10 Crazy similarities between One Direction and The Beatles

The Beatles are considered by many as the first real band comprised of dreamy guys. They garnered the love and respect of a generation of young people, many of whom had affection for a favorite band member. Many copycat groups followed, including extremely popular bands like The Who, The Monkees, NKOTB and the Backstreet Boys. But bands composed only of talented lads fell out of favor in the early 2000s. One Direction is considered by many as the re-emergence of the popular trend.

The Beatles were known for many things, but you can’t deny that one of those things was their hair. In fact, their style was so popular that the mop-top cut they sported became known as “The Beatle.” The lads of One Direction may not have a cut named after them (yet!), but teenage girls everywhere have followed the evolution of their luscious locks since day one. There’s not a young girl in America that wouldn’t give anything to run her fingers through that perfectly coiffed hair.

Both One Direction and The Beatles have named Elvis Presley as a major musical influence. John Lennon was famously affected by Elvis Presley’s controversial presentation and stage presence, and One Direction went so far as to salute Elvis in their music video “Kiss You.”

Because The Beatles and One Direction were launched into the limelight so early in their careers, the lads from both groups were — and are — young in their heyday. The Beatles made it big between the ages of 19 and 23, and the young men from One Direction were between the ages of 17 and 18 during their formation.

In 2010, the men of One Direction were just five solo competitors on the X Factor, and by 2012 they were known worldwide. The Beatles were actually a little slower at obtaining international acclaim, but within three years of their formation, they were known and loved worldwide.

Both One Direction and The Beatles were formed, in large part, by the influence and oversight of managers who never performed their own music. The Beatles were overseen by Brian Epstein, who helped form them into a presentable act, and One Direction formed on the recommendation of music mogul Simon Cowell.

The Beatles represented the beginning of a wave of British influence in 1960s America, because they were the first component of British pop culture to gain hold of the American psyche. British influence slowed down by the late 1970s, but critics now contend that One Direction started another British invasion with their debut.

So how did these Brits (and one Irishman, in the case of One Direction) gain a foothold in America? Both bands ingeniously used the media of their day to earn popularity and acclaim. The Beatles made their American debut on the popular Ed Sullivan Show, using television to gain an audience. One Direction won the love of fans both through their music and their use of social media to directly interact with their audience.

Bands like The Beatles and One Direction are what they are, in part, because of the crazed affection of young female fans. Girls in the 1960s often had a favorite Beatle, just like One Direction fans today often have special affection for Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry or Louis.

Unfortunately, The Beatles parted ways in 1970 to pursue solo projects after a wildly successful career together (thanks, Yoko Ono). One Direction, on the other hand, was only formed because each member of the band initially pursued solo success on X Factor prior to joining forces with one another.