The last member to join and to bring about the completion of the Beatles was Ringo Starr. Born Richard Starkey and an only child to Harry and Elsie Starkey on July 7, 1940 in Dingle, England. The nickname Ringo was given to Starr by his mother for his passion of rings. Most of Starr’s childhood was spent in the hospital where he suffered form a burst appendix, peritonitis, fractured pelvis and pleurisy. During this time he underwent more than twelve operations and it was doubtful that he would survive. Starr experienced an early desire for the drums. He made his first set out of tin cans and made a bass drum from an old tea chest. While touring with his own group in Hamburg, Germany during 1960, Starr met the Beatles and on occasion filled in for their drummer Pete Best. Soon after which he replaced Best and completed the most popular and influential band ever produced by England (Moritz Yearbook 1966 404).
Two aspects of the music industry that were influenced by the Beatles were the lengths of songs and album covers. In that day and time songs generally lasted no longer than three minutes (Magill 228). One of the Beatles most popular songs, “Hey Jude,” ran over seven minutes surpassing most typical songs by four minutes (Carlin 69). As a result, music changed dramatically allowing for songs to grow longer and to become more reflective. Album covers also changed with sleeves featuring song lyrics and elaborate photographs. The packaging of records rapidly became an art form of its own (Magill 228).
Another aspect of the music industry that was influenced by the Beatles was the lyrics to their ever-popular songs. The songs began to deal with a particular them. Most were based on the conflicts that occur between parents and children, the effects of drugs, the middle-class structure as a whole and life in general in the modern industrial society (Ulanov 741). The Beatles songs began to reflect emotional states and also expressed their point of view on success and popularity (Magill 227(. Unlike many of the popular American songs, they dealt with love in a more casual way (Moritz Yearbook 1966 406). The generally adopted a lighthearted attitude that was expressed in several of their songs (Moritz Yearbook 1965 256). The Beatles sound was fresh and often lyrics were like secrets being shared among friends (Brash 157). More imaginative and meaningful lyrics were a strong tradition that the Beatles brought about through their music (Grigadean 190).
Once the Beatles began to produce their own style music the industry would never be the same. Earlier bands had based their music mostly on a strong beat but the Beatles introduced a new sense of melody (Grigadean 190). They produced an amplified, new range of sounds, and a definite beat that set many standards for later rock and roll groups (Ulanov 741). The Beatles also began using more revolutionary and complex studio techniques. On several accounts they were known to add sections of tape running backward to a song to produce a muffled sound. The Beatles also introduced romantic ballads in which only an acoustic guitar and a long singer were used instead of a full band. This style was copied several times by other groups (Carlin 68). The group used several different types of melodies. Repeating melodies, that emphasize one of two pitches equally heard over chord progressions, were used on such songs as “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Things We Say Today”. Scalar melodies are rare but generally pose a strong directional contour. Examples of scalar melodies can be found in “Please, Please Me” and “Thank You Girl”. The next, blues-influenced melodies naturally occur in songs influenced by early rhythm and blues songs. These can be found in “I Want to Be Your Man”, and “I Saw Her Standing There”. The last, and most dominate in most of John Lennon’s songs, was pentatonic melodies found in songs like “All I’ve Got To Do” (O’Grady 63). Although most bands produced their own style most originate back to the original works of the Beatles.
Lastly the Beatles influenced the music industry by the use of the instruments that they chose. Most of the instruments that were used were conventional instruments like the harmonica, guitars both rhythm and bass, the keyboard and drums (O’Grady 64-65). They also used the tenor banjo and other rhythm and percussion instruments. One of the non-conventional instruments used was a washtub bass, which was made from a piece of heavy twin attached to a stick and anchored to an upside down washtub. The tabla, drums originating from India, and a montage of sounds, especially from the day were also use (Carlin 64). Other non-conventional instruments included a washboard, Kazoo, cigar-box guitar, the sitar, again from India, and entertaining electronic noises (Ulanov 741). Although typical but very unusual in a rock group, the Beatles choose to use a forty-one piece orchestra on occasion. They also opted for barnyard noises and a note that only a dog could hear (Brash 158). Therefore, the Beatles made a strong impact on the music industry by the usual and unusual instruments that they used.
