The British Invasion
On January 30, 1969, the London police force began to receive calls from residents in the Savile Row area of London. The residents complained about noise coming from the rooftop of the nearby Apple Records building. There, at their record labels headquarters, the Beatles, perhaps the greatest rock band of the 1960s, played their final public show together. Earlier in that decadeupon their arrival in the United States in 1964 and following tremendous success in Europethe Beatles unleashed the social and cultural movement known as the British Invasion. While the Beatles initiated the first wave of the British Invasion, paving the way for other British bands to gain success and popularity in the United States, their breakup in 1969 did not mark the end of the British Invasion. Albeit with a different audience and sound, many profound and influential British bands, such as Led Zeppelin, were yet to invade and leave their own mark on the American musical landscape. From the widely popular first wave in the Unites States, when the Beatles offered a grieving and troubled nation a musical escape, to the Invasions later incarnation as the musical preference of the counterculture and vanguard, the British Invasion made a lasting impression on American pop culture.
The British Invasion, a musical movement that increased the popularity of rock-and-roll, revolutionized musical history. Before this movement, American pop and skiffle were the two dominant music types. Often characterized by a predictable sound and heavy repetition, skiffle music had the listeners of the 1950s and 60s ready for a change, a major factor in the success of the British Invasion. In essence, the British Invasion took American pop, rehashed it and brought it back to the United States. Known colloquially as Beatlemania, a new wave of music, fashion and lifestyle swept across the United States.1 The Beatles brought about a social and cultural revolution that transformed music, fashion, movies, art, sex, drug use, politics, religion and everyday behavior.2 The Beatles not only initiated the British Invasion, they confirmed it as well. However, they also paved the way for future artists. Their music represented the dynamism of the 1960s as its style was constantly changing. In addition, the United States turned a critical eye on the music industry itself and discovered many talented artists, such as Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley, who had up to then been ignored by the mainstream. Subsequently, the British Invasion led to the development of future-rock-and roll and introduced persisting themes within the musical scene. The British Invasion had a profound effect upon its initial arrival in the U.S.3
Rooted in the limited accessibility of rock-and-roll in England, the British Invasion began as a result of the musical fate of England being left in the hands of the younger generation. Britain however, was lacking the necessary ingredients, such as rhythm, to form a rock-and-roll movement. Skiffle music was the dominant musical genre and was characterized by simple, drum-less music that utilized homemade and acoustic instruments, such as the banjo and jug. Over the years, skiffle developed into repetitive, banal music that sounded nearly the same from band to band. English music fans soon began to look across the Atlantic. American pop artists had dominated British charts, as they possessed the ingredients that the English listening public wanted to hear. In addition, American blues and rhythm were considered chic among the younger generation in England. The British will was not the only factor that caused the Invasion though. The mindset of the 1960s contributed largely to the impact of the British Invasion. Dynamism and quick change characterized this decade. A unique political ethic was present within the democratic and liberal organization of the time. The ecology movement and other progressive actions were taken towards making life simpler. Furthermore, John F. Kennedy was a representation of this teleology.4 Kennedy represented a dream for young Americans; he looked to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans.5 Most importantly, Kennedy gave faith to the American public and thus his assassination sent the entire nation into a state of bereavement. One can say then that timing was the main reason the British Invasion occurred. America was in need of an escape after the assassination of President Kennedy; the British wanted a musical change; the British Invasion was born. Although timing played a profound role in the development of the Invasion, the course of events were yet to leave their footprints in the musical field.6
The happenings of the British Invasion were a direct result of the pre-existing musical and cultural conditions. For example, the Quarrymen, who were to become the Beatles eventually, were a skiffle band. As bands such as the Quarrymen developed and were inspired by American music, they began to tour Europe. The Quarrymen, under the name the Beatles, played many shows at Hamburg, Germany, where they were discovered. The Yardbirds played numerous English tours, and other bands such as The Kinks, the Rolling Stones and the Who, also followed the Beatless pattern and toured Europe to gain popularity. These bands took the necessary ingredients from the American musical scene, applied them to their skiffle music and toured Europe with this up-and-coming reinvented rock-and-roll. In turn, this new music, based on American pop, reached the United States and quickly topped American charts. America soon beckoned, and British artists showed interest in touring the United States. The Beatles first voyaged over the Atlantic and thus are considered the initiators of the British Invasion.7
