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The British Invasion, Part I

© Robert Whillans

We're back to history this week with a look at the British Invasion. Basically, all British groups wanted to break through to the States, because that was rock's biggest market. They also wanted to go because the music that inspired them to become musicians came from there. America was a sort of rock paradise, where the music that was still offensive in England was now accepted by all. Many tried to release records through large American labels, all were refused. Those who tried to release them through independents were generally crushed. It seemed as if the States wanted nothing to do with the Brits and that it was an impenetrable music industry. The Beatles, however, would change all that...

The year was 1963. The Beetles had established themselves in Britain, their first single "Love Me Do" having reached number 42 and their second release, "Please Please Me" having hit number 1. Saltaeb, their merchandising company, was being flooded with requests for shirts, lunch pails, mugs, any thing the fans could get their hands on. Beatlemania had taken over. Riots were barely averted in English towns like Manchester, and the all-around clean image of the Beatles was a hit. They even got to perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Show. Their album was selling big, and they were on their way to France. Reports told them that France still hadn't made up their mind about the Beatles, but their concerts proved that they were a hit there too. The Beatles, manager Brian Epstein and producer George Martin were the biggest combo in British music. The only thing remaining was the U.S. of A. Martin tried to release records in America through Parlophone's sister company, Capitol. "Love Me Do" and "Please Please Me" were refused, and Epstein had only received minor successes through the Vee Jay label. Epstein and Martin had a plan, though, and they distributed promo records to dee jays across the US. After people heard the songs, they released the records through other small labels, like Swan Records. The song, "I Want To Hold Your Hand", was a hit, and Capitol couldn't wait to get their hands on it. They picked it up, and a blitz publicity campaigning, The Beatles Are Coming, was in full swing. Posters, stickers and billboards everywhere were advertising the arrival of the Beatles. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" went from number 83 to number 1. Meet the Beatles! and Introducing... the Beatles, their two first American albums, were numbers 1 and 2 on the charts. When they arrived in February, 1964, 3000 young girls all around John F. Kennedy Airport were waiting. The next day, they performed on Ed Sullivan to the largest television audience ever seen, 70 million people having tuned in. When they performed their first ever American concert at the Coliseum in Washington DC, it was clear that they were accepted by the youth.

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