The Beatles and Black Music
Les Spaine, one of the most important British club DJs of the 70s, explores the relationship between The Beatles and Black music.
By The Beatles Story
Les Spaine
The Three Graces and the docks, Liverpool (1934-07) by Aerofilms LtdHistoric England
Of course, no Liverpudlians were doing this more than the Liverpool musicians who were part of what was to become the Merseybeat explosion (e.g., Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers, Billy J. Kramer, Rory Storm, The Big Three, etc.)
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Such bands would try to be the first to learn whatever tracks they’d acquired from their sailor-relatives, and once they performed that song, they laid claim to it. An example of this is ‘The Hippy, Hippy Shake’ was seen in Liverpool as being ‘owned’ by The Swinging Blue Jeans.
Original ticket to The Beatles' final gig at The Cavern Club (1962) by UnknownThe Beatles Story
The Beatles
However, The Beatles were one of the few Liverpool bands to actually state at their gigs which black artists had originally recorded the song they were covering. This practice of ‘white UK artists covering songs by black American artists’ both hindered and helped the latter.
It hindered American black artists because their original versions were often outsold by the white artist’s cover. However, such practice also brought attention to those black artists who may not otherwise had been heard of by the UK record-buying public.
What made The Beatles great was that they were telling their audiences at The Cavern who they were covering before they even had a recording contract, which encouraged young Liverpudlians to ask their sailor friends to buy albums by the original artist when travelling overseas.
Black Covers
On their first five albums of 1963-65, almost all of The Beatles' covers were originally recorded by Black American soul artists, including The Shirelles’ ‘Boys’ & ‘Baby It’s You’, and The Marvelettes’ ‘Please Mr. Postman.'
Little Richard gig poster (1962) by Tony BoothThe Beatles Story
Little Richard
In terms of the influence of Black rock ‘n’ roll stars (as opposed to soul stars), it’s often been said that John Lennon was more influenced by Chuck Berry, whereas Paul McCartney was practically obsessed with Little Richard.
Chuck Berry
It was often considered an unwritten rule that John always took lead vocals for the Chuck Berry covers, whilst Paul always took lead vocals for The Beatles’ Little Richard covers.
Hamburg exhibit at The Beatles Story by The Beatles Story, Liverpool.The Beatles Story
Backbeat
In fact, in the 1994 movie ‘Backbeat’ (which documented The Beatles’ time in Hamburg), there is a fleeting scene where the actor portraying Lennon is singing Little Richard’s ‘Long Tall Sally.’ McCartney stated that this was the film’s only error.
The Beatles 'Love Me Do' record (1962) by EMIThe Beatles Story
Love Me Do
You can hear the rhythm and blues influence on certain Beatles compositions (especially in John’s writing), with songs such as ‘Yer Blues’, ‘Oh! Darling’ and even in their very first single ‘Love Me Do’.
The Beatles 'A Hard Day's Night' signed album cover (1964) by EMIThe Beatles Story
'You Can't Do That'
In terms of 1960s soul music, John pointed to his song ‘You Can’t Do That’ as being heavily influenced by Wilson Picket, whilst McCartney admitted that ‘Got To Get You Into My Life ’ and ‘She’s A Woman’ was an attempt to write a Motown-style song.
Stevie Wonder
Many Black soul artists have covered Lennon/McCartney, some more famous than others. Otis Redding’s ‘Day Tripper’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘We Can Work It Out’ are to name but a few.
'The Soul of Lennon & McCartney'
The 1995 album entitled ‘The Soul Of Lennon & McCartney’ has a fine collection of Black artists covering songs written by The Beatles, such as Aretha Franklin’s ‘Let It Be’, Wilson Picket’s ‘Hey Jude’, and Al Green’s ‘Get Back.’
Earth, Wind & Fire
In some cases, Beatles songs have been covered by artists of the very genre they were originally trying to emulate. ‘Got To Get You Into My Life’ was covered by Earth, Wind & Fire, whilst Fats Domino recorded ‘Lady Madonna’ which Fats himself had influenced McCartney to write.
Reggae
Many reggae acts have dipped into the Lennon/McCartney song book: Such as Jackie Edward's' ‘Yesterday’, John Holt's ‘I Will’, and Ken Boothe's ‘My Love’.
NEMS exhibit at The Beatles Story by The Beatles Story, Liverpool.The Beatles Story
Full Circle
It could be said that the ‘Black-Music: Beatles’ influence has come full circle. Although it may have started with bands like The Beatles hearing records by Black artists and covering them, The Beatles then added their own interpretation of such music in their own compositions.
It could be said that the ‘Black-Music: Beatles’ influence has come full circle. Although it may have started with bands like The Beatles hearing records by Black artists and covering them, The Beatles then added their own interpretation of such music in their own compositions.
By Les Spaine for The Beatles Story, Liverpool
