ESSENTIAL QUESTIONs
1. How does teamwork help create a successful band?
2. How did the input of manager Brian Epstein and record producer George Martin help The Beatles develop and refine skills that aided the band in presenting their music and personalities to a mass audience?
2. How did the input of manager Brian Epstein and record producer George Martin help The Beatles develop and refine skills that aided the band in presenting their music and personalities to a mass audience?
THE BEATLES
John Lennon (1940-1980)
Paul McCartney (1957-present)
George Harrison (1943-2001)
Ringo Starr (1957-present)
Paul McCartney (1957-present)
George Harrison (1943-2001)
Ringo Starr (1957-present)
OVERVIEW
![Picture](/uploads/3/7/9/7/37978045/unnamed_orig.jpg)
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool, England. When The Beatles emerged as international superstars in 1964 their fans saw a cohesive unit in both sound and image. Their vocal harmonies were close and carefully arranged. They seemed tight as a band and as four friends. They wore matching suits, shared a similar sense of humor, styled their hair in the same fashion and moved with a distinct and unified body language.
Like any good team member, each Beatle seemed to have an understanding of how his individual talents contributed to the group’s goals. To many fans, the concept of a “rock band” is defined by The Beatles’ combination of raw musical talent and personal charisma, the “chemistry” of that particular group. However, even The Beatles had help. While they did not have the sizable entourage a 21st century pop star typically employs, The Beatles did receive crucial guidance from Brian Epstein, their manager, and George Martin, their producer at Abbey Road studio.
Brian Epstein helped craft The Beatles’ visual presence and group identity. He helped the group transition from successful nightclub act to international sensation. Though he was also from Liverpool, Epstein was a decade older and a social class above The Beatles. Yet, as Paul McCartney says, “He had a vision of us that was beyond the vision we had of ourselves.”
George Martin, a self-described “schoolmaster” to the Beatles’ as they recorded their first albums, helped The Beatles discover the creative potential of the recording studio, and move their music from the stage to the studio, finally reaching listeners across the globe.
Exploring the roles of Epstein and Martin encourages us to consider the many ways people–even those who appear uniquely exceptional–benefit from the guidance of “coaches” and the assistance of others. We will witness the power of teamwork by learning about The Beatles’ focus on group unity, then work as “rock bands” in groups in order to experience some of the psychological experiences the members of The Beatles faced firsthand.
Like any good team member, each Beatle seemed to have an understanding of how his individual talents contributed to the group’s goals. To many fans, the concept of a “rock band” is defined by The Beatles’ combination of raw musical talent and personal charisma, the “chemistry” of that particular group. However, even The Beatles had help. While they did not have the sizable entourage a 21st century pop star typically employs, The Beatles did receive crucial guidance from Brian Epstein, their manager, and George Martin, their producer at Abbey Road studio.
Brian Epstein helped craft The Beatles’ visual presence and group identity. He helped the group transition from successful nightclub act to international sensation. Though he was also from Liverpool, Epstein was a decade older and a social class above The Beatles. Yet, as Paul McCartney says, “He had a vision of us that was beyond the vision we had of ourselves.”
George Martin, a self-described “schoolmaster” to the Beatles’ as they recorded their first albums, helped The Beatles discover the creative potential of the recording studio, and move their music from the stage to the studio, finally reaching listeners across the globe.
Exploring the roles of Epstein and Martin encourages us to consider the many ways people–even those who appear uniquely exceptional–benefit from the guidance of “coaches” and the assistance of others. We will witness the power of teamwork by learning about The Beatles’ focus on group unity, then work as “rock bands” in groups in order to experience some of the psychological experiences the members of The Beatles faced firsthand.
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Questions
- What distinguishes The Beatles as a "rock band"?
- If the same group was on stage but it was called "John Lennon," would it feel the same? Would you interpret the band's image differently?
- Can you think of any groups that you enjoy listening to?
- Can you think of any groups where one individual stands out over the rest?
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Vocabulary
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
handout-1-teamwork-behind-the-beatles-vocabulary.pdf | |
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Brian Epstein (the manager)
Although The Beatles were remarkably talented, their career was influenced by the guidance of their manager, Brian Epstein.
Brian Epstein's role was to keep the band together as a a team.
- How did Epstein help their stage presence?
- Why do you think Epstein suggested The Beatles wear matching suits? Can you think of other professions in which matching attire is required?
Brian Epstein's role was to keep the band together as a a team.
- In what ways do you think The Beatle's team mentality might have helped them succeed?
- Do you think your band could function as a unit that requires a unanimous vote to proceed with any decision? Why or why not?
Press conferences
What is a press conference? During the height of “Beatlemania” The Beatles held press conferences in nearly every city they performed. What is a press conference?
- Why do you think people hold press conferences? What's the purpose?
- Why do you think The Beatles held so many press conferences?
- How has social media changed the way artists communicate now?
I FEEL FINE
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- Are there drums in this videos? What is Ringo Starr, The Beatles’ drummer, doing instead of playing drums?
- Overall, how would you describe the tone of these videos?
- How does their behavior make you think about them as people?
George Martin
The Beatles and George Martin had a shared love of comedy which was helpful to their relationship in the early years. Even though The Beatles had been performing nonstop for several years, Martin still describes himself as a “schoolmaster teaching” them. Martin granted The Beatles access to the recording process, and helped them tailor their music to that format’s specific requirements. The Beatles seem to have trusted Martin. In the photos he is comfortably within the circle of the group, as both a listener and a contributor.
- How important is George Martin? Is he the fifth Beatle?
Read the following paragraph from George Martin:
"My first sessions with [The Beatles] were [spent] looking for the voice. I thought they’re great people, but who am I going to make the lead voice? I spent an afternoon with each of them in turn, listening to them...They were singing together, but occasionally one would burst out in solo. Then it suddenly hit me that I was being stupid - I was looking for a solo voice when I didn’t need to, I should just take them as they were."
"My first sessions with [The Beatles] were [spent] looking for the voice. I thought they’re great people, but who am I going to make the lead voice? I spent an afternoon with each of them in turn, listening to them...They were singing together, but occasionally one would burst out in solo. Then it suddenly hit me that I was being stupid - I was looking for a solo voice when I didn’t need to, I should just take them as they were."
- What do you think George Martin did for The Beatles that they could not have done themselves?
- What do the two photos suggest about The Beatles’ feelings toward Martin? How do you think he fit into their ensemble?
MAKE YOUR OWN ROCK BAND!
Your group is a new rock band and you are developing a plan for success. Answer the questions below and prepare to share them with the class.
- What is your bands name?
- Who will play and sing what instruments in your band?
- Where will you play your music?
- Who is your target audience?
- How will these people know to come see you?
- Do you hope to be heard and seen by the people outside of your city or town? Where?
- How will you reach these people (radio, tv, street, instagram, tiktok, etc.)
- How will you get these people to watch and listen?
- Will your band need to seek outside assistance to achieve its goals? From who?
- Imagine you're an anonymous viewer who stumbles upon your bands video on YouTube, what do you see? Do you look professional?
REFLECTION
- Based on what you know about The Beatles, do you think they considered how they looked and how they sounded?
- Can you think of any other career paths in which a talented person or group is guided to success by the assistance of an outsider? What similarities or differences do you see to the teamwork of The Beatles with Epstein and Martin?
- Do you think your life could benefit from a partnership such as The Beatles had with Epstein and Martin?
MODERN COVERS
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