Local Spins asked West Michigan musicians what impact The Fab Four had on their music and what might have happened if the boys from Liverpool had never taken the globe by storm. Post your own comments about The Beatles and you could win a gift.
Beatlemania in the United States officially arrived 50 years ago today,
Imagine if John Lennon and Paul McCartney had never met, if The Beatles had never invaded America, if the Fab Four had never rocked the music world.
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Shocking to even consider, eh?
Chances are the pop music landscape would be unrecognizable and all those personal stories of musical inspiration would have taken a much different turn.
Luckily, today marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ groundbreaking appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” part of their milestone, fan-igniting, inaugural trip to the States.
The Beatles with Ed Sullivan.
In my case, The Beatles’ arrival marked the sole reason that rock ’n’ roll shook me to the core and held me spellbound as a kid, cementing music as a focus of my life from that point on, whether it was buying a 45-rpm record of “A Hard Day’s Night” or marveling at the ceaseless inventiveness of each succeeding Beatles album.
Amid all of the hoopla over this celebration of a half-century of rock ’n’ roll brilliance and chaos – including a CBS special at 8 tonight, “The Beatles: The Night That Changed America – A Grammy Salute,” featuring McCartney and Ring Starr – Local Spins asked some West Michigan musicians to reflect on the impact the band had on their music.
And for fun, these artists – some of whom weren’t even born when The Beatles unleashed their historic TV performance – were asked to consider the bleak prospect of roaming “Across the Universe” without The Beatles by completing the sentence “If The Beatles never existed …” It’s sort of like Local Spins’ version of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
And Local Spins wants to hear how readers finish that sentence, too. So, post your sentence in a comment at the bottom of the story below “Leave a Reply” by Wednesday and Local Spins will choose one lucky winner at random to receive a $20 gift card to Rockford Brewing and a choice of two tickets to an upcoming show at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.
Now, check out the comments from some West Michigan musicians.
“If The Beatles never existed …
Steve Damstra
… the world would be an entirely different place. It’s hard to imagine what my life would be like if they hadn’t been here. If The Beatles never existed, I wouldn’t be a musician, I wouldn’t play guitar or sing, and I probably wouldn’t have long hair.”
– Steve Damstra (The Trace)
Favorite Album: “Revolver”
Beatles’ Impact: “They taught us we didn’t have to follow the rules, we could think outside the box … from the music, to clothing, haircuts, religion, politics, even glasses, they changed it all. They had a sound like nothing we had ever heard before, frankly, I wasn’t even into music until ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ appearance. It was kind of like they freed our generation to be ourselves. They had everything to do with my development as a musician.”
Tommy Schichtel
… we would never have to worry about a measuring stick for bands.”
– Tommy Schichtel (The Concussions, The B-Sides, The Fuzzrites, Goon Lagoon Studios)
Favorite Song: “Dear Prudence,” “You Know My Name (Look Up the Number)”
Beatles’ Impact: “Pure perfection without being perfect. It’s like they always had a sense of humor, too. Like they weren’t thinking or even trying that hard. That’s something I always think about when writing or recording. I have friends that seen them on The Ed Sullivan show and say it changed their lives. They knew right then and there they wanted to be a musician, play in a band, write songs. … I’m always amazed at how a band could write ‘She Loves You’ and then four years later write ‘Helter Skelter.’ To change so much year to year as an entire band without sounding pretentious. Unbelievable, really.”
Morgan May Moallemian
… the history of rock ’n’ roll would be very different. They were such a new and massive phenomenon that their influence is felt to this day. Many of the rock stars of the ’70s on will say how their paths were defined when they saw The Beatles on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show.’ ”
– Morgan May Moallemian (The JetBeats)
Favorite Album: “Live at the BBC” (Songs: “Please, Please Me,” “Nowhere Man,” “Rain,” “Something”
Beatles’ Impact: “The Beatles popularized the very notion of a ‘band’ as a self-contained musical act. In the early rock ‘n’ roll era, artists were centered around individuals (Elvis, Buddy Holly & The Crickets, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley & The Comets). With The Beatles’ massive breakout, the era of ‘bands’ had begun in earnest. They weren’t the first band, but they set the standard for all bands moving forward from 1963 and on.”
