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The Beatles Final Years
Are you a fan of The Beatles
By now it should come as no surprise to anyone that I have this thing about The Beatles. I was a pimply nerd of fifteen when they rocked the musical world in 1963 and I have been a devoted, awe-struck fan ever since.
It should also come as no surprise if you have read my other two articles about the Fab Four (and if you haven’t why in the world haven’t you?) that I much preferred their earlier music. There was an innocence to their early songs that eventually morphed into more serious tunes that reflected the troubled times of the late 60s and perhaps that is as it should be. They did, in fact, serve as a musical background for that tumultuous decade and as such it is understandable that their music changed as the times changed.
We were so naïve and unspoiled back then. There were no school shootings to be concerned about and although there was certainly physical, emotional and sexual abuse during those years we were somehow protected from hearing about it. There seemed to be an unwritten agreement that the news agencies would not bring the hidden horrors of society into our homes during the first half of the decade. The figurative gloves came off, however, as the second half of the Sixties unfolded. The television executives found it very hard to ignore Vietnam and nightly while we were enjoying our macaroni and cheese dinners we were assailed by televised images of body bags and napalm. Cut for a commercial break and then right back they came with riots in the streets as the police and National Guard struggled to keep the masses from protesting atrocities and turning U.S. cities into sacrificial altars.
I was a fun-loving college freshman at Seattle University in September of 1967 and to say my eyes were opened wide in a few short weeks would be a gross understatement. My eyes were in fact forcibly pried open and subjected to a world I never knew existed in those first few months of my higher education and they would remain open for the remaining four years of that decade. When I finally graduated in 1970 I had lost my father and I had completely changed as a human being.
Through it all The Beatles somehow managed to write songs that were my words, my thoughts, but their music.
So let me take you back in time to a world many of you never experienced and yet, whether you know it or not, you are experiencing the effects of it still today. It was a time of massive social change; it was a time of personal epiphanies; it was the time of The Beatles.
SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
On April 15, 1967 400,000 anti-war protestors met at Central Park in opposition to the Vietnam War. A civil revolution was picking up steam and seemed unstoppable. On June 1, 1967 Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was released and a new revolution in music began. For fifteen weeks it held the top spot on the Billboard album chart and remained in the top 100 for an astounding 85 weeks. It wasn’t the sales, however, that made this album so remarkable. Using every technical device known in music, many of which had never been used in recording, this album blew the doors off of the established musical scene.
Every instrument and every vocal were manipulated in the studio. The songs themselves were probably inferior to many of the songs on “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver,” but the album as a whole stands as one of the most memorable and revolutionary recordings in history. With regards to Rock n Roll recordings a quantum leap had just been taken.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Written as a message to the world that more love was needed, this single was released on July 7, 1967 and reached Number One in five days where it would stay for five weeks. During the month of July race riots broke out in Chicago, Brooklyn, Cleveland, Baltimore, Newark and Detroit where forty-three died. It seemed as though the world was not listening to this simple message.
The Beatles performed this song in a live performance via satellite on June 25th, a six hour long “Our World” television special that was seen in twenty-four countries by over 400 million people. The message of love was loud and clear during the summer of ’67 but it became all too obvious that the message was being ignored as 1968 began.
REVOLUTION
A list of events from 1968 sounds like the preview to a horror movie. I’ll let the events speak for themselves.
· January 31 The Tet Offensive
· March 16 The My Lai Massacre
· April 4 Martin Luther King is assassinated
· June 5 Robert Kennedy is assassinated
· August 24-29 The Democratic Convention in Chicago
On August 26th The Beatles released “Revolution,” as blatant a political statement as was ever heard from the Lads From Liverpool and as such caused discord between John and Paul. Lennon was adamant that the song should be recorded and Paul had major concerns about the backlash that might follow.
