The British Invasion

The U.S.A. in disarray

The 1960s started as Kennedy's "New Frontier". Unfortunately, there was a lot of cultural anxiety and insecurity. Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy assassination, the Kennedy assassin's assassination, and other social upheaval (women's sexual liberation, and other topics) left the US feeling, as a whole, a bit insecure. Another factor adding to America's overall insecurity was the fact that Rock and Roll, viewed as "noisy teen music", was taking over the airwaves and pop culture. The grown ups viewed it as embarrassing, as it seemed like an "illegitimate" form of music. After all, Europe wasn't gaga over this music.

That all changed when The Beatles broke through. They added a level of sophistication to their music. Generally likable in press interviews (until John's religion statements) and quick-witted, with their non-threatening bowl haircuts, middle-class white America started to accept and purchase British Rock and Roll records, and started to also purchase American Rock and Roll now that it seemed more "legitimate".

The Other Big Players

The other big players in the British Invasion were The Rolling Stones. Where as The Beatles were somewhat refined, and non-threatening (even with their later experimental side), the Stones were much more raw, R&B oriented, and explicitly sexual. Generally, you were either a Beatles or a Stones fan, but rarely both.

The Stones started off in the same vein as The Beatles - playing in suits, with Bowl haircuts, and not being too overt. Two of their first hits were a Chuck Berry cover and a Beatles cover, originally written for Ringo to sing.

• Come On (Chuck Berry cover)
• I Want To Be Your Man (Beatles cover)

But as time went on, they gradually aimed to be the "counter image" of The Beatles. Hair grew longer and scruffier. Suits were doffed for street clothes. Sexuality, surliness, rebellion became forefront.

Their first foray into America wasn't very successful, playing to almost empty stadiums and concert halls, but they did meet Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Willie Dixon and recorded "It's All Over Now"

• It's All Over Now

Later in 1965, during another US tour, they ended up writing what is probably their number one most recognizable hit:

• (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

The followed it with a few more hits:

• Get Off of My Cloud
• Ruby Tuesday

They tried a few "Beatlesque" tunes, but returned to their signature sound with:

• Jumpin' Jack Flash

One more big event you should know about is the disastrous Altamont concert. Initially conceived as a West Coast response to Woodstock, it turned into mayhem. Read about it here on wikipedia.

There's a lot more to the Stone's bio than that, but I'm just trying to give a high level overview here.

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The Imitators

Here is a partial list of British groups imitating The Beatles or the Stones in the 1960s, helping add to the British Invasion:

The Dave Clark Five

The Searchers

Gerry and the Pacemakers

Freddie and the Dreamers

The Hollies

Herman's Hermits

The Animals

The Kinks

The Zombies

The Troggs

..and of course, the American answer to The Beatles:

The Monkees