Photo Credit: Neil Martin
LL ARTS
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-MA! By LAUREN HUGHES
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that they were a really important part of the popular music history of the UK but the programme will take a critical and contextual approach to understanding how and why this is the case. “We have already had worldwide interest in the MA and this in itself contributes to raising the profile of the city as a destination for lovers of the Beatles and Liverpool’s musical culture. This programme will develop the excellent relationships that we already have with Beatles tourism and heritage within the city, enabling sharing of knowledge and ideas for mutual benefit.
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n 2009, Liverpool Hope University, launched an MA in the Beatles officially called “The Beatles, Popular Music and Society”, but it closed down a few years ago. The Department of Music has a richly established history in both their study of The Beatles and popular music alike, with Beatles experts amongst its academic staff. Dr. Mike Jones, senior music lecturer and a member of the Beatles Legacy Group said: “So far, reaction to the course has been positive and we have received many inquiries. I think some people will be sceptical - how can a whole Masters be delivered concentrated on the Beatles? But this has already been done, and we hope to do it in a different way from Hope; when a UK ‘product’ has such a long and sustained impact it is important to try to figure out why.” The Beatles Legacy group looks to support the economic endeavour of Liverpool’s Beatle’s attractions and
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t: Fedor
tourism and is accepted as part of the council’s decision-making process, pioneering work around Matthew Street and Williamson Square. Their mission is to clarify what Liverpool contributed to the Beatles and to give the city pride in being the cradle of the band. Beatles enthusiast and lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, Alan Humphrey, said: “I think it is important for the Beatles to be remembered in this way, after all it is something to be proud of and you can’t deny the impact they have had both culturally and socially on the world. Still going strong after sixty years is quite an achievement by any standard.” The introduction of the new MA degree coincides with the opening of the university’s Yoko Ono Lennon Centre, a £22.1m state-of-the-art performance space where work started last year. The University of Liverpool is now accepting applications for this programme.
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You can’t deny the impact, they have had both culturally and socially on the world
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he Fab Four are getting their own academic qualification. The University of Liverpool is launching the world’s only Masters level degree on the subject of ‘The Beatles: Music Industry and Heritage,’ based in the city of their birth. The course, launching in September, will put the Beatles in context to understand their legacy and the significance of their contribution to the City, a UNESCO City of music and culturally creative industries. MA Programme Leader and spearhead, Holly Tessler, told Liverpool Life: “We are very much interested in looking at how the Beatles are existing in 21st century culture, looking at tourism and culture and heritage, but also the way 21st century fans are engaging with the Beatles, so how people listen to the Beatles on streaming sites and on social media. “The Beatles are unique, there are so many iconic bands from the 60s, (such as) The Rolling Stones, The Who, and yet they don’t have that same kind of connection to a particular place that Liverpool does.” Taking a more sociological approach, students will be exploring The Beatle’s music and heritage and will have the opportunity to explore sites and venues in and around Liverpool and Merseyside dedicated to The Beatles, which were important at the beginning of their careers. Head of the Department of Music at The University of Liverpool, Professor Catherine Tackley, said: “The programme, importantly, does more than just memorialise or venerate The Beatles. Of course, we appreciate
