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The Beatles: Rock And Roll’s Most Venerated Act

Little has not already been written about the Beatles. Mention of their name brings to mind specific images and memories for many, and it is very possible that they were the most key group to emerge from the rock and roll movement. In the 1960’s, Beatlemania swept various countries and captured the attention and psyche of an entire age group. The high caliber and innovativeness of their music dwarfed their public personas, which were nevertheless quite prominent. The group’s popularity persists, and Beatles vinyl records still often fetch high prices.

The unit was composed of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr, all denizensof northern England.  They helped to kick off the movement sometimes referred to as the “British Invasion”, which centered around a flood of rock music from the United Kingdom into the North American market in the early 1960’s and the relatively sudden increased popularity of the acts involved and the British rock faction in general. The group, however, surpassed this wave and were one of the major players in rock music for the entirety of their existence. They heavily made an impact on future rock styles, claims that only a select few other Invasion groups can make.

Their career was marked by a steady shift in sonic framework away from vocal-oriented music and pop rock to relatively unknown territory, visiting folk revival along the way. The band was, at the close of the ‘60’s, a unpredictable unit which took bits from rock’s past and arranged them in visionary ways, and seemed nothing like their prior pop-oriented selves.

Considering that this band released such a plethora of hits, it is difficult to pick any relatively small number that accurately represent their career. From the pop tunes “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, and “A Hard Day’s Night”, to the surreal “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, to the more guitar-oriented rock of tunes like “Helter Skelter”, to the gospel-influenced “Let it Be”, the group produced a wild array of sounds accompanied by inspired lyrics and vocals.

Quite enduring memories are what this unique British quartet have given us. Having physical copies, in any form, of the music of one of the greatest musical acts of modern times is a point of pride, but ownership of the group’s record albums puts one in exclusive company. The group’s art has had extraordinary staying power, and has long outlived the band itself, as well as Lennon and Harrison, who left this earth some years ago. The four boys from Liverpool will always be with us.

Prestige Quartet – Swanee