Why The Beatles are the greatest ever.

[Destroyer]

Over the decades The Beatles have pretty much officially been declared the greatest rock band/artists of all-time and I agree but there's still some people out there that wouldn't agree. I'm not going to try to change people's minds about them, I will just state some facts that maybe some people don't know about.

This is why The Beatles are the greatest of all-time.....


In 1964, Rock 'N' Roll has it's first major shakeup in nearly a decade when in late January "I Want To Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles tops the US Pop charts.

In February of that year, The Beatles appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show receives record ratings as Beatlemania explodes worldwide.

Four of the six #1 records between February and June are by the Beatles. A feat surpassed only by Elvis Presley in 1956.

Complexity in rock reaches new heights with the Beatles "Rubber Soul" album and is quickly responded to by the Beach Boys "Pet Sounds" which ignites the studio-era of Rock 'N' Roll as records become artistic statements.

The Beatles respond back with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band which popularized the concept album in rock music and is consistantly ranked as the greatest album in rock history. If you don't see it at number one then it will most likely be at number 2. It's also the first rock album to win the Grammy for "Album of the Year".

According to the United World Chart, the Beatles have 16 of the 100 most successful tracks of all time, and also 7 of the 100 most successful albums in history.

They hold the record for the group with the longest span between number one albums in the Billboard albums chart (36 years and 51 weeks, 1964 to 2001).

During the week of April 4, 1964, The Beatles occupied the first five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the Hot 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the number one position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the number one position in the British EP chart, the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history.

They have 4 albums that are consistantly ranked in the top 20 rock albums of all-time lists with 2 of them always ranked in the top 10. Look up lists of the greatest rock albums in history and see how many times you will find Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band or Revolver ranked either first, second or third.

They revolutionized the science of recording, using multiple tracks instead of playing live. Producer George Martin used varying tape speeds to make Lennon’s voice sound high (“Tomorrow Never Knows”) and slow (“Strawberry Fields Forever”); he also brought in string musicians to accompany certain songs (“Yesterday”). In another session, McCartney utilized bass drums halfway down a corridor to achieve a staccato sound in “Mother Nature’s Son.”

Their song "Yesterday" has been covered by over 2,200 artists. More than any other song in the history of recorded music. Since 1965 it has been played over 7,000,000 times on American television and radio.

The Beatles have sold over 1 billion copies worldwide to date.

They earned 21 US & 17 UK number one singles.

Their album, "1", which includes all 27 of their songs that reached # 1 was released in November of 2000. It is the best selling album of the 21st century worldwide and the fastest selling album in history.

The Beatles are the 2nd best selling music act of the 2000's. Selling 27,591,000 albums. Decades AFTER they broke up!

They also have 31 Grammy nominations and 13 Grammy awards won.

Keep in mind that The Beatles were only together for about 10 years but didn't release their first album until 1963 and came out with their final album in 1970. It's simply amazing what they did in such little time. 12 studio albums released in 7 years. They averaged about 4 number one hits per year. Complete domination.

I would list the bands influenced by The Beatles but there are just too many. Even new bands these days claim to be somewhat influenced by The Beatles decades later.

The Beatles' influence on popular culture was—and remains—immense. Former Rolling Stone associate editor Robert Greenfield said, "People are still looking at Picasso ... at artists who broke through the constraints of their time period to come up with something that was unique and original. In the form that they worked in, in the form of popular music, no one will ever be more revolutionary, more creative and more distinctive." From the 1920s, the United States had dominated popular entertainment culture throughout much of the world, via Hollywood movies, jazz, the music of Broadway and Tin Pan Alley and, later, the rock and roll that first emerged in Memphis, Tennessee. The Beatles not only triggered the British Invasion of the US, but themselves became a globally influential phenomenon.

Their musical innovations, as well as their commercial success, inspired musicians worldwide. A large number of artists have acknowledged them as an influence, or have had chart successes with covers of Beatles songs. On radio, their arrival marked the beginning of a new era; program directors like Rick Sklar of New York's WABC went so far as to forbid DJs from playing any "pre-Beatles" music. The Beatles redefined the album as something more than just a few hits padded out with "filler". They were primary innovators of the music video. The Shea Stadium date with which they opened their 1965 North American tour attracted what was then the largest audience in concert history and is seen as a "landmark event in the growth of the rock crowd." Emulation of their clothing and especially their hairstyles, which became a mark of rebellion, had a global impact on fashion.

The Beatles changed the way people listened to popular music and experienced its role in their lives. From what began as the Beatlemania fad, the group grew to be perceived by their young fans across the industrialized world as the representatives, even the embodiment, of ideals associated with cultural transfiguration. As icons of the 1960s counterculture, they became a catalyst for bohemianism and activism in various social and political arenas, fuelling such movements as women's liberation, gay liberation and environmentalism.


