The British Invasion and its Effect on Western Culture

Assassination of President Kennedy

Nov 22, 1963

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/14/us/jfk-assassination-5-things/ On a trip to Dallas Texas, President Kennedy was shot. He was a popular choice and one of the youngest presidents to date. His assassination didn't have a direct affect on the British Invasion, but the mood that the country was left in was one of depression and lost hope. The tone of the country set the stage for the fun and upbeat music that the British Invasion would bring.

The Beatles stepped foot in America

Feb 7, 1964

http://josephjgabriele.com/ngg_tag/february-7-1964/#.V_RhkfkrLIU As they stepped off the plane at the newly renamed JFK airport, the Beatles were met with thousands of fans. They were smart and witty with the reporters, and were instantly relatable. They helped reignite some of the hope that was lost with the assassination of Kennedy.

The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show

Feb 9, 1964

http://www.edsullivan.com/the-beatles-american-debut-on-the-ed-sullivan-show-1964-2/ Sunday, February 9th, around 8:12 PM, Ed Sullivan introduced the band from across the pond. “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles!” and the crowd goes wild. Beatlemania has begun.

Rethinking the Record

Jun 26, 1964

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Hard_Day%27s_Night_(album) Before the British Invasion, the album was something to make more money off of the success of a single. The Beatles pioneered the concept album, which still influences artists today

Popularization of Drugs (Bob Dylan)

Aug 28, 1964

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/bob-dylan-introduces-beatles-to-marijuana/ In August, the Beatles met with Bob Dylan, who introduced them to drugs. Some of their songs following this meeting include references to marijuana, LSD or getting high. Not only did the Beatles music change, but it brought drugs into the mainstream.

The Animals

Nov 1, 1964

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-animals-mn0000751019 The Animals burst onto the scene with their 1964 "the House of the Rising Sun."

Elvis Dethroned

Dec 31, 1964

http://www.elvis.com/about/photos The Beatles, with a series of hits, took the top spots on the Billboard charts. As Beatlemania and the British Invasion progressed, other bands from England took spots on the charts. Some bands of the late ‘50s and early ‘60s never recovered, and a new era of musicians was ushered in after the end of the invasion.

The Kinks

Jul 1, 1965

http://www.letras.com.br/the-kinks With their song "You Really Got Me," they reached the top 10 spot on the Billboard charts in the US and emerged on the music scene for a short amount of time.

The Beatles Playing Shea Stadium

Aug 15, 1965

(http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/why-the-beatles-shea-stadium-show-was-even-greater-than-you-knew-20150814) The Beatles playing in front of 55,000 people at Shea Stadium in New York was monumental. Though now common, that was unheard of for the time. They pioneered the modern concert with their huge popularity.

The importance of hair

Oct 4, 1965

http://www.vogue.com/2679459/beatles-john-lennon-hair-evolution/ Their longer hair as they gained popularity also made the counterculture movement more mainstream. They didn't conform to the traditional values of how they hair looked, and soon longer hair became associated with mainstream movements.

The Rolling Stones

May 1, 1966

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rolling_Stones_(album) The Rolling Stones made it big with their hit "Paint It, Black," their first one in America.

MTV

Oct 4, 1966

http://www.thebeatles.com/film/help Because of the Beatles tight schedule, they couldn't make all the public appearances or shows that they were asked to do. Because they decided to record themselves and send out the videos to stations, music clips became popular. Without the Beatles, and the British Invasion, there would be no MTV

The Who

Mar 1, 1967

http://www.shauntmax30.com/group/the-who/ ‘I Can See For Miles’ reached number nine on charts, the Who’s highest single chart placing In America. They didn't do too well selling albums, but became a top live attraction in America.

Popularization of Drugs (Magical Mystery Tour)

Nov 27, 1967

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Mystery_Tour This Beatles’ album was rife with drug allusions, further bringing the popularity of drugs into the mainstream. Some of their lyrics, such as “roll up,” were in reference to rolling a joint.

Popularization of Drugs (Their Satanic Majesties Request)

Dec 8, 1967

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Their_Satanic_Majesties_Request Another band from the British Invasion that brought drugs into the forefront was the Rolling Stones with their album Their Satanic Majesties Request. Some of the lyrics hint that they are the creative result of an LSD trip.

Swinging London

Oct 4, 1969

https://byronsmuse.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/1960s-swinging-london-fashion/ The British Invasion didn't extend to just music. The fashion capital of the world at the time was London, and people everywhere were trying to imitate the London and mod fashion. Men wore tailored suits and women mini skirts and were showing off more skin than before.

"The Face of the '60s"

Oct 4, 1969

https://www.pinterest.com/nangie1612/jane-shrimpton/ Jean Shrimpton is known as "the Face of the '60s." She was a British Model and actress, and one of the world's first supermodels. She was on the cover of many magazines, from Vogue and Glamour to Newsweek and Time.