Text 15. ROCK’N’ROLL & BEATLEMANIA

All four Beatles were born during 1940’s and grew up in the seaport of Liverpool, the city on the banks of the River Mersey.

In the post-war years in Britain, many teenagers of the 1950’s were influenced by events taking place across the Atlantic, in America. Film stars and fashions were copied and the youngsters wanted something different from their parents, they sought out their own kinds of music and style - they discovered rock’n’roll! In 1957 the emergence of a young truck driver named Elvis Presley had its effect here in England with release of his record “Heartbreak Hotel”.

‘NEMS’ was one of the busiest record shops in the centre of Liverpool, owned by Brian Epstein. A very successful businessman, Brian always liked to please his customers and because of numerous requests about the Beatles he decided to find out for himself more about the band.

Brian visited the Cavern one lunch-time when the Beatles were playing and although he was only 27 years old he felt very out of place in his smart suit, shirt and tie.

However, he was struck by the charisma and music of the Beatles and asked them to visit him in his office.

Brian told the group he would like to become their manager, but he did point out that some things would have to change, especially their scruffy image - this they agreed to, provided they didn’t have to change their music.

‘The Beatles’ began playing together in 1959 appearing in German and English clubs until a string of hits in 1962/63 made them Britain’s top new band.

The music scene of the early 1960s was very different from the present day. With the music charts being dominated on both sides of the Atlantic mainly by American artists, it was quite unusual for a British star to enter the charts. But things were soon to change, word was spreading about four young men from Liverpool, who were taking England by storm. What followed is usually called ‘Beatlemania’. The group couldn't appear in public without police protection. They had conquered the world but not seen it, prisoners in hotel rooms.

One of their records had been promoted in the USA and the American DJs had been plugging this ‘new British sound’, so when the Beatles arrived at Kennedy Airport USA for the first time in February 1964 the welcome was beyond their wildest dreams; 5,000 screaming fans were heard above the screeching of jet engines.

They appeared on the Ed Sullivan show in front of 75,000,000 people, coast to coast. One of the songs they sang was “I want to Hold Your Hand”; this was their first American No.1 hit.

John, Paul, George and Ringo became more than just pop stars - they became the voice of a new generation. Managed by Brian Epstein and produced by George Martin, they had hit after hit on both sides of the Atlantic. They made interesting and original films, too - for example ‘Help’ and ‘A Hard Day’s Night’.

In April 1968 they formed 'The Apple Corporation'. They opened new offices in Savile Row the following June. Apple was going to have many divisions - films, music, electronics and even a clothes boutique. It was the dream of the Beatles to give others opportunities they themselves had been denied when starting in business in the very beginning.

By 1970 though, mixture of drugs, arguments and money problems brought the band’s career - and the ‘swinging sixties’- to an end.

I. Read the text ‘Rock’N’Roll & Beatlemania’ and say what facts are new and exciting.

II. Read the text again to find the answers to the questions below.

1. The idol of early 60’s was a young truck driver. What’s his name? What was he?

2. Why did he influence the youngsters of England?

3. What was ‘NEMS’?

4. Who was the first manager of the Beatles? How did they get acquainted?

5. What does ‘Beatlemania’ mean?

6. How did Americans welcome the Beatles in February, 1964? Why?

7. What other activities did the Beatles organize and take part in? Why did they do that?

8. What were the reasons for the band’s career end?

III. Compare the texts – ‘The Beatles’ and ‘Rock’n’Roll & Beatlemania’. Outline the similarities you can find between the two texts.

KEYS

Unit 2

Text B

Answers to Task II:

Answers to the Quiz “Moscow, the Heart of Russia”

Unit 4

1. “If” – problem: three cats, one after another

2. World Capitals: