Expert: Chalk - 11/28/2007

Question
Hi Chalk,

I am about to start my dissertation and have come up with the question 'Why did the Beatles transcend musical boundaries to become such an culturally influential force between 1966-1970?'

If possible, could you please answer a few questions I have regarding the subject? Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

1. How much was the Beatles influence on music and society down to luck, eg. the timing of their arrival and social conditions etc, rather than pure talent?

2. Why did the Beatles influence on aspects of culture such as religious and political views, drugs etc become arguably more intense in the mid to late 1960s?

3. At their peak, how influential were the Beatles to every day society and how much was that down to their music alone?

4. Why did the Beatles become so influential on culture in ways other bands simply could not?


Many thanks,

Nathan

Answer
Hello, Nathan,

I was tempted to click the "I believe this is a homework question" button on this. Frankly, it is! But you ask for my "thoughts"... So the best thing I can do is to point you to my long and informative answer here: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Beatles-386/Beatles-influance-society.htm

Your global question of "Why did the Beatles influence (so many aspects of life)?" is simple to answer: They were new, different, fresh and, above all, they were *the first*!!

Music-wise, they were also talented songwriters - up till then, artists didn't in the main write their own songs. They were again the first in that new trend which today is considered as quite normal.

'First in so much they did' is the main answer I would give you, Nathan.

Regards,

Chalk.