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11.31pm
13 October 2011
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Okay, so I'm new to the site, so bear with me…
Can anybody give me some websites or information on how the Beatles influenced the U.K., the U.S., or the U.S.S.R.? I have emailed a ton of people, including…
- The Beatles Museum in Liverpool (Who couldn't give me any info on this. How Ironic :/ )
- The Liverpool Museum
- Martin Lewis
and I can't think of the others. If nobody can give me information on the topic, could they possibly tell me other places/people that would be good to contact? Thanks guys,
Brianna
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."
-John Lennon, 1970
11.51pm
19 September 2010
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Not to be a party pooper, but they didn't. John's Bed In's achieved zero (well, other then a great CBC archive), his Veitnam protests did nothing, and nothing changed due to them (well, Immigration services in the US's budget notwithstanding). They affected the people of the countries in a way, but the countries chugged along at their pace. I don't think Taxman changed the tax rate, did it?
11.56pm
1 May 2011
Online
Your best bet is to read something like Can't Buy Me Love by Jonathon Gould as that analyses the effect the beatles had on the US and UK and vice versa. Its a really good book, altho can get a little heavy going at time, and it may take you awhile. Really worth it tho.
There is also a bbc programme called How The Beatles Rocked the Kremlin which looks into the whole Beatles/U.S.S.R. story. Part 1 is here (on youtube) and the other parts are in the menu on the right of the screen.
As for the effect they had, it would take ages to go into it all as they completely altered how music was recorded, released and identified with (eg albums being more than 2 hit singles and 10 rehashes, songs written by the bands themselves, recording techniques, sound effects, Automatic Double Tracking, album covers being a piece of art) as well as encouraging people to express themselves more freely. I cant remember who said it but one of the beatles said they werent the ones bringing the changes about, more that they were in the crows nest leading the way.
There really is no quick answer. Tho im sure folks here will post.
12.03am
19 September 2010
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meanmistermustard said:
I cant remember who said it but one of the beatles said they werent the ones bringing the changes about, more that they were in the crows nest leading the way.
Correct. They weren't the drivers – they were the pawns used as the marketing tools of those who already felt change should happen. Did the Wall fall? Did the top tax rate change? Did The Beatles's direct actions ever change anything? I feel, as much as others may disagree (and any proof of anything having changed is greatly appreciated), nothing changed.
1.45am
10 August 2011
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I think you might be overlooking the most obvious change – the change that you see every day around you: guys sporting anything more than a crew cut.
80% of barbershops closed down in the U.S. in the years following the Beatles arrival. [I have the references in my book...]
How many millions of men around the world over the last 50 years have worn their hair a little on the long side?
They all owe a debt to John, Paul, George and Ringo.
I doubt that any musical act has ever had that kind of influence.
Right?
10.00pm
4 December 2010
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Surely some men had long hair before the Beatles? I mean, several major world religions forbid haircuts.
Hunter Davies reckons that the youth of the U.S.S.R. identified more with the Western world when they heard the Beatles' music, and consequently the Beatles were part of the reason that communism fell.
12.45am
16 February 2011
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Well… At least many people have the illusion that the Beatles did bring upon a change, right? And a lot of them identify the whole of 60s with the Beatles. And that means, the Beatles had a major influence on how we see the past happenings.
And I suppose this thread isn't about "how the beatles changed the entertainment business", since without Beatles, I doubt The Music TV would never have born (Beatles invented music videos).
But as for actual political changes… I don't know. What would have happened, if people hadn't protested against the Vietnam war, Lennon among them? (who also made a "protest song" for them) Would it just have went on, and on… Perhaps if I had more actual information, I could analyze what was Lennon's influence on that. At any rate, the US government did think Lennon was a "threat", which means he did have some influence… On people's minds.
And well, I think Harrison has had major influence in making Hinduism popular in western countries. But that isn't a solid fact.
Sorry… I don't have any real facts 
12.55pm
1 May 2011
Online
John was one of many calling for peace and the end to war, he (and Yoko) just happened to be upfront and at times the loudest. They werent the first and it wasnt because of their involvement the Vietnam war ended or anything really changed.
To be honest i dont think any of Johns 1968 – 1972/3 campaigns achieved anything apart from one anthem (Give Peace A Chance) being written. Arent there quotes from John saying they (all the stunts and marches etc) were, looking back, unachieving (is that a word?).
