How important were the Beatles?

I just finished this huge biography of the Beatles by Bob Spitz. Great book. I am curious though what you all think; just how important were the Beatles to the evolution of rock and roll? Were they the seminal band that some make them out to be or were they just a basic rock band that was in the right place at the right time?

LOL! Very important!

The Beatles influenced, and continue to influence, many other major rock acts. If you study their music--especially the post-1965 stuff--you'll find that it's a lot more complex than it sounds. There have been very, very few bands in history to make airplay with music that is as different and yet simple-sounding as the Beatles'.

I mean, consider the verse chord progression in Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite: Cm G+ Bb Dm G

Simple pop? I don't think so.

Originally Posted by: Mark PavLOL! Very important!

The Beatles influenced, and continue to influence, many other major rock acts. If you study their music--especially the post-1965 stuff--you'll find that it's a lot more complex than it sounds. There have been very, very few bands in history to make airplay with music that is as different and yet simple-sounding as the Beatles'.

I mean, consider the verse chord progression in Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite: Cm G+ Bb Dm G

Simple pop? I don't think so.

Couldn't agree more! They were a very talented band and you're right, if you look at their post-65 work, they really moved music in another direction. I was just listening to both 'Rubber Soul' and 'Revolver' this morning and remain amazed at the music. 'Sergeant Pepper' is one of the most influential albums in music history. I guess I remain amazed when I hear people just try to pass the Beatles off as just another 'pop' band.

Of course, I was alive and listening to music when the Beatles were releasing new stuff! :) It was a pretty amazing time to turn on the radio and hear a new Beatles single followed by Cream or Hendrix or the Doors....Quite a heady time for music.

It goes way beyond that too.
Back then, recording studios were run by old guys in white lab coats who worked from 9 to 5. The whole recording process was a mystery to musicians.
The Beatles changed everything by basically taking over the studio and doing things themselves, recording, mixing and mastering their own songs. (with George Martin's help of course)
Later they utilized a simple 4 track recorder to to do multiple overdubs and other experiments. (ie, Sgt. Pepper)

Oh man, this very subject seemed to open a can of worms on my amp forum here.

Are the Beatles over rated thread

Werent the Beetles the first fully independent band? Not owned by anyone?

They were probably the first to start their own record label with Apple.

Originally Posted by: alucard0941Werent the Beetles the first fully independent band? Not owned by anyone?

As far as I know, they were the first to make claim of being independent. Of course, had Epstein not died and the deals he had made with NES and Capitol all turned to crud, they might have stayed under the label rather than going independent.

Originally Posted by: schmangeIt goes way beyond that too.
Back then, recording studios were run by old guys in white lab coats who worked from 9 to 5. The whole recording process was a mystery to musicians.
The Beatles changed everything by basically taking over the studio and doing things themselves, recording, mixing and mastering their own songs. (with George Martin's help of course)

Don't forget Geoff Emerick. He was a big part of the Beatles' sound from Revolver on.

I think the Beatles were hugely important. Like Mark said, a lot of their stuff was well beyond simple pop. Even "She Loves You," a song from what I usually think of as the Beatles' pop era, has some pretty crazy chords.

And the White Album is still my favourite album ever.