By the time of this release I was shell-shocked and quite torn by this tune. On the one hand I had seen my political heroes gunned down and I was feeling empty and disillusioned by the whole political process and by extension sickened by protest in general. On the other hand it was obvious to even the most casual observer that only a major revolution worldwide could end this madness. Consequently I have had a love-hate relationship with this song for forty-four years.
THE WHITE ALBUM
Released on November 22, 1968, this album was actually called “The Beatles” and yet has always been known as “The White Album.” Ironically the original title could not be further from the truth because it was a reflection of a rock band in the process of breaking apart. Every song was individually written and performed with the other members used only as background.
Thirty songs and a total of ninety-four minutes of play time, this album became the greatest selling double album of all time and was really a return to the early days for The Beatles. Very little experimentation went into this album but also very little group collaboration.
Not surprisingly, considering my conflicting feelings by this time, I loved this album when it was released. I think much of the sales and certainly my allegiance can be attributed to a return to the simple days as though the public was hoping that by listening to these songs all the troubles would go away. It was not to be but it certainly was a lovely thought.
LET IT BE
On April 10, 1969 Paul McCartney announced that The Beatles would be breaking up. One month later “Let It Be” was released and quite frankly it is a miracle this album and title song were ever recorded. The bickering among the band members was at an all-time high and several times individual members refused to come in for recording.
I and millions of my closest friends were by this time sick to death about the news that The Beatles would be breaking up. A musical era seemed to be ending and yet the world events that spawned many of the Beatles’ songs were still happening. It was confusing; it was disheartening; and it was depressing as all hell.
AND SO IT GOES
The world did move on. Watergate dominated the news for a couple years, resignations and more killings and more injustice held the headlines well into the 70s. One more album by the Fab Four was released, namely “Abbey Road,” and then we all moved on with the business of living. Those of us who lived through that decade went on to careers and marriage, divorces and embracing the establishment. The concept of changing the world was replaced by the concept of buying and selling the world while ideals and dreams were traded in by many for profit and reality.
Rock bands came and went and life plodded forward and yet….and yet….The Beatles remained. Lennon was assassinated, Harrison died and still The Beatles remained.
Today they are still with me and millions like me who recognize pure genius when it is presented to us and are ever so grateful that we were there from the beginning and had the opportunity….the privilege….to witness history in the making.
2012 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
http://billybuc.hubpages.com/hub/The-Beatles-The-Early-Years-1964-1966
http://billybuc.hubpages.com/hub/The-Beatles-Some-Of-My-Favorite-Songs
Comments
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I do too, Zulma! It was like a historical lesson, wasn't it? How society changed was depicted in their songs, as they changed. Fascinating stuff, I think, and I'm so glad I was alive during that tumultuous period.
I was 2 weeks shy of my 3rd birthday when the Beatles made their historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. I remember being mesmerized by them and have been in their thrall ever since. I like their early and later years equally. For me, it tells the history of the 60s. Every song has a memory attached to it. It's only now when I tell my kids about those momentous events that I realise I witnessed history. I feel so proud knowing that. :)
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Mona, interesting questions you raised at the end. I don't know about today's music, but I know my generation was defined, in part, by those tunes.
I like the way you anchor the Beatles music to the events that were occurring at each point in time. The Beatles truly threaded together the Vietnam war, the assassinations of the Kennedys and Martin Luther King, the Black Panthers, Malcolm X, et. al. The Beatles kept our spirits up through the messy times. As you say, I wonder what keeps kids together today with the mass killings in schools and public places going on. What music will define events like these. wonderful hub.
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Mona, it really is amazing. Perhaps music is the universal language. :) Thank you for your kind words my friend.
It is very nice and pleasant to read about another writer's experience with the Beatles and what it meant to them. I appreciate the candor of this article. The Beatles touched many people in different ways, and hearing how it touched you and affected your life makes me feel closer to you. Amazing how music can produce such a bond between strangers, especially when it's as classical as the music of the Beatles.
