Megan Smith
W. Seals
English 12
7 April 2017
Beatlemania
Let’s talk about some music that has transcended “Across the Universe.” On February 7th, 1964 The Beatles touched ground in America, ready to take the country by storm. No one could have foreseen the incredible impact that the four quirky boys from Liverpool would make in America, and around the world. “Like certain other key individuals in the history of American pop, such as Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley, they caused an initial fervor, a “mania” period when teenagers expressed their excitement en masse at their concerts and public appearances.” (McGasko). From teenage rebellion, to crazed fans, and musical feuds, The Beatles started it all. First, the 60s were a …show more content…
It was The Beatles or the Rolling Stones. This became a hot debate among all generations across the board. They were both rock bands, but their styles differed greatly. It was all about whether you preferred the boyband- like rock of The Beatles, or the tight pants, long hair, and rebellious attitude of The Stones. Before the 1960s no one ever avidly compared musicians. No one was fighting about who was better. That is, until The Beatles and The Rolling Stones came into the picture. You were either a Beatles or a Stones person. If you liked both, that was just unacceptable in the eyes of other fans. This mindset continues in today’s pop culture. Fans in today’s society will go to the grave swearing by their opinion of who is better than whom. Do you like NSYNC or Backstreet Boys? Do you prefer Green Day or Blink-182? Is it The Beatles or The Stones? Everyone has their own opinion. Finally, perhaps the most significant influence The Beatles have had: fan culture. Frenzied, excited, emotion-ridden, and loud. Some might use these adjectives to describe just how intense the subculture of the average music fan is. It’s an intense, crazed culture where no one is ever truly safe with their
W. Seals
English 12
7 April 2017
Beatlemania
Let’s talk about some music that has transcended “Across the Universe.” On February 7th, 1964 The Beatles touched ground in America, ready to take the country by storm. No one could have foreseen the incredible impact that the four quirky boys from Liverpool would make in America, and around the world. “Like certain other key individuals in the history of American pop, such as Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley, they caused an initial fervor, a “mania” period when teenagers expressed their excitement en masse at their concerts and public appearances.” (McGasko). From teenage rebellion, to crazed fans, and musical feuds, The Beatles started it all. First, the 60s were a …show more content…
It was The Beatles or the Rolling Stones. This became a hot debate among all generations across the board. They were both rock bands, but their styles differed greatly. It was all about whether you preferred the boyband- like rock of The Beatles, or the tight pants, long hair, and rebellious attitude of The Stones. Before the 1960s no one ever avidly compared musicians. No one was fighting about who was better. That is, until The Beatles and The Rolling Stones came into the picture. You were either a Beatles or a Stones person. If you liked both, that was just unacceptable in the eyes of other fans. This mindset continues in today’s pop culture. Fans in today’s society will go to the grave swearing by their opinion of who is better than whom. Do you like NSYNC or Backstreet Boys? Do you prefer Green Day or Blink-182? Is it The Beatles or The Stones? Everyone has their own opinion. Finally, perhaps the most significant influence The Beatles have had: fan culture. Frenzied, excited, emotion-ridden, and loud. Some might use these adjectives to describe just how intense the subculture of the average music fan is. It’s an intense, crazed culture where no one is ever truly safe with their