I'm not so sure that folk music has done that well in England over the last hundred years. It had all but died out until it was revived by a small bunch of enthusiasts in the early part of the last century. The revival gained impetus in the fifties, sixties and early seventies. However, this revival was still carried by these enthusiasts as a hobby. Most of the songs and tunes performed in our folk clubs are unknown to the general public ( as are the various associated arts such different types of dance ). Very little of this stuff has been absorbed back into popular culture. In this sense the folk music revival has failed dismally and remains, on the whole, a rather obscure pastime with little relevance to most people.

Like it or not, the body of work produced by the Beatles is common currency across the ranges of age and class and does not seem to be diminshing in its influence. And while I agee that much of it is lyrically fatuous it is now an intrinsic element in society and in this sense is now part of the real folk music.

I say all this as a previously passionate folk fan and club organiser and Beatles fan also.

Cheers - Captain Swing