They were without a doubt, THE group of the year. Within twelve months of their U.S. debut, "The Fab Four" became a sensation and caused another sensation, the British Invasion.
They not only influenced, but changed men's fashion, and they owned the rock/pop charts like no other group had before or since, to this date. If The Beatles' success had only lasted for one year, their astounding achievements would still have been remembered and they would have been the most coveted nostalgia act, an “oldies legend” of all time. And that was only part of an amazing year.
In March, filming began on their first movie, the delightful ”A Hard Day's Night”. Completed in just eight weeks (It was meant to be done quickly and rushed out before the group's popularity faded.) , for $500,000, the instant classic earned $1.3 million in its first week alone. “Night” became an international smash; the public and the critics loved it.
If you weren't a Beatles fan before, watching this would convert you to one. It showcased their humor, talent-great songs and singing!-pop phenom status, and even had a touch of pathos. Remember the scene where Ringo's walking by himself, while ”This Boy (Ringo's Theme)” is playing in the background?
The movie's original title was “Beatlemania”. The better and much cooler final name came from Ringo's phrase to describe a particularly crazy day. (Patti Boyd, one of England's rising models and George Harrison's future wife) had a bit part. And future Genesis member and solo rock/pop superstar Phil Collins was an extra among the audience during the concert scene!)
In July, “Night” premiered in London, then opened in America in August. The soundtrack album was also released first in the U.K. in July, then released in the States in August. It went to no. 1 in both countries.
The Beatles may have been the first group whose music was seriously analyzed by government, the media, and what would now be considered rock critics. ( Bob Dylan's music was reviewed before, but he was strictly a “folkie” at this time.)
An individual accolade came for John Lennon when When In His Own Write was published and released. The book nudged Ian Fleming's latest James Bond thriller from the top of the best-seller list. Some compared the book to James Joyce's classic Finnegan's Wake.
They not only influenced, but changed men's fashion, and they owned the rock/pop charts like no other group had before or since, to this date. If The Beatles' success had only lasted for one year, their astounding achievements would still have been remembered and they would have been the most coveted nostalgia act, an “oldies legend” of all time. And that was only part of an amazing year.
In March, filming began on their first movie, the delightful ”A Hard Day's Night”. Completed in just eight weeks (It was meant to be done quickly and rushed out before the group's popularity faded.) , for $500,000, the instant classic earned $1.3 million in its first week alone. “Night” became an international smash; the public and the critics loved it.
If you weren't a Beatles fan before, watching this would convert you to one. It showcased their humor, talent-great songs and singing!-pop phenom status, and even had a touch of pathos. Remember the scene where Ringo's walking by himself, while ”This Boy (Ringo's Theme)” is playing in the background?
The movie's original title was “Beatlemania”. The better and much cooler final name came from Ringo's phrase to describe a particularly crazy day. (Patti Boyd, one of England's rising models and George Harrison's future wife) had a bit part. And future Genesis member and solo rock/pop superstar Phil Collins was an extra among the audience during the concert scene!)
In July, “Night” premiered in London, then opened in America in August. The soundtrack album was also released first in the U.K. in July, then released in the States in August. It went to no. 1 in both countries.
The Beatles may have been the first group whose music was seriously analyzed by government, the media, and what would now be considered rock critics. ( Bob Dylan's music was reviewed before, but he was strictly a “folkie” at this time.)
An individual accolade came for John Lennon when When In His Own Write was published and released. The book nudged Ian Fleming's latest James Bond thriller from the top of the best-seller list. Some compared the book to James Joyce's classic Finnegan's Wake.
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