Let it Bleed

In the 1960’s a rivalry formed between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles which lasts until present day. Fans of both bands have been competing in various forms and mediums for over 50 years and still the end doesn’t seem near. This Master Thesis explores the origins and development of this rivalry between fans of the two greatest rock formations using in-depth interviews. Since identity and fandom are inextricably linked, the identity and the social identity of the fans are the main subjects of this exploration of a rivalry. It is found that the rivalry has its origins not in identity, but mostly in a construction by the media and the managers of both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles, in order to stimulate sales and success. This constructed rivalry formed the basis for the creation of a social identity which shaped most of the fans in their younger years despite a large difference between the groups in terms of musical taste. Fans had to choose under the social pressures of friends fed misinformation by the media. Through the social pressure of having to choose a side and the continuous treatment of the bands as rivals, this rivalry has lasted until the present day. Whereas even less prominent than it was in the heyday of Britpop, some fans still express themselves as somewhat hostile regarding the other band. An identity formed in a fan’s youth seems to have a lasting effect despite its origins being based in a constructed reality.