The term, “British Invasion", is used to describe the large amount of British rock and roll bands and musicians that came to America from 1964 to 1967. The British band that is probably most well-known and remembered is The Beatles. The Beatles started the British Invasion when they came to New York City on February 7, 1964.

Millions of Americans fell in love with The Beatles. When The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show two days after their arrival in America, more than 73 million Americans watched on television. It has been said that while The Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show for one hour, no crimes were committed in New York City. After The Beatles opened the door to America, several other musicians came behind them from Britain including: The Animals, Dave Clark Five, Dusty Springfield, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Zombies, and many others. Many of these bands shaped rock and roll and became extremely popular in the United States. The Beatles and other bands were so popular during this time because they characterized the youth of that generation. Also, America needed something big like this to help rebound from President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. The craze over all these great British rock bands coming to America helped fill the void.

The Beatles became so popular that on April 4, 1964, they had the top five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, an accomplishment that had never been reached before. This included “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, which became the biggest hit of 1964 and arguably the biggest hit of the 1960s.

The British Invasion affected and influenced America in several different ways. Men began to grow their hair long like The Beatles, more people began to take youthful pop music seriously, and rock bands began to change their style and sound. After The Beatles’ first film, A Hard Day’s Night, which depicted England as the center of rock, Carnaby Street, a famous fashion center in London, became well-known in America, and American fashion began to change. Moreover, the bands of the British Invasion connected with America’s youth and helped to influence the “cultural rebel” who went against the social norm of the time.

The British Invasion was a time that a large part of America enjoyed and allowed themselves to be influenced and entertained by. It defined rock and roll and changed much of America’s culture in the 1960s.