Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
British Invasion
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964; Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and John Lennon sing and play guitars at the front, with Ringo Starr on drums in the back. Paul McCartney at the Cavern Club, c. 1960 The Searchers Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon run down a cobblestone alley in London, wearing suits, in a scene from the Beatles movie A Hard Day's Night.
At a Glance
default image
British Invasion summary
Quizzes
the Beatles. Rock and film. Publicity still from A Hard Day's Night (1964) directed by Richard Lester starring The Beatles (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr) a British musical quartet. rock music movie
Phenomenon From Across the Pond
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
The Beatles perform on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964; Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and John Lennon sing and play guitars at the front, with Ringo Starr on drums in the back.
The Beatles British rock group the Beatles performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, February 9, 1964: (clockwise from top) Ringo Starr, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney.

British Invasion

music
Written by
Ira A. Robbins
Editorial Director, MJI Broadcasting, New York City. Co-editor of The Trouser Press Guide to '90s Rock: The All-New Fifth Edition of The Trouser Press Record Guide.
Ira A. Robbins
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

British Invasion, musical movement of the mid-1960s composed of British rock-and-roll (“beat”) groups whose popularity spread rapidly to the United States. The Beatles’ triumphant arrival in New York City on February 7, 1964, opened America’s doors to a wealth of British musical talent. What followed would be called—with historical condescension by the willingly reconquered colony—the second British Invasion. Like their transatlantic counterparts in the 1950s, British youth heard their future in the frantic beats and...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile