History of Rock and Roll The Beatles “Beatles for Sale,” 1964

Factors leading to the “British Invasion” ENGLAND Young English audiences very interested in American R&B and folk music Huge “cult” following for certain American early rock and roll and “rockabilly” artists (Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent) The “Skiffle” craze (next slide)

Skiffle Skiffle: a 1950s English musical fad consisting basically of American and English folk songs played on guitar and “homespun” instruments such as washboard, washtub bass. The “king” of Skiffle was Lonnie Donegan (pictured, right.)

Factors leading to the British Invasion, continued AMERICA Changes in the rock / pop music industry: Media effects, “pop idols;” commercialization of rock many new developments are taking place in the world of soul and R&B music, still separated from mainstream The emotional morale of the country in the early 60s: the Cold War, Russia, Cuba the turmoil of the Civil Rights movement the Kennedy Assassination ( ) Some historians suggest that the music industry and the listening audience were ripe for something brand new, which was…

The Beatles The Beatles’ musical influence was of enormous magnitude; rock history books often use the Beatles arrival in America as a turning point in the history of Rock

The Beatles early years show the following influences: R&Bpopfolk Tin Pan Alley rockabilly folk revival British heritage of “choral” singing and “modal” music

Later, the Beatles themselves influenced pop music through the following means: classical elements eastern musical influences, esp. Indian more complicated arrangements electronic effects and ‘art music’ the use of sophisticated (for the time) studio techniques

Beatles Early History All were from Liverpool, England 1956: Lennon forms skiffle band, The “Quarrymen” Originally the “Silver Beetles, then “Beatles” Above: the Quarrymen Beatles original line-up: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stu Sutcliffe (bass), Pete Best (drums)

Beatles Early History, continued First successes in Liverpool – they played frequently at the Cavern Club First “tours” are in Hamburg, Germany. On one of those tours, Stu Sutcliffe departs the band and remains in Germany Beatles record “My Bonnie,” local success in England Beatles are “discovered” by a record store owner named Brian Epstein (next slide)

Brian Epstein 1962: Epstein gets Beatles signed to EMI /Parlophone (after Decca rejects them!) Epstein remained the Beatles’ manager until his death in 1967

George Martin EMI assigns the task of producing the Beatles’ recordings to classically- trained musician George Martin. Martin’s influence on the Beatles and their recordings is enormous; he is sometimes called “The Fifth Beatle.”

Pete vs. Ringo One of Martin’s first actions is to replace drummer Pete Best with Ringo Starr. Pete Best’s fans in Liverpool riot.

Please Please Me Released November 1962 First #1 hit in England They begin making TV appearances shortly after this release Released in the U.S. on the Vee Jay label

She Loves You Released in 1963 (Lennon’s son, Julian, is born this year, too) #1 in England From the U.S. release: “The Beatles’ Second Album” (#1 in the U.S.) Manager Epstein begins trying to get them signed to an American label

Beatles’ first hits - America 1963: Capitol signs Beatles and releases “I Want To Hold Your Hand.” Success. The Beatles are asked to play for the Queen of England. “Beatlemania,” having already taken England by storm, soon hits America full force.

1964: Beatlemania 2 / 1964: Beatles arrive in America. Five thousand people are waiting at the airport in NYC. 2/ 9 /1964: Beatles appear on Ed Sullivan (one of the highest TV viewer ratings in history.) April 1964: The Beatles have 14 songs on the American Top 100 Charts. Summer 1964: Beatles’ first film, A Hard Day’s Night.

1965: Fame and Fortune By 1965, the Beatles are globally famous They have done a world tour, encountering mob hysterics everywhere They record “Beatles for Sale,” which is released the in the States as “Beatles ’65.” They are awarded MBE’s by the British government They release their second feature film, “HELP!”

I Feel Fine Released in 1965 on “Beatles for Sale” The Beatles are now full-fledged ‘rock stars’ with all the trappings of that lifestyle This song features one of the first instances of recorded guitar feedback

Help Released in 1965 on “Beatles for Sale” By mid-1965, the Beatles have 23 songs in the Top 100! The Beatles’ influence can be heard in bands from England, American, & in other genres of music ALREADY!

August 1965: Shea Stadium concert August 1965: Beatles play at Shea Stadium in New York City. Attended by 55,000 people. By mid-1965, the Beatles had 23 songs in the AmericanTop 100. Beatles at Shea Stadium

1965 continued: Experimenting with Sound Cover of “Rubber Soul” BY 1965 and 1966, The Beatles began to experiment with studio techniques and sounds, introducing new and innovative elements into their recordings such as Rubber Soul.

Norwegian Wood Released in 1965 on “Rubber Soul” This is one of the first pop songs to feature the sitar, an Indian musical instrument Harrison had been introduced to the sitar through David Crosby

Influence of Indian music George Harrison became very interested in east Indian music George studied the sitar for awhile with Indian master Ravi Shankar We hear this instrument for the first time on the song “Norwegian Wood.” We hear this instrument for the first time on the song “Norwegian Wood.” Ravi Shankar playing the sitar, then and now

Beatles 65-66: Other examples of experimentation “Yesterday” – string quartet and voice “Rain,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” - Recording tape played backwards “Rain,” “Tomorrow Never Knows” - Recording tape played backwards Manipulated sound (piano on “In My Life”) Sound effects (Various pieces) Symbolic or surreal lyrics

Yesterday Released on the “Help” LP in Britain, it was a single in the U.S. This has become the Beatles’ most recorded song. Listen for the string quartet, a George Martin addition

“Beatles Yesterday and Today” A compilation of tracks that were contained on English Beatle LPs, but were only released as singles in the US. The initial LP cover, with its dismembered baby dolls, caused a scandal and was recalled. The new cover was pasted over the old ones. These “pasted over” LPs are now very valuable collector’s items.

