The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and the Grammy Museum are presenting an exhibit entitled “Ladies and Gentlemen … The Beatles!” commemorating 50 years since the world renowned group came to New York for the first time. The Beatles became a household name and launched their stardom with their performances on the “Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964 and concerts at Carnegie Hall.
This exhibit will be available for viewing starting in February and run through May at Lincoln Center in 2014. It will display Beatles memorabilia and feature interactive exhibits. Executive director of the Grammy Museum, Bob Santelli, was quoted in the New York Times Article, “Library Exhibition to Celebrate the Beatles’ Time in New York” by Allan Kozinn as saying “We are exploring the Beatles’ arrival and the results of it.” He described it as more of a musical and cultural exhibition.
The integration of music and culture is very important. Music has always paralleled history and has been an important part of our culture. Popularity of music groups reflects the values and tastes of an entire culture. By studying music history, we are studying the history of our society and the impact the music has on it. Arguably through studying music and popular culture, we learn just as much about our history than if we read through a history textbook.
In the case of The Beatles, when they arrived in the United States from England, they sparked what is referred to as “Beatlemania.” No group has caused such frenzy or has had such a large influence on societal behavior ever before or ever since. Their visit to America also started the “British Invasion,” with groups such as the Rolling Stones and The Kinks to follow.
A crucial aspect of this particular exhibition is that it will be targeted to younger audiences. Call me biased, but I think that younger people could use a splash of culture that isn’t “current.” I think that younger people are unintentionally ignorant of the past when it comes to music. They are simply not being exposed to the artists of the past. There are too many people that don’t know the likes of The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Sammy Davis Jr., who have had such a large influence on the musicians of today.
That is why these types of exhibitions need to be viewed. Music is an interactive way of looking at our history. There are college classes that teach the history of a decade through its music. This confirms the validity of music’s important cultural contributions. Seeing exhibits like these can give people a fun, educational historical perspective.
It will be very interesting for me to see in say another fifty years from now the impact of today’s music on future artists. Will the Lady Gagas and Justin Beibers of today have a similar impact as The Beatles did? Will we be seeing a Miley Cyrus exhibit in 2054? I think not, but I’d like to know what my peers think of the matter.
As an avid fan of The Beatles and someone that has had history teachers incorporate music into their lessons, I would definitely like to check out the exhibition once it opens. Macaulay students who know and love the British rock band, as well as those who still think they are insects should too.
Link: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/06/library-exhibition-to-celebrate-the-beatles-time-in-new-york/
Works Cited
Kozinn, Alan. “Library Exhibition to Celebrate the Beatles’ Time in New York.” New
York Times. Web. 6 November 2013
I agree with you that music is a big part of culture, no matter what time period. A certain time period’s music can tell you a lot about what that particular time was like. For example, the music of a band like the Beatles represented youth and rebellion in the 1960s.
I’m not sure if I agree with the point you made about how younger generations don’t know the music of our past. I think it all depends on how they grew up. When I’m not busy fangirling over Taylor Swift or rocking the twang that is country music, I enjoy the classic rock sounds of Aerosmith, Boston, and AC/DC (to name a few). Sometimes, when my dad catches me listening to these bands, he tells me stories of the good old ’70s and ’80s and how he sported crazy hairdos. Just through a listen of “Dream On,” I would get a story of a whole decade. That’s pretty trippy.
I always liked the Beatles but I don’t know much about them. I think I will definitely go to the exhibit now that I know where Lincoln Center is. I also agree that the youth of our generation, including myself, doesn’t appreciate anything if its not trending on youtube or Facebook. I think this will be a great opportunity for us to go out and learn a thing or two about the group that transformed music. Regarding Miley, Bieber, and Gaga – I really hope our generation is not remembered by them, that would just be horrible!
I disagree with your comment about today’s youth not knowing the music of the past. I think that many of their parents do and as we all know, a lot of our taste in music is influenced by our parents. In addition to that, the Beatles and Elvis Presley changed not only music, but the world. They are a part of history and they probably will be mentioned in history class. I mean, Elvis Presley was part of the Sex Revolution of the in the mid 1950s, which sparked other movements like the Feminist Movements and Gender Revolutions around the same time. They are probably taught in classes if not just mentioned.
Anyhow, I think this exhibit is very interesting and I am very excited to go see it!
I agree with your statement that culture is a part of music. Music can reflect the what is happening in society during a time period. Although I would be upset if current music idols would be worshipped like how we respect The Beatles, I believe it is probable. I believe our mainstream culture will change drastically in the next few decades, so maybe Miley Cyrus and Justin Beiber will be considered as valuable, classy, vintage musicians then.
