The Influence Of The British Invasion

These developments made a substantial impression on the British music scene. British artists of every stripe from beat groups to purveyers of easy listening fare were hurriedly signed up by American labels and promoted through the mass media with a vengeance. In the weeks immediately following the appearance of the Beatles, countless other U.K. recording acts some of whom had realized very little success in their own country enjoyed heavy radio play and print coverage stateside. The first onslaught of British performers to achieve success on the American charts included Dusty Springfield, the Dave Clark Five, the Searchers, Billy J. Kramer, and Peter and Gordon. Perhaps of even greater importance, countless other British youths were inspired to become musicians, resulting in a steady stream of talent which, many would argue, has remain undiminished to the present day.
With many of the long established American acts--as well as countless lesser luminaries--unable to compete with the host of often lackluster British stars, fresh stateside talent was more readily able to garner the attention of record company executive. Within a year or two of the initial British onslaught, a new wave of American musicians had already laid the groundwork for the creative renaissance in popular music during the latter half of the