Why did groups like the Beatles

In this essay I will explain how groups like the Beatles and Rolling Stones had such a great influence during the 1960's. These groups had a significant impact on the society as they became social icons, especially to the younger generation.

I will be looking at how the following factors helped with the success and impact of such bands throughout Britain; these factors are: Increase in social wealth, Americas influence to Britain, Radio and Television and their appeal to youth culture and teenage rebellion. To begin with, I will firstly look at how Britain's increase in wealth impacted the society.In 1959, the average weekly income increased a vast amount; therefore people had more money in their pockets to spend. The change in wage impacted not only the lives of the public but also the economy.

For instance the manufactures took advantage of the fact that people had more money. An example of this would be the manufacturing of cars. The amount of cars on road rose exceedingly from 1955-1965. In 1955, there were approximately three and a half million cars on the road; this amount then grew to around nine million cars in 1965.In addition to this, the increase of wage enabled the younger generation to have more power as they had more money, therefore more individual rights. One may say that groups such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones guided the younger generation through this change.

This is because around the same time, it was such groups that also changed in style, genre and fashion and the new wealth and power of the teenagers adapted to these groups and accepted them to do so. Due to this, such groups became idols; people wanted to look like them, sing like them and be like them.Looking back on the idea of manufactures taking advantage on wealth they also took advantage of bands such as the Beatles and Rolingstones. They had done this by creating products and clothing specifically relating to such bands as their image appealed to the youth and the demand to look like them became exceedingly high. These icons became the key to make money. Focusing on this idea of alteration within the society, America was the core factor upon this change.

This is because then and even now Britain is influenced by America in many ways, one being music.In the fifties, music that showed such high significance in the United States like electric rhythm, blues and soul was hardly played in Britain. However, as time moved on such music was imported from the USA to Liverpool. In the sense of music, America had direct shipping routes to Liverpool; therefore this became the music capital of Britain.

The Americans had yet again significantly impacted the British society. Moreover, the Beatles were formed in the 'music capital'. It is said that these new styles brought forward by America inspired the group which enabled them to create a new sound: Rock and roll.Additionally, as Britain was changing and the younger generation had more say and power within the society, so was music, hence this new style (rock and roll) became increasingly popular as it was new, fresh and young. Television was also influenced by America during the 1960's and too affected the British society in different ways. New American programmes were introduced, such as the popular show 'I love Lucy' and 'Take your pick'.

A good example of a program that was highly influenced by American television was 'Jukebox Jury'.This show was based on a US series that was created in the 1940's and included interviews and performances from bands such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Programmes such as the 'Jukebox Jury' publicized bands that were exceptionally popular with the teenagers. This is a major contrast from the 1950's as hardly any programmes and channels played records.

However as time moved on, filming organizations such as BBC, and ITV allowed these bands to be aired on television as they made more money. Television was beneficial for these groups as they became more popular.This was due to television giving them the opportunity to perform their music to a wide span of audience allowing them to attract more fans which led them to increase their popularity and also their profits. As we can see, this relates back to the wealth factor. Looking at this idea of aiming their music to a wider range of fans, radio also advertised the material of these artists which for the similar reasons as television impacted the society. Additionally it was also the radio that played a significant roll in success of these bands.

In 1964, Radio Caroline was broadcasted from a ship anchored in international waters off the coast of Felk Stowe, Suffolk England. It was the 1st offshore station to broadcast all day long using English language. This radio played all types songs; it even played the Beatles and Rolingstones which again increased the popularity of such bands and also the profits of the radio company. Moreover, the geographical spread of the radio enabled these bands to reach a wider audience as people from all over the country were able to listen to their music such as people that couldn't afford televisions.

As a result, this idea of a pop culture had spread across England, and Radio enabled it to do so. Music then became an inspiration to the youth culture and teenagers throughout the nation. No-one would have thought how much of a significant impact the new genres of music would have to the society, especially to the younger generation. Such technology, like television and radio allowed teenagers to imitate their behaviour as it became easy and open for them to reach the appropriate contents and images of their songs.

Although such technologic sources allowed these bands to seek a wide spread of audiences, two main social categories were formed from these two bands: Mods and Rockers. These groups were formed from the music of The Who and the Rolling stones. During the year of 1964 there were a number of outbreaks of violence between the 'Mods' and 'Rockers'. There was a battle between these groups as their beliefs differed and therefore they rebelled against each other. Mods were originally from the south-east of London and inspired by 'The Whos', who where a successful band of the sixties.

They were the successors of the Teddy Boys fashion and most of them were young office workers that were into money and style; they travelled around on scooters and spent most of their income on clothes. On the other hand, Rockers were mainly working class people. They dressed in looming black leather and rode torrential motorbikes; alternatively they were inspired from the Rolling Stones. Both anti-styles were another expression of sixties teenage prosperity and independence.

It was common for both gangs to meet and fight on beaches in big groups over the bank holidays and weekends.There were many injuries and some deaths. It is said that bands like the Rolingstones and The Who influenced these teenagers into violence as their music carried a note of aggression and their behaviour and lyrics were assertive and powerful. Rock music had always been rebellious through both the context of the lyrics and the way the song was performed. Bands such as the Rolling stones were informed to have been taking hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD before writing songs and even during performances.Alternatively, many Artists including the Beatles became interested in Indian music which involved transcendental meditation under the guidance of an Indian spiritual mystic known as Maharishi, that directed many people towards 'inner peace'.

One may say that the hippie movement was associated to the Beatles as it was them who introduced the idea of 'inner-peace' to the society through their songs. This then developed as Hippies believed that 'inner peace' and love in general were to be found through the intake of mind-bending drugs such as LSD.To conclude, the question still remains; was the material to the music of bands such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones reflecting on teenagers, or influencing them? I believe that to begin with, bands such as the Beatles and Rolling stones were influenced by American music. The new genre they created was not intended to segregate the society in any way; it was purely the love for music. However, as it did impact the society exceedingly, and their popularity grew immensely, they played upon it in order to increase their profit.