In 1962/3 there were many great groups in this scene, some
arguably better musicians than John, Paul, George and Ringo.

The audiences, despite the occasional wavering towards
Gerry and the Pacemakers as top group,
decided that The Beatles were number one.
This was a choice based, I believe, on the sheer
personality that The Beatles exuded on and
off stage, as much as to do with their musical style
or material. ( Look at the way, a year later,
the perhaps understandably cynical US reporters
warmed to The Beatles when they first
arrived in the States with their witty ad-libs ).

What happened next can, I believe
be explained as the result of three factors:

1) The youth of Britain had started to get an increased
spending power and, thus, independence, in the early 60s.
With ordinary youngsters, this was displayed by them
buying more clothes or records. Some more astute,
talented and ambitious youngsters bought cameras,
guitars, drums, acting lessons or leases on shops as
'investments for their futures'.

2) Tragically, the US president John F. Kennedy was
assassinated and this left America in a state of shock,
without a sense of direction and vulnerable.

3) The British youth, dragging the rest of the country
with it, had decided that The Beatles were best.

By a dual stroke of good fortune the fab four had
met Brian Epstein, who would control their excesses and
promote them energetically as well as George Martin who
was to interpret their ideas and produce them masterfully.
These two were responsible for their development
and many of their future achievements.

Once The Beatles had landed in the States in '64 and
I Want To Hold Your hand had gone to number one there,
followed rapidly by She Loves You and
Can't Buy Me Love, nothing could turn the tide.
Once you had cracked the American market
the rest of the world surely followed.
The British invasion had started and suddenly Britain,
although more accurately London, was swinging.
( In reality only a few streets and small districts were
'happening' - 'Swinging London' was the place to be
but it was mainly another creation of the media. )

Britain became the centre of the music, fashion and pop
worlds, and for a few brief years everyone wanted to
film in Britain too. Despite the media hype there was a
genuine energy, creativity and optimism which was totally
contrary to the mood of the country a few years previously.

Now please take a look at some of the groups, and
individuals, that contributed so much to that era.
Please visit the Groups page which contains a list
of those who are featured on this site.