Liverpool!

On June 28^th 2011 the Raymond Walter study abroad group woke up bright and early and made their way to Liverpool. We arrived in Liverpool around 10am and had just enough time to drop off our luggage and be on our way to the Beatles museum. Arriving at the museum I really did not know what to expect.  I assumed that it would be like any other museum, full of old records, posters, and different types of memorabilia. I was pleasantly surprised upon our arrival we were given an audio tour that was be able to tell us the story about all of the different time periods and people that were important in the development of The Beatles.  The museum started off telling the story about how the band first formed when they were known as the Quarrymen. It explained how it was originally John’s group; Paul was next invited to Join after John met him on July 6^th 1957 at the local church. A little time after when they were in need of a guitarist Paul brought up the idea of his friend George Harrison. As we continued through the museum we were told about and shown imitations of things like Nems (Brian Epstein’s record store), the yellow submarine, and life size manikins of the Beatles.

(Here below is a picture of the July 6^th performance)

After we were done with the museum we grabbed a quick coffee from Starbucks, went to the gift shop, and waited to go on the Magical Mystery Tour bus. The bus picked us up at 2. I was really excited to go on this tour; I anticipated that we would see important places around Liverpool that were important in the Beatles childhood. The first place we drove by was the childhood home of Ringo. It was obvious by the neighborhood in which he lived in that his family was on the lower class side. We were not able to stop at his house but by looking down the street I would guess that it was a smaller house where they only had the necessities. The next stop we made was at Penny Lane. It was so cool and surreal to be next to the sign (although not the original) and on the street in which the song was recorded about.  Although none of the band members lived on Penny Lane, they took the bus going down this street almost daily. Driving down the Lane I could imagine the feeling they must have felt and was picturing the barber shop, and the bank. This Lane had a very small town, close community feeling. This was a very important area in their childhood, although they did not all know each other throughout their childhood this lane is something that they all had in common and could relate too.

                After getting back on the bus we only drove a short distance before we arrived at George Harrison’s childhood home. George lived in a smaller house in the suburbs. He and George would ride the bus together to their school. If it’s wasn’t for the bus rides George and Paul had together they may have never learned each other’s love for music at a young age. After taking a few pictures at George’s house we hopped back onto the bus. We then were on our way to Strawberry Field. Strawberry Field was a huge inspiration in John Lennon’s life. This was an orphanage that John spent a great amount of time at. He would be in the field dreaming and being by himself. John Lennon was very much of an introvert, this was a place like this was where he felt as though he could escape and get lost in his mind. When he was at Strawberry field he was able to escape reality and feel that he was safe. I was lucky enough to be able to go on the tour of John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s homes. When I was at John Lennon’s house I was informed that John’s Uncle George built John a tree house in their backyard. The tree house overlooked Strawberry Fields also. I feel that John associated this place as his safe place and home.

After leaving Strawberry Fields we drove by John Lennon’s house (Home of Aunt Mimi and Uncle George). We were unable to stop on the Magical Mystery tour, but I was able to go the following day for the tour. Throughout John’s childhood he did not have very many stable things in his life. The one thing that always remained stable was the home that Aunt Mimi provided for him. On the tour of John’s house the tour guide told the story of how Aunt Mimi did everything in her power to make sure that John would always have this home. After George died in 1955 she began letting more students live there for their rent money.  I think that this shows what a great influence Mimi had in John’s life. She was able to show him a sense of security, and able to show him that anything is possible even in dark times.

                The next stop we made was Paul McCartney’s childhood home. Although Paul moved around a lot as a child, this home was where he lived the longest. At the age of 14 Paul’s mother died of breast cancer. His mother was a midwife and made a great percentage of their families’ income. With his father being in sales he would work long hours which would allow Paul and John a lot of free time to work on their music and play their guitars after school. Paul’s and John were able to connect over their love of music, deaths of their mothers, and much more. They had a friend ship that was inseparable for quit some time.  They are what many call the greatest song writing team.

                Our final stop was our drop off at the Cavern club. The Cavern club is associated with the Beatles younger years. This was the club that they performed at a lot when they were starting.  I really enjoyed being in the atmosphere listening to the music of the Beatles tribute bands. Later that night when I returned with a few others Susan, Katie and I were invited on stage to sing Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds with Tim aka Paul McCartney want a bee.  Although vocally I am not as good as others words cannot express the feeling that came over me. It really was one of the coolest experiences that I have had in my life.

