What the British Invasion Really Meant

The British Invasion was a phenomenon during the mid-1960s. Rock and pop singers, songwriters, and bands traveled across the pond to the good old USA, and the early 60s counter-culture began. In the early 60s, America was smitten with Doris Day, Lorene Green, and the Lettermen.

Wherever you were, Detroit to Philadelphia to Akron to Birmingham, you were listening to great American acts like The Rooftop Singers, Little Peggy March, Mitch Miller, Steve Lawrence, Paul Anka, Paul and Paula, and Jan and Dean.

Then in February of 1964, the Beatles would appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, and the rest was history. “She Loves You,” “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Please Please Me,” “Twist and Shout,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “P.S. I Love You,” “A Hard Day’s Night”, and “She’s a Woman” were all top 10 Beatles’ singles that year.

Very few singers and bands that were on the charts the moment the Beatles took the Ed Sullivan stage survived the onslaught of British performers. Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Beach Boys were able to make the transition.