1966: “Revolver” More sound experimentation You can really begin to hear individual styles among the 4 Beatles

Eleanor Rigby From the 1966 album “Revolver” Listen for the distinct styles from each member What else do you hear?

Love to You Also from 1966’s “Revolver” More instances of the developing experimental “Beatles” sound What is different about this song from the last example?

1966: The “Jesus” controversy (1) In June of 1966 John Lennon, when asked a question about religion, gave a candid answer that included doubts about the future of Christianity, and the infamous statement, “We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first-rock 'n' roll or Christianity.”

The Jesus Controversy, continued Lennon’s statements caused a furor Lennon finally called a press conference and apologized His statement: “ I believe Jesus was right, Buddha was right, and all of those people like that are right. They're all saying the same thing--and I believe it. I believe what Jesus actually said--the basic things he laid down about love and goodness--and not what people say he said.... If they took more interest in what Jesus--or any of them--said, if they did that, we'd all be there with them. “

Strawberry Fields / Penny Lane End of 1966: Beatles release the double-sided single “Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane” 1967: release of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Sgt Pepper became one of the most influential records in rock history, 1967 would be a watershed year for the Beatles in many ways…

Strawberry Fields Released in 1966 This was Side A of the Strawberry Fields/Penny Lane single Paul once said, “We’re so well established that we can bring our fans with us when we stretch the limits of pop.”

Penny Lane Released in 1966 Listen to all the effects on this track George Martin (producer) actually spliced (combined) two different recorded versions into one!

Beatles’ last concert date: : The Beatles decide to stop touring and concentrate on recording. The Beatles’ last concert date (for a paying audience) was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco.

1967: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band The Beatles’ musical [and drug] experimentation reaches new heights Often considered the “first concept album,” although this is disputable “first concept album,” although this is disputable

A Day in the Life Released in 1967 Actually two different songs that have been “stitched together” Listen for the backwards orchestra (a George Martin addition)

Sgt Pepper, continued Many diverse musical influences Showcases strong individual style of various Beatles Lots of studio techniques – backward tape loops, special effects, etc Larger scale, narrative works, like “She’s Leaving Home” and “A Day in the Life”

1967 continued: The Maharishi Beatles meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, become interested in Transcendental Meditation. Later in 1968, they would travel to India to study meditation with him. Beatles, plus Jane Asher, Cynthia Lennon, Patti Harrison, Maureen Starr, with Maharishi

1967: Magical Mystery Tour Summer of ’67: Beatles release the international TV special, “Magical Mystery Tour.” This proves to be the Beatles first critical “flop.” However, the LP is very successful.

All You Need Is Love From the 1967 album “Magical Mystery Tour” While response to the TV special was mostly negative (it was actually DROPPED by ABC in the U.S.!), the album did well.

I Am the Walrus Also from 1967’s “Magical Mystery Tour” This song was the source of many misunderstood lyrics for years The TV special was eventually released here in the U.S. in 1976

1967: Brian Epstein’s death In August 1967, Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein died of a prescription drug overdose. The death was officially ruled accidental.

1967: John meets Yoko Ono In 1967, John Lennon met Yoko Ono at an exhibit opening of her artwork. They soon became inseparable.

1968: Apple Corps In 1968 The Beatles formed a business venture called Apple Corps, which included the Apple record label. The first single on Apple was Revolution / Hey Jude.

Revolution From the 1968 “White Album” Released on the new “Apple” label, which also encompassed the Apple Foundation for the Arts & many other Apple “things” This was one of the hits off the album

1968: The White Album “Double” album Actually called “The Beatles” Pays tribute to the Beatles’ many musical influences Clearly the work of 4 “individuals”

Back in the U.S.S.R From the 1968 “White Album” What influences can we hear? –Chuck Berry? –The Beach Boys? –Surf rock?

Blackbird Also from 1968’s “White Album” Can you hear the folk-rock influence on this tune?

1968: Yellow Submarine Animated feature on BBC featuring Beatle’s music Basically aimed at children Critically acclaimed for animation style

1969: “Get Back” sessions Sessions are hindered by stressful relationships between band members and the presence of a film crew The sessions eventually became the film “Let it Be.”

Get Back Released on “Let it Be” 1969 “Let it Be” was recorded before “Abbey Road,” but released after Phil Spector was hired to (re) produce the tracks that became “Let it Be”

Don’t Let Me Down Recorded (twice) for the “Let it Be” album A love song from Lennon to Yoko Listen to the change from the verse to the bridge – what’s different?

1969: “Get Back” sessions, continued During these sessions they filmed their last live performance It took place on the rooftop of the Apple building in London.

1969: Abbey Road This is the last recording by the Beatles. Highlights include “Here Comes the Sun,” “Something,” “Come Together.”

Here Comes the Sun From the 1969 album “Abbey Road” Written by George Harrison Harrison’s first solo release after the Beatles disband would be the best-selling of any ex-Beatle for many years

You Never Give Me Your Money Also from 1969’s “Abbey Road” Also written by George Harrison At the end of 1969, the “Paul is Dead” hoax is in full swing & “reading into” rock lyrics begins to get out of hand

1970: Beatles Break Up 1970: Beatles have gone their separate ways, doing solo projects etc. Paul officially announces that he is leaving the Beatles “Let it Be” is released (although it had been recorded prior to Abbey Road) Individual Beatles go on to successful solo careers

1980: John Lennon shot On December 8 th, 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed in New York City by a deranged fan named Mark David Chapman. Lennon was 40 years old. There was worldwide mourning, with tributes and vigils happening around the globe.

2001: George Harrison dies George Harrison died in November 2001, after a battle with cancer. He was 58.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr continue to make music and record. Paul is 64 Ringo is 66