Grup Scolar Industrial Rasnov

“British Music Past & Present”

Co-ordinating teacher:
Hristache Simona

Student:
Calara Ioan Bogdan
 Contents

Introduction
I. British Music
1. British Music in the 1960s
2. British Music of the 1970s
3. British Music in the 1980s
4. British Music of the 1990s
5. British Music of the 21st century

II. British Rock Bands

1. Genesis
2. The Rolling Stones
3. The Who
4. Pink Floyd

III.Case Study: The Beatles

IV. The Brit Awards
V. Famous British Musicians and Composers
1. A few of their composers
2. Musical song writers
3. Pop and Rock
4. Foreign artists popular in Britain

Conclusions
 I. British Music

1. British Music in the 1960s

The Rock and Roll Years

The 1960's are remembered nostalgically in Britain as the 'rock and roll' years. This was the
decade that British pop music erupted with energy, and through creating big stars of this
phenomena, like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, British pop music exploded onto the world
scene.
“All you need is love” : The Beatles
Nearly 60 years since they formed and became the most influential British music band ever, The
Beatles remain a much-loved institution. As do the band's four members, icons whose distinctive
voices and musical styles are etched into our consciousness, despite the deaths of John Lennon
and George Harrison.
“Can't get no Satisfaction” : The Rolling Stones
Friends and friendly rivals to the Beatles, The Rolling Stones remain together as a band, and play
together on huge world tours regularly.

2. British Music of the 1970s

Post-hippiedom : the 70's Wave of Psychedelic Sound

After the 60's musical revolution, the 70s proved to be a deeper exploration of sound, with less
emphasis on the crafted 3-minute pop song, and a move into psychedelic instrumentation. This
was the generation of Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett, Led Zeppelin, T Rex, and David Bowie.
'The Wall' : Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett
Marrying songs of love and social issues with soaring guitar and painful sounds, Pink Floyd were
the British band seen as an antidote to the end of the 60's era.
“The spider from Mars” : David Bowie
A true original from the 1970s is David Bowie – always original, chameleon-like in his approach to
new, inventive sound, and fond of bringing glamour and fashion into music, coupled with a
futuristic style.
“All the young dudes”
Borrowing this lyric from David Bowie, other influential music bands that rose to prominence in
the 1970s include Led Zeppelin, with their heavy rock sound, T Rex and Marc Bolan and
Genesis, with their front man Phil Collins.

3. British Music in the 1980s

“Dancing, with tears in my eyes” : British Pop Seeks an Image
Looking back, the start of the 1980s weren't a glorious time for British popular music. Bands
seemed to have lost their way after the hedonism and experimentation of the previous 2 decades.
Individuals like Freddy Mercury and David Bowie continued ploughing their own way, and great
music came out of a few inspired individuals like them.
“Money's too tight to mention” : The Rise of Reactionary Creativity
The new wave of music in the early part of the decade included bands such as Wham, Duran
Duran, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Ultravox, and individuals like Howard Jones, Rick Astley,
and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan; the last few products of skilful creation and marketing by
publicists Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
 4. British Music of the 1990s

“Don't look back in Anger” : British Music in the 1990s (lyric by Oasis)
British popular music in the 1990s continued to ride the political wave of the mid to late 1980s and
seemed to catch some of the fervour of counter-culture rebellion that had first started in the
1960s.
“Be here now” : Oasis – Brotherly Love and Massive Success
Formed in 1991 in Manchester, by brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, Oasis have been described
in The Guinness Book of hit singles and albums (in 2005) as ' the most successful act of the last
decade in the UK.'
They are known as the prime band of a new wave of music, called 'Britpop', that emerged in the
1990s in Britain, along with other bands like Inspiral Carpets Blur and Pulp.
'The Bends' : Radiohead and Other Streams of Sound
Radiohead were formed in 1986 in Oxfordshire, and released their first single in 1992.
Unpromisingly reviewed then by NME (the highly influential but, sometimes wrong, music paper,
New Musical Express) as “ a lily livered excuse for a rock band”, they produced a stream of
albums, including 'The Bends', 'Ok Computer', and 'Amnesiac'.

5. British Music of the 21st century

The top 10 bands in Britain today

10. David Bowie

One of rock's pivotal style icons and innovators, Bowie's major
achievements (Ziggy Stardust, Young Americans, Low, Heroes et al) have
involved remodelling fringe ideas for the mainstream.
Sound:16
Songs:14
Gigs:18
Style:15
Attitude:13
Total: 76

9. The Streets
He looks like a naughty schoolboy and sounds like a rascal, his days one
long blur of PlayStation, dope and too much brandy. But in putting that
lackadaisical life to a soundtrack of cheap bleeps and Casio melodies, Mike
Skinner pushed UK garage to a whole new level.
Sound:20
Songs:17
Gigs:11
Style:10
Attitude:19
Total: 77
8. The Darkness
Proving, as Adam Ant said, that ridicule is nothing to be scared of, the
Darkness sashayed out of Lowestoft to give glam-metal a 21st-century voice.
Sound:10
Songs:14
Gigs:15
Style:19
Attitude:20
Total: 78

7. Mis-Teeq
Britain's answer to Destiny's Child (albeit with a penchant for PVC jerkins),
Mis-Teeq have long since outpaced the garage scene that created them. It's
hard to believe this primped and polished - but utterly cool - trio were raised
in south and west London. Sound:15
Songs:16
Gigs: 16
Style:17
Attitude:15
Total: 79

6. Blur
Their name may have been picked under duress from a record company
shortlist of meaningless epithets, but it suits them. Blur are all about velocity.
Whether you consider Damon Albarn a mercurial genius or a dexterous
dilettante, he never sits still, the only constant being a passionate belief that
pop and art are not mutually exclusive.
Sound:15
Songs:18
Gigs: 18
Style:15
Attitude:15
Total: 81

5. Roots Manuva
British rap has often been in awe of its American forebear, but Roots
Manuva has changed that. Roots - Rodney Smith to his mum - claims that
Ian Dury and Chas and Dave have influenced his rap as much as Public
Enemy, while his backing tracks mix Brixton reggae with Depeche Mode.
Sound:18
Songs:17
Gigs: 13
Style:15
Attitude:19
Total: 82

4.The Coral
In terms of looks, there is little to differentiate the Coral from any of the
innumerable bands of young lads that Britain churns out. Musically, however,
the Liverpool sextet are worlds apart.
Sound:20
Songs:19
Gigs: 20
Style:10
Attitude:15
Total: 84
 3. P J Harvey
It has been Polly Jean Harvey's ambition, throughout her career, to be
considered not a great female musician but a great rock musician. Of course,
in her contrary way, she has also spent a lot of those years flaunting her
femininity, donning slinky catsuits and spiky high heels, singing of sex and
dresses and bad-hair days.
Sound : 17
Songs: 16
Gigs: 19
Style:17
Attitude:18
Total: 87

2,Radiohead
The sight of 100,000 people twitching wildly to Idioteque at Glastonbury this
year was testament to how far Radiohead have come. After OK Computer
launched a wave of hyperbole big enough to drown them, the relatively
obtuse Kid A seemed like a retreat to higher ground - but it only increased its
creators' mystique.
Sound:19
Songs:17
Gigs:20
Style:13
Attitude:19
Total: 88

1. The Libertines
The Libertines have had a turbulent 12 months since the release of their
debut album, Up the Bracket. Co-frontman Pete Doherty was awol from the
band when he was arrested for burgling bandmate Carl Barat's flat, and
subsequently jailed..
Sound:19
Songs:19
Gigs:13
Style:19
Attitude:20
Total: 90

II. British Rock Bands

1. Genesis

Originally formed by a group of schoolboys at Charterhouse School, Genesis have become one
of Britain's most enduring rock bands with an impressive list of hit albums and singles to their
name.
Surprisingly however Genesis has never had a number one single in the United Kingdom
although in America they have claimed the prized top spot on the Billboard Charts. With a career
spanning four decades Genesis has gone through many changes including the loss of their
original lead singer Peter Gabriel (who himself has gone on to have a commercial and critically
successful career). Gabriel was replaced as lead singer by Phil Collins who joined the band as
their drummer and also sang backing vocals.
And so a new chapter in the history of Genesis began.
With a string of number one albums and sell-out tours to their name Genesis have become
synonymous with big stadium numbers as well as ballads that tug at the heart strings. In 1991
Genesis recorded their last studio album with Phil Collins as singer and after a hiatus of five years
Collins finally announced his desire to leave the band.

2. The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones are again another of Britain's fine rock band exports. Comprising Mike Jagger,
Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood, The Rolling Stones has been making music
since 1962. The aforementioned line-up has been the band's staple for the last fifteen years.
Credited as the band with the highest grossing tour in the world the Stones have had eight
number one singles and numerous number one albums. At the present time there is no new
material on the horizon but for The Rolling Stones and their fans that does not mean the end of a
band who have successfully put British rock on the world music scene.

