The Beatles / Page Two - RockinTown Bio

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Band Members
Paul McCartney
John Lennon
George Harrison
Ringo Starr

The Beatles/Page Two

Showing progressive leanings on their last two albums, "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver," The Beatles seemed poised for something new. Sparked by McCartney's idea of ditching The Beatles identity, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" mixed Rock 'n' Roll and the prevailing psychedelic vibe with a heavy dose of traditional British music hall frolicking. The album along with its less accomplished follow-up, "Magical Mystery Tour" developed the idea of the concept album and "art" in Rock. John and Paul had, by this time, developed easily identifiable songwriting characteristics. John with his dreamy, occasionally harsh view of the world ("Strawberry Fields Forever," Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and "I Am The Walrus") contrasting with Paul's almost whimsical "we'll get by" attitude ("Lovely Rita" and "Penny Lane"). "A Day In The Life," is a perfect example of how the two styles meshed. There's Lennon's detached review of the daily news followed by McCartney's urgent "day in the life" (or at least 'morning in the life') before returning to Lennon. As the Lennon/McCartney dynamic changed so to did Lennon's personal life. He'd divorced his wife of six years, Cynthia, to take up with conceptual artist Yoko Ono. Meanwhile, The Beatles, no longer burdened with touring, produced more songs than could fit on an album. So the double record "The Beatles" or as it was more commonly known "The White Album" was released to clear the decks. The album probably stands as the best example of The Beatles eclectic nature. Not all of it is brilliant but enough is.

John and Yoko

As the late '60s rolled by, The Beatles were at odds with each other. Paul wanted the group to tour or do some kind of performance. The other three were dead against it. John was spending all his time with Yoko and she was even joining him in the studio. The other three felt this was an intrusion. On top of it, John threatened to quit but was talked out of it.

Disgusted and feeling belittled, Ringo did quit but returned a short time later. George bailed for a time as well. Financially, The Beatles were suffering too. Their Apple businesses (clothes, electronics and media) were burning through money. And since manager Epstein's death (listed as an accidental overdose) there had been no control or financial accountability. To right the situation, John, George and Ringo hired Allen Klein. Paul, having married Linda Eastman, wanted her father and brother (both New York entertainment lawyers) to handle The Beatles' affairs. On top of that, it was time for another Beatles movie. Paul again developed the concept - a film of the group recording an album. If Yoko was seen as an intrusion, the film crew was far worse. The accompanying soundtrack was a mess and temporarily set aside until producer/genius Phil Spector was called to salvage the situation. Basically, he added strings and female voices (which McCartney hated) and put an acceptable polish on the thing. The soundtrack album is OK. "Let It Be" documents the group's disintegration and includes the infamous row between George and Paul. It is a dispirited film with the rooftop performance at the end being the only saving grace.

As Spector toiled on the "Let It Be" tapes, The Beatles decided to temporarily suspend their differences and re-enter the studio. "Abbey Road" was as great a swan song as anybody could hope for. With the "fixed up" "Let It Be" rolloing out, McCartney, having already completed his debut solo album, announced he was leaving - even though all four had decided unanimously to disband. Through the 1970s, John, Paul, George and Ringo pursued solo careers and fended off multi-million dollar offers to reunite - even for a single show. Beatles reunion rumors abounded but were effectively ended with Lennon's murder in 1980 (12/8). The surviving Beatles did record together for "The Beatles Anthology" adding tracks to two Lennon demos. The single "Free As A Bird" was the most positive result. Some thirty years after their last recording session a collection of "The Beatles #1" singles topped the album charts and has already become one of the best selling CDs of all time.

The Beatles' magic continued unabated in '07. Their songs were the backbone of the trippy film Across The Universe and the soundscape collection, "Love," which was produced by George Martin and his son Giles. "Love" even won an '08 Grammy as the best Compilation Soundtrack Album For A Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media. Took half the night just to say what the trophy was for.

