Do we all agree that the Beatles are the best band ever?

[originalnutta]

Personal preferences aside, i dare you to name another band with more musical influence and a legacy as large as theirs.

[ji2o0k]

n'Sync!

[originalnutta]

n'Sync!

yes, they usually are in sync with each other.

[easterclause]

Personal preferences aside, i dare you to name another band with more musical influence and a legacy as large as theirs.

I don't like the Beatles as much as everyone else seems to. One problem I have with the Beatles is that a lot of their songs are just about girls, and how to get them. It's really simple/good pop music. I do keep one or two albums on my iPod just in case someone checks it.

I much prefer the Verve, Richard Ashcroft writes fantastic songs and there's some real feeling to what he's singing about, and Nick McCabe's guitar is just perfect. Now, you can say that "well, the Verve say they were influenced by the Beatles", but influence only goes so far, IMO.

Different strokes and all that. :D

[teknoluv]

The Beatles as the best bad evar!!!!?
Are the typoS (yes, plural) intentional?

[originalnutta]

Are the typoS (yes, plural) intentional?

yeah i mean to type bad, but not evar!

[xpoint9]

Yes Beatles is one of the most widely recognized band/name.

Edit: Personal Preference:
Zeppelin and The Doors

I like Beatles I've got almost all their songs, but I like Led Zeppelin and The Doors more followed by Queen. Beatles is up there in my top 5.

[deep]

The Beatles are one of the best bands ever. Trying to call them THE best is a folly.

[ItemFinder]

Nirvana > Beatles
Tragedy > Failed love story

[biee]

Nowadays one song comes out, you listen to it only for a limited period. You won't go back to it 10 years later like songs by The Beatles.

[zod]

My personal favorite band is Pearl Jam. They've been off most peoples radar for years, but they keep putting out albums, and there live shows are phenomenal.

Out of the early 90's rock.. Nirvana got all the praise, but I think Pearl Jam had more of an influence on the music that followed than Nirvana did. I also think Pearl Jam's music from their first albums stood the test of time (I seem to hear more classic PJ on the radio than Nirvana).

As for the Beatles, I'd agree they they were the biggest band of all time. My personal favorite bands are Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, The Who, Ramones, Guns N' Roses, Metallica.. etc..

[googoo]

Nirvana > Beatles

Oy vey!

Brent

[stevelam]

My personal favorite band is Pearl Jam. They've been off most peoples radar for years, but they keep putting out albums, and there live shows are phenomenal.

Out of the early 90's rock.. Nirvana got all the praise, but I think Pearl Jam had more of an influence on the music that followed than Nirvana did. I also think Pearl Jam's music from their first albums stood the test of time (I seem to hear more classic PJ on the radio than Nirvana).

As for the Beatles, I'd agree they they were the biggest band of all time. My personal favorite bands are Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, The Who, Ramones, Guns N' Roses, Metallica.. etc..

influence is sometimes a horrible thing. pearl jam and nirvana were great, but every band that was 'influenced' by them afterwards were absolute garbage.

i like the beatles. i wouldn't say they're my favourite though.

radiohead > beatles imo.

[Shaner]

Metallica!

Before Metallica, how mainstream was heavy metal? It really didn't get much radio play. At one point in time, Metallica ruled the world as far as music goes. The following they had was huge and they changed heavy metal forever.

[DuDe1411]

there is no 'best ever' most popular, yes...

...best- depends on who you ask

[Tomato_1]

Zeppelin, the Who

[whampoa]

Led Zeppelin
AC/DC
Queen

[teknoluv]

yeah i mean to type bad, but not evar!
Right. I asked to make sure you were not making fun of them.

Perhaps you are asking the wrong crowd. I remember when I was in my teens, I heard a guy (Sam Jor in Hong Kong) bashing some so-called "critics" who had only listened to music for 10 years or so (vs. 25+ years). To me back then (who had been into music for just a few years), they were both experts. I only came to understand the difference DECADES later.