3. The Who

No list or encyclopaedia of British Rock would be complete without mentioning The Who. Formed
in 1964 The Who has been responsible for some of the most influential and successful albums in
rock history including the rock opera Tommy. Fronted by Roger Daltrey, The Who has clocked up
an impressive 12 albums and have been playing to capacity crowds in venues all over the globe.
 4. Pink Floyd

Again another one of Britain's finest rock bands who have captured the imaginations of
generations of music listeners and concert goers since their inception in 1964. With estimated
album sales around 74.5 million Pink Floyd brought the world 'The Dark Side of The Moon'
(1973), 'Wish You Were Here' (1975) and 'The Wall' (1979). Although in a state of limbo since
1996 the band reformed for a one-off performance at the Live 8 concert in London in July of 2005
sparking rumours of a return to recording although at the time of writing there seems to be no
sign of this actually happening.
Front man Dave Gilmour (guitar and vocals) has enjoyed success in his own right as a solo artist
and continues to produce albums on a regular basis.

III. Case Study: The Beatles

'The Long and Winding Road': The Story of The Beatles

The Beatles were a phenomena who touched and profoundly changed British culture. Their music
and presence influenced the nation throughout the sixties and their songs still resonate around
the world, despite the band breaking up in 1970. According to the Recording Industry Association
of America, The Beatles are the bestselling musical act of all time in the USA.
The four lads from Liverpool; John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr,
all came from very humble beginnings, but through the power of music, they all became highly
respected and well-known figures, never far from the public gaze.
Sadly, Lennon was killed in 1980 and Harrison died in 2001. McCartney has recently released a
new album, and Starr regularly tours and is recording another album.

The Early Years: 'Twist and Shout'

The Beatles were un-officially formed when Lennon and McCartney met at a garden fete in
Liverpool in 1957. Lennon had a skiffle band at the time called The Quarrymen. McCartney joined
the band as rhythm guitarist, Harrison soon joined as lead guitarist, and Lennon's art-school
friend Stuart Sutcliffe joined as bass player. They went through several drummers, including Pete
Best, until Starr was recruited later, in 1962.
Tours of Scotland and then in Germany gave them space to practice and gain confidence as
musicians. Manager Brian Epstein, in 1962, pushed for the band to get a recording contract,
which they signed with EMI and released their first LP 'Please Please Me' in march of 1963. This
album started their catapult into fame and the start of beatlemania.

Into The Mid-Sixties: 'Eleanor Rigby'

With Britain and the US now gripped by the band, through lots of airplay, tours and TV
appearances, over just a few years more great albums followed:
* 'With the Beatles' (1963)
* 'A Hard Day's Night' (1964)
* 'Beatles for Sale' (1964)
* 'Help' (1965)
* 'Rubber Soul' (1965)

A Decade Through Music: The Enduring Legacy of The Beatles

Whether you were born in the sixties or not, the music of the Beatles has permeated the skin and
cultural psyche of Britain and the British. Whether you love them, or hate them; whether you
identify more with the band in their early period, or with them in their darker, deeper years – the
Beatles sound and spirit remains with us and ultimately enriches us. From short songs about
love, through soulful ballads and dirty ditties, the legacy of sound that the combined geniuses of
Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr have given Britain and the world is a national (and
International) treasure

IV. The Brit Awards

The Brit Awards are the UK's premier awards event, honouring musicians who have made
achievements in the world of music and entertainment.
Of particular importance every year is the winner of the 'outstanding lifetime achievement' award,
usually given to an elder statesman or woman of the British music scene.

Some of the categories and the winners

* Best British Male singer and performer: Mark Ronson Also nominated were Jamie T, Mika,
Newton Faulkner, Richard Hawley
* Best British female singer and performer: Kate Nash Also nominated were bat For Lashes,
KT Tunstall, Pj Harvey
* Best British new album: The Arctic Monkeys - 'favourite worst nightmare' Also nominated
were: Leona Lewis - 'spirit', Mark Ronson - 'version', Mika - 'my life in cartoon motion', Take That -
'beautiful world'
* Best British group: The Arctic Monkeys Also nominated were: Editors, girls Aloud, The Kaiser
Chiefs, Take That
 * Best British breakthrough act of the year (this award was chosen by BBC Radio 1 listeners in
a special poll): Mika
* Also nominated were: Bat For Lashes, Kate Nash, Klaxons, and Leona Lewis Best British live
act of the year (this award was chosen by a special poll of BBC Radio 2 listeners): Take That
Also nominated were: The Arctic Monkeys, The Kaiser Chiefs, Klaxons, and Muse
* Best British single of the year (the winner was chosen by a live public vote on the night of the
ceremony): Take That - 'shine' Also nominated were: Leona Lewis - 'bleeding love', Mika - 'grace
kelly', Amy Winehouse - 'valerie', The Hoosiers - 'worried by ray'

V. Famous British Musicians and Composers

1. A few of their composers

Henry Purcell (1659 - 1695)

He was born in 1659 in London in a famous family of musicians. His father and his uncle both
were Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal. He was a chorister in Chapel Royal until his voice broke in
1673 and he composed music for the Chapel when he was only 11.
He wrote much church music , including anthems such as “Rejoice in the Lord always” and “O
Praise God in His Holiness”, often set the psalms.
His only true opera was “Dido and Aeneas ”, written for a girl’s school at Chelsea.

Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934)

Elgar was born on the 2nd of June 1857 at Broadheath in the English West Midlands. He
studied the music in his father’s shop and taught himself to play a wide variety of instruments. It is
remarkable fact that Elgar was very largely self-taught as a composer-evidence of the strong
determination behind original and unique genius.
In 1889 married with Caroline Alice Roberts, daughter of the later Major-General Sir Henry
Roberts who had enjoyed a distinguished career with the British army in India.
His first success came with the “Variations on an Original Theme” (Enigma) in 1899. In 1933 he
flew to Paris to conduct his violin concerto with the youthful Yehudi Menuhim, the soloist with
whom he had recorded the work.

William Walton (1902 - 1983)

William Walton is one of the three indisputable leaders of the first generation of 20th century
British composers, together with Michael Tippett and Benjamin Britten (11 year younger). He was
born on the 29th of March 1902. William and his brother sang in the St. John’s Choir . He learned
to play piano and the violin. In 1918, at the age of sixteen, Walton began to compose a Piano
Quartet, his first scale composition.
His 75th and 80th birthday concerts in London were illustrious events which can have left him in no
doubt that he was regarded as one of the great men of British music. He died in Ischia three
weeks before his 81st birthday.

Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)

Vaughan Williams is arguably the greatest composers Britain had since the days of Henry
Purcell. In a long and extensive career, he composed notable music for its power, nobility and
expressiveness, representing, perhaps, the essence of “Englishness”.
He was born in 1872 in the Cotswold village of Down Ampney. Educated of Charterhouse
school, then Trinity College Cambridge, he was later a pupil of Stanford and Parry at the Royal
College of Music.
In a long and productive life, music flowed from his creative pen in profusion.

Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976)

He was born in Lowesoft on the 22nd of November 1913. He studied with Frank Bridge as a
boy and in 1930 entered the RCM. In 1934 he heard Wozzeck and planned to study with Berg,
but opposition at home stopped him.
Britten was appointed by a Companion of Honour in 1952, to the Order of Merit in 1965, and was
awarded a life peerage in 1976.
He died in Aldeburgh on the 4th of December 1976.

2. Musical Song Writers

Noel Coward (1899 - 1973), Lionel Bart (1930 - 1999), Andrew Lloyd-Webber (b. 1948)

3. Pop and Rock Singers

Cliff Richard, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Freddie
Mercury, Sting, George Michael.

4. Foreign artists popular in Britain

Christina Aguilera, Avril Lavigne, Anastacia ,Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Marilyn Manson,
Beyonce, Kylie Minogue, Black Eyed Peas, James Blunt, Muse, Nelly, Mariah Carey,
Oasis, Outkast, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Coldplay, Pussycat Dolls, The Rasmus, Craig David,
Missy Elliott, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Fatboy Slim, Ashlee Simpson, Jessica Simpson,
50 Cent, Britney Spears, Foo Fighters, Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Nelly Furtado, Spice Girls,
Girls Aloud, Gwen Stefani, Stereophonics, Gorillaz, Green Day, Sugababes, Justin Timberlake,
Jamelia, U2, Usher, Kanye West, Ronan Keating, Killers, Robbie Williams.

Conclusions

Music is the most wonderful thing in our life, because by its ways we can express in the most
natural way and also in the most adequate style.

From the time it appeared it put its composers to work more and more in order to bring to the
world the greatest creation through which it expresses its feelings so that the message can be
understood.

When you search Britain’s culture you find besides literature and language a great history of
music. This history was enriched by those great composers who touched by the music’s features
composed real treasures. Beginning from the Purcell who marked the culminate point then
followed by the German-English Haendel, classical music in Britain takes a great affront.

There is no doubt that every composer had a certain influence with their works on Britain’s
culture, because near music, literature and other arts developed their features, and all those
combined made music to be a brilliant piece of jewelry.
Throughout the decades, Britain has been driven by an unwavering passion for
music.
Great Britain has produced an incredible array of styles, characters and artists, many
of which have exploded onto the international scene to great success, propelling
Britain onto the world stage.

Britain’s contribution to popular music over the years has been phenomenal. The
musical styles of each decade have not died, but have inspired the developments in
subsequent generations. British music past and present is loved around the world.
Music 40 years old remains on people’s CD players today.