Popular Culture in the 1960s and 1970s overwhelmingly made the Beatles more Popular than Jesus - Research Paper Example

of Central Oklahoma Popular Culture in the 1960s and 1970s overwhelmingly made the Beatles more Popular than Jesus Christopher Goforth 6/24/2012 Introduction In 1966, John Lennon made the largely controversial statement about the Beatles being more popular than Jesus. In an interview, he said that “Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I'll be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now”1. This statement was lauded by their fans, but significantly condemned by the Catholic Church and other Christian religions. Nevertheless, it was a statement which was significantly supported on so many levels due to the power and the influence of popular culture during the 1960s and 1970s. Popular culture was a very intensive and extensive tool during that time as it also represented a time when the end of the war signified major social developments and interactions. For this reason, many social and popular groups like the Beatles and the Monkees, gained almost god-like status among the Baby Boomer population. It was therefore not such an impossibility to believe that the Beatles were indeed more popular than Jesus. This paper will evaluate the impact of the Beatles to popular culture, and how they have gained great notoriety, popularity, and influence during and beyond said time frame. Initially, an overview of the Beatles shall be presented, including how and why they were able to gain much popularity. A discussion on the impact of the statement of John Lennon on being more popular than Jesus would also be presented. Supporting proof of their popularity shall also be discussed in relation to the popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s. Concluding remarks shall end this discussion, highlighting the impact of the Beatles to popular culture and how their statement reverberates to the current times. The leading authorities on this topic are Hecl and Womack. Hecl discussed that the impact of the Beatles on popular culture was so significant that it was easy to believe that they were more popular than Jesus. Womack also discusses that the youth during the 1960s and 1970s were so enamored and so in awe of the Beatles that they patronized their records more than they did Jesus and Christianity. I also believe that at that point in time, during the peak of the Beatles popularity that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. So, basing it on those considerations, I would be inclined to believe that they were indeed more popular than Jesus. Overview The Beatles were a rock band from England, established in 1960 in Liverpool and they are considered one of the most popular and most successful acts in history2. The members of the group include John Lennon (rhythm guitar and vocals), Paul McCartney (bass guitar and vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar and vocals), and Ringo Starr (drums and vocals)3. Lennon and McCartney wrote most of the songs with occasional contributions from George Harrison. They gained much popularity in UK and in the US as their songs also gained greater social significance. Although Lennon, McCartney, Starr, and Harrison were its popular members, the group started out as a five group line-up with Stuart Sutcliffe playing the bass and Pete best playing the drums4. Sutcliffe soon left the band and Best was replaced by Starr. Their successful career was molded by producer George Martin and manager Brian Epstein. Their first hit in the UK was Love Me Do and in the years which followed, more hits were produced. They became a music phenomenon, and their popularity soon gained the moniker Beatlemania5. They led the so-called British invasion as they hits gained much attention in the US. They toured the world and their popularity reached even greater heights. After producing massive hits, the band broke up in 19706. However, each of them was still able to establish strong solo careers, especially for John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Although the group was only together for 10 years, their strong, successful, and highly influential career is still felt today by many music fans and by society in general7. Lennon was murdered in 1980 and George Harrison succumbed to cancer in 2001. McCartney and Starr are the two surviving members. The Beatles are considered the highest selling band in history with their album sales in the billions and to date gaining royalties through re-releases. They were able to gain numerous number one hits on the British and the US music charts more than any other act8. They were awarded 7 Grammies and an Academy Award for Best Original Score and they are considered one of the world’s most influential groups in terms of popular culture. All in all, they have amassed more than a billion in album sales, and they also represent a powerful and influential social culture. Impact on culture The statement of the John Lennon on being more popular than Jesus is most likely based on their cultural and social popularity, as well as their impact on teenagers and music lovers during the 1960s and 1970s9. Their ability to influence the rock and pop music genre and the overall culture at that time is itself a major achievement which would not be as easy to achieve by Christians. Hence, for the Beatles and the millions of their fans, their popularity seems indeed to be bigger than Jesus10. First and foremost, their commercial success in the UK established a wave of changes in the music world which was at that time dominated by US rock and roll artists. UK acts gained much popularity as well – not just the group acts, but solo acts as well11. Self-penned songs also became a trend in the music culture because of the Lennon/McCartney successful collaboration12. Before the Beatles gained much influence on the music industry, records came out in the 45’s format as singles which were released to the mass market. These albums usually included irrelevant songs which were added to the singles hits13. The Beatles, on the other hand, rarely used singles, considering the entire album as the more important release. This started a trend in the music industry, veering away from single releases, and gearing more towards substantial and significant album releases14. Aside from their impact on album releases, the Beatles also ushered in the era of music videos. The initial Beatles videos introduced revolutionary camera techniques as well as short lines of dialogue including short editing cuts based on the beat of the songs15. This started a trend in shooting rock videos. The Beatles also filmed a promotional music video for their songs in lieu of personal appearances on TV networks and this allowed them to gain even greater popularity in the wider market16. Their techniques were later emulated in other