The key to The Beatles popularity and staying power (even though their initial fame was all those years ago) was their talent and eclectic approach. Starting as a high energy Rock 'n' Roll band led by John Lennon, they eventually broaden their musical scope to include Blues, Country, Folk-Rock and Eastern ("thank you" George Harrison). After initially ignoring The Beatles' UK popularity Capitol Records finally relented and released "Meet The Beatles" (a nearly flawless Rock 'n' Roll album) in the U.S. "The Beatles' Second Album" was also exciting. While it contained the irrepressible "She Loves You" the bulk of the album was Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Motown covers. They're pretty good, for covers.

Initially a singles group, The Beatles made "the album" a Rock 'n' Roll medium as they moved away from their original frantic Rock 'n' Roll sound. "Revolver," their last album while still touring, is both a great record and a signpost of things to come, especially with Lennon's two contributions "She Said, She Said" and "Tomorrow Never Knows." The Beatles continue to demonstrate the eclecticism that would become a major trait in their final years. There are love songs ("Here There and Everywhere" and "For No One"), uptempo joyous Rockers ("Good Day Sunshine" and "Got To Get You Into My Life") and novelty songs ("Yellow Submarine" with Ringo on vocals and George's "Taxman"). Also, Klaus Voorman's cover art is an eye grabber.

At this point Paul McCartney was exerting more influence over the group (much to John's apparent discomfort). The "Pepper's" concept was Paul's. At the time of its release "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" was declared a high water mark. A remarkably adventurous pop record, it was very entertaining. The problem came when lesser talents tried to do the same thing and failed miserably. The album's title track was linked to the album's two best songs "With A Little Help From My Friends" and "A Day In The Life." "Magical Mystery Tour" followed and while it had the brilliant Lennon songs "I Am The Walrus" and "Strawberry Fields Forever" it was definitely a lesser effort. "The White Album" was next. There are several high points, "Back In The USSR," "Helter Skelter" and George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (with help from Eric Clapton), but The Beatles were working separately rather than together.

"Let It Be" was started then abandoned and The Beatles pushed on with "Abbey Road," a surprisingly great record given the group's trouble and turmoil. Harrison complained that he only got two songs per Beatles' album. However, his two contributions are exquisite (the ballad "Something" and the wistful "Here Comes The Sun"). Ringo, emerging as a songwriter of sorts, got one song ("Octopus's Garden") which can best be described as a little ditty for kids. John Lennon, who had already stated he wanted out, came up with two songs. Even though "Come Together" lifted a Chuck Berry riff, it's a masterpiece from the opening bass to the nonsense lyrics (a field day for everyone reading between the lines). "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" is as close as The Beatles came to primal scream. The rest of the album is Paul and it's a McCartney triumph. Had this been his first solo album rather than the last Beatles' project he would have been a force to reckon with. Commonly referred to as the B-side, Paul seamlessly linked song fragments in a stunning tour de force. The medley highlights include "Polythene Pam" (sung by John), "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" and "Carry That Weight." Absolutely brilliant in its execution. "Let It Be" was revived, thanks largely to the production efforts of Phil Spector and released with the film. "Abbey Road" would have been a much better ending.

There are compilations that do a better job than others. "The Beatles 1962-66" takes them from "Love Me Do" (their first single) through the mid-60s. "The Beatles 1967-70" is great but not quiet as magical. But who can argue with "The Beatles 30 -#1s?"

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Meet The Beatles

Reviewed by: jesus
heaven

The beatles became a legend. They are unforgettable and irreplacable.

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Revolver

Reviewed by:
omaha

This was the first true turning point for the beatles. A serious departure from the music they had written and performed up to 1965 and the beginning of the Sgt Pepper/Magical Mystery Tour era. Some of the finest music penned by Lennon/Macartney including got to get you into my life and here there and everywhere. Fantastic and a must have for any serious musician or afficianado.

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