The British Invasion & Its Lasting Impact by Ashlee Scott
&
ITS lasting
impact
With rock and roll on the verge of collapse in the United States by the late 1950s, a resurgence was needed to cement its place in music history. And that’s when the Brits came. With a new found vigor in rock music roots along with the emergence of individual ideas, the British Invasion took the U.S. by storm- bringing back rock ‘n roll to the forefront once again and creating a frenzy like never before. Written and designed by Ashlee Scott
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eginning its course in the 1940s, rock and roll was an American invention with its roots derived from the music of African Americans with strong influences based on rhythm, blues, and Motown models. Artists such as Chuck Barry and Little Richard were predecessors for the birth of rock and roll and helped paved the way for many of the iconic rock bands that emerged during the 60s and 70s. Additionally, Elvis Presley helped to set the foundation with his rebellious tone and captivating image. The 50s was the era of rock in the United States with its distinct combination of clean pop and gritty blues along with the use of distortion and fuzz pedals. However, the reign of rock and roll in America began to fade by the late 50s which left many to speculate this “unwholesome” music had met its end. But across the pond in Great Britain, rock and roll was heating up, preparing a new resurgence unlike any time before.
Prior to the British Invasion, rock music from the U.K. had been mostly cheap imitations of American bands lacking originality and fervor. However, the American rock music resulted in becoming an important influence in British youth and culture. Rock and roll from the U.S. spread quickly through the U.K. due to the shared English language, the stationing of American troops across Great Britain, and the emergence of subcultures. Port cities such as London, Liverpool, and Glasgow found this American music import to be exciting and inspiring, and soon the British youth were taking notes from the American rock and roll music of the 40s and 50s. But it wasn’t until he Beatles arrived to the scene that a whole new wave of rock music exploded both in the U.K. and U.S.
The Beatles were the pivotal piece in the start of the British Invasion. They led the way for the emergence of a multitude of unique and talented musicians to come from Britain, and they started a whole new approach to the music industry. Heralding from Liverpool, England, The Beatles consisted of members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. After several rounds of names, such as the Quarrymen and Johnny and the Moondogs, the group moved on with the Silver Beatles, eventually being shortened to The Beatles. They received accolade from Europe and their native country in their early years, but it wasn’t until 1963 that The Beatles skyrocketed to fame and success.
During 1963, The Beatles recorded their single Please Please Me, which started the formation of Beatlemania in the U.K.; and by the following year of 1964, The Beatles had swept America overnight, officially invading the music scene. The Fab Four paved the way for this new resurgence of rock and roll, replacing the likes of Fabian, Pat Boone, and Perry Como who had previously been the focus of musical taste. The Beatle’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show brought in over 70 million viewers. In a blink, The Beatles had created a phenomenon unlike any before- a frenzy of adoring young women and men who quickly idolized this exciting new player in the field. For Americans, The Beatles’ arrival was a happy relief for the country still in mourning over the assassination of John F. Kennedy. The Beatles brought back a sense of excitement to the landscape, particularly the youth of America. Likewise, The Beatles had accomplished a similar feat back in the U.K. for its postwar environment. As a whole, The Beatles were breathing life again into the music scene of both the U.S. and the U.K. With over 800 million sales worldwide, The Beatles are the best selling band in history and considered to be the most influential music band in history. Meet the Beatles shipped over 3.6 million copies alone, making it the largest selling LP in history.
ome together, right now.
INNOVATIVE ORIGINAL The Beatles also contributed a new approach to music in itself. They completely changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced it in their daily lives. They were innovative and original by composing their own songs. More so, The Beatles helped to pioneer the music video along with replacing the trend of singles with the storytelling of albums. The Beatles also paved the way for other British bands to enter the scene during this British Invasion as well as influencing genres to come such as psychedelic rock. But beyond music acclaim and success, The Beatles had a profound impact. Coinciding with one of the most socially tumultuous periods in American history, The Beatles not only reflected this era but transcended it. They transformed the relationship among music, race, and American identity. Additionally, The Beatles embodied the sociocultural movements of the time being an activist for women’s liberation, gay rights, and environmentalism.
The Rolling Stones emerged onto the scene in 1962 with original members including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, and Ian Stewart. The Rolling Stones presented a new take on rock and roll- one that was rebellious and raunchy. In 1964, The Rolling Stones appeared on the map for the U.S. music scene but it was the song (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, one of the bedrock songs of the age, released in 1965 that brought the band to their height of fame. Compared to the likes of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones were as different as fire and ice. The music was angry simmering, dangerous, and bluntedged. This new approach to the rock genre initiated a trend to appeal to “outside” demographics, especially those rebelling against the traditions of the time. For many parents, this band was a dangerous alternative when compared to The Beatles. Their style was a unique blend of genres including blues, psychedelia, folk, reggae, and dance.
The Rolling Stones were the second biggest band to emerge out of the British Invasion- runnerup to The Beatles. They topped the Hot 100 charts eight times and sold more than two-hundred million albums worldwide. More so, The Rolling Stones pioneered the way for what defined rock and roll- gritty, hard-driving blues. Additionally, Mick Jagger set the precedent of the typical rock frontman, while Keith Richards and Brian Jones started a new blend of interlocked guitar rhythms. The Rolling Stones established a career of over fifty years with an influence that impacted future music genres and bands to come.
