The Beatles: RevolutionThe Beatles were arguably one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed phenomena in the history of popular music. According to Robert Greenfield, former deputy editor of Rolling Stone, "in the form of popular music, no one will be more revolutionary, more creative and more distinctive than the Beatles were" (Whitehead). It is evident that The Beatles had an impact – and continue to have an impact – on society and politics around the world, particularly in the United States in the 1960s. In late 1962, they quickly gained popularity after the release of their first hit, “Love Me Do”, which stirred up the frenzy of “Beatlemania” (Charness). Their newfound fame allowed them to completely revolutionize the music industry, and with their portraits and album covers appearing everywhere, it didn't take long for The Beatles to revolutionize the fashion industry as well. By the late 1960s, the group had become so well known around the world that it was able to take its potential for influence to a new level by inciting movements against major problems in society and promoting consumerism. recreational drugs and spiritualism. The Beatles' popular music changed forever; Few would dispute this assertion. Before the Beatles, only solo artists like Elvis Presley were popular. They were the first band to achieve huge mainstream success and so, after Beatlemania, musicians began performing more often in groups, instead of trying to "make it on their own" (Lulu) . The Beatles also changed the conditions under which musicians recorded. Before the Beatles, record companies held great power over musicians; musicians were taught when and where to record through their record labels. As the Beatles became megastars, they returned middle of paper... In the 1960s, massive protests and demonstrations took place across Europe. The Beatles became the most important and influential rock group during this period; the majority of their songs catalyzed anti-war movements. According to Harrison, "We obviously felt that Vietnam was wrong – and in some of our lyrics we expressed that feeling and tried to be counterculture, to try to wake up as many people as possible to the fact that you don't have to fight” (Hertsgaard). Songs like "Give Peace a Chance", "Revolution" and "All You Need is Love" reflected their social and political beliefs and sparked a social revolution based on "peace, love and happiness". The lyrics of the Beatles' song Revolution, "We all want to change the world/But when you talk about destruction/Don't you know you can count me out", say they want a revolution.