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Hello Fossillady....good to see you again and I'm glad you enjoyed this look back. Yes indeed, I much preferred the earlier music; maybe because the latter part of the 1960's had so many painful memories and their music reflected that. Anyway, thank you for the visit.
Thank you for sharing the Beatles with us Billy! I was a high school girl raised in the midwest during the height of their musical career. I too love the earlier days best, but back then didn't quite understand how their chords of change fit into the background of what was going on. You have put it into a perspective for us that we can understand and I for one appreciate that! I have every album of their later years, but truly wish I had some from the earlier years.
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Ashish yes, I remember that they studied near where you lived. I'm glad you enjoyed this musical history. Thank you so much!
That was interesting!!!
I remember listening to 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' for quite some time.
They had even visited Rishikesh (my hometown) in late 60s to learn about meditation and Yoga.
'Up' and 'Interesting'...
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Glad you liked it Keith! You would have been in heaven living in the 60's.
absolutely an awesome history of the Beatles. Last week, about an hour from my hometown, a theater was playing "The Yellow Submarine" for one night only. and I couldn't help but relisten to all my favorite Beetle songs (mind you, I was on YouTube for 4 hours that night...)
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Klyaksa, I'm so happy you enjoyed the hub. I loved writing about my favorite group.
I love Beatles! This is very interesting. I know almost all of their songs. Great hub. Very thorough.
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Jools, I agree with your summary. I much preferred Revolver but Pepper was light years beyond anything previously done in pure technical arrangement. Thank you as always.
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Thank you Lyricwriter....tell you the truth, at the time Revolution came out I didn't like it, but now, looking back and understanding the reason for it, I greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your kind words.
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Hi Christy and thanks for always dropping by. Of course I completely agree with your assessment of their talent. :)
Great hub Bill. Sgt Peppers isn't their best album but it sounded completely different to anything done by any other band at the time. Only Rubber Soul before it and maybe, Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys had achieved such perfection. Sgt Peppers took record production, arranging and mixing that step further.
Voted up.
This is a great tribute Billybuc. I remember "Revolution" and "Let It Be" very well. From reading your article, I understand both songs much more, especially Revolution. I wasn't the biggest fan, but I can appreciate everything they did and all their accomplishments. Awesome article friend.
Yes I am a fan of the Beatles! Their music is classic and will be popular for many decades to come, the sign of talented musicians!
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Denise, I will head over to your site now to read it; thank you and have a wonderful weekend.
bill
Hi Bill-dad was quite unique in many ways and a hit with the neighborhood kids. I wrote a hub about him last Father's Day: The Sacrifices of Fathers is the title if you get a moment.
W/e off--Yippee! :) Enjoying it despite the 'other' obligations of household tasks.
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Hunting, it was my pleasure and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Thanks for the great hub!
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No, Denise, thank you! Your father sounds like a wonderful man who of course had great musical tastes! Sometimes I worry that I spend too much time longing for those simpler days; perhaps I should just pull my head out and accept the reality of today, but I keep hoping that somehow we can recapture those days and that way of life. Sigh!
I'm glad you enjoyed this personal account; wishing you happiness on this April weekend.
Awesome article and review of the culture through time, as well. The third paragraphy especially resonates for me. I grew up in that era and it definitely was so very different. It was the age of innocence and I am so sad, but realistic, that it has changed. The world has changed for my children and most definitely my grandkids. They will not have the luxury of the 'freedom' to be in ways growing up that I had.
On the other subject of the Beatles: I can still remember the evening my father came in with their first album. He put it on the stereo and smiling, turned to the three oldest kids and asked, "Well? What do your think?"
What did I think? Heck, it was all very strange-ESPECIALLY the fact that my father bought it and was encouraging us to listen to it.
Well, dad had gone back to school, by then, and although it was 'only' a local community college, he was rubbing elbows with the young and the restless who had new ideas. He was always a curious and open minded man who taught us many things. That stayed with him to the day he died. He brought the Beatles to us and for that I am grateful.