The British Invasion though, was not simply a movement of bands across the Atlantic. The Beatles brought in their music a sound that lifted the spirits of a mourning nation and changed American culture. On February 7, 1964, 77 days after Kennedys assassination, Pan Am Flight 101 left London for New York. Onboard were manager Brian Epstein, producer Phil Spector, friends of the band, journalists and the Beatles themselves. Meanwhile, in the United States, celebrities wore wigs that represented the Beatless haircuts, and stickers reading, The Beatles are Coming! were strewn about everywhere. (Reaction to an earlier British Invasion was marked by a very similar phrase: Paul Revere's legendary ride and call, The British are Coming!) That night, the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan show; it is estimated that 45% (73 million) of the United States population watched this particular episode. Beatlemania exploded in America following this television appearance and soon lifted the dark days of the aftermath of the Kennedy asassiantion.8
The Beatles began the British Invasion and most evidently represent the cultural and musical evolution that took place during the movement. But just who were these men? Born in Liverpool on October 9, 1940, John Lennon was a rebellious teen. He was sent to Quarry Bank High School as a result, where he formed a gangeventually to become his skiffle band the Quarrymen. Paul McCartney was a Liverpudlian born on June 18, 1942. His mother died when he was 14. McCartney did well in school, and developed an interest in American pop music, especially Elvis Presleys. While at the Liverpool Institute, McCartney met George Harrison. Harrison was born in Liverpool on February 25, 1943, and he entered skiffle music at the age of 14. As he developed musically, he became influenced by Lonnie Donnegan and developed into a skilled guitarist, resulting in his recruitment into the Quarrymen in 1958. From 1959-62, the Quarrymen developed as a band and were considered ordinary. During this period they added Pete Best as their drummer and changed their name many times, ranging from Johnny and the Moondogs to the Silver Beatles. After a failed tour of Scotland, the band landed many gigsand their first taste of successin Hamburg, Germany. In 1962, the Quarrymen underwent myriad changes, refashioning themselves the Beatles, hiring on Brian Epstein as their manager, and replacing Pete Best with Ringo Starr, who had already attained a certain amount of popularity in his solo work. Starr was born as Richard Starkey in Liverpool on July 7, 1940. Often ill as a child, Starr spent a significant amount of time hospitalized. While in the hospital, he learned to play the drums. As the others, he entered the music business through skiffle. With Lennon on rhythm guitar and vocals, McCartney on bass guitar, keyboard and vocals, Harrison on lead guitar, piano and supporting voice and Starr on drums and supporting voice, the Beatles had the perfect mix to occupy the center of the British music scene.9
Changes to the musical style of the Beatles throughout the 1960s represented the dynamism of that decade. During the early 60s period, simple lyrics and backup guitar, a constant drumbeat, simple bass lines and repetition characterized their music; if guitar solos existed, they were short. Songs such as Help, Day Tripper and I Want to Hold Your Hand exemplify these characteristics. The songs composed during this period produced an enthusiastic reaction, Beatlemania. For example, Beatles concerts often became out of hand as the crowds went wild. This musical period represented the initial British Invasion and the response to this music illustrated the depth of Beatlemania and Americas need for security.10
By their middle years, from 1965 to 1966, the Beatles had stopped touring. Their last English tour was in May 1966, and their last American tour was in August 1966. (This was in fact their last large scale public show.) The repetition of the same act had become boring to them, leading to their decision to stop touring, and experiment with and use new effects, filters and technologies. In addition, performing was becoming too dangerous, as the crowds often became unruly to the point where the music could no longer be heard. The Beatles also first began to splinter during this period. For example, Harrison went to India and studied the sitar, while McCartney traveled to Africa with his wife. Lennon acted in movies; Starr stayed at home. This separation was considered an aberration for the band since traditionally, they had lived together. These travels were also a direct result of the consistent personality clashes amongst the group members. Thus, the middle years contributed to the downfall of the Beatles.11
