The Rise and Fall of the Beatles
The Middle Period: Experimentation
� By late 1965, the Beatles were in a position enjoyed by few stars in any field.� - They could do no wrong� - This freedom pushed the Beatles to experiment with
their sound.� This caused some strife between McCartney and
Lennon – Each wanted to go a different direction.
“Yesterday”� Originated as a solo for McCartney accompanied by
acoustic guitar.
� George Martin (CEO of Parlaphone) suggested that the Beatles use a string quartet accompaniment.
� Was released on “Help!” in the UK and as a single in the USA. – Climbed to the No. 1 spot and has since been the most recorded Beatles song
� https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WQAl5nJWHs
� Is “Yesterday” Rock?
� Naturally, John Lennon HATED “Yesterday”.
� It kept the listening audience on notice that the Beatles would not just stick to one style of music or formula.
The Experimentation Albums
� “Rubber Soul” & “Revolver” would show gradual increase in experimentation and the transition from their early period to their mature style.
The Beatles “Mature” Style� No more “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” songs
� John discovered the lyrics of Bob Dylan.
� George had discovered the Sitar
� Exposed to American Folk Rock
� Recording Processes allowed them to experiment more with four-track edits.
� Approached music as a layered process.
Rubber Soul� “Norwegian Wood” -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY5i4-rWh44� - Use of the Sitar -
� “Michelle” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvee-w0uBc� - Using bilingual lyrics – French & English
Controversy� John Lennon was quoted “We’re more popular than
Jesus now”� -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFKXMdjbkU
� Over 30 radio stations banned Beatles records, protests, record burnings.
� The US Tour was still a success but they soon tired of the touring life.
Revolver� “Love You Too” –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF90rX43VpE
� “Eleanor Rigby” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LOgMWbDGPA
� “Yellow Submarine” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_cwWP5Qf1k
The Later Beatles: Revolution
� Continued to push the limits of Rock and Roll.
� Could get away with more due their status.
� 1967 would be known as the decade’s most interesting year for the Beatles.� - John Lennon met Yoko Ono at an art show� - Brian Epstein committed suicide. Felt he was no
longer needed among other personal issues.
� - Without Epstein, their personal lives began to fall apart.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
� The ultimate Classic Rock Album of the late-1960s
� Stayed 168 weeks on the top 100 charts in the USA
� The origin of a “Concept Album” tied from beginning to end.
� The album presented a series of “acts” in a psychedelic concert atmosphere.
� Begins with crowd noise, full of drug-oriented double entendres.
� https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T5fqLBhZgo
� Important songs from the album:� - A Little Help from My Friends� - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (LSD)
� - She’s Leaving Home� - Within You Without You
� - When I’m Sixty-Four
Other Important Albums
� The Beatles (The White Album)� - The Most Important Beatles Album – A Double
Album with 30 songs
� People Love it or Hate it� Telegraphs the end of the Beatles – Sessions were
characterized by tension, resentment, egocentricity� Essentially a “Tug-of-war” between Lennon and
McCartney
The End of the Beatles� Paul releases “Paul is Live”
� 1969 – John and Yoko release “Give Peace a Chance”
� Ringo released a solo album – “Sentimental Journey”
� George joined Eric Clapton’s band on tour and prepared his own solo album – “All Things Must Pass’
� “Let It Be” was release after the breakup with an album by Paul McCartney that included a public interview acknowledging the breakup.
Other Group of the British Invasion
� The Rolling Stones� - Formed a Counter-Image to The Beatles
� - Performances were more sexually suggestive� - had long hair� - scruffy unkempt look
� “I Want to Be Your Man” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6-sRjMqvIg
� “Satisfaction” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a7cHPy04s8