The Beatles Influence

Throughout history there have been many artists that have changed the sound of music significantly; however, the most radical changes occurred in the 1960s. With a war in Vietnam and major flaws in the United States, American teenagers used music and pop culture as a form of escaping from reality. Thus, the most memorable band was The Beatles. The Beatles were a group of four British young lads who sang romantic songs with lyrics that stole the hearts of teenaged girls worldwide. With their talent that was unlike anything seen before, they quickly became one of the most unforgettable bands to date. Due to their original music and popularity worldwide, The Beatles played a significant role in shaping music history as well as being icons for the 1960s counterculture movement.

The Beatles were first introduced into the United States on the night of February 9, 1964 when they made their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show (The Beatles 1). Over seventy three million people were recorded to be watching the debut, the largest number ever in television history (The Beatles 1). Soon after their performance on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Beatles invaded the world with their original music, dance moves, and good looks. This would be the first step in what would soon come to be known as “Beatlemania”. The song that started it all was the popular single “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (Sullivan Witnesses Beatlemania). The quirky lyrics made millions of American girls fall head over heels in love with John, Paul, George, and Ringo. After such a successful debut in the United States, The Beatles’ path for success was inevitable. From there the rest was history. The Beatles were to become the biggest cultural phenomenon in the years to come (The Beat...

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...he band members had shifted and had other priorities, but they continued to produce music for The Beatles. On April 10, 1970 Paul McCartney announced to the public that the band had broken up (Spitz 825). The only people who know exactly why the band split up were the four members themselves. It was inferred that because of all the fighting and arguing that happened the band members moved on with their separate music careers.

Moreover, although The Beatles broke up they left a lasting impression on the music industry and rock and roll. The icons of the sixties counterculture movement remain music icons in the twenty-first century. In 2012 Paul McCartney preformed for the Olympics (McCartney at London Olympics 2012). This was a reminder to the public of the involvement of The Beatles in pop culture. Their legacy is one that will be remembered for generations to come.