Joey Dornbos
… the world would be a different place. They’re to music what Abraham Lincoln is to politics.”
– Joey Dornbos (The Bangups)
Favorite Song: “I Saw Her Standing There”
Beatles’ Impact: ” I love their first few records, especially ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’ The songs and sound of those early records captures the fun, exciting energy that rock ‘n’ roll should have.”
Nicholas James Thomasma
… the world would not know who Yoko Ono is.”
– Nicholas James Thomasma (Singer-Songwriter)
Favorite Album: Tie between “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Abbey Road”
Beatles’ Impact: “I remember listening to ‘Sgt. Pepper’ for the first time and thinking, ‘What am I doing with my life?’ I’m pretty sure Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys said the exact same thing before he made ‘Pet Sounds.’ Maybe I need to listen to ‘Sgt. Pepper’ again.”
Delilah DeWylde
… I suppose the general public would not know what a Hofner bass is, ha-ha.”
– Delilah DeWylde (Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Veloras)
Favorite Album: Tie between “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “The White Album”
Beatles’ Impact: “I love the Beatles. Grew up listening to them on my Dad’s vinyl collection. I think one major contribution was putting band songwriting in the forefront. Also, making the Buddy Holly ‘two guitars, bass, drums’ set-up a standard. They just had that magical combo of charm, good looks and talent. Interesting to me also is that each of them on their own had the fortitude of being a ‘front guy,’ which is also rare all in one band.”
Jack Leaver
… I don’t believe we would have had the wealth of great rock and pop music by artists taking control of their art, because the Beatles showed that it was possible. You can trace so much of music and pop culture back to them. And imagine the world being denied the extraordinary beauty of “Yesterday,” “In My Life” “Something.” I can’t.”
– Jack Leaver (Solo Artist, The Dushanes, American Heartbreakers)
Favorite Album: “Rubber Soul”
Beatles’ Impact: “Inspired heavily by Buddy Holly & the Crickets, The Beatles were a self-contained band, writing their own songs and playing the instruments on their records, something relatively new in the music business. They inspired countless bands to form and find success with the formula. I don’t think the impact of those Sullivan appearances (especially the first one) on a generation of young people can be overstated: Overnight, electric guitar sales skyrocketed, and every kid wanted to start a band, including myself, and I was only 6 years old.”
Mark Swanson
… the music we listened to then and now would be completely different. In fact, the role of music in society would never have reached the prominence it now enjoys. Unless you lived through the period, it’s almost impossible to describe the impact they had.”
– Mark Swanson (13th Hour, Mark Swanson Guitars)
Favorite Album: “Magical Mystery Tour” (Favorite Song: “I Am the Walrus”)
Beatles’ Impact: “I watched them play ‘Ed Sullivan’ as a boy and it captivated me and made me feel like it was possible for any boy to grow up and get a guitar and do that. I was wrong, but I am still trying.”
John Sanger
… there would not have been ‘Album-Oriented Rock’ dominating the charts for 20 years (and) perhaps it would have taken longer for music films, videos, merchandising and other elements to develop as fast as they did.”
– John Sanger (Singer-Songwriter)
Favorite Album: “Revolver” (Favorite Song: “Tomorrow Never Knows”)
Beatles’ Impact: “I love the Beatles for their collaborative success with George Martin and the foresight of Brian Epstien to make it happen. The more I learn & the more success I have in music the more I realize it was a perfect situation for The Beatles. … When you start with such amazing personalities and they all have the creativity and drive/ability to take the direction of someone who is clearly more classically knowledgeable it really creates amazing results. Throw that in with the culture and the times, wow … once in a lifetime.”
