In the United States , where the mainstream press had long focused on the Beatlemania phenomenon and had derided the group 's music , as well as rock 'n' roll generally , the summer of 1965 coincided with the first examples of artistic recognition for the Beatles from the country 's cultural mainstream . Among these endorsements , Richard Freed of '' The New York Times '' likened the band 's songs to works from the European art music tradition . Adding to what he described as the Beatles ' impact on " serious music " , Freed cited musicologists and composers such as Leonard Bernstein and Abram Chasins as admirers of the group 's work . Along with several nominations for " Yesterday " , '' Help ! '' was nominated in the category of Album of the Year at the 1966 Grammys Awards . The nomination marked the first time that a rock band had been recognised in this category
1966 Grammys Awards
8th Annual Grammy Awards
Help!