PsychepediA

artist rolodex

The Beatles

From: Liverpool, England

The Beatles' contribution to the psychedelic music scene was perhaps as impactful as their debut single 'Love Me Do', where they changed the direction of pop music forever with their exciting new sound and catchy melodies. From their first 45 in the autumn of 1962 to their breakup in the spring of 1970, the Beatles showed amazing growth and progression with each record, always at the forefront of the pop music world. The group was comprised of John Lennon (rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmonica), Sir Paul McCartney (bass guitar, keyboards), George Harrison (lead guitars, sitar), and Ringo Starr (drums, percussion). Much of their staggering success is attributed to the irresistible songs written by the composing team of Lennon & McCartney who, along with Bob Dylan, have become the most influential song writers in pop history. Proper credit must also be given to Beatles long time producer and arranger, Sir George Martin, who to many is referred to as "the fifth Beatle". As the Beatles recordings became more sophisticated and adventurous, Martin's production skills as well as his string and orchestral arrangements matched the Beatles' compositions stride for stride as he became the most prolific and well-known producer in pop music.

The Beatles early contributions to what was to become the psychedelic movement began in 1964. George Harrison's jangly 12-string electric guitar on 'A Hard Day's Night' was the first major step in new sound distortion, prompting the up-and-coming group the Byrds to base their whole sound on it. Their dual lead guitars also demonstrated a deeper musical texture not heard before in rock and the late 1964 single 'I Feel Fine' is widely accepted as the first deliberate use of feedback on record. By 1965, the Beatles began branching out with more personal lyrics ('Help!') as well as classical accompaniment ('Yesterday'), paving the way for their groundbreaking album 'Rubber Soul' in late 1965.

'Rubber Soul' beckoned the arrival of the album format resulting in a body of work that is more than just a collection of singles and lesser songs. Album oriented rock soon became the staple of underground stations and FM radio in general. The Beatles began to experiment with new sounds in the studio, augmenting the pop melodies crafted by Lennon and McCartney with fuzz, Elizabethan piano and 3-part harmonies. Most notable was the Indian instrument the sitar (introduced by Harrison) which took a superb folk-rock song 'Norwegian Wood' to another level with a distinct eastern flavor. The 1966 single 'Paperback Writer' b/w 'Rain' utilized multi-tracked vocals and backwards tapes creating an ethereal feel. This direction was continued on the Beatles next release, 'Revolver'.

'Revolver' demonstrated even more experimentation with sound and texture as well as lyrics that clearly seem to reflect the use of hallucinogenic drugs. 'Got You Get You Into My Life' and 'Tomorrow Never Knows' are about marijuana and LSD respectively and 'Dr. Robert' suggests that recreational drug use had infiltrated the upper class. Songs with harder edges and distorted guitars ('She Said, She Said' and 'Taxman'), are balanced by Indian philosophy ('Love You To') and orchestrated balladry ('Eleanor Rigby').

After the release of 'Revolver', the Beatles took a small siesta for the first time in their career to pursue artistic interests outside of the band. The much needed time off and the decision to stop touring allowed them to return to the studio recharged and focused on their next project, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. Heavily influenced by the Beach Boys' pivotal LP, 'Pet Sounds', it was immediately heralded as a pop masterpiece and soon many bands, new and established, followed the Beatles into this uncharted psychedelic territory. Sly drug references are detected in 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds', 'Fixing A Hole' and 'A Day In The Life' and musically the album takes the listener through every style imaginable: Indian, avant-garde, music hall, classical and rock. Producer George Martin was able to interpret the Beatles complex ideas and augment them with brilliant scores that did not diminish the core of the songs. 'Sgt. Pepper' is considered by many rock critics to be the definitive psychedelic soundtrack.

The 'Magical Mystery Tour' album and film, released in late 1967, continued the sophisticated production and song craftsmanship the Beatles had explored with 'Sgt. Pepper'. The groundbreaking single 'Strawberry Fields Forever' b/w 'Penny Lane' and world broadcast of 'All You Need Is Love' further elevated the Beatles as pop culture's mouthpiece. The downright peculiar 'I Am the Walrus' shows the Beatles at perhaps their most psychedelic, while the title track, 'Blue Jay Way' and 'Baby Your A Rich Man' employ more studio trickery and exotic instrumentation.

A vacation of sorts to India in the spring of 1968 provided Lennon and McCartney (and now the budding composer Harrison) the time to write a wealth of new material resulting in a self-titled double album that was a return to guitar-based rock. "The White Album", as it soon came to be known, showed the Beatles stylistically all over the map but at their most eclectic. From the multi-layered guitars in 'Dear Prudence' and hard rock of 'Helter Skelter' to the gentle simplicity of 'Julia' and 'Blackbird', the Beatles showed their enormous range and diversity, yet managed to make it all work together as a single, cohesive masterpiece.

The extreme personal nature of the songwriting on "The White Album" prompted the Beatles to "get back" to their roots with a live studio album featuring no overdubs. This project (eventually the 'Let It Be' album) proved too frustrating for the Beatles who had come to rely so heavily on studio production that they temporarily abandoned the project to make a "proper" studio album. The majestic 'Abbey Road' combined great melodies, adventurous three-part harmonies and their flair for melody. Harrison's writing blossomed as he contributed the two most popular songs of the album, 'Something' and 'Here Comes The Sun'. Lennon and McCartney took bits of unfinished songs to concoct a stunning medley on side two that showcased some of the bands finest playing. The swampy 'Come Together' displayed the band at their funkiest and became one of their 27 number one singles, a feat that no other band has ever come close to matching.

By the spring of 1970, the Beatles had gone their separate ways, leaving behind a catalog of music that continues to influence artists today. All members of the Fab Four went on to have extremely successful solo careers, still working together occasionally in minor form or fashion. John Lennon was cut short in life, assassinated on December 8, 1980 at the age of 40. George Harrison died of cancer on November 29, 2001 and was 58 years old.

Article researched and written by Matt Williamson & Paul Moews. Artist © portrat by Richard Avedon.

Original LPs/EPs

Rubber Soul

Original LP/EP Label: Parlophone PMC 1267/PCS 3075

Released: December, 1965