Molly Bouwsma Schultz
… memories of dancing in the kitchen with my mom as a little girl and road trips with my husband would be unfulfilled.”
– Molly Bouswma-Schultz (Singer)
Favorite Album: “Abbey Road”
Beatles’ Impact: “Creating a body of work as a collective that combined endless styles and influences while also being completely innovative and original.What is most extraordinary about The Beatles’ was their ability to sing honestly about love and society as the times changed (and) so did their sound evolve, organically.”
Dave Marsh
… we would be deprived of 200 amazing songs and all of those Beatles-inspired bands.”
– Dave Marsh (Lazy Blue Tunas)
Favorite Album: “Abbey Road” (Song, “Eight Days a Week”)
Beatles’ Impact: “They changed the direction of pop music by owning their art, writing their own songs and playing their instruments. They inspired thousands of lonely guys to buy guitars, form bands and get girlfriends. Including me.”
Leave your own comments about The Beatles in the space below “Leave a Reply” and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $20 Rockford Brewing gift card and two tickets to an upcoming Tip Top Deluxe show. Now, relive that “Ed Sullivan” phenomenon …
Email John Sinkevics at jsinkevics@gmail.com.
Copyright 2014, Spins on Music
i think it’s about time for another Beatles tribute in Grand Rapids. I’m in! Who else?
There was already a great deal of momentum before the Sullivan show. There were thousands of fans waiting at the airport, and reporters were following their every move… tickets for the shows were sold out.
Nixon would still be president. Or his double.
They became my best friends…they taught me how to love through their music and lyrics….how to express my feelings and think contrary to what was the normal acceptable flow at the time…(along with The Everly Brothers, Elvis, Roy Orbison) gave me the desire to learn the guitar and songs and become a singer/songwriter and entertainer myself….I can’t think of a single album or song that I didn’t like….and with the skills of George Martin they touched on every style of music with charmful mastery to give us the templates for learning…as well as delve into their own unique and ever evolving musical stylings. I am filled with sincere gratitude for their lifes works.
I first caught the Beatles on the Jack Paar Show. He had a clip from when he saw them in England and showed it on his show. He was less than impressed, but because I had just recently immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands in 1961, and still had strong ties to Europe where the Beatles had already established themselves as bona fide musicians, I was immediately drawn in by their charm. I have been a fan ever since. My Beatle collection proves it. Favorite Album: Abbey Road. Favorite song: And Your Bird Can Sing.
I too first became aware of the Beatles via the Jack Paar Show. I was fascinated by their music and the energy created by their fans. I remember telling my mother about what I had witnessed: “These guys were playing great rock music, and they had long hair. Thousands of girls were screaming when they played. This is something that’s going to be really big”
You can learn almost everything about being in a band and the music business from studying the Beatles. Friends that went from being a covers band playing in dingy clubs. Being turned down by every record company in England before finally being signed ,not so much as musicians, because of their personalities. The were a huge hit in England and still Capital record refused to release their records in America because they weren’t good enough. You can hear their development as song writers, As great as they were in the beginning they became more and more creative. Their hair is nothing radical these days, but it was then. Despite the money and the fame you can follow the band slowly becoming more like individuals than a band. Coming to and end as bad business deals, pressures of success, the pull of domestic life ended a great band, What is truly amazing was all they accomplished in 7 years in he public eye.
It’s impressive to see the range and breadth of musicians from different genres who were blown away by The Beatles and found a way to incorporate their innovativeness into their own music. And don’t discount the hair thing. It was a truly revolutionary look at the time, earning real revulsion and condemnation from the conservative establishment. I wear my hair long to this day mostly because of The Beatles … to my parents’ never-ending chagrin. But even they grew to love their music.
NYEve: State Theater: Sgt.Pepper and Abbey Road: singing full throated in the front like a kid.
