"Meet
The Beatles" ...Again
Book
Review: “‘Meet The
Beatles’ A Cultural History Of The Band That Shook Youth, Gender, And
The World” by Steven D. Stark
Publisher:
Harper Collins ; May 31, 2005 ; 352 pages
ISBN:
0-06-000892-X
My Review: The objective
of “Meet The Beatles” by Steven Stark is to explain the cultural
effects of the Beatles. Although, the task at hand is the literary
equivalent of trying to capture lightning in a bottle, Stark’s book is
a valiant attempt.
Admittedly, with the huge volume of Beatles books already on the
market, one would be forgiven for asking, what is the need for yet
another one in 2005? With “Meet The Beatles”, Stark addresses that
challenge, knowing full well that his contribution to the Beatles lore
would need to be unique enough to entice readers, not to mention be
able to justify it’s own existence.
Other writers have undertaken the task of trying to decipher “what it
all means” when it come to analyzing the Beatles phenomenon - most
notably Ian MacDonald’s “Revolution In The Head” and Wilfrid Mellors’
“Twilight of the Gods”, to name a few. Compared to other attempts,
Stark’s writing doesn’t fall into the dry, scholarly trap that other
books in this genre are subject to, nor does it go off on tangents to
the point of distraction. Stark’s writing remains focused and
entertaining, and the book doesn’t collapse under the weight of the
subject matter - an admirable accomplishment considering that Stark
interviewed over 100 individuals and uses an exhaustive number of
resources (his source list runs approximately 60 pages!).
Stark gains my respect early with the level of commitment with which he
pursues his research. This includes a temporary relocation to the UK,
in order to gain some understanding of the culture in which the Beatles
spent their formative years. This is a method that I identify with and
would employ myself, if I were to write a book about the Beatles,
especially in attempting to explore their cultural significance.
Loosely written in chronological order, Stark wisely avoids
retelling the Beatles story as has been done countless times over the
years. This book isn’t merely a rehash in disguise. Stark draws his
conclusions from a sociological perspective without resorting to trivia
and gossip and backs up his conclusions with the use of cultural
resources and reference material (generally an aspect left uncovered by
many authors).
Stark details key decisions in the Beatles career, These include
promoting the band as a collection of equals (as opposed to a front man
and backing group, which was the norm), the stress on original song
writing, the desire to shape their own future, a self image of
primarily, a recording band, viewing their albums as works of art as
opposed to ad hoc collections of songs and realizing the importance of
progression in their music. The Beatles also helped establish the
beginning of a technological culture (‘the recording is the thing’) in
which their song writing and recording techniques became more
experimental.
Stark demonstrates how the Beatles made effective use of TV, radio and
print media - an aspect that is easily taken for granted today, unless
one considers that mass media wasn’t as well developed and
sophisticated as it is now.
Eventually, The Beatles’ attitude toward quality control generated to
film making - “A Hard Day’s Night” - in which they strived for a degree
of authenticity previously unknown in popular music film making.
The book documents the Beatles’ roots, culture and upbringing
(including the effects of maternal loss on John And Paul). Early
influences are explored (their musical maturation in Hamburg and the
effect of supportive, influential paternal figures such as Mona Best,
Brian Epstein and George Martin).
Stark describes the simultaneous establishment of a youth culture in
which young people began to assert themselves (economically with
increased purchase power, in fashion, sex, a shift in attitude with
increased decision making and a desire for freedom).
The Beatles drug use is explored as well as the backlash of touring
(the Manilla incident and controversy over Lennon’s ‘Jesus’ comments).
Stark explains how the Beatles were of their time. How conditions in
America were prime for their acceptance. How their personal
characteristics - their humor, charm and the symbiotic, almost
telepathic, relationship between the 4 Beatles - helped ensure their
success. Then, subsequently, how the literary and intellectual
establishment embraced their later, progressive works such as Sgt.
Pepper
Cultural factors include the global communalism (typified in “All You
Need Is Love”) and an early sympathetic view of feminism (women being
referred to as “friends” in song lyrics) later reflected in the women
that Lennon and McCartney chose as life partners.
In many ways, the manner in which the Beatles conducted their
professional and personal lives gave a blueprint to the young people
who grew up with them. For example, the Beatles didn’t define
themselves in terms of generational conflict. They didn’t “hate their
parents”
Explored in “Meet The Beatles” is their semi religious following in
which their music alone doesn’t adequately explain their influence and
appeal. For the most part, the Beatles used their influence wisely. As
Ken Kesey wrote after viewing a Beatles concert, the Beatles “could
have taken this roomful of kids and snapped them.” Instead, they made a
career of promoting non violent social change, and the timeless virtues
of peace and love - a philosophy which set them apart from many other
artists in the late ‘60's .
Stark documents the cultural changes that occur as the Beatles
graduate from one stage of their career to another. As the idealism of
the ‘60's began to fade to be replaced by a more grim reality (violence
at concerts, damage and casualties of drug use, political upheaval),
the
Beatles experienced a disconnect with drop out youth and violent
protest. The death of Brian Epstein is followed by a period of
spiritual unrest with indications of business and even artistic,
fallibility.
Stark suggested that, in the late ‘60's, the Beatles were actually
losing influence and the breakup when it did occur, wasn’t regarded as
tragically as some might now imagine. In the end, the Beatles' break up
was symbolic of the dissolution of
the ‘60s. They truly were of
their times.
Stark asserts that by 1980, the Beatles weren’t considered a big deal.
By that time they were displaced by other musical and social trends.
However, John Lennon’s death changed that perception. A process began
in which Lennon, and in turn the Beatles, were canonized.
Readers will obviously not agree with all of Stark’s conclusions and
may think that some aspects are overstated, however “Meet The Beatles”
is a good source for thought and discussion for old and new fans alike.
For anyone who grew up with the Beatles, who would like a well
integrated, intelligent view of their cultural influence and for more
recent fans looking to explore this undoubtedly rare and unique
phenomenon, Steven Stark’s “Meet The Beatles” is a good place to begin.