The Beatles & The British Invasion
The British Invasion was a group of bands that emerged from the U.K in 1963 to achieve MASSIVE success in the U.S and worldwide. They were known for blending the artistic elements of “pop art” aesthetics with storytelling lyrics, experimental genre-blending, hard hitting instrumentation and larger than life musical performances. This movement was critical to establishing the music lover’s taste for the personalities behind the instruments, and appreciating the band as its own identity.
These “beat boom” bands revived the unconventional, off beat, edge that rock & roll fans fell in love with in the United States! Their style was influenced by the early days of western, blues, folk, and R&B happening in America, but they found new ways to innovate with instrumentation, such as emphasizing synthesizers, keyboards, organs, and harpsichord sounds, implementing new song structures, extended song lengths, and showing us all how hard ballads can rock! Not only did they revive that rock & roll feeling in America, but they profoundly influenced music in popular culture forever. Each of these bands added their unique branches of punk, psychedelic, blues, hard rock, pop, and experimental music to the rock music family tree!
But which of these bands are the “best” of the British Invasion?
The Beatles
The Beatles led the way with their handsome, uniform suits, tidy shag cut hair, tightened vocal harmonies, distinguished accents, and original songwriting style. “The Fab Four” rose to fame quickly, creating a “Beatlemania”, and attaining huge success in a matter of just 8 years.
Their songwriting and influence would have a significant impact on rock music’s future, setting a new precedent on what it meant to be a true rock star, artist, and musician and how those roles can coexist naturally and favorably.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney made the ultimate songwriting team. They were influenced by country-western, Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Ray Charles, and the sultry vocal harmonies from the popular early girl groups of the 60s. They added their take on rock & roll by writing captivating, imaginative scenes, showing the audience something from a new perspective. Songs like “Here Comes the Sun”, “Come Together” and “Hey Jude” are memorable examples of this.
The Beatles songwriting was unique not only because it was “original music” but that it was really “their own” because each member had a say. They hit the scene in a fresh, new, and inspiring way, in the exact right time. Although each member had their own unique personality, and style, as musicians they weren’t incredibly outstanding compared to some of the earlier rockers of the time. Their musicianship was more than their playing though, there was something really magical about how they came together. The synergy of the band as a whole showed on and off stage in a remarkable and captivating way. I do think the execution and originality also had a lot to do with it. The fact that they were willing to experiment and take risks helped them stand apart in the scene.
I think they became so intensely popular because of the visceral feeling they create when you listen to them. It seemed like they were growing and experiencing life alongside their fans. Acting as prophets of the times, highlighting political issues and spiritual journeys through the ’60s. They became symbols for the hippie lifestyle and created cultural significance with their fan base. Their ever-changing sound became a well-known part of their musical works and the band’s personality as a whole. They continuously pushed the boundaries of what music could be as an art form, establishing a timeless appeal to fans of all types. Because of this, I think that they are “the best” band from the British Invasion era!
The Beatles "Don't Let Me Down" - their last performance together shared upon the rooftop concert of 30 January 1969, a great example of their iconic mood, instrumentation, shared vocals, and their everlasting imprint in pop culture
The Kinks
The Kinks may be the “underrated” band among this group, but still influential in their own way. They may not have had the punk attitude and personality that The Rolling Stones, or The Who had, but they certainly played more punk rock rudiments. Influenced by American blues styles, Little Richard, and The Kingsmen, they added their own flare to rock & roll with the use of steady, faster hard rock drumming, observational songwriting, and louder, crunchier guitars.
Although they didn’t have the consistency of The Beatles, the longevity of The Stones, or the commercial success of The Who. (They also never got a #1 hit) They were still able to captivate audiences during a time where a lot of attention was on The Beatles, being appreciated for providing a keen contemporary commentary on the culture and lifestyle happening in the U.K beat scene at the time. The catchy, energetic sounds, and diverse songwriting styles as heard in “You Really Got Me”, “All Day and All of the Night”, and “Lola”, set them apart as a band and sound in the genre at the time and inspired attributes used in punk rock to this day such as the use of power chords, repetitive gang vocals (la la la’s, do do do’s, woah woah woah’s, etc), and straight forward drum fills.
The Kinks - “So Mystifying” - love this song! It’s also a clear example of their influence from early 50’s rockers
The Who
The Who brought an entirely new version of artistic experimental songwriting to the scene and popularized screeching guitar feedback, chaotic tom-centric, fill-fueled, double bass drumming, on-stage theatrics, and the idea of a “concept album”. Drawing inspiration from American R&B, Motown, and fellow English pop contemporaries, The Kinks and The Beatles, Pete Townshend’s innovative songwriting contributions and the development of the Marshall stack would leave a lasting impact on rock forever!
The Who redefined what a live rock show could look, feel, and sound like. Using large PA systems, progressive improvisations, and impressive rock moves such as mic swinging, “the windmill” strum, and throwing drumsticks into the air mid beat, the entire experience of seeing a band live was transformed forever influencing hard rock, progressive rock, metal, and punk rock bands to come.
Not only was The Who’s music louder, faster, and edgier than others at the time with songs like “My Generation”, “Happy Jack”, and “Pinball Wizard” they found a way to continuously push the boundaries on live performance, and the elements of “rock theatrics”, creating long term commercial success as a band.
The Who - “I Can See For Miles” - legendary rock moves, progressive songwriting, and loud rocking that the future of rock would be known for
The Rolling Stones
It’s hard to think of American culture without The Rolling Stones! This U.K rock band has stayed relevant and very rock & roll for over 50 years!
Between Mick Jagger’s Elvis-inspired on-stage sexuality, their psychedelic blues-infused swagger, and the iconic tongue logo, The Rolling Stones have become one of the most recognizable and longest-lasting influential bands from the British Invasion. The world needed an “Anti-Beatles” band, and The Rolling Stones were the perfect fit for the job.
The Rolling Stones got their name from the 1950 blues song "Rollin' Stone", recorded by Muddy Waters, and drew inspiration from Bo Diddley, Jimmy Reed, Fats Domino, T-Bone Walker, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry. Their songs “Paint it Black”, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, and “Under My Thumb” are classic rock staples from their early works that define exactly what the future of rock music was transforming into at the time.
The Rolling Stones also heavily influenced the role of the frontman, modern rock & roll aesthetics, and how bands are branded and marketed to maintain relevance throughout time as musical trends continue to change. Their fan base is largely the most diverse and broad out of the British Invasion bands and they’ve certainly played the most live shows, breaking records with their concert attendance.
The Rolling Stones have become such a key part of American rock culture. It’s hard to think of rock music without this iconic British band’s lasting influence. I stand by The Beatles as my personal favorite from this era, but The Rolling Stones are a strong second pick!
The Rolling Stones - “Sympathy For The Devil” - Mick Jagger’s sexy on-stage persona, the distinct swagger of the distorted guitar solo and rhythmic pulse inspired by all things “rock & roll”