The Beatles opened musical ideas that were beyond our experience. I was not impressed by the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah stuff and even more by the adulation. My hair was long too in the fashion of the boys and not the provincial small town I grew up in. The innovative and delightful and still fresh songs were surprising somehow intellectually engaging so much more than the harsh Stones sound.
I fell in love with the Beatles at a very early age and they are a huge influence on me as a musician. My group, The Luke Lenhart Band, performs a lot of there music. I’d have to say that my favorite album I’d Abbey Road.
Luke, not at all surprised to see your comment here ! I hope you really enjoy your upcoming gig & please give my regards to Bev.
My mother brought home several of the first Beatles albums and we listened to them over and over. They motivated me to sing, play guitar and entertain and edify others with music. I still play several Beatles songs and always get a rave response, no matter the age of my audience. What timeless, powerful, fresh, and refreshing songs they have brought to us. Thanks!
My brain hurts trying to imagine what our culture would be like without the Beatles influence.I was nearly 10 yrs. old when visiting relatives, the teenager put on the Ed Sullivan Show. I can clearly recall the joy I felt when I heard She Loves You, all those years ago. My favorite album is Rubber Soul, maybe because in the 70’s, my husband & would listen to it on 8 track for road trips. My favorite song is In My Life, but right now I find it unbearable to hear or sing, as my mom just died. Let It Be another fave, is comforting at the moment & She Loves You , again feels joyous.
My first album ever was “Meet the Beatles” and I still have it. I saw them perform on the Ed Sullivan Show when I was 9 and it was so exciting, even though you could hardly hear them performing above all of the hysterical screaming. We followed them through all of their years – the songs, the movies, the “is Paul dead?”phase, and the Maharishi. It was a sad day when they broke up. And then there was George Harrison’s rise and He turned out to be the most amazing Beatle who took his music to the next level. Ya, ya, ya!
Brian Jones’ stones’ were far more real to me than the beatles
I believe the Beatles had to arrive when they did, but if they hadn’t, it would have taken longer for other rock bands to start writing their own songs and rock would not have expanded like the phenomenal Big Bang they created. It’s hard to imagine the culture without them. Because of them we came to see music not just as a source of entertainment but as a community, an energy that could change the world with the force of its sound and ideals. They brought together people across countries, ages and races with their vision of universal love, and still do.
Favorite album: Rubber Soul (In My Life, Nowhere Man)
For more on my take on their ethical/ spiritual influence, read on: http://www.mlive.com/living/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2014/02/charley_honey_fifty_years_on_b.html
I just finished a mini-Documentary on our local baby boomers music scene under the title of
“The Shamrock Bavarian Inn Reunion Concert” all these musicians were influenced by the Beatles back then they were all in their teens. Performing in and around West Michigan. The Shamrock was known for having some of West Michigan’s finest bands at the time.
The Video will be on Public access TV sometime this week. They set the air dates.
The Beatles music is timeless and will still be listened to 500 years from now. I believe that’s what sets them apart from the rest of their contemporaries. My first Beatles album was Hey Jude. I can vividly remember jamming with my air guitar to Revolution when I was supposed to be doing my homework. Love that song! Favorite album is Revolver, followed closely by Abby Road.
Alternate history interests me from time to time, but I find people often take it too far when they assume a hole that in reality wouldn’t exist. Nature abhors a vacuum. If the Beatles didn’t exist, another group would occupy their slots on the charts, their space in the record bins. We can’t assume people who bought Beatles concert tickets and record albums wouldn’t have bought anything. They would have bought tickets and albums from another artist or artists, so some group or groups would have gotten the attention they didn’t get. That said, the Beatles pioneered the use of orchestra overlays in pop/rock. They had the interest, the money and the record producer to make it happen. Had they not paved the way, pop/rock likely would have continued on a trajectory of sticking to guitars and drums with occasional horns for many years.