The Beatle Myth: The British Invasion of American Popular Music, 1956-1969

by Michael Bryan "Doc Rock" Kelly

Overview

Did the Beatles originate the Beatle haircut? boots? collarless jackets? No. Did they start the trend of self-contained rock groups (three guitarists and a drummer) composing their own hits? No. Did the British musical invasion end American performers' careers? Dominate American music charts? No and no. Surprised?

Relying on music industry data (Top 40 and 100 lists, U.S. and U.K. hits by British groups, British groups' hits on the 1964 U.S. charts, 1980s television commercials employing "oldies" music, and other comparisons), The Beatle Myth rebuts the revisionist rock historians who greatly exaggerated the impact of the Beatles and other British groups upon the U.S. pop music scene beginning in 1964. Widely held (and cherished!) myths that have grown over the years are debunked in the process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786493586
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers
Publication date:	02/10/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	231
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Bryan “Doc Rock” Kelly lives in Killeen, Texas.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Introduction 1

1 The Beatles British Invasion Story 12

2 The American Roots of the Beatles British Invasion 56

3 144 "Yeah Yeah Yeah's" Can't Be Wrong! 96

4 The Beatles vs. the Teen Idols 115

5 Who Won the Battle of the Beatles British Invasion? 127

6 Summary 173

Afterword with Bobby Vee 182

Appendix A Chronologies 189

Appendix B Roots of the Beatles British Invasion 192

Appendix C A Chronological "Yeah Yeah Yeah" Discography 195

Bibliography 201

Index 203

Editorial Reviews

Kelly’s research is fascinating”—Classic Images; “iconoclasm my be refreshing”—Library Journal; “Kelly presents a variety of comparative lists, focusing on hit records and artists, some of which may provide valuable research information”—Choice; “a whole mass of material for your trivia quizzes”—BASCA news; “Michael did his homework quite well...recommended”—Beatles Unlimited Magazine.

From the Publisher

Kelly's research is fascinating

Classic Images

iconoclasm my be refreshing

Library Journal

Kelly presents a variety of comparative lists, focusing on hit records and artists, some of which may provide valuable research information

Choice

Relying on music industry data, Kelly rebuts the revisionist rock historians, and suggests that the impact of the Beatles on American music has been greatly exaggerated. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews