morphed into their unique style of music as they blended and mixed it with different kinds of “world music.” The band worked together to write and develop their style, which was different from the Beach Boys “whose creative center was unquestionably one member of the group” (Starr & Waterman, 305) Brian Wilson. Through Wilson, the Beach Boys developed a surfin’ style of rock ’n’ roll and like the Beatles, Wilson liked to experiment with different instruments and effects to change their sound.

For example, Rock ‘n’ Roll music affected the Civil Rights Movement by eliminating the common prejudices whites had against blacks. The elimination of this negative perspective allowed African Americans to gain the basic rights an American should have and allowed to respectfully be viewed as equal. Another example is when Rock ‘n’ Roll music affected the Vietnam War by uniting the American public against the government is an antiwar protest campaign. The antiwar protest effect was amplified by Rock ‘n’ Roll musicians such as Bob Dylan and John Lennon. The songs these Rock ‘n’ Roll musicians produced contributed to the United States withdraw, resulting in peace.

The British Invasion in American music would not have been as prominent without The Beatles, who paved the way for other British groups to come to America and be successful. The 1950’s rock and roll artist like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and others, influenced many British groups during the early 1960’s, but in America in the early 1960’s folk music was the popular choice of music. The popularity of folk music was due in large part to what was going on in American society with the civil rights movement, JFK assassination and the Vietnam War and folk music spoke to what was going on in America. The British Invasion ended the popularity of folk music in 1964 with The Beatles and other British groups.

In the 1960s, America as a whole was experiencing a tumultuous time in its long history. The Vietnam War, the rebellious youth, the civil rights movement, the feminist movement. The list goes on and on. The voices of Bob Dylan and The Beatles encouraged the youth to attempt to change their world. A new age was ushered in.