The Beatles receive a degree

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-MA!

By LAUREN HUGHES

The Fab Four are getting that they were a really important part their own academic qual- of the popular music history of the ification. UK but the programme will take a

The University of critical and contextual approach to Liverpool is launching the understanding how and why this is world’s only Masters level degree on the case. the subject of ‘The Beatles: Music “We have already had worldwide Industry and Heritage,’ based in the interest in the MA and this in itself city of their birth. contributes to raising the profile of The course, launching in Septem- the city as a destination for lovers of ber, will put the Beatles in context the Beatles and Liverpool’s musical to understand their legacy and the culture. This programme will develop significance of their contribution to the excellent relationships that we the City, a UNESCO City of music already have with Beatles tourism and culturally creative industries. and heritage within the city, enabling

MA Programme Leader and spear- sharing of knowledge and ideas for head, Holly Tessler, told Liverpool mutual benefit. 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 In 2009, Liverpool Hope University, launched an MA in the Beatles officially called “The Beatles, Popular Music and tourism and is accepted as part of the council’s decision-making process, pioneering work around Matthew Street and Williamson Square. Their are engaging with the Beatles, so Society”, but it closed down a few mission is to clarify what Liverpool how people listen to the Beatles on years ago. contributed to the Beatles and to give streaming sites and on social media. The Department of Music has a the city pride in being the cradle of “The Beatles are unique, there are richly established history in both their the band. so many iconic bands from the 60s, study of The Beatles and popular Beatles enthusiast and lecturer at (such as) The Rolling Stones, The music alike, with Beatles experts Liverpool John Moores University, Who, and yet they don’t have that amongst its academic staff. Alan Humphrey, said: “I think it same kind of connection to a particu- Dr. Mike Jones, senior music is important for the Beatles to be lar place that Liverpool does.” lecturer and a member of the Beatles remembered in this way, after all it

Taking a more sociological Legacy Group said: “So far, reaction is something to be proud of and you approach, students will be exploring to the course has been positive and can’t deny the impact they have had The Beatle’s music and heritage and we have received many inquiries. I both culturally and socially on the will have the opportunity to explore think some people will be sceptical world. Still going strong after sixty sites and venues in and around Liv- - how can a whole Masters be de- years is quite an achievement by any erpool and Merseyside dedicated to livered concentrated on the Beatles? standard.” The Beatles, which were important at But this has already been done, and The introduction of the new MA the beginning of their careers. we hope to do it in a different way degree coincides with the opening of

Head of the Department of Music from Hope; when a UK ‘product’ has the university’s Yoko Ono Lennon at The University of Liverpool, Pro- such a long and sustained impact it is Centre, a £22.1m state-of-the-art perfessor Catherine Tackley, said: “The important to try to figure out why.” formance space where work started programme, importantly, does more The Beatles Legacy group looks to last year. The University of Liverpool than just memorialise or venerate The support the economic endeavour of is now accepting applications for this Beatles. Of course, we appreciate Liverpool’s Beatle’s attractions and programme.

Photo Credit: Fedor