Their influence
Musical
"They transcended all age, racial and cultural barriers. They had a gift for joyous optimism. They represented a belief in 'good' rather than 'bad.' They had a passion for life. They were serious about their music - but they never took themselves too seriously. Their music affected every aspect of life and culture in the 1960's. It defined a generation - and it became the soundtrack to the cultural revolution that changed the world."
- Martin Lewis, world renowned Beatles historian and authority, 1999
"They transcended all age, racial and cultural barriers. They had a gift for joyous optimism. They represented a belief in 'good' rather than 'bad.' They had a passion for life. They were serious about their music - but they never took themselves too seriously. Their music affected every aspect of life and culture in the 1960's. It defined a generation - and it became the soundtrack to the cultural revolution that changed the world."
- Martin Lewis, world renowned Beatles historian and authority, 1999
- Rolling Stone magazine ranks the album No. 1 on its “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list, saying, “‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ is the most important rock and roll album ever made…by the greatest rock and roll group of all time.”
- The Beatles taught that Pop music could be intelligent, in he way it was written and how it sounded.
- In today's world, there are many musical bands that follow the Beatles ideas and get inspiration from their work.
Economics
- The Beatles created 23 albums (counting soundtracks and separate US and UK releases) released during the band's life.
- There have been more than 150 compilations, recorded interviews and videos issued.
- Hundreds of books have been written about their personal lives, their music, and their influence on pop culture and rock music.
- Their original record label, EMI and the Guinness Book of World Records estimate that more than 1-billion Beatles albums, singles and CD's have been sold worldwide.
- Authentic Beatles memorabilia continues to be a profitable business .
- Recently an audio tape of a 1974 interview with Lennon sold at auction for more than $38,000. At the same auction, McCartney's handwritten lyrics for "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" brought $192,000.
- The British economy took advantage of the Beatles success to repatriate capital from the foreign countries.
Social
- Young people reacted in extreme ways when showing their admiration and love for the Beatles
- The band openly admitted to use drugs as an accepted social behavior during their daily lives.
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"For The Beatles, as icons of the decade, and for the generation of baby boomer “flower children,” the allusions and influences of popular American culture including those of the drug culture were apparent in The Beatles’ lyrics and musical sounds. In the songs they composed over these tumultuous times, art reflected life in their music, lyrics and iconic identity, putting them in the forefront of the 1960s and popular American culture." - Allusions to and influences of the drug culture of 1960s music,
University of Phoenix, UOPX Writer Network, August, 2010 |
Cultural
"Yet Yellow Submarine is a movie whose message is all about making an ideal world. And it's one of the most perfect pieces of moving art ever made... Because in my opinion, Yellow Submarine gave birth to modern animation itself."
- How the Beatles' Yellow Submarine gave rise to modern animation,
Josh Weinstein - former producer of The Simpsons, The Guardian, November 2012
"Yet Yellow Submarine is a movie whose message is all about making an ideal world. And it's one of the most perfect pieces of moving art ever made... Because in my opinion, Yellow Submarine gave birth to modern animation itself."
- How the Beatles' Yellow Submarine gave rise to modern animation,
Josh Weinstein - former producer of The Simpsons, The Guardian, November 2012
- Their androgynous appearance had a profound effect on sexual liberation because they changed the definition on what it was to be a man
- They had a great power over millions of people, that made their followers accept what they did including drugs.
- The Beatles affected culture with a revolution of spirit and mind
Religion
- Some people believe the Beatles following the Maharashi believes, influenced the western attitude about Indian spirituality.
- Religion includes a spiritual bonding, and the Beatles appealed to a generation in a strong way that can be compared to a spiritual one
"If you can imagine a world at peace, with no denominations of religion - not without religion but without this my-God-is-bigger-than-your-God-thing - then it can be true"
- John Lennon, All We are Saying, David Sheff
- John Lennon, All We are Saying, David Sheff
Politics