Influence in music

After the R&B era, the British music influence grew in America. The arrival of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones introduced a new twist to American Rock and Roll. Even after this musical invasion, many other musicians from different areas of the world seek success in the mainstream American Music. Can it be said that the only way of getting world recognition for your music is if you are mainstream in America? Do you think the Beatles and Rolling stones were the ones who opened the doors for the rest like Duran Duran (England) and even Ah-ha (Norway) who only had one hit in the US?