I have similar concerns about the next fifty years. I wonder who will be showcased in the next fifty years. Will it be One Direction? A band that many people have regarded as the next Beatles band, even though in my opinion most of the modern artists produce mediocre music at best. Most of the artists nowadays are generic, and they follow the trends. Then there is the fact that EDM is on the rise. Will DJs be the ones commemorated in fifty years? While I am not the biggest fan of the Beatles, I do see their importance, and I do occasionally listen to them. It really is interesting how different the music today is from the music that was produced even ten years ago.
Your statement about current youths not being aware of past music is biased. I think much of that knowledge comes from the adults around us though. I’m a huge fan of the 1970s – 1990s solely because that is all my parents listen to. That, in turn, spurs me to research and find more music originating from that time. However, that may not be the case for everyone. Some people may just listen to “current” music. However, it’s unjust to say that most people these days are ignorant of past music because those songs are still quite alive in the karaokes we go to, the radios we listen to, and the playlists we compile.
I agree with Amy; I would not say that our current generation and the generations after us are ignorant to past music influences. It all depends on what types of music they encounter whether it may be by themselves or from the people around them. However, I do wonder what types of music exhibits will be featured in the future because of the many general trends we have today.
I agree, I don’t think the current generation are ignorant to all past artists. Maybe they aren’t interested in Gene Kelly and classic but The Beatles? Nah they are legendary. I think more people our age listen to the Beatles today than any other rage group today. The Beatles were definitely an eye soar. They were sort of the lady gagas of 50 years ago. Maybe 50 years from now there will be an exhibit commemorating her craziness just as this one will be doing this upcoming year for the Beatles.
I agree with Amy that it is not fair to say our generation is neglecting the classic music since the statement is a generalization. However, I think the way our generation approaches “old” music is more through news and the old generation rather than itunes or radios. I think we tend to listen to current music because this is the era we live in. It is really interesting to see how the popular music I listened to when I was a little kid has now become “vintage.” Music is a reflection of time and the past, just like why we need to study history.
Like people said, I don’t think that generations are completely oblivious to the music of the past. Out parents and our own interests shape our taste in music and though most may not enjoy or appreciate the music of the past, some still do. My dad loves listening to music so the rest of the house is subject to it. Though I pick up an affinity towards some of his favorite artists like Hall n Oates, the Beatles, and Motown as a genre, my sister isn’t a fan. Even my mom who grew up in “that time period” isn’t a huge fan. Everyone has a different cup of tea regardless of what era they are born into.
You said something about todays’s youth not knowing historical music? I would have to disagree, especially Macaulay kids, because looking at many of our peers I have been amazed over the last few months at how many kids listen to classical music, a genre far older and less popular than the beetles.
I love the Beatles! I hear a lot of my peers saying that their music is nothing special; I don’t think a lot of people realize the impact they made on music. Much of the music we hear now contains elements that they first explored and created; certain current musicians are influenced by other musicians who were influenced by still other musicians who were influenced by The Beatles. They began an entire style of music. Of course it’s nothing special to us now, but that is because music has advanced so much using bands such as The Beatles as a base.
I feel that current music in America still reflects our culture- at least the commercial and consumerist aspects of it. If you notice the structure of pop music, you find many similarities; like commodities, music has been mass produced and commercialized. While many artists are not very musically talented, they are able to produce a catchy song by following such a structure. Further, if you examine the content of such songs, you will find lyrics that mirror ideals that we hold today – individualism, instant gratification, etc.
I think that music is ever-changing. It is unfair to claim that music from the past is any better than music today just because everything is so different. Leaving opinions aside, music changes but there is no harm in remembering past music! I am a big Beatles fan and will most definitely go see this exhibit however, I am not so worried for the future because there are plenty of talented, creative artists today as well, just different.
I was never a Beetles fan but you bring up a good point. People do not realize how music in our past has had a dramatic impact on shaping music of the future. Music is always changing but people should know how modern music came to be. If people do not learn and appreciate older music, they will not have as great of an understanding for more modern music.
The Beatles not only created amazing music, they inspired thousands with their message for peace and innovative lyrics. Their sound and image was unprecedented at the time and has since been emulated time and time again, both successfully and unsuccessfully. I am over joyed that there is an exhibit opening honoring one of my favorite revolutionary bands. However, to address what you brought up in your review, I completely agree with your point that artist of today are just not as creative and industry altering as The Beatles were. However, I would just like to add that comparing any band or current musician is unfair because The Beatles entered the industry when it was no where near the size it is today. Further, The Beatles have had 50 years to gain the prestige they have now.