In 1963, the Beatles rose to fame on a wave of Beatlemania. It was the overpowering enthusiasm and excitement from fans (Ulanov 740). Beatlemania crossed barriers between social classes, age groups, intellectual levels and geographical areas (Moritz Yearbook 1965 255). The release of their first big hit, “She Loves You”, caused Beatlemania to spread to epic proportions (Fabulous Century 60). Often the Beatles had to be rescued from the thousands of screaming fans that mobbed them. Commenting on the hysteria produced by the fans Moritz makes this observation: “They were greeted at the airport by a chimpanzee, four bathing beauties, a four-mile long traffic jam and 7,000 teenagers, who shattered 23 windows and a plate glass door.” (Yearbook 1966 405).
The Beatles had many adoring fans, even Elvis who sent them a telegram of congratulations (Brash 157). A special organization named Seltabe, Beatles spelled backwards, was set up in order to license to American manufacturers to American manufacturers that ability to produce memorabilia. Items from Beatle wigs, dolls, clothing, and buttons to jewelry, wallpaper and Beatlenut ice cream were manufactured (Moritz Yearbook 1965 255).
The Beatles also made a dramatic and almost instantaneous change in the fashion world. They managed to get away from the leather jackets and greased hair of the previous decade, only to bring about an era of fancy Edwardian style clothing (Ulanov 74). This particular style of clothing consisted of stovepipe trousers, collar less four-button coats, and polished ankle-high boots (Moritz Yearbook 1966 406). The Beatles also produced long, shaggy, dish-mop style hairdos (Moritz Yearbook 1965 256). The style actually came about by complete accident. One afternoon George Harrison decided to go for a swim. Soon he discovered that he had accidentally forgot to take a comb with him. The result was droopy bangs that lay on his forehead. The other three Beatles were fascinated by the look and decided to wear their hair the same way (Carlin 67). Not long after this incident, the boys all over the world began to grow their hair to support their idols, the Beatles (Brash 157). Although not all completely on purpose, the Beatles began to change the fashion styles all over the world.
The popularity of the Beatles was not confined only to the commoners. They were asked to do a Royal Command Appearance. This performance was a variety show in honor of the royal family and was broadcast over national television (Magill 227). The appearance was recorded at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London. After the show backstage, Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother greeted the Beatles. The Beatles were also included in the birthday celebration for Queen Elizabeth on June 11, 1975 (Moritz Yearbook 1965 256-257).
The Beatles were named in the Members of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. This honor caused an uproar prompting other Englishmen to forfeit their awards in protest. The fans were astonished that their idols had now become respectable (Moritz Yearbook 1965 257). The distinction from this honor grew much criticism from those who thought it was below the crown's dignity to cast such an honor on a rock and roll group (Moritz Yearbook 1966 406). The award withstood the criticism and the Beatles carry the honor along with their name.
The group also received several awards from music industries. They accepted a Grammy, from the National Academy of Recording Artists in the United States, one form the British Songwriters Guild and an abundant number of Gold Record awards. The Beatles have had their heads to be sculptured in bronze and one could find exact replicas in Madam Tussaud’s wax museum in London. They were also included in the 1966-1967 edition of Who’s Who in America. This has been accomplished by very few non-Americans (Moritz Yearbook 1966 406). The Beatles also surpassed other groups that had been recording for decades with more number one hits (Carlin 67).
Major contributions to the popularization of American rock and roll, the Beatles became England’s most popular and influential band. Their influences reach for beyond the music industry to touch the people in society. American rock and roll was influenced by several other groups but not contributed as much as did the Beatles.
