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