Do You Agree with the View That the Beatles ‘Changed the World in the Sixties’

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The Beatles were definitely an influential band and could be seen to have changed certain aspects of the world in the Sixties. However, it can also be said that they didn’t change the world in the Sixties, as they didn’t actually change much politically even though their opinions were listened to by the younger generation. Source 16 is a quote from an interview with John Lennon in the Rolling Stone magazine and it shows how John Lennon strongly disagrees with the statement that the Beatles ‘changed the world’. He says ‘nothing happened in the Sixties’ and talks about how nothing changes ‘The same idiots are in control, the same people are running everything, its exactly the same’ this shows Lennon is playing down the role of the Beatles in the 60’s and perhaps his own frustrations at not changing anything. Politically, nothing changed in Britain and whilst at the time they and the youth seemed to be having an influence; everything they protested about didn’t change and they had no real influence over what happened. Despite their minimal political impact, the Beatles influenced a large number of people in different ways; in particular, they had a major impact on fashion. Source 17 says that they detected trends early and made them ‘Instantly chic for the millions of fans who looked at the group for guidance’. The implication of this was that many people looked at them as role models on how to dress and possibly how to act. The Beatles were hugely influential in new music and their music could be said to have changed popular music forever. They also helped to lead the youth of the sixties in other categories such as consumerism. They had a powerful merchandising business and they also supported the fashion business through the way they dressed. The Beatles said that they were the ‘First to admit that they seemed to be the leaders’ showing that they realise that

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