“gritty, hard-driving blues”
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In 1968, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones, and John Bonham created the beginnings of Led Zeppelin. The band was successful, innovative, and influential, working as the progenitors of heavy metal. Led Zeppelin contributed to the development of music business with a centered focus in album-oriented rock and the rising popularity of stadium rock. As The Beatles shaped the 60s, Led Zeppelin was a major proponent to the music industry during the 1970s. Their song Stairway to Heaven was, in fact, the most requested and most played song on American rock radio during the 70s. With around 300 million records sold worldwide, Led Zeppelin continued to uphold the place of British rock into the 70s and later generations.
Another quintessential band to emerge during the 70s was none other than Queen. Originating in 1970, the original band members included Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. Queen was one of the best selling music artists of its time with their unique blend of styles creating a diverse and one-of-a-kind style of music often with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. This progressive rock band mixed a diversity of styles such as opera, gospel, disco, and funk into their rock ballads with iconic songs including We are the Champions, We Will Rock You, and Bohemian Rhapsody. Queen was deeply inspired by The Beatles drawing inspiration from their instinctive use of harmonies.
Many other British bands entered the music scene during the 60s and 70s. The Kinks, established in 1964, had a profound influence on the origins of psychedelic rock and Ray Davies is often considered one of the most versatile composers. Pink Floyd also made a mark on the music scene, forming in 1965, that offered progressive sounds to their psychedelic rock. Further, Pink Floyd has sold over 250 million records worldwide. This period also opened the door to the emergence of heavy metal rock. Black Sabbath, formed in 1968, consisted of members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Ozzy Osbourne. Black Sabbath sold more than 70 million records and helped to lay the foundation for metal subgenres of rock and roll. Following Black Sabbath in 1975, Iron Maiden was another proponent in the metal scene helping to pioneer a new wave of British heavy metal during the late 1970s and into the 1980s.
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he British Invasion didn’t just bring a new wave of fresh and invigorating music, but it also brought a new change to society’s attitude and behaviors. Rock and roll had a farther reach than simply music, impacting the lifestyle and fashions of youth culture. Many parents and authorities saw this music as a corrupting influence on young minds and often protested and tried to ban the music altogether. As a whole, rock music dealt with the key topics happening during the 60s and 70s such as civil rights, the women’s movement, counter-culture, and the anti-war movement.
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ock and roll brought with it a sort of “moral panic” throughout America in the 1960s. For one, with rock’s roots based on the musical styles of 50s African American musicians, many traditional homes saw this genre of music to be “race mixing” as rock and roll had a way of interconnecting both whites and blacks during a time of segregation and the civil rights movement. Another factor rock music impacted was society’s view on sexuality. Many bands of this time promoted the idea of free love- a proponent of the hippie movement that also taught to reject materialism and the “square” adult society- through their feel good, sexual, and rebellious songs and lyrics. Groupies soon emerged and became interlocked with the idea of rock and roll. Further, rock music brought about the promotion of recreational drug use, particularly LSD and marijuana, starting the psychedelic craze. Lastly, rock music also extended its reach into the realm of fashion with The Beatles popularizing the mop-top haircut, collarless blazers, and Beatle boots. And the 70s brought the influence of hippie fashion with men sporting long hair and the infamous Nehru jacket.
For parents, as well as other traditional groups, the rock and roll influx during the 60s and 70s was a dangerous territory marked by loose morality. Many adults feared for the youth’s mind and behaviors, while the youth culture saw this as an opportunity to abandon the stifled cookie-cutter middle class and rebel against traditional values. Rock opened the door for a culture that began to challenge the status quo and began to think independently from their predecessors before.
While the British Invasion had mostly run its course by 1967, it had a significant impact both during its heyday as well as for future generations to come. Its traces in styles and sounds of African American legends such as Chuck Barry and Little Richard brought a new integration among black and white youth. During a time of racial tensions in the U.S., rock and roll offered an outlet of bringing people together, regardless of race- all for the love of music. This key factor, along with the civil rights movement, helped to herald the way for desegregation across America. This also helped to blur the musical and social boundaries that had been present before. Rock and roll also started a social rebellion in youth culture. Beyond the changes in moralities and beliefs, rock music enabled a new sense of freedom along with an independent mindset. Young people no longer relied on their parent’s values, but began to develop their own which led to movements for women, homosexuals, and peace efforts.
Lastly, the British Invasion set the foundation for future music generations. It impacted the popular music of later decades, establishing rock music as an international production. Great Britain gained popularity within the music industry, making it a viable center for musical creativity. Additionally, this new wave of rock music helped to pave the way for later musicians and bands that would become prevalent throughout the 80s and into the 1990s. New genres of rock and roll would result from this movement such as psychedelic rock, acid rock, glam rock, heavy metal, grunge, and punk. This would set the stage for the second British Invasion of the 1980s with bands such as The Human League, The Police, and Duran Duran.
Rock and roll music has a long and diverse history that has seen both fads and legends come and go. While the genre was invented in the U.S., it was the British that revived it back to life and with it, brought a whole new sensation to the rock music industry which impacted decades to come. Not only were new innovations and styles explored to pave the way for a multitude of new subgenre categories, but rock and roll also played a significant role in society’s values, lifestyle, and beliefs which opened the door for social change in both the U.S. and U.K. The British Invasion was the start of a new way of thinking and a new approach to music- creating a lasting change in the music industry.
Rock and Roll: Music for the neck downwards.
This book was designed and written by Ashlee Scott for GRDS 353: Typography II, The Savannah College of Ar t and Design, Professor Kwon, Fall 2018
The British Invasion & Its Lasting Impact Written and Designed by Ashlee Scott © Ashlee Scott 2018