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[5 StaR GeneraL]

The Beatles made so many songs that are just iconic it's unreal. I've been listening to them since I was a kid, when all the other kids are listening to Criss Cross and Vanilla Ice lol. They have definitely had one of the biggest influences on music and even culture. I think I'll go listen to some Beatles now.

[Joe.Boxer]

That's a great write-up and I enjoyed reading it. I'm still not a fan of their music, but their influence is undeniable! They most certainly are deserving of Greatest Band Ever status.
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Joe.Boxer

[Arcade_fun]

The Beatles are one of the most inspirational bands of all time. My Dad always listens to their music all the time. My favorite song they made is 'Hey Jude'. I just can't believed they split up..... They were one of my favorite bands. I enjoyed reading what you wrote, it was great.

[Joe.Boxer]

You can't believe they split up Rabbit Killer? The last concert they had was 55 years ago and they broke up in 1970. They were only together for 8 years, but it was an iconic 8 years. I doubt you read what Destroyer wrote otherwise you wouldn't have posted the drivel you wrote.
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Joe.Boxer

[Arcade_fun]

Thanks for the heads up Joe.Boxer, I only read the first two parts of it. What I meant by what I said is that they were so good together and it was so bad for them to split up.

[Destroyer]

I planned on making at least a couple more threads about the history of another legendary band or why they are great but what's the point when people only read half of my post? I wish more people here liked to talk about music. There's only a small handful of people.
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[Joe.Boxer]

Screw Rabbit Killer buddy! Just do it anyway. The few people who do talk about music will appreciate your time and effort!
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Joe.Boxer

[Master Of Puppets]

Outstanding read D!

I always thought like you did in your music class in grade school...Someone would talk about the beatles and I would think 'yeah whatever'. Then a few years back I got educated by a friend of mine who is in (of all things) a grunge metal band. He told me how they did things musically that had never been done before. Their arrangements, the use of different instruments and their song writing were all unique and of course exceptional.

I decided to give them another listen and after that listen I still wasn't their biggest fan, but I was a lot more appreciative for what they were able to do and how they were able to do it.


Now on another note I would really appreciate it if you were to do more of these band bios. Like Joe.Boxer said the ones that do like to talk about music appreciate what you put into it!


Might I suggest maybe Black Sabbath...some of Ozzy's exploits make a nice read or maybe the Stones...Hell I don't care I'm sure it will great stuff whatever you decide!

[Destroyer]

That's funny because I was going to do a thread on the history of a certain band and one of the bands at the top of my list to do was Black Sabbath. I have no idea yet when I will do it but expect a Black Sabbath thread soon.
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[SmokeyQuartz]

I am also a HUGE beatles fan ... .. I absolutely love all their music and i have lots and lots of beatles memorabilia.

[lucignolo]

John Lennon always said 'Before Elvis, there was nothing' and that Elvis was his main influence. Elvis 'The King' (the king), but the Beatles wrote their music and were more then why the songs were different and varied. The Beatles in their music incorporated various types of music, while Elvis was known only for the Rock 'n' roll and gospel pieces. In general, we think that the Beatles took what Elvis did and have made it big.

[DissonantMuse]

Yeah. they are definitely a true inspiration, and in my opinion the music industry wouldn't be what it is today if it weren't for groups like the Beatles.

[akeo]

Never did like their music much, but I could always listen to Paul Mcartney and Wings. The Beatles music was defining of the era but unfortunately, the era it defined in history is mostly remembered for its 'losses' (Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin) and the Vietnam war. I always preferred The Rolling Stones, slightly harder edged and always more controversial, but undoubtedly the world of music would be much worse if it wasn't for The Beatles.

[Lonny]

The Beatles greatest songs ever written were written "under the influence".

Jimi Hendrix...revolutionized guitar and music how "under the influence"

The Stones, their best work was done on cocaine and heroin.

I like them all no mater what those bands were on it was our time , witht the beeatles being a bit older them me.

Just listening to the crap that corporate bands produce today M&M gaga all make my ears hurt.

I dont give a rats ass how many albums they sell quality never out shines quantity.

I say get 'em all wigged out on some acid and we'd have good music being made again. lol.

It sucks that the music hall of fame inducting guns n roses or red hot chili peppers before bands like deep purple or rush.

Beatles rocks oh and I was a Monkeys fan as well, and I know the monkeys were the first US corporate rip band to hit the charts which allot of people today dont know.

Thats my take on it all.

</rant>
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