Music produced by the Beatles during this time was unique and representative of the psychological problems and the bands immaturity; they were young and had little experience. Thus, problems arose. For instance, Rubber Soul shows many of the early divergent forces that arose. Lennon used irony, satire, pessimism and dense music while McCartney used optimism, flexibility, spatial songs and well-blended music.12 And Harrison attempted to maintain the 1950s theme of repetition. Their musical style also evolved in this period. Poetry, criticism, satire, creativity and universal points of view served as fodder for lyrics. Guitar-oriented songs with additional subjects, complex background music, three-quarter tempos, pretty melodies and a Middle Eastern influence characterized this phase of the Beatless music. 13 For example, Norwegian Wood features a sitar in the introduction. In addition, Nowhere Man can be interpreted as a satirical interpretation of the 1960s world. The Beatles sing about a man who does not know where he is going or what his plan is:
Doesnt have a point of view, knows not where hes going to. Isnt he a bit like you and me? Nowhere man please listen, you dont know what youre missin. Nowhere man, the world is at your command. Hes as blind as he can be, just sees what he wants to see. Nowhere man can you see me at all? Nowhere man, dont worry; take your time, no hurry. Leave it all, till somebody else lends you a hand.
In Nowhere Man, the Beatles can be criticizing a corrupt politician or the political ideologies of the time. They speak of a man who has lost his way and has a distorted idea of his position, but is in charge of the world; he blocks out what/who does not support him (in this case it can be the will of the people).14
The late years (1967-69) of the Beatles amplified their conflicting ideas and eventually led to the bands breakup. On August 24, 1967, the Beatles met with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at the Hilton in London. They traveled with him to his ashram in India, where they spent a significant amount of time. While there, they wrote many songs that exemplified key characteristics of this time. Using sophisticated studio techniques, the Beatles produced technically and electronically perfect pieces during these late years. In addition, they brought in outside musicians, such as the London Symphony Orchestra in the recording of All You Need Is Love. An important aspect of their music is its inability to be played live, thus, the lack of touring. The music itself underwent change too. Mystical illusions and electronic sounds were used, as well as allusions to drugs (Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, or LSD, is an example of such an allusion). Magical Mystery Tour and The White Album illustrate the use of electronic techniques. Also, songs had deeper meanings. Yellow Submarine, for example, can be interpreted in both a literal and a figurative way: literally, it is seen as the simple story of four men; figuratively, it can be interpreted as the journey of four people, out to save the world, protecting it from the loss of values. The amplification of divergent forces led to the eventual last performance of the Beatles on January 30, 1969. Family pressures, financial issues, personality clashes, individualism and legal complications were all driving forces behind their breakup. Although the final years were troubled, the Beatles saw successes that might otherwise take many more years for other bands, leaving an indelible mark on music history and keeping the door open for the British Invasion.15
The Beatles legitimized rock by preventing critics from denying it as a musical art genre. Furthermore, they spurred the exploration of new rock within the United States and Britain. By having a profound effect on the United States, rock was transformed into a global industry from a business. For example, by creating their own record label, they set and example for future bands. Also, after the Beatles, rock-and-roll became a new poplar genre and experienced economic growth. The Beatles had a profound effect on the music world and allowed for further invasion of the United States.16
Led Zeppelin arrived in the United States in 1968, a year before the Beatless breakup. The name Led Zeppelin was derived from a comment made by Keith Moon (drummer for the Who): Moon believed that the New Yardbirds (later to become Led Zeppelin), named so by Page, would go down like a lead zeppelin or balloon. Their first performance in the United States was at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, California. The success they met on that night demonstrated that the end of the Beatles did not mark the end of the Invasion. Taking a closer look at the band will help show the extent to which they continued the British invasion and adapted it to their musical genre.17
Led Zeppelin had a similar development to that of the Beatles and many other rock bands: they started out small and became big. Jimmy Page was born on January 9, 1944, in Heston, Middlesex, England. At the age of 15, Page left school to pursue music. He was introduced to music by his father, who was in the music management business, and Lonnie Donnegan, who turned Page onto skiffle. Robert Plant was born in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England, on August 28, 1948. As did Page, Plant left school at a young age to pursue music. Furthermore, Plant had a strong passion for the blues in his younger years. John Baldwin, later to be known as John Paul Jones, was born in Sidcup, Kent, England on January 3, 1946. His father taught him the keyboard, and he was introduced to the organ through his church. In addition, Jones played the bass, which he picked up when he was 14. John Bonham was born on May 31, 1948, in Redditch, England. Bonham made his own drum kit out of containers and coffee cans at the age of five, but when he turned 15, he received his first proper drum kit.18
