The Beatles Downfall

1.1Summarise the development of the UK popular music recording industry from the 1950’s to the present day.

Furthermore, Sun Records and Sam Phillips went under fire by local radio stations and parents everywhere. Phillips’s creation, Rock and Roll, caused an outrage. It was seen as provocative towards young people, which was its most popular demographic. Music from artists such as Elvis, King, and Gordon were banned from radio stations and televisions (Impact of Rock & Roll on USA 5). Criticism from other well-known music moguls didn’t stop Sam.

Despite the Phonograph and the Gramophone’s success, the invention of the radio in 1906 was a threat to the recording industry. The major record companies had a hard time keeping their own sales up due to the radio, but the later invention of the LPs and 45 rpm records made the sales rocket. By the 60s and 70s, the records had taken America by storm.

Paul McCartney once said, “We would say, ‘Try it! Just try it for us. If it sounds crappy, OK, we’ll lose it. But it might just sound good.’ We were always pushing ahead: Louder, further, longer, more different” (“All About Jazz”). The Beatles had complete access to Abbey Road studios free of charge, spending hours upon hours experimenting and writing music. They used the studio as an instrument in itself. They were the first band to push musical and technological boundaries. They took advantage of accidental occurrences in the recording process. You can see this in

Berry Gordy Jr. started Motown Records in January of 1959 with only an $800 loan from his family and a passion for music. Within a few years of opening Motown Records, what started as a small Detroit record studio, they were selling more singles and releasing more hits than any other recording company. Motown became a cultural icon changing the way music was. Berry Gordy Jr. was known as the most successful African-American owned and operated record company which gave African-American artists a chance to record and sell their music. The embrace of Motown’s artists and recordings by the entire listening audience helped control racial barriers that had plagued the country since its establishment. In its classic era, the eventful music scene of the 1960s, Motown’s artists were among the most popular, establishing a standard of excellence and sophistication that has never been exceeded.

Both the radio and records have had significant impact on the development on rock n’ roll. Similarly, the radio and records gave musical artists an extended ability to stretch their audiences. Strongly intertwined, while they both gave listeners the ability to find artists they like, there are some clear differences between each the developments of the radio and that of records. In the years prior, the music industry was built on the “Tin Pan Alley” system that strictly controlled musicians and popular music (Schloss, Starr, and Waterman, p. 2-7). And much like the spirit of rock n’ roll itself, people within the industry eventually grew tired of conformity and no longer felt the need to follow the rules. Radio stations started forming separate licensing companies (BMI), which allowed them to play what they want (Schloss, Starr, and Waterman, p. 7). With an “open door” policy that allowed broadcasters to play music they wanted, radio stations had the important job of sharing a variety of music that could be heard all across the country. The radio began to function as a way of transporting records and genres of music all over the country from the traditional cultures they formed, which includes R&B, blues, and country. This reshaped the music industry by expanding its reach to new audiences. This, “allowed songwriters working outside of mainstream pop to claim royalties on the use of their songs on broadcasted

Everyone, Americans and Europeans alike, have heard-of, if not grown off of, a generation and culture started by an ensemble of four shaggy-haired Liverpool musicians that the world went mad over; no one can deny that no greater event impacted today's pop culture than "Beatlemania". But not everyone has heard the story behind the Beatles, who were they? How did they become the band and how did they make it big? What's the story of their struggle?

On May 15th, 1968, the Beatles announced the start of their own record label and production company, ______________, while appearing on The Tonight Show (guest hosted by Joe Garagiola that night).

The Beatles was composed of four members: Paul McCartney (born June 18, 1942), John Lennon (born October 9, 1940), George Harrison (born February, 25, 1943), and Ringo Starr (born Richard Starkey; July 7,

On February 9, 1964, Over 45% of America (roughly 73 million people) watched the Beatles’ debut US performance on the Ed Sullivan show. By the next morning, they had become the next big thing in America. Celebrities and schoolchildren alike were wearing Beatles wigs so that they could imitate their new favorite musical act. They had brought a cheeky sense of humor, long recognizable hair, and a new upbeat pop sound that appealed to the general public. By April 6, they owned the top five hits on the billboard hot 100 list. At one point, the Beatles sang 14 of the Billboard top 100 songs in the country. On the Billboard top selling albums list, they owned the top two albums on the billboard charts at the same time. They won two Grammy’s for 1964: one for best new artist and one for best group performance. They toured in Britain, Australia, and a blockbuster North American tour. Women wanted them and men wanted to be like them. Their fame was completely unrivaled. And that was their success simply in the sphere of music. (Kaplan, 2004).

There have been many people, known as artists, who have tried to change the world through their art. “Art” can be paintings, music, dances, sculptures, literature, or photography. There are many ways to communicate and express ones feelings but The Beatles did it through their popular music. Although they didn’t focus on changing the world of politics or try to protest through their music they have songs that focus on those exact two things.

The Beatles had been touring virtually nonstop since they came to America. The band decided to call it quits after their 1966

The Beatles started as an English skiffle group in the late 1950s. By the time they reached their peak popularity, the term “Beatlemania” was coined to explain the frenzied obsession with the group. A former associate editor from Rolling Stone drew a comparison between the Beatles and Picasso, calling them “artists that broke through their time period to come up with something that was unique and original.” Throughout their discography, the Beatles have time and time again released music that both broke musical trends and engrossed the masses. They have held an “unprecedented top five spots on the

In the 1960’s British artists took their modified edition of rock and roll, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and shared it with America. This concept would end up being acknowledged as the British Invasion. The British Invasion is the movement where bands from the United Kingdom became popular in the United States. It involved the virtual control of AM radio and the record industry in the United States by British artists, particularly the groups who had confirmed to be experts at recycling the American rhythm and blues and rockabilly songs of the 1950’s (Burns 2004). This movement is described as one of the most fascinating aspects of rock revolution that stimulated young American audiences by a second-hand version of American music traditions and filtered through British sensibilities (Winkler 1988). Due to The Beatles’ heavy influence on American music culture, it is still debated whether or not they were the greatest band of all time. There are many theories as to why America supported and embraced The Beatles’ success. The focal point shifted from the aftershock of John F. Kennedy’s death towards The Beatles and their rising popularity. This phenomenon changed the idea of rock and roll, as well as other

Although the musical group finally decided on what to call themselves, they still were waiting for their big break. Their big break came in the form of a man notice Brian Epstein, a record storeowner. Epstein’s interest was piqued when he heard about a young band making its way through Liverpool. So Epstein decided to go watch "The Beatles" perform. Something about the Beatles energy when they play inspired Epstein to become their manager. Pulling a few strings throughout the musical community of Liverpool, Epstein was able to gain "The Beatles" a few auditions. After a few auditions, the Beatles were able to get an audition with George Martin, a respected member of Parlophone records. The only part that Martin didn 't like about the Beatles was the drummer, Pete Best. Before a record could be signed Epstein had to replace Best. The new drummer was known as Ringo Starr. At last, "The Beatles" we 're complete.