Saturday, October 16, 2010

Soviet Paper Hits Beatles

December 4, 1968

MOSCOW (AP)--A Soviet newspaper criticized Britain's Beatles today for "indifference to politics" and said real "progressive" youth prefer such Americans as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Peter Seeger.

While admitting that "some good songs" have come from the Beatles, the newspaper Sovietskaya Kultura--Soviet culture--said "progressive youth does not sing them."

"Beatlemania," the article said, "has had no influence" on the popularity of Dylan, Seeger, Miss Baez and others whose songs "protest against violence, war and legalized slavery."

Although the newspaper did not say so, the Beatles remain one of the most popular groups among Soviet youth. Beatles records are not for sale here but hundreds have been smuggled in.

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