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