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Review the condition of the music market

• hundreds of small, successful independent record companies
• dizzying series of hit singles & artists (vs. predictability of the mid-50s)
• transformation from adult-oriented society to youth-oriented
• fascination with black culture (esp. music)

1964 - rock enters its 2nd decade!!

Society in the 60s

• New Frontier - Kennedy's administration (youngest president)
• new optimism (peace, racial justice, & love)

11/22/63 - Kennedy assassination shattered the dream, staggering the hope, optimism, & faith of the youth movement ... things like that "don't happen here"

It was in the wake of the resulting depression and national vulnerability that the British Invasion hit

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