By the 1960s Page, Plant, Jones and Bonham had earned reputations through involvement with various bands. In 1965, Page was recruited into the Yardbirds to replace Eric Clapton. By 1968, Keith Relf, the lead singer of the Yardbirds, and James McCarty, the drummer, had also left. Page showed interest in replacing Relf with Terry Reid, but Robert Plant from the band Hobbstweedle was recommended to him. Concurrently, Chris Dreja, the Yardbirdss bassist left and was quickly replaced with John Paul Jones. Plant convinced Page to pick up a drummer from the Band of Joy, who he had worked with, named John Bonham. With his new lineup, Page refused to let the Yardbirds slip away. So, with Plant on vocals, Jones on bass and keyboard, Bonham on drums, and himself on lead guitar, Page decided to continue on the Yardbirdss previously scheduled tours as the New Yardbirds. What 1962 was to the Beatles, 1968 was to Led Zeppelin. During this year, they came up with the name Led Zeppelin and they played their first British show at Surrey University on October 15. News of Led Zeppelin quickly crossed the Atlantic. When the Jeff Beck group backed out on an American tour, Peter Grant, Led Zeppelins manger, jumped on the opportunity to satisfy Americas beckoning. Led Zeppelin was sent to San Francisco, which was then considered a hotbed for musical change. They landed a show at the Fillmore West and made headlines within days. The early development of Led Zeppelin saw a quick rise in popularity.19
In 1969, Led Zeppelin toured the United States and Europe, playing a total of 139 shows. They also recorded their eponymous debut album, Led Zeppelin, which rocketed to the top ten in the American charts, and their second album, Led Zeppelin II was released on October 22 in the same year. By 1970 they had unseated the Beatles in the Melody Maker readership poll. Page decided that the band had achieved enough credibility with their audience to take a break. The first phase of Led Zeppelin saw their development from a hopeless continuation of the Yardbirds to the chart dominators of the late 1960s and 70s.20
As Led Zeppelin transitioned into their middle phase, they ceased touring for a period of time and went into isolation for the purpose of musical maturation. The band retired to Wales and composed music. The immediate result was Led Zeppelin III, a flawed album because of its clashing between acoustics and electronics. For example, the song Tangerine, a song on Led Zeppelin III, opens with an acoustic guitar and then jaggedly transfers into an extensive guitar solo (a full minute and a half into the song), which ends up blocking out Plants voice. This rigidity was smoothed out in their following untitled album that is unofficially known as Led Zeppelin IV. Some of Led Zeppelins greatest hits, such as Stairway to Heaven, Misty Mountain Hop, Black Dog and Rock and Roll were recorded on this album and exemplify the true beauty of Led Zeppelins music. For instance, Stairway to Heaven features a mellow opening, which smoothly transitions into electric guitar. In addition, Plants voice is never overpowered as it was in Led Zeppelin III. Another development during this period was the increased use of symbolism. Each member of the band assigned himself a symbol that he believed represented him in some way. These four symbols became the insignia of Led Zeppelin for the remainder of the bands existence. This is partly due to the fact that Led Zeppelin entered the music world when symbolism and satire were important characteristics of the music world. The middle phase of Led Zeppelin represented the golden age of their music. 21
From this golden age Led Zeppelin only entered a downward slope. Shortly after these middle years, Page became heavily involved with heroin use. In 1973, they released Houses of the Holy, and they established their own record label, Swan Song, and under it released Physical Graffiti in 1975. That same year Robert Plant was involved in a car accident in Greece resulting in the canceling of the Physical Graffiti tour and delayed the release of Presence, considered by Page to be Led Zeppelins greatest album. In 1977, Plants oldest son Karac died of a respiratory infection, and by July of that year Led Zeppelin was in pieces. They began a tour in Dallas in 1977 and recorded again in Stockholm. They released their final album In Through the Out Door in 1979 and toured at major events. In 1980, they began a United States tour, but along the way John Bonzo Bonham died, from choking on vomit and water in his sleep after a long day of heavy drinking, along with Led Zeppelin.22 Plant commented, It [Bonhams death] was so . . . final. I never thought about the future of the band or music.23 The middle and later years saw the most unique times of Led Zeppelin. Although the middle phase is more of golden age and the later years were fraught with challenges, their later music defines their last phase as their most artistic one.
