The British invasion refers to the saturation of the U.S. music charts and radio by British groups and singers. For three years, more than forty British groups and singers on the charts. The invaders had borrowed American blues, rhythm and blues, and rock & roll, molded them into a new style, and introduced it to the American audiences, who were largely ignorant of their own musical heritage. This revitalization of rock music with new styles provided a dynamic that was to initially last for the next ten years.
"The Beatles want to hold your hand but the Rolling Stones want to burn your town down."--Tom Wolfe (Davies, p.186)
Songs found on Spotify.
Rolling Stones Gear by Songs found on Spotify.
1965: the most revolutionary year in music by Songs found on Spotify.
Many groups valued the use of harmonies in their music. Some credited that with the influence of the Four Freshmen in the 1950s. Here are some great harmonies:
Songs found on Spotify.
American blues had a huge influence on British musicians in the 1960s. One of the most influential band leaders in the British Blues movement was John Mayall. And the band he led was the Bluesbreakers. Here are a few of the former members of the Bluesbreakers who later went on to important careers:
SourceL allmusic.com.
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Davies, Hunter, et al. The Beatles Book. Ebury Press, 2019.
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