Expert: Matt Gregersen - 7/24/2006

Question
Hi,
I'm steph and i was just wonderin if you could help me with my society and culture project for my year twelve HSC. I was just wanting to know how the Beatles as a rock/pop group effected society and the popular culture of the time, I know this question is fairly broad but any feed back would be much aprieciated.
THANKS Steph

Answer
Hello, Steph, and thanks for your question.

It is a very broad question, so unfortunately any answer I give will be brief and purely subjective. In my mind, the Beatles were an escape for the world. Sure there had been hugely popular musical artists before, but none carried the humanity the Beatles did. The U.S. was in turmoil; Kennedy had just been assassinated, and the fear of nuclear warfare was looming large overhead. The Beatles had great timing, and made people forget about these things.

In musical terms, they really were the first musical artist ever to write, record, produce, and perform all their own material. They didn't make it the exception, they made it expected for all other bands to do the same. Although they weren't the greatest musicians and most of their songs are anything but complex, they were simple, catchy, heartfelt, and most importantly, fun to listen to, giving them a universal appeal that has yet to be matched to this day.

I hope I helped, and answered at least somewhat you were looking for. Thanks again.

Matt