British Rock Music example essay topic

Why was British rock music so successful internationally in the 1960's. Just whom do we attribute the modern era of music? The answer to these questions is quite simple, the British. Their influence on American musical life has left a lasting indention-one that will probably live forever.

During the 1960's, there was a drastic change that occurred in music worldwide as people began to stand up for their beliefs and unite for the common good. The young people of the day were dubbed baby boomers and were quite possibly the largest and most influential force in the world. No one could have predicted the emergence of so many successful groups from England's underground and mainstream. Groups like the Beatles and Pink Floyd typified this international movement of the British invasion of music into the world cultures by invoking a large fan base and initiating a new drug culture. The British invasion began internationally in the early 1960's as bands like the Animals and the Rolling Stones entered the United States. These bands entered on what could be called the first wave of the British invasion internationally.

One reason they were so successful is that they took a familiar American rhythm and blues sound and expanded on its wide range of instruments and vocals. They took a chance in leaving England to play abroad, but ultimately they paved the way for other British rock bands to break the international barrier (4). Meanwhile, in Liverpool, England, a new group was forming that would change the face of rock forever. They called themselves the Beatles and their names (John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr) would be forever engraved in the minds of people for generations to come. They began a new era of music in which they added melody to rock, accompanied by meaningful lyrics (2).

It was unforeseen at the time, but the Beatles would become on of the biggest sex symbols of the 1960's. Thus, British music was further entrapped in the lives of the American public. In 1963, the Beatles were the most popular group in England and got the rare distinction and honor of playing in front of the queen. This was considered a very special honor because not every young music talent of the day got to do this.

This began a kind of harmless madness that was called Beatlemania. This sudden popularity, especially by a rock band, had never been seen before at any time in England's history. The reason is that The Beatles had a rare charm and mystique about them, thus leading them to be the first band ever to sell over a million copies of their new record before it was sold in stores. Also, said Frederick Lewis of the New York Times London Branch, "they (The Beatles) are working class and their roots and attitudes are firmly of the north of England.

Because of their success, they can act as a spokesman for the new, noisy, anti-establishment generation which is becoming a force not only in Britain life, but American as well (1)". The Beatles began to expand internationally on February 8, 1964, when they came to New York City to make three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show immediately following the release of their new album, "Meet the Beatles."The first show was scheduled for Sunday, February 9, the second was telecast from Miami a week later, and the third was pre-taped for an airing in March (1)". The Ed Sullivan Show escalated the phenomenon of Beatlemania to equal those heights only previously seen in England. In a matter of a couple of years, the Beatles had gained international notoriety. Girls everywhere were ecstatic about four young men from Liverpool who wore their hair long and shaggy. As a sign of popularity, guys across the globe began styling their hair in this new Beatles hair style.

They became the new great British group as they changed the face of rock music as previously unrecognized. It was obvious at this point that the Beatles were "the next big thing". They had influenced everyone's lives from their young girl fans, to their parents, to the police officers that had to contain the large crowds that followed them everywhere (8). This all came at a time when the baby boomer generation was coming into its own.

They held the largest voice on the planet because of the infestation of babies after the conclusion of World War II. Due to various wars like the Vietnam War, these baby boomers used their numbers, and sheer love of music to establish rock as a focal point of society. Relating back to Beatlemania, one Beatles fan once said, "we are chaotic and mixed up inside... we are anxious to have a greater freedom to live... we have a greater feeling of the need to express ourselves... in the past we have been controlled automatons... but you cannot hold nature back forever (1)". No one could hold back the popular culture movement, and just like nature, no one could hold back the British invasion. It had arrived.

Therefore, bands like the Beatles gave youth everywhere a purpose, despite the fact that new bands were appearing in England that changed the culture and appearance of my parents generation. These new bands had a distinct and fresh sound that appealed to the tastes of youth the world over. This would be best described by the following story: "In 1967, the Beatles were in Abbey Road Studios putting the finishing touches on their album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band". At one point Paul McCartney wandered down the corridor and heard what was then a new young band called Pink Floyd working on their hypnotic debut, "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn". He listened for a moment then came back and said, "hey guys (the Beatles) there's this new band and they are going to steal our thunder" (3).

It was all up hill from there for Pink Floyd. They had gained the respect of the most revered band in the world and probably did not know how huge their impact would be. This new sound of Pink Floyd was the beginning of a new psychedelic revolution. They combined the sounds of American and British music to formulate their own style. As time had passed and this British invasion was obvious, the counter culture took a dangerous lead by the youth experimenting with hallucinogenic drugs. This music had brought with it an uprising that was a long time coming.

It had been brewing since the early days of the Beatles and had gained in strength. Now, no matter what kind of music one listened to, there was one common goal: spread the music. Even established rock bands gave in to the norm of this psychedelic sound. The Beatles, for instance, gave in with the release of their 1967 mantra, "Tomorrow Never Knows". Within this sound, people would experiment with such drugs as LSD. They believed that the drug LSD would enhance your ability to see the truth or reality in things.

This played into the spread of the British music perfectly because they dad invented the sound, the culture, and the scent in which drugs were consumed. This underground sound has taken over a culture (6). British rock music allowed young people the world over to stand up and unite under the cover of the song (3). It allowed the young people to live the way they wanted and to not have their life dictated. Thus, music was the freedom to live.

All of these elements helped to shape the way America sees music. Like no other time in the history of the world has one nation been able to influence the youths of the world under one musical element. They demonstrated how different sounds under different circumstances could bring the youth culture together. After all, the youths were the largest, most varied voice of the day. If it had not been for the British invasion of rock, the modern rock genre would be in serious jeopardy.