Melissa Davis - Beatles, The - Classic Rock - Music/Performing Arts

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Expert Profile: Melissa Davis

Expertise: I feel extremely comfortable with my ability to answer questions regarding The Beatles personally - backgrounds, family, education, and the genesis of the group from inception to the end. I do not feel that I have the expertise to answer extremely technical questions regarding equipment, other than to refer the questioner to other sources.

Experience in the area
Besides having been the right age at the right time to live through and enjoy The Beatles, I have continued my interest in them, in their music, and their influence on 20th century - in everything from the obvious, music, to fashion, humor, film, politics, and the music industry. As a dedicated Anglophile, I have studied at the University of London as an undergraduate and traveled in the UK extensively - yes, walked across Abbey Road, visited Savile Row - all of it. Beyond that, I am a teacher and a writer with excellent writing, editing, and research skills.

Publications
The Copy Workshop advertising series Colorado Law Journal Various magazines

Education/Credentials
B.A. History & Political Science, M.A. English History, J.D.

Awards and Honors
Teacher of the Year, Archdiocese of Dallas (2000)

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

What do you like about this subject? The historical context: post-WWII England, class struggle, development of music into new genres, growth of the Beatles as a group and as individuals. The context of it is immense and immensely important. Viewing it from the perspective of 2007 does the people and the times a disservice.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? I am under contract for yet another Beatles book in 2009, so obviously there is still a lot to learn; it's a dynamic study. Methodologies for study have exploded in the past few years; more information is made available every day, eg: audio tape of the day John and Paul met was unknown and unimaginable; now everyone has access to it online.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know: So much! Lennon in the post-Beatle years was frequently misleading and often factually incorrect, distancing himself from his past - not a poor orphan, didn't live in a slum, wasn't working class. Took dance lesson, confirmed at age 15. In a last interview said much of this was 'rubbish' and tried to correct misapprehensions he had created.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject Revisionist historians co-opt the Beatles to promote their own perspectives: Lennon's sexual orientation. The cause of Stuart Sutcliffe's death. Songwriting credits. Relations in the period just before Lennon's murder. These all demonstrate a continued interest, but much, if not all is so speculative and sensational as to be disregarded as 'scholarship.'

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 800
Knowledge	10.0 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	10.0 Best of the best
Timeliness	10.0 Best of the best
Politeness	10.0 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		0
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		3
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		88

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	08/28/08
10	10	10	10	08/25/08
10	10	10	10	08/02/08
10	10	10	10	08/07/08
10	10	10	10	07/09/08

User Comments

TOTALLY AMAZING! Thanks Melissa.
(Paula on 08/28/08)

That was beautiful! Thanks for answering my question! My co-workers were flabbergasted when I said The Beatles are better than Steely Dan musically. I
(Samuel on 08/25/08)

Good Work!
(Ava on 08/02/08)

Thank you!! You are so good at clarifying things, I really appreciate it!
(Andrea on 07/09/08)

View All Comments

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

Recent Answers from Melissa Davis

2008-09-18 Meet the Beatles: Hi Sandra, Rarities and collectibiles aren't really my area of expertise, but I would first like to know what the record label looks like to know where to send you for an evaluation. So, just let me...

2008-09-17 Beatles: Hi Ava! I want to be sure I understand your question before I go into an answer for you. Do you mean how the press portrays them? Or as individual people perceive them? Do you mean as THE BEATLES...

2008-08-27 Women in Beatles Songs: Hi Paula, Fun question! The Beatles deliberately avoided personalizing songs wanting to maximize the appeal to all girls. That's why so many of their early songs have pronouns in the titles: She...

2008-08-25 The Beatles Vs. Steely Dan: Hi Samuel, I like Steely Dan, as well. Here's the answer. You have to look at two or three components: 1. Diversity and Depth 2. Influence 3. Longevity Taking the last question first - the...

2008-08-24 Beatles signature: Hi Terry, I checked with Mark Lewisohn and I was correct: The Beatles were in the UK and did not travel - as a group or individually - outside the UK to America after they returned from their tour in...