The distinguishing characteristic of the later years music is its Middle Eastern influence. A song such as Kashmir exhibits Middle Eastern-sounding string instruments in the opening of the song. Another key feature is the widespread popularityor lack thereofof this music. The only time Led Zeppelin topped Billboards charts was in 1969 with Whole Lotta Love. Although not the most popular songs, these later songs depicted the artistic potential of Led Zeppelin. This artistically innovative music had a profound effect on subsequent musicians and the British Invasion in the United States, ultimately leading to the creation of heavy metal. Heavy metal was not fully established until the 1970s, but its prototype emerged in the 1960s through bands such as Led Zeppelin. Heavy metal draws many of its roots from the blues and rhythm, which originated in the United States. This was key to the British Invasion. The idea of British bands drawing from American musical roots was a vital quality of the Invasion. Acid and psychedelic rock, essentially 1960s movements, also had a strong influence in the development of heavy metal. Led Zeppelin drew heavily from their roots and established their own roots in heavy metal during the Invasion.24
Many parallels can be drawn between artists of the British Invasion and those artists who influenced their music. For example, the Beatles count Bill Haley and Chuck Berry as major influences. Looking at signature songs, Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry, Rock around the Clock by Bill Haley and I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles, one does notice in all three songs a strong sense of rhythm, featuring a constant drumbeat with little deviation. However, each song does include a small guitar solo. In terms of the subject matter, Berry sings about Rudolph the reindeer and Santa Claus, Haley sings about an all-night party and the Beatles sing about the boy-girl relationships of youth. These are all narrative, simple stories that have little-to-no deeper meaning. This is an important characteristic of the early British Invasion. It is evident that the Beatles borrowed from American rock-and-roll artists such as Berry and Haley. Although Berry features changing bass lines and drumbeats, he can still be classified in the same category with Haley and the early Beatles. Finally, repetition of phrases is utilized in each song. The Beatles repeat, I want to hold you hand; Haley repeats, Were gonna rock around the clock tonight; and Berry repeats, Run, run Rudolph. The Beatles often drew from inspirational artists to compose their music.25
In terms of the later Invasion, the same types of correlations can be drawn between Led Zeppelin and their roots, the Yardbirds. Led Zeppelins earliest hit on Led Zeppelin was Dazed and Confused. One of the Yardbirdss greatest hits was Over, Under, Sideways, Down. Similarities can be seen. The use of varied drumbeats and an airy background guitar is penetrating in both pieces. In addition, both songs are grotesque. This dark and dismal sound is achieved with a moaning guitar (this is seen in the beginning of Over, Under Sideways, Down and 38 seconds into Dazed and Confused) that each piece uses. Also, the Yardbirds continually ask, When will it end? and at a full two minutes into Dazed and Confused, Plant begins to groan along with the guitar. Both songs feature unique guitar riffs as well as less repetition of lyrics. John Rockwell, a writer for The New York Times, described Led Zeppelins music as a coloristic explosion. British Invasion bands of the first and second wave heavily correlate with and drew from their inspirational bands. There is also a strong connection between music of the first and second waves of the British Invasion.26