My granddaughter (12) listens to their music and tells me they are her favorite group. Go figure!
Great hub, well written; voted up. Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
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Ishwaryaa, what a lovely thing to wake up to; your words made me smile and I appreciate it greatly. Thank you very much and I wish you peace and happiness as you go about your day.
Not only this is an interesting insight on the Beatles, an all-time famous band but also in the early years of your life as well! I have heard about the Beatles. Through your enrapturing hub, I could sense Beatlemania. Your hub clearly showed you as an ardent Beatles fan. Will visit your other Beatles hubs soon. An extremely well-written hub!
Thanks for SHARING. Awesome & Interesting. Voted up and Socially Shared.
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Gypsy, thank you so much! It's always nice to hear from a true lover of music. I will probably be singing a song by the Beatles on my death bed, some little tune I can't get out of my head in the last moments. :)
Voted up and awesome. I discovered the Beatles late in life because when they came on the scene I was but a wee child. However I love their music and they have a place in my musical heart forever. Wonderful hub and great to relive memories of the Fab Four. Passing this on.
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Good morning Colin and thank you so much for your kind words! It certainly helps being passionate about the Beatles when writing about them. It's always nice to meet someone who truly appreciates their music.
Have a wonderful day on Lake Erie as I will in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. Peace and blessings to you my friend!
...hello my kind sir from lake erie time ontario canada 7:50am where I finish my pot of coffee and watch the daybreak over the lake - so nice that we could meet and yes I am laughing at your survey - is there anyone in this world that could possibly not like the Beatles? lol
I really enjoyed this hub tribute with your personal reflections because it is truly a labor of love and you are such a world class writer.
I have created a new group at FB called LET'S JUST TALK MUSIC OR CINEMA - it would be a honor and a thrill to have you join us - in particular there is one gentleman I would like you to meet (I forget his hub name) but at our group his name is Samuel and he's a big big BEATLES fan so I would post this marvel of a hub to our group with a direct link back here - and sending you warm wishes and good energy from lake erie time 7:54am
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Thank you Emer! How is life in Vermont? I lived there for two years and thought it was a great state to live in. Anyway, thank you for your kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Long live The Beatles!
I absolutely love, and enjoyed this hub. I have been a huge fan of the Beatles since birth. Thanks to my father I grew up listening to all the oldies, and The Beatles have always stuck as my favorite. Very well written hub! :)
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I'll do that right now Jackie!
You should have hung on, they only went disco a little while, they have some very beautiful songs really more beautiful than any ever I think, about real things. Maybe you should give them a try again. Every now and then I just get lost in their sounds of harmony. I did a poem to one of their beautiful songs, A Heart Like Mine. If you get a chance please listen to that....
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Well Colleen, you are a woman of excellent taste. :) You are right, there is no other word to describe their musical talents other than genius. Thank you for stopping by.
Love this hub, love the Beatles. Their songs speak to me personally - songs written and recorded more than twenty years before I was born. That's the mark of true genius.
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Spenser, that was very funny! Thanks for dropping by; I must owe you a visit by now.
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Jackie, I loved the early Bee Gees; when they went disco they lost me for good. Thank you my friend.
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Teaches, they did indeed. It's always nice to have a follower with good taste in music as you have my friend. Thank you!
Like "always exploring", I think the Beatles were great.... especially when Elvis covered one of their songs! LOL! Great hub, excellent trip down memory lane. Voted up!
I really didn't enjoy the Beatles until long after they broke up, really about the time or just before John was killed and it was a close race between them and the Bee Gees. Enjoyed your memories though.
I always love to hear Let It Be whenever it comes on the radio or on a TV slot. It has such an inspirational message. They had some charisma and charm that really kept people following their music.
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See, my sister loved Elvis and I just could not see the attraction. Now that I am older I appreciate him more than when I was a youngster. Always, you are incredibly faithful and I thank you!
