Inside the Rock Era: Best of the British Invasion: 1964

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Best of the British Invasion: 1964

The British rarely reached the Top 10 prior to 1964, but then the Beatles changed all that. When they landed in New York City, they launched not only Beatlemania but a wave of success by British artists that would come to be known as the British Invasion. From the time that "I Want To Hold Your Hand" moved into the U.S. Top 10 on January 25, 1964 (with a 45-3 move, no less), British artists increasingly followed suit by enjoying Top 10 hit after Top 10 hit.

Shown the way by the Beatles, countless groups formed and went on to great success not only in the United States but around the world. There should be zero doubt in anyone's mind as to the tremendous influence that the Beatles had. Remember that in the twelve months prior to "I Want To Hold Your Hand", there were zero British acts in the Top 10--none. The British went from that to 27 Top 10 hits in the magic year of 1964. American acts who were inspired by the Beatles and used that sound to catapult themselves to stardom would soon follow, so the effect was universal. Here are just a few examples of the British Invasion from 1964 alone.