About This Lesson
The Beatles are famous for their remarkable catalog of hit songs and innovations in the recording studio, but they are also known for their “look” and for their humorous, approachable personal style. When they first formed as a band in the late 1950s, they looked and dressed like typical teenagers, with messy hair, jeans and leather jackets. But under the thoughtful guidance of manager Brian Epstein, who started working with the group in 1962, they began appearing in matching suits and ties.
At the time Epstein came on, The Beatles had played concerts primarily in two different regions, Liverpool and surrounding areas, and Hamburg, Germany. Epstein sought to introduce them to a wider audience. Wearing the same clean-cut outfits and sporting similar haircuts (which were considered dangerously long for the time) turned The Beatles into a traveling musical team. While The Beatles focused on their songwriting and musicianship, Epstein, among other tasks, helped design their look. According to Paul McCartney: “In the early days it was clear that he had a vision of us that was beyond the vision we had of ourselves…. Brian kept us together as a team.” Their visual persona, charisma, and the effect of intimacy they created between themselves and their fans engendered a new kind of rock star.
