Even though can be compared to as collective teen idols when it comes to driving their female fans to frenzy, the Beatles used that as a springboard to become one of the successful and groundbreaking musical groups of all time; whether or not that recognition will come to Bieber still remains to be seen so let’s give him some time. It should be noted that when The Beatles arrived on the scene, the naysayers were sure they were just a passing fad, just like many people in the ‘50’s thought that Rock ‘n Roll wouldn’t last. But this blog is not really about comparing the two musically; the real intention is to spotlight the one elusive trait all great artists (and brands for that matter) have – and that’s a “hook” - just like hit songs have that hook – the one thing that grabs a listener’s attention and stays with them – and “hooks” them enough to come back. Yes, The Beatles had many of the most memorable musical and lyrical hooks of all time, but I am talking about the essence of what made them stand out beyond the music. And that was their look; collarless suits, Beatle boots and of course, their mop top Beatle hair. The hair more than anything was key to their early success, and the image became so iconic, that many young musicians still channel it today – including Justin Bieber.
That one common thread in an artist’s hook gives fans something they can emulate to let everyone know they are almost as cool as their idols…besides The Beatles, think Elvis, the early Stones, Zeppelin, and on and on. But let’s put aside musicians for a moment and consider actors. In my world, Steve McQueen was the coolest and even though I was as far from cool as a 9 year old kid could be, I became coolest kid on my block when my parents bought me a replica of the sawed-off rifle his character Josh Randall on the hit TV series Wanted Dead or Alive kept in his gun belt, and was only all too happy to speed draw it out to mow down the bad guys with. Later on when I outgrew toy guns, I fantasized about riding a Triumph motorcycle just like the one he almost escaped the Nazis on as the “Cooler King” in the Great Escape (Side note: McQueen was a motorcycle racer in real life and since he was the best stunt rider they had, he also played the German motorcyclists chasing himself – I found out years later that the film’s insurance company wouldn’t let him do the big jump at the end, even though he was more than capable, so his riding buddy did that for him). When I finally grew up – many, many years later, my wife bought me a Triumph Motorcycle as a wedding present which fulfilled a fantasy two-fer – the bike, and the woman of my dreams.
I could write a book about this topic (actually I did) but the point is, talent a given, for any successful artist, actor or brand (even though there’s no “r” in “band” I believe you have to become one to sustain yourself in today’s world), you got to find that “hook” that grabs them and keeps them coming back for more.
Coda: The idea for his blog began to germinate when I read about Fess Parker’s death a few months ago. You see, even before McQueen, I wanted to be like Fess Parker’s TV character Davy Crockett. All I needed, along with million of other baby boomer boys, was a coonskin cap. Think of my generation’s progress – Davy’s cap, followed by Beatle hair, Indiana Jones’ fedora….all about the “look” which of course is the “hook.”
Note: For another application of “hooks” you can check out my contribution in the
