The Myth of the Fab Four: a Psychedelic Trip Inside the Beatles Rock Music of the 60s.

Abstract

This study provides a detailed analysis of the Beatles’ rock music from a literary and historical point of view, referring to the psychedelic context of England from the early 1960’s to the mid 1970’s. The boy band (composed by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) appears to be an innate revolutionary group of the twentieth century. This thesis explores the sense of rupture, detachment and ideological and political distance between the group and the upper English class that Beatles never failed to criticise. The role played by the band is that of a hero who fights against the conventions of his time. Psychedelia will be the common thread that will link the chapters of this study, focusing on the most significant works of the Beatles. Through the investigation of the albums analysed in this paper (“Rubber Soul”, “Revolver”, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “Magical Mystery Tour”, “The Beatles [White Album]”, “Abbey Road” and “Let It Be”) it will be possible to understand how the band and the political and historical context influenced each other.