The British invasion - Essay Example

According to Curtis (1987), rock music is a common name of many musical styles that emerged in the mid 50s. Rock is not just music; rock became a global cultural phenomenon and formed the basis of many subcultures. The origins of rock music are blues, but rather, in rhythm and blues - a synthetic genre of popular music, primarily African-American musicians performed elements of jazz, blues and gospel in it. In continuation it is necessary to add that American rock and roll is the earliest genre of rock music, which combined the features of blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, boogie-woogie and country music in it.

Naturally, America, being a home to all of these genres, was the most successful in promoting rock and roll, and the most famous ‘pioneers’ of rock and roll came from the United States too. The United States occupied a dominant position in rock music until the early 60s, when in England began to appear the bands playing a new style of dance music – bits under the influence of folk music. Then appeared merseybeat style of music, which was among the bits subgenres and was presented by Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, as well as early The Beatles recordings were made in this style.

It was The Beatles who were able to press American artists in the charts with their single “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, and begun the British invasion. Observing the British invasion it becomes obvious that the British rock groups, famous rhythm-and-blues teams, began a rapid rise in their activities. Their hits were as popular as it was possible and even in American charts they have occupied leading places; the glory of the British rock groups flew in a few seconds all over the world. Records and tapes were swept from the shelves as fast as possible, they were overwritten by fans, and resell for big money.

In general, it was a real feast of Rock. Musical groups included in the wave of the British invasion were divided into different areas of rock music. The most successful with a more melodic and soft merseybeat were Herman's Hermits, Manfred Mann, The Hollies, The Searchers, while easy beat with elements of folk music was played by The Zombies. Analyzing the British invasion, Curtis (1987) stated that “though not all of the bands sounded similar -- they ranged from the hard rock of the Rolling Stones and the Kinks to the sweet pop of Gerry & the Pacemakers and Herman's Hermits - each group was heavily influenced by American rock & roll, blues, and R&B.

” Many groups have been actively influenced by rhythm and blues, for example, The Yardbirds, as well as The Animals, famous for the use of organ music. According to Friedlander (1996), exactly legendary The Rolling Stones achieved the greatest success and undeniable popularity. Their image was much more aggressive in comparison with the performers of merseybeat, and songs, such as the famous “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction”, sounded much heavier. The Rolling Stones were perceived by the American public as more "acute" and even a dangerous group.

They positioned their music, as closer to the traditional "black" rhythm and blues. They created a specific image which separated them from the environment of beat artists such as The Beatles, who were harmless pop band on their background, more acceptable by the