I loved the Beatles, but they had to take a back seat due to my heartthrob Elvis. I must say that in later years i learned to appreciate them more, especially John. Great hub, interesting times..Cheers
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Rolly my friend, it has been quite a musical ride for us old-timers. Thank you so much for visiting my site and I'm glad you enjoyed my tribute.
Hi Billy... it has been an incredible journey watching the music scene over the years and the many talents that have come and gone and changing the way we look at music. Great hub as always...
Hugs from Canada
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Sonya, I will...and it will be dedicated to you. Thank you my dear; I hope you are well and life has settled a bit for you. Stay in touch, okay? Would love to hear from you more often...if you have Facebook it would be lovely to be FB friends.
I am a child of the 80s, which is very dull compared to the times you talk about in the 60s, but I love hearing about your experiences of growing up then Bill, write more about it sometime, would you?!
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Farasucan, thank you Sir! It was a special time indeed and I consider myself quite lucky to have grown up during those times. I'm so glad you enjoyed my article. Here is to both of us; may we both live many more years so we can continue to enjoy the music of The Beatles.
Hello Bill,
I was there too for the incredible journey that the Beatles took millions of music lovers on. For me they took music to an upper level that may never be reached again. Your article brought back many of my memories of the Sixties, and some magical moments the genius of the Beatles created.
Congratulations to you for writing this amazing article. It reveals an important part of an era that will always remain as an inspirational testimony to the musical phenomenon known as the Beatles.
Thank you.
Roy Berry
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Freddy, you are a person of exquisite musical taste. :) thank you for stopping by.
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Hello Sparklea my friend! I'm glad you enjoyed my Beatles' tribute and that horrible picture of me. :) Thank you for your continued following and your wonderful words.
Have a wonderful Monday and blessings to you as well.
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Thank you Peach! There was very little music from the 60s I didn't like and yes, "Mrs. Robinson" was a classic for sure. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
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Pongogirl2, you have excellent musical taste. :) Thank you for stopping by.
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Xavier, thank you! The music needs to be linked to the history to fully appreciate it; I'm glad you enjoyed it my friend.
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Thank you Eddy! I loved the times during which I grew up and the music was so alive and vibrant! I once had a large vinyl record collection but life dictated that they be sent scattering to the winds. Sigh!
I also loved the 70s music so one day I would love to see your collection.
May peace and love follow you throughout your day.
bill
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Audra, I have seen Cirque du Soleil's tribute...spectacular to say the least. It's funny about growing up in the 60s...at the time it was exciting but when you were growing up you just assumed that's what life was like. It wasn't until many years later that I realized what an incredible time it was. Thank you my friend!
Yep, Beatles are the best ever.Listen to them all the time while I am traveling.
Great tribute!
Billybuc voted up, useful and interesting. I remember the Beatle's long hair was the talk of the town! I was so upset when Lennon was assassinated and when they broke up! It is sad to see band groups dismember, but I am sure it is hard to travel and be in the constant company of the same people. That being said, you wrote a terrific hub, extremely informative, and your heart was totally into it 100 per cent. The Beatles will always live on. You brought them back in an incredible way. LOVE LOVE LOVE the picture! Blessings always, Sparklea :)
My mum is a great fan of the Beatles. Though i am not a fan, i like MRS ROBINSON very much. Happy go lucky song. Simply beautiful. Voted Up!!
love their music:)
You have done a great job with this hub linking the songs with events brings it all back again not just the music but the times as well. Thank you.
Very interesting Billy;I was not a huge fan of the Beatles;mainly because they were in the decade before me ;I was more of the seventies fan.
I still am today;I have loads Albums form the 70s.
Great tribute to them and here's wishing you a wonderful day.
Take care my friend.
Eddy.
Bill, I wish I could have experienced history as a member of your generation. I learned some of it in High School, learned some from documentaries, and a lot from my parents!
The Beatles were awesome, and still are! Great hub with great history!
Have you ever seen cirque du soleil's "Love"...The Beatles?? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o6CIkNxI8Y
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