The British Invasion
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The British Invasion

Updated 2027 GMT (0427 HKT) August 5, 2014
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The Beatles exploded on the American scene, kicking off the British Invasion. Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney arrive at JFK airport to an overwhelming, screaming reception to start their U.S. tour in 1964. Central Press/Getty Images
English singer Petula Clark's gold-record "Downtown" was a smash hit in America and around the world in the '60s. She won the Grammy in 1965 for the song. R. McPhedran/Express/Getty Images
Lead singer Eric Burdon fronts The Animals, whose song "House of the Rising Sun" is recognized as one of the classics of British pop music. The Animals' hits include "We've Gotta Get Out of the Place," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "See See Rider," and many others. Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Rolling Stones take over New York -- from left, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Brian Jones and Bill Wyman. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was their first No. 1 U.S. hit. Express Newspapers/Getty Images
Singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend of The Who perform at Woodstock on August 16, 1969. "My Generation" is one of the band's most recognizable songs. Archive Photos/Getty Images
Singer Dusty Springfield rehearses in 1965. She sang what they called "blue-eyed soul" -- most memorably "I Only Want to Be With You" -- and was famous for her blond beehive. Hulton Archive/Getty Images
British rhythm and blues group The Yardbirds include, from left, Chris Dreja, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty, Paul (Sam) Samwell-Smith and Jeff Beck. They hit it big in the U.S. with "For Your Love," "Heart Full of Soul" and "Over Under Sideways Down." John Pratt/Keystone Features/Getty Images
Herman's Hermits, who played bouncy pop, was led by Peter Noone (center). Well-known ditties included "I'm into Something Good" and "I'm Henry the VIII, I Am." Pierre Manevy/Express/Getty Images
Ray Davies, Dave Davies and Pete Quaife of The Kinks stand on a London rooftop. They brought a satiric and intelligent take to pop music. The band hit the U.S. with "Waterloo Sunset," "Tired of Waiting for You" and "Lola," among many other songs. Ray Moreton/Getty Images
Donovan holds his Rickenbacker guitar. He sang a mixture of folk and blues with wistful lyrics that captured the mood of the love generation. He recorded "Catch the Wind" when he was just 18. Keystone/Getty Images
The Dave Clark Five -- from left, Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson, Dennis Payton, Rick Huxley and Dave Clark -- were known for "Glad All Over" and "Bits and Pieces." George Hales/Getty Images
English singer Marianne Faithfull's career was overshadowed in the 1960s by her highly publicized affair with Mick Jagger. Her 60s hits include "As Tears Go By" and "What Have They Done to the Rain." Stephan C Archetti/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The Moody Blues, from left, Ray Thomas, Clint Warwick, Graeme Edge, Mike Pinder and Denny Laine, were known for an orchestral sound. "Go Now," "Tuesday Afternoon" and "Nights in White Satin" hit the U.S. charts in the 60s. Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images
Welsh singer Tom Jones' songs range from pop to gospel to blues to ballads. He came onto the 60s scene with songs like "Delilah," "It's Not Unusual" and "What's New Pussycat." William Lovelace/Express/Getty Images
Members of the English rock group The Hollies visit Hollywood in 1966. Graham Nash, from left, Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott and Eric Haydock sang songs like "Bus Stop" and "Just One Look." Nash later formed Crosby, Stills and Nash. Archive Photos/Getty Images