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National History Day on the Beatles

My name is John Mallory. I am a ninth grader at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas. Three of my friends and I have made an exhibit for National History Day on the Beatles called: The Beatles; You Say You Want a Revolution. I named it that because the theme for History Day is "Revolution, Reaction, Reform". My project was selected by my school to go to district and I won 2nd place which meant I got to go to the state competition. 

 

I won 2nd place at the state competition which means I go to National History Day at the University of Maryland June 6th-June9th. My exhibit will be on display for three days there and I am hoping to win at nationals. Just in case you don't know how it works judges come around and interview you about your entry.

 

They ask you questions and expect you to know everything about your topic. I concluded that the Beatles began a musical and social revolution and I had to get the message across on my exhibit how they did that. I found some information on both the musical and the social agendas and they wanted me to expand the music agenda part. Here is what I came up with:

The Beatles Began a Musical Revolution

• They established the prototype for the self contained rock group by playing and recording their own music.

• The sitat heard on "Norwegian Wood" represented the first recorded use of that instrument by a rock group.

• The combined a string ensemble accompaniment with a popular ballad style (ex. Yesterday). That combination achieved an effect unprecedented in popular music.

• The developed the psychedelic guitar style (first heard on "Taxman") George Harrison's Indian-influenced version of the psychedelic style music on "Revolver" are considered the first recorded examples of a new guitar style which eventually came to define an important genre of rock in the late 1960's.

• The invented the idea of a completely listenable rock and roll album. Before that, LP's would contain two or three hit singles padded out with none "throwaways."

• Many of the Beatles' singles became two-sided hits because both songs turned out to be so good. Before, the only songs most pop stars cared about were the A sides of their singles.

• The developed the use of electronic music effects. The songs "Rain" and "Paperback Writer" distorted voices and instruments to produce a dreamy, spacey sound. "Rain used the gimmick of feeding tapes backward onto the main recording.

• They were the first to use the concept of album unity (seen in "Sgt. Pepper's). The Beatles for the first time on a rock LP did away with the few sounds of silence separating one song from the next to give the effect of a continuous show.

Social Revolution

• Had an indefinable group chemistry and charm that remains without precedence in musical history. They showed us what friendship, teamwork, and interdependence meant.

• Revolutionized men’s hairstyles with their long "mop top" style haircuts and set fashion trends (ex. collarless jackets and Beatle boots for men).

• The first rock "n" rollers to break the age and class barriers. Many parents and younger siblings were as enthusiastic as the teenagers about them and their music.

• Set a precedent for large scale stadium concerts. The group had four "stars" when rock and roll bands usually consisted of one "star".

• Their success paved the way for the 1964 "British Invasion" which made rock an international phenomenon.

• Changed the way record companies viewed LP covers. Beginning with the "Rubber Soul" album the Beatles left their name off the front cover.

• Set a precedent for conceiving popular music as an art form with their "Sgt. Pepper" album. The double fold LP jacket was the most elaborate the rock world had ever seen. The album contained a sheet of cardboard souvenirs. The Beatles insisted that the words to the songs be printed on the back cover. This had never been done before on a major rock release. It inspired people to begin writing seriously about rock music for the first time. Dozens of new publications, such as Rolling Stone, sprang up in 1967 to provide an outlet for rock journalism and criticism.

Reaction

• Beatlemania: the group generating screams and hysteria from fans at all their public appearances, musical or otherwise..

• Sales of more than one billion Beatles discs and tapes.

Reform

• The British Invasion; the psychedelic guitar style; the use of electronic music effects; use of the sitar in rock music; the concept of album unity; new format for the rock album and cover; the self contained rock group; large scale stadium concerts; widespread imitation of the Beatles’ performing style; the acceptance of long hair on men; new publications just for rock journalism and criticism.

Do you have anything to add to this - how did they change the record industry - were they the first to record 4 track or stereo - how did they revolutionise music tours? 

 

I was hoping you could help me with some more information on how they began a musical revolution. I am really wanting to win first place. It would help me to have a great primary source on my bibliography such as talking to Paul, Ringo or even George Martin.

 

Do you know how I could get in touch with one of them or maybe you have a suggestion of someone I could talk to. Hearing from a Beatles' Fan Club would help. Thank you for your help.

 

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