Liverpool exceeded all of my expectations. These were two days that I will remember for probably the rest of my life. I cannot put into words the excitement that I have had, and the great memories that I am making with some amazing people. I have also found a new sense of respect for the member of The Beatles seeing what they went through as a child and the challenges that some faced in their careers.

British Musical Experience

Music has always been something cherished by many.  The image that is given off by musicians can have many great impacts on their audiences. In the 1950’s the young population was obsessed with the looks of their favorite starts such as Elvis Presley, young girls would flock over his appearance while young boys would try to dress like him. This goes to show that one individual can have a huge impact on a culture trend. The 1960’s were no different. This was a time and growth for culture. During this time was when British pop music and fashion was becoming more known and popular. The fashion and hair styles quickly began to change.  Many young teens idolized their favorite musicians and would try to imitate their appearance. Males wanted to pull off the sex appeal which would attract their female target. The young men would try to make their hair resemble their idols.

 In 1963 when the Beatles first became known nationwide they were introduced wearing their “iconic colorless suits”.  Girls would go wild over the look of the four men. The only debate would be which one looked the best in their suits. The Beatles tight fitted suits with the velvet trim and longer hair styles known as the mop top soon became a fashion trend in the early 1960s. Many young teens would try to imitate their look. The younger generation loved the Beatles style; however the older generation was not as impressed. Many did not think that it was appropriate for men to have longer hair that would cover their ears. They felt that the tight fitted suits were a bit scandalous and showed off too much of their physical appearance. 

The women’s fashion in the 1960 was also a popular trend. Short miniskirts and colorful prints were very popular. In 1965 if you had the right body type you would wear a mini skirt or dress. In one of the exhibits the pink satin mini dress designed by Eric Plant for Darnell of London was a dress worn by Dusty Springfield. This dress was a very short pink dress. There was a lot of embroidering around her neck. Dusty Springfield wanted this so the attention would be put on her face. She got her wished and was seen as a fashion icon from many of her young female audience. Beading on clothing became very popular for young women. Women also wanted to have a sex appeal that would attract men. The average look of a young teenage girl in the 1960’s would be a mini skirt (6-7 inches above the knee) accompanied by a fun top with beading that would draw attention to their long straight hair and makeup and big high heels that would make their legs look long. Style trends change throughout time however females in the 1960’s and females today both want to look their best and try to attract their audience. 

  In the 1960’s the fashion world was introduced to a whole new trend when the Rolling Stones were introduced. The Rolling Stones became idols and they grew their hair long. They experienced with different fashion trends that no one else had tried. In the Rolling Stone’s exhibit the outfit’s worn by the guitarist Keith Richards were all very flashy and controversy to an older generation. In the exhibit it quotes him saying, “Fashion thinks more about me than I think about it, I just wore what I wore and people noticed”.  Many of the bands clothing were very loud. They got the attention of millions; they were looks that many could not pull off. They would wear bright very tight suits, frilly shirts, and colors that many were not yet introduced to. In the exhibit there was a jumpsuit designed by Ossie Clark and worn by Mick Jagger. His fashion when he dressed those such as Mick Jagger would be one “using sensuous fabric, figure hugging designs and plunging necklines”. The outfit in the exhibit was just this. Styles such as the Rolling Stone’s brought a sense of being unique and taking risks that was before not done. The Rolling Stones too many are the ultimate Rock and Roll band. Today they are still entertaining fans by their music and sense of fashion. 

                The British Musical Experienced really made my interest in music grow. I was introduced to bands and song writers that I never had heard of until now. I found this experience very informative. I learned not only about fashion of the different decades but I was able to see the culture influence that the stars had on their fans. Today fashion still is much a part of our culture. Many want to wear the latest trend of clothing. I think that musical stars are great people to be able to look up to and idolize.  In the 1960’s teens looked at the Beatles for fashion guidance, just as in the 1990’s young girls idolized the spice girls. “The little black dress” worn by Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) became a staple in young teens wardrobes. This experience opened my eyes and allowed me to have a greater experience in British music.