music videos and even in film. Now the practice of using video clips with music singles has become widely popular. The impact of the Beatles was also felt by various artists and their contemporaries as well as current artists who have attributed a major compliment to the Beatles by covering their songs. Covers of their songs came from artists like Jimi Hendrix with ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’, Joe Cocker with ‘With a Little Help From My Friends,’ ‘Come Together,’ and ‘Across the Universe,’ David Bowie also covered ‘Across the Universe,’ Keith Moon covered ‘When I’m Sixty-Four,’ and Peter Seller’s covered ‘A Hard Day’s Night’17. Other artists also covered their songs and to date, their songs are considered some of the most covered songs in the music industry. These cover songs alone indicate the significant influence and impact that the group had on the music industry and on popular culture. Over 50 years from their formulation, The Beatles have remained relevant and they still have millions of fans – from older, as well as from the younger generations. More popular than Jesus The statement of John Lennon about being popular than Jesus has to be understood in the context upon which it was initially given. In 1966, the London Evening Standard through journalist Maureen Cleave carried out a series of interviews on the Beatles18. The interview was undertaken on each Beatle through individual sessions. In Cleave’s interview on Lennon, she noted how Lennon was extensively reading about religion and she quoted Lennon’s statements on how they were more popular than Jesus. Lennon noted how Christianity would come and go and in contrast, how rock and roll would have more staying power19. At that time, Christianity in the UK was on a fast decline. The attendance in Christian churches was declining and various churches were considering various transformations in order to draw in members and retain its congregation. These attempts became fodder for comedy in popular society20. While the Church was going through these difficulties, the Beatles were gaining much popularity and admittedly religious leaders were even considering how the Beatles could help restore Christian attendance to Churches. Many religious leaders also admitted to the greater importance of establishing a universal morality and ethics which were not based on traditional teachings of the Church21. These beliefs were supported by many Christians in the UK and for which reason, Lennon’s statement did not get as much reaction from the UK as compared to the reactions from the rest of the world. After Lennon made the statement and the article was published, an immediate reaction from the public and from Christians was seen. Two radio stations in Alabama and Texas immediately banned Beatles songs22. They labeled the statement as sacrilegious. Many other radio stations followed suit. Demonstrations in the South were also seen, protesting the Beatles, burning their memorabilia and records23. Beatles concert tours in some US cities were cancelled as these protests gained much fervor from the people and from government officials24. Christians in the US were very much outraged by Lennon’s statements and condemned the Beatles for making such statement. Lennon was prompted to explain himself by clarifying that he did not believe he was greater than Jesus, and he did not mean to be anti-religion or anti-Christ when he made these statements25. He was clear in declaring that as far as the younger generation was concerned, the Beatles were able to drum up more interest in the group as compared to the Church. Moreover, he declared that he was also referring to the trend in England where Christianity was having issues in its membership26. He was insistent however on his support for Jesus and for Christianity and expressed his apology for offending anyone in his statements27. Lennon’s statement however was able to point out unavoidable truths, that the US was exporting a subculture which had more significant negative implications to the UK and to the world in general. This was likened to hypocrisy in America, one which was based on the actual realities of the popular culture which in so many ways indicated the more significant impact of the group as compared to religion28. For a while the controversy stirred by the statement soon died down. Occasionally, they are brought up to mark a significant period in their history as a band. In 1980, Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman who was a born-again Christian who was said to be enraged by Lennon’s statement, labeling such statement as blasphemy29. This signaled the culmination of a successful but controversial career. Despite protests on Lennon’s statement, it is still important to note how the Beatles can in so many ways be considered more popular than Jesus, especially among the young population during the 1960s and 1970s30. Although, they would not be considered the best band in history, their impact on music is significant and very much special. They were able to impact on various genres of music – from the 1960s to the present day, and they have always had a significant impact on culture and people’s feelings and thoughts31. Lennon’s death shocked many people around the world and it prevented one of the most fervent hopes of fans – a reunion – from ever coming true. His death also firmly solidified their status as a legendary band all over the world32. They are considered a cult band and such status has never been questioned; some have even dubbed them as the best band in the world mostly because of their musical contribution as well as their impact on society33. The music of the Beatles itself was very much influential. The Beatles were inspired and impacted by music from Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. They were also impacted by skiffle which is a popular music in England in the1950s34. McCartney brought his music hall traditions to the band and such influence was seen in some of their songs. All these elements combined made for a unique and diverse sound, which at that time was refreshingly new35. They also adopted a simple economical and unique music style which was later labeled the Liverpool Sound36. They were also an extremely lucky band because they were able to retain a manager who loved the band and their music37. He was able to secure the good contracts for them and he was able to come up with a strong advertising campaign for the group. With George Martin as the producer, they were also able to achieve a sufficiently supervised sound and establish creative opportunities for the group. When more and more televisions made it into the regular households, the era of music videos, interviews, and television shows provided another avenue for the Beatles38. And they took advantage of such avenue through their music videos and song clips. They