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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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."
British Invasion bands —
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."
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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."
British Invasion bands —
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."
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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."
British Invasion bands —
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."
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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."
British Invasion bands —
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.
British Invasion bands —
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.
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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."
British Invasion bands —
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."
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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.
British Invasion bands —
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