While the Beatles and Led Zeppelin represent two distinct phases of the British Invasion, they are also similar to one another in several important ways. Both bands had periods of isolation, during which they matured musically and came into contact with formative forces. For example, both the Beatles and Led Zeppelin had Middle Eastern/Asian influences, as seen in Norwegian Wood by the Beatles and Kashmir by Led Zeppelin. Also, both artists had a significant influence on drug use as well as future artists. Many modern heavy metal bands claim Led Zeppelin as one of their inspirational groups.27 For example, Billboard wrote, They [Guns n Roses] come as close as hard rock could to Zeppelins power and beauty.28 Finally, both artists utilized symbolism and political satire. In Revolution 1 by the Beatles and When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin, both bands make political allusions. Revolution 1 says, Everyone wants to change the world and alludes to Mao Zedong in Carrying around pictures of chairman Mao.29 If it keeps on rainin the levees gonna break30 figuratively and satirically states that if more political situations, such as the Vietnam War, continue to rain down, the levee will break and a revolution will be unleashed. It was especially in the respective later years of each band that they overlapped.31
Yet, musically, the bands often differed significantly. Led Zeppelin and the Beatles occupy opposite ends of the musical spectrum, the Beatles considered pop rock/rock and Led Zeppelin heavy metal/hard rock. In general, Led Zeppelins music features an overall deep sound due to the drumbeats and bass lines. Furthermore, guitar solos are extensive in Zeppelin songs such as Heartbreaker (a full two minutes and three seconds into the song). The Beatles, on the other hand, feature a lighter sound, a wider variety, and less-intense songs. Also, the drumbeats, bass lines and guitar solos are not as prominent. The Beatles use a sort of harmony in their work while Led Zeppelin usually features a front man. For example, during Nowhere Man, the Beatles constantly sing together. In When the Levee Breaks, Bonham opens the song, followed by Page and a harmonica. At few instances they all play together (around a full two minutes, this can be seen). Still, the general effect of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin on their fans and on the British Invasion was quite similar.32
The British Invasion had many deep effects on the younger generation of the 1960s and 70s. The first and perhaps the broadest implication was Beatlemania, the ardent following and near worshipping of every aspect of the Beatles. Without Beatlemania, the British Invasion would have not had the intense effect it had on the people of the United States. While some effects were positive, negative effects, such as increased drug use, entered the public eye along with the popularity of these bands. Bob Dylan introduced the Beatles to marijuana in 1964 in New York. John Riley, a dentist, turned Lennon and Harrison onto LSD in 1965. Although reluctant, McCartney tried acid in 1966. Jimmy Page and John Bonham had always used heroin. As a result, drug use was made common and casual among the younger generation. Fashion also changed. Longer hair, tighter clothes, bell-bottoms and tie-dye all became popular in the United States with the British Invasion. Finally, the music industry was impacted. Studios became more common, record labels emerged as well as new musical technologies, such as guitar filters and lighting techniques. The British Invasion had many immediate repercussions, but it also laid a path for future artists. 33
One of these developments includes a second wave of British artists, occurring in the 1980s and featuring artists such as Joe Jackson and the Police making a similar journey across the Atlantic. Also, both the Beatles and Led Zeppelin have inspired many 80s, 90s and present-day bands/artists: Syd Barret, David Bowie and Bill Lloyd all followed the Beatles. And, contemporary music critics compare many hard rock bands to Led Zeppelin.34
The British Invasion was an important musical movement of the 1960s and 70s. It occupied two distinct niches, marked by an early and late phase and became the preference of the musical counterculture movement in those respective phases. The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, two legendary rock groups that occupy opposite ends of the rock and roll spectrum illustrated the two separate niches of the British Invasion. The Beatles offered America a musical escape while Led Zeppelin provided contemporary popular music. Fashion, drug use and lifestyle were changed as a result of this movement. It was the Beatles and Led Zeppelin, two bands that both differed and were alike in important ways, who carried most of the responsibility for this musical revolution. The British Invasion left a revolutionizing footprint on the musical landscape of the United States and Europe.
