The Beatles 2 Essay, Research Paper

There have been more books published about one 20th century icon than

any other, this band that is said to have broken down barriers in all

ways, is the Beatles. Their music was said to have driven that younger generation

mad. Perhaps it was because they were one of the first bands ever

play real rock and roll music; or maybe it was those cute little peacoats they

wore. Or maybe it was just because they were foreigners in the world of music,

yet seemed to fit right in with the young people. Whatever reason was, the

Beatles were a band that shaped a generation and ones soon to come.

The Beatles were more than just a rock and roll band , they were a

group of young men who wanted to go a new direction in music. John

Lennon, one of lead vocalists, basically started with the intention of moving away

from the “Skiffle Boom Era” which was dominating the time. In his

doing so, he began to lay the foundation for what would later be the most

famous rock band ever. The original band members were as follows : John

Lennon, vocals and guitar ; Paul McCartney, vocals ; George Harrison, guitar ; Pete

Best, drums ; Stuart Sutcliffe, bass guitar.

In March of 1961, the Beatles began to play at the club

that would later be nicknamed “The Home of the Beatles”. The

Cavern Club, which’s premises comprised a small group of cellars below a seven

story warehouse which had originally been used as an air raid shelter during the

war. Later, Alan Sytner, a jazz fan decided to open it up as a new jazz

club. After a few years, he sold it to Ray McFall another jazz fan. The club was

originally strictly jazz and no rock. Luckily for the Beatles, the times were

changing and McFall quickly changed the policy the Beatles soon became

regulars. This would be the club that would make them famous.

News of the band’s Liverpool popularity soon became know throughout

England and later a large part of Europe. Shortly after their first tour of

Hamburg, Stuart, who had always been a better artist than musician left the band

to pursue goals in the visual arts field. Paul had dabbled in bass guitar and

took his place. This was a transition period for the members in the band,

they were going from being Liverpool locals to being English stars. It was about

this time that the rest of the band and their manager Brian Epstien, began to

notice Pete’s growing ego, and thought it would be best if he not be in the band.

Many fans were suprised and upset at the decision. When they heard Ringo

Starr one of the back up drummers, was joining they were calmed perhaps in

anticipation of hearing how the new member would fit in with the rest of the

band. The result was fabulous. The band was pleased with thier new addition and

they quickly adapted to each others playing styles. Ring was the final member to

join the band and in October of 1962, just a few months after Ringo joined the

band, the Beatles had their first hit single, Love Me Do .

1963 and 1964 proved to be the most important years for the

Beatles. During 1963 they created a sensation in Britain. The boys

appeared on Sunday Night at the London Palladium and a writer for the Daily

Mirror coined the phrase Beatlemania, it later became the word people used to

describe the outpour of Beatle fans. With in months the Beatles had

gone from being opening acts at concerts to starring on the Royal Variety

Show. The reasons for their success were uncanny. During the

“baby boom”, more children were born in England than any other time in history.

During the time of the Beatles popularity, most of these babies were teenagers

and

they wanted more freedom than their parents had been given.

1964 was the absolute most important year of their careers. 1964 was the

year they conquered the biggest record market of the world, America. It took a

combination of talent and luck. America was suffering with the loss of John F.

Kennedy and the Beatles appeared on the scene to bring them fun and excitement

to end their mourning. They also brought rock and roll back to its homeland.

Being in right place at the right time seemed to favor the Beatles. On a

flight back home from Sweden, they ran into Ed Sullivan who invited them to

come on his show.

Although the Beatles were not an over night success, they shot for their goals

and

eventually reached them and others. The band stayed together for many years and

made a generation of young kids into a generation envied by others for having

the

Beatles to wait for and want. Their music still influences many artists and will

continue to do so as they were and still are the band that will “rock on forever”.