were also a very attractive group to the young generations. This was one of their major assets and part of the reason they became major stars. Even their hair gained a popularity of its own, and many young people took to wearing their hair in these haircuts39. The band’s popularity and the trends they were establishing represented a major source of rebellion against parental authorities. The Beatles were seen as young and refreshing, while the parents of teenagers were considered dull and boring40. The Beatles portrayed a witty, funny, arrogant, and endearing characterization which had the girls screaming; and for parents, such characterization was not understood or appreciated. The group also became some form of hero for the young mostly because they did not defer to public opinion and their spirit and vibrancy was not affected by authorities41. They answered back and they were very much confident. For these reasons, they gained the support of the young generation of individuals who wanted to rebel against social and parental constraints. Under these circumstances, it is highly possible to believe in the notion that the Beatles were indeed more popular than Jesus42. With the hard work of their manager and the right packaging by their producer, they were gradually able to gain significant popularity, as well as achieve much success in the music world. After hit followed hit, the Beatles were able to gain major star power. Their music was not that much different from the music of other artists, and the taste of the audience did not change much, however, as far as the Beatles were concerned, they became the fashion43. Fashion is a sociological and cultural consideration which is very much difficult to explain. Beatlemania seems to sum it up44. Their impact initially was only to the younger population, however, they were also eventually able to gain popularity among the older groups and soon enough people of all ages and of both genders were tuning in and following their trends. These elements seem to distinguish them again from other bands45. Much hysteria surrounded them, their pictures were everywhere, their records were automatically sold out and even those who were did not buy their music was influenced in some way by them mostly because what is fashionable affects most people46. What is fashionable often has a long-lasting impact. Beatlemania lasted for more than three years, and even when the fascination died down, the Beatles remained to be a relevant band; they remained as megastars47. When other bands gained and lost popularity and relevance in society, the Beatles did not lose any of their luster through the years. Many opine that the group changed with the times and this allowed them to stay relevant and to stay interesting to the fans48. They also matured with their fans and this allowed their fans to remain ageless as well. The 1960s marked a time where society and culture in civilized countries were unfolding. They represented a revolutionary time when changes impacted on civilized countries, as well as lesser developed nations49. The changes were very much widespread, covering diverse fields of sociology and politics. The 1960s also marked a time of economic recovery and many commodities became accessible to the masses. Labor-saving devices also became available and people had more free time for their personal activities50. Success for the working class was also starting to become more widespread. The Beatles actually came from the working class and they joined the throng of young achievers wanting to gain success in any form. Commercialization also became a rampant phenomenon at this time as the purchasing power of the people started to grow51. The 1960s marked a time of affluence, of youth, of drugs, of popular culture, and of equality, and these elements impacted on the changes in the culture and on people’s thinking. Affluence was seen at this point and the youth now had the money to spend on entertainment, including money for buying records of their favorite artists52. The young generation felt their gap with their parents and the older population in general. Parents did not understand their children’s taste and attitudes and the children viewed their parent’s views with contempt. This created a state of discontent among the parties, especially among the young population who now sought different ways to assert their independence53. As a result, this era also saw street protests (Vietnam War) against the government and activities which signaled their rebelliously free spirit (Woodstock). These rebellious attitudes were generally against the traditional ideals of their parents54. Differences in the thinking of these groups became very much difficult to bridge. Hippies were the way to go in this era, and groups like the Beatles were the ultimate hero for this group. This group under these circumstances became more popular than anyone else, bigger than their parents, legal authorities, and yes, Jesus. Conclusion The above discussion indicates how the popular culture in the 1960s and 1970s made the Beatles more popular than Jesus. John Lennon’s statement was not in any way a declaration of anti-Christ or anti-religion sentiments. It was a statement of the impact of their music on the generation of baby boomers who were more enticed to listen to their music than to attend Church. They had a significant impact on popular culture and on the millions of teens and young adults during and after the peak of their popularity. Their impact transcended all genders, religions, and ethnicity, which was more than what could be said of Christianity which was finding it hard to draw in followers into Churches. Their significance has also withstood the test of time, and compared with other bands or solo acts, they have managed to be relevant to this very date. At present, their popularity cannot still be claimed as more than Jesus because Christianity is alive and strong, and the Beatles’ influence has waned. Nevertheless, they have gained a high and highly relevant place in popular culture, one which can never seem to be gained by Christianity or by Jesus. Bibliography Primary Sources Beatles. The Beatles Anthology. New York: Chronicle Books, 2000. Secondary Sources Cadogan, P. The Revolutionary Artist: John Lennon’s Radical Years. Lulu.com. 2008 Cleave, Maureen. "How Does a Beatle Live? John Lennon Lives Like This." London Evening Standard, March 04, 1966, http://www.beatlesinterviews.org/db1966.0304-beatles-john-lennon-were-more-popular-than-jesus-now-maureen-cleave.html (accessed June 5, 2012). Clydesdale, G. "Creativity and Competition: The Beatles." Creativity Research Journal 18, no. 2 (June 8, 2008): 129-139. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed June 5, 2012). Gammond, Peter. The Oxford Companion to Popular Music. 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