______________________________________________________________________________________
1On the British Invasion, Ira A. Robinss British Invasion as presented by Britannica Encyclopedia-CD-ROM
2Quote from Frank Richs Growing Up With the Beatles as presented by The New York Times.
3On the British Invasion, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide
4On the 1960s, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
On American rhythm and blues, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide
On skiffle music, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide and
5Quote from John F. Kennedys inaugural address
6On John F. Kennedy, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
7On the Quarrymen, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
On the British Invasion artists, Ira A. Robinss British Invasion
On the European tours, Cameron Crowes Biography presented by Led-Zeppelin.com
and Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
8On the Beatless trip over, Todd Leopolds When the Beatles Hit America
On the viewing population of the Ed Sullivan show, Todd Leopolds When the Beatles Hit America
9On individual biographies and the Quarrymen, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
On the musical lineup of the Quarrymen/Beatles, Dale Cockerells Beatles as presented by the The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
10On the music of the early years, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story and Dale Cockerells Beatles as presented by The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
11On touring, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
On the origins of splintering/personal travels Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide
12Quote on Lennon and McCartney from, Cockerells Beatles as presented by The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians
13On the music of the middle years, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story and Dale
14On Nowhere Man and quote from Nowhere Man, Nowhere Man by the Beatles
15On the music of the late years, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
On the last concert, The Beatles Anthology
On the reason for breakup, Charles T. Browns The Rock and Roll Story
16On the Beatles and the British Invasion, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide and Frank Richs Growing Up With the Beatles as presented by The New York Times.
17On the namesake, Nicholas Schaffners The British Invasion
On the Fillmore West, Cameron Crowes Biography presented by Led-Zeppelin.com
18On individual biographies, Britannica Encyclopedia- CD-ROM- Led Zeppelin
19On the Yardbirds, Rock n Roll Biography: Led Zeppelin presented by Classic Rock n Roll Website
On early European and American tours, Cameron Crowes Biography presented by Led-Zeppelin.com
20On concert figures, Mikal Gilmore as presented by Rolling Stone
On melody maker poll, Cameron Crowes Biography presented by Led Zeppelin.com
On Led Zeppelin and Led Zeppelin II, Rock n Roll Biography: Led Zeppelin presented by Classic Rock n Roll Website
21On Led Zeppelin III, Mikal Gilmore as presented by Rolling Stone
On Tangerine, Tangerine by Led Zeppelin
22 On the demise of Led Zeppelin, Nicholas Schaffners The British Invasion and Mikal Gilmore as presented by Rolling Stone
On later album facts, Rock n Roll Biography: Led Zeppelin presented by Classic Rock n Roll Website
23 Quote from Robert Plant as presented by Mikal Gilmore presented by Rolling Stone
24On Kashmir, Led Zeppelins Kashmir
On heavy metal, John Rockwells Zeppelin Soars presented by The New York Times
25On connections between songs: Bill Haleys Rock Around the Clock, Chuck Berrys Run Rudolph Run, and the Beatless I Want to Hold Your Hand
On specific repeated phrases, Bill Haleys Rock Around the Clock, Chuck Berrys Run Rudolph Run, and the Beatless I Want to Hold Your Hand
26 On connections between songs, Led Zeppelins Dazed and Confused and the Yardbirdss Over, Under, Sideways, Down
27On influence of Beatles and Led Zeppelin, Billboard presented by San Antonio Express-News
28Quote from Billboard presented by San Antonio Express-News
29 Revolution 1 by the Beatles
30 When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
31On the Beatless music, Norwegian Wood and Revolution 1
On Led Zeppelins music, When the Levee Breaks and Kashmir
32On differences between Beatles and Led Zeppelin, Nowhere Man by the Beatles and When the Levee Breaks by Led Zeppelin
On Heartbreaker, Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin
33On drug use and the Beatles, The Beatles Anthology
On Beatlemania, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide and Nicholas Schaffners The British Invasion
On general effects of British Invasion, Robert Santellis Sixties Rock- A Listeners Guide
34On Beatless followers, The Beatles Anthology
On the second wave of British Invasion, Ira A. Robinss British Invasion as presented by Britannica Encyclopedia-CD-ROM