Monday, February 7, 2011

"The British Are Coming!"


Forty-seven years ago on this day in 1964, the Beatles arrived in New York to begin their first U.S. tour. Pan Am flight 101 was greeted by 5,000 fans as it arrived at JFK airport, bringing the Fab Four to the United States for the first time. This historic moment marked the beginning of the British Invasion, which would almost completely take over American music for the next two years.

Ironically, the musical style of British Invasion bands (characterized as blues-based rock music or as guitar-driven rock/pop) was influenced by earlier American rock 'n roll, which had been put on the back-burner of popularity at this time. During the next two years, artists to follow in the Beatles' footsteps included Chad and Jeremy, Peter and Gordon, The Animals, Petula Clark, Herman's Hermits, The Rolling Stones, The Troggs, Donovan, The Kinks, The Dave Clark Five, The Who, and The Zombies. Later in the 60s, a second wave of the Invasion would continue with groups like Cream and Pink Floyd.
Looking forward to featuring several of the bands in the near future!

Check out the actual newsreel of the infamous event!

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