Even if the word “pop” disappears from the English vocabulary, the influence of pop will remain. Pop has become a part of British—and American—history.

There has always been a close cultural link, or tie, between Britainand English—speakingAmerica, not only in literature but also in the popular arts, especially music. Before the Second World War the Americans exported jazz and the blues. During the 1950s they exported rock ’n’ roll.

Then in the early 1960s a new sound was heard, very different from anything that had so far come from the American side of theAtlantic. This was theLiverpool, or Merseyside, “beat”. Situated on the River Mersey in the north—eastern corner of the industrial Black Country,Liverpoolwas not a place that anyone visited for fun. Until the 1960s it was known only as one ofBritain’s largest ports. Then, almost overnight, it became world famous as the birthplace of the new pop culture which, in a few years, swept acrossBritainandAmerica, and across most of the countries of the western world.

The people responsible for the pop revolution were fourLiverpoolboys who joined together in a group and called themselves The Beatles. They played in small clubs in the back streets of the city. Unlike the famous solo stars who had their songs written for them, the Beatles wrote their own words and music. They had a close personal relationship with their audience, and they expected them to join in and dance to the “beat” of the music. Audience participation is an essential characteristic of pop culture.

The Beatles finally won the affection—and admiration—of people of all ages and social backgrounds. As they developed, their songs became more serious. They wrote not only of love, but of death and old age and poverty and daily life. They were respected by many intellectuals and by some serious musicians. Largely thanks to the Beatles, pop music has grown into an immense and profitable industry.

The influence of British pop inAmericawas immense. American pop groups soon became as famous as British groups. Both British and Americans are experimenting with new ideas, and pop is developing and changing, and merging with modern folk music.

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