Disney’s new documentary,Beatles ‘64, reveals that American barbers protested the Fab Four in the 1960s, and they had a very specific beef with the band.Produced by Martin Scorsese,Beatles ‘64examines the Beatles’ impact on American pop culturewhen they made their first trip to the United States in February 1964. It was during this stint that they made their historic appearance onThe Ed Sullivan Show, which introduced the band to U.S. audiences and took the Beatlemania craze worldwide.
Not only doesBeatles ‘64have a great soundtrack; it’s full of fascinating insights into this crucial period in the history of the iconic band. The documentary,directed by David Tedeschi, contrasts footage of contemporary Beatles fans gushing over their new favorite band with footage of the band members themselves, highlighting their interpersonal conflicts. One of the key revelations from the doc is thatthe Beatles were protested and boycotted by barbers all across America, and they had a good reason for it.
The Beatles Contributed Toward A Trend Of Men Growing Their Hair Longer
Men Wore Their Hair Longer To Look Like John, Paul, George & Ringo
The popularity of the Beatles led to a trend of men growing their hair longer. When they started out in the early ‘60s, the Beatles each had a youthful comb-over bowl cut. Throughout the ‘60s, their hair got longer and longer. By the time they broke up in 1970, they had thick, flowing manes of hair and full beards. Their most iconic look from the decade — andthe one they sported when they got to America in 1964 — was dubbed the “mop-top.”
The producers ofBeatles ‘64include Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sean Ono Lennon, and Olivia Harrison.
As the Beatles became the biggest stars in the world, their hairstyle became one of the biggest fashion trends.Men across America ditched their post-war buzz cuts and started growing out their own mop-topsto emulate their favorite rock band. This meant thatthey stopped going to their local barber, and those barbers noticed a decline in their business. This led barbers across the United States toprotest the Beatles for supposedly starving them by popularizing a longer, less groomed hairstyle.
The Beatles Wasn’t The Only Reason Men Grew Their Hair During The 1960s
The Longer Hair Trend Was Indicative Of The Rebellious Attitude Of The ’60s
WhileBeatles ‘64focuses on the Beatles’ cultural impact during this time, they weren’t the sole reason for the longer hair trend in the ‘60s. Overall,men were growing out their hair to a longer style as a sign of the radical rebellion that was coming with the times. The rise of the hippie movement and the Beat Generation and widespread opposition to the Vietnam War and rock bands like the Beatles all came together to make the ‘60s a period of anti-establishment upheaval.
Beatles ‘64
Cast
Beatles ‘64 is a documentary directed by David Tedeschi, showcasing the rise of The Beatles during their landmark 1964 visit to New York City. Utilizing rare footage, it captures Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr’s transformative impact on music and culture as they achieved global fame.
