The Beatles History – When Mixed Genres Became All the Rage
March 6th, 2011
One of the very few bands that stand out as a major part of music history and countless rock tees across the generations is The Beatles. It’s impossible to not know who they are simply because music now would not be what it is without them. The group started a crucial movement in history that cemented their legendary status.
Before they became the popular four man band, the group’s story started with an all too different band called The Quarrymen. The reason why this group is mentioned in the story of The Beatles’ origins is because this was John Lennon’s original band. Lennon first played with friends Pete Best and Stuart Sutcliffe and they were soon joined by Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Sutcliffe left and eventually passed away in 1962 while Best was edged out and replaced by Ringo Starr.
Best was originally lost as to why the band let him off. He was informed that he was no longer wanted. It is possible that the others did not like him because he stood out, preferring a different fashion style and passing up on hanging out with the other members. He seemed popular among the fans because of his good looks but his musical skills were regarded as a bit limited. If he stayed on, it’s possible that the group might have taken a different direction.
With Starr on drums, The Beatles history, as we know it started in 1962. From the very start, Lennon and McCartney took the roles of songwriters and composers. Clearly though, the two composers differed significantly in style and form, a point of disparity that would later become more pronounced as relations among band members became strained. McCartney’s music has been cited to be the more positive and extroverted of the two while Lennon’s work is said to be more mature and grounded in reality.
Despite the disparity in writing style, there was no question that both members found a similar liking for mixed elements. At that time, this departure from set patterns was considered quite rebellious. It nonetheless became the reason why their music has endured through the years. The Beatles has been categorized under the rock and roll genre but their songs contain elements and influences from blues, country and psychedelic music. At one point they were even able to incorporate Celtic and classical influences.
What made the group’s music entirely appealing is that the mixture of genres did not come out as evolutionary. There was no shift of genres just because the band had matured or changed. The mix was simply just a mix. What made their songs even better is the fact that the varying elements did not clash or create discordant sounds. They were able to meld so many different parts into outstanding pieces that touched base with the common people. People came to love their music so much that by 1964, they had unknowingly been able to launch the British music invasion.
A deeper analysis of the story and style of band would probably be too excessive. After all, greater musical minds have weighed in and attempted to define the group’s genius and outstanding commercial success. In a sense, there is no definite way to put a box around The Beatles history. Suffice it to say that they opened the doors to the popular acceptance of revolutionary, inventive and overreaching creativity in every band store.
Categories: Music and Gadget