Theres the Trancendental Medition (TM) chapter that brought it more into the public's eye but again it didnt have a massive effect apart from The Maharishiand (& TM) got a lot of publicity and he became a minor celebrity for a while.
So maybe the effect was that the Beatles encouraged people to open their minds to other influences and ways of thinking.
8.20pm
10 August 2011
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The Walrus said:
Surely some men had long hair before the Beatles? I mean, several major world religions forbid haircuts.
Yes, for sure, sorry, you're right; I was referring to the Western world.
And to pick up on Minime's comment, yes the Beatles made all things Indian hugely fashionable for a couple of years (check out the cover art on Jimi Hendrix's Axis Bold as Love).
The Beatles made it fashionable for rock'n'roll musicians to write their own songs. Until then, you had only Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers,…
Without Lennon-McCartney there might not have been the Rolling Stones, Kinks, Who, and other bands inspired to write their own material.
The list goes on…
4.28pm
31 March 2008
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"Guitar groups are on the way out, Mr Epstein…"
7.18pm
24 October 2011
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In 5 years, They accompished more musically and influenced the world like no others.
8.22pm
13 October 2011
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Thanks you guys. I have loads of info on the U.S. and on the U.S.S.R., but virtually none on the U.K. I know that that's where they became famous (Liverpool and Hamburg to be specific) but I don't know how people reacted to them there. Did they have loads of screaming fans like in America? Was the clothing influenced more so in the U.K. than it was in the U.S.? Was it more of a musical or social change. Let me know if you find any good sources I can cite too. Thanks Guys,
Brianna
"When you're drowning, you don't say 'I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,' you just scream."
-John Lennon, 1970
11.15pm
1 May 2011
Online
A link to a wikipedia article on the beatles influence on popular culture. Its mostly about music but there are a few sections on fashion but its mostly entertainment (music, tv etc).
Also found a thesis called The Beatles and Their Influence on Popular Culture tho im not sure if its on the US or UK or both – its 45 pages long!
Hoopefully they are of some use.
10.36am
20 September 2011
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Joe said:
"Guitar groups are on the way out, Mr Epstein…"
They certainly changed THAT!
5.47pm
4 December 2010
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"Into the Sky with Diamonds" said:
Without Lennon-McCartney there might not have been the Rolling Stones, Kinks, Who, and other bands inspired to write their own material.
The list goes on…
The Rolling Stones (or rather, Jagger/Richards- Brian Jones actively tried to go in the opposite direction AFAIK) were directly inspired by Lennon/McCartney, and The Who were persuaded to write their own material by a record label who cited The Beatles and The Rolling Stones as examples to follow.
8.26pm
1 May 2011
Online
There was also the influence on bands not to have 1 stand out singer and the others in the background playing their instruments. It was very unique to have 4 in a group who would all sing.
2.54am
19 September 2010
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After thinking, they did (or George did) champion one thing: the celebrity rock benefit. And actually, I was provoked. I was on Arcade Fire's Facebook page (didn't think to 'Like' them till now), and as I looked at old wall posts, I saw two posts saying in essence "Carry on the legacy of George – download today – all profits go to {insert charity here}". Honestly, I am shocked. From the leading indie band of this generation, to say on its Facebook page to a.) Buy a George Harrison album and b) completely acknowledge that he is the trailblazer for what they do (they do massive amounts of work in Haiti, even before the earthquake. As early as 2004, they wrote a song called, simply, Haiti) is a little surprising for me. And they even just say George – only Harrison at the beginning. Thanks, or should I say Merci.
(PS: I'm off – bloody tired.
1.14pm
20 September 2011
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Awww, that's so sweet of Arcade Fire.
5.53pm
1 May 2011
Online
Was merchandise such a big thing before the beatles went to America and Brian signed off so much of the percentage? I dont remember any bands or artists before '64 having their own bubblegum, t-shirts and beatle breath out there – tho admittedly a large amount was non-official. But i could be wrong, my knowledge of pop memorabilia history is very slight.
Nowadays band merchandise is everywhere and everything and worth an absolute fortune.
9.09pm
16 February 2011
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What about movies? I suppose there are lots of movies inspired by Beatles or including some aspects of Beatles, but a really recent example would be "Norwegian Wood", a Japanese film. I haven't seen it yet, but besides the title its plot seems to have taken some elements from the song.
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