Professor Leroi said the data shows a 1964 revolution that was all about music becoming more “aggressive”. But The Beatles did not contribute to that change in the music.

“They’re not making that revolution, they’re joining it,” he said.

“This revolution — and you can see it in the numbers in the charts — actually begins long before 1963 … even earlier, where our data don’t go.”

Professor Leroi said that change in musical style was largely driven by other bands, playing louder rock and roll.