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Part 1: From obscurity to international sensation
The Beatles are ranked #1 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 100 greatest artists, and why wouldn’t they be? In terms of commercial success, cultural/global impact, innovation, and legacy they stand alone. During our two evenings, we will trace their trajectory from being a bubble-gum rock and roll band to a group that would redefine the perimeters of rock, taking it into uncharted and even unimagined directions. Perhaps the most amazing thing about the Beatles is that they proved worthy of their early adulation, challenging the boundaries of pop music and bequeathing us a remarkably rich heritage.
Robert Hartwell holds a doctorate in music education from Columbia University. As professor of music at Foothill College, he specializes in welcoming the uninitiated into the world of classical music. He co-authored a three-volume series on the history of Western music, and contributed to the New Pedagogies in Higher Education series. He has served as a pre-performance lecturer for the San Francisco Opera.