You are smart enough to use the terms "influence" and "legacy", but perhaps the word "best" is not the best adjective to describe the Beatles. I would prefer the "greatest", because TECHNICALLY, George Harrison is not exactly a very good guitarist, Ringo Starr just a so-so drummer, and Paul McCartney quite a lousy singer, and their "greatness" actually lies elsewhere, in how their music MOVED a whole generation of young people.

To make choosing one's best/greatest band easier, perhaps you could use the "desert island shortlist" method. In other words, if you are to spend the next 50 years on a desert island with no hope to get back to civilization, which one single band would you choose to have ONLY their music with you, again for the rest of your life, every day and night. Remember, their music will be played over and over and over again. So make sure you won't get bored after 25 or 30 years, and their songs should cover all bases, in good times and bad, when you're happy or sad. Think again.

[Sepiraph]

Personal preferences aside, i dare you to name another band with more musical influence and a legacy as large as theirs.

Personal opinion aside, I agree that this is one of the worst threads ever.

[BadDrafter]

there is no 'best ever' most popular, yes...

...best- depends on who you ask

+1

They are innovators, but they are not the 'Best' since there is no 'Best'.

[rems]

i voted no cuz you asked if we all agree? Not everyone agrees so then the answer is clearly no

[iamgosu]

I like Guns n Roses and Queen!!

Beatles are in my top10 though

[hagbard]

They certainly represent mass pop culture of the 60s, not all of it earned. But I grew up with the Beatles, so I have a soft spot for them and I'm still a huge fan even though I recognize they weren't the greatest musicians.

[ptownplayer]

The Beatles are probably the best pop band ever. There music appeals very easily to the masses...They made catchy tunes about falling in love and getting girls...there later work is musically a lot better than the early tunes that made them famous.


As for the best bands...personally my pics are

Led Zeppelin ..just simply incredible. Dont think we will ever see a band as talented as this group...there albums managed to blend Hard Rock..blues..and folk all into one.

Metallica(pre black album) ...Behind all the loud guitars and Hetfields growls were these amazingle structured songs that almost flowed like a symphony.

RadioHead...two words "OK Computer".

[huskylord]

I'm sorry but the Beatles were the BEST by any measure you use.
Look what they accomplished in the less than 10 years they were together followed by the solo work that followed. I'm a fan of many of the other bands listed here, but be real people...the Beatles are the real deal.

[angekfire]

Personally, their style of music really isn't to my taste. I am therefore relatively indifferent.

[chadjustine]

Metallica!

Before Metallica, how mainstream was heavy metal? It really didn't get much radio play. At one point in time, Metallica ruled the world as far as music goes. The following they had was huge and they changed heavy metal forever.

+1 Here, here.

[hagbard]

In the beginning, heavy metal had class. Like King Crimson. Been downhill ever since, IMO. :lol:


To make choosing one's best/greatest band easier, perhaps you could use the "desert island shortlist" method. In other words, if you are to spend the next 50 years on a desert island with no hope to get back to civilization, which one single band would you choose to have ONLY their music with you, again for the rest of your life, every day and night. Remember, their music will be played over and over and over again. So make sure you won't get bored after 25 or 30 years, and their songs should cover all bases, in good times and bad, when you're happy or sad. Think again.

Brian Eno. My son would only listen to Beatles for years. We went across country only listening to Beatles. I got pretty sick of the Beatles in a short time. I never get tired of Brian Eno.

[Keelie]

They have been around for a long time, but the best band ever? I am not sure about that. It would depend on who you ask.

I do like their music, but personally I can not stand the early stuff.

There are many great musicians out there who have been around for a LONG time.

[_RFDealt_]

My vote goes to Metro Station.

[ptownplayer]

My vote goes to Metro Station.

Your joking ...right?

[Little Dragon]

so bored of the beatles... i've killed all their stuff years ago and it's all played out to me now. only like 5 or so songs from em

[Nettles]

Don't flame me for this:

Anyone read into the Beatles and their relation to infamous satanist/occultist Alastair Crowley (sp?)? He was apparently the guy who influenced them...he's said to be Sgt. Peppers. Crowley came up with many ideas like backwards messages in music and the alien image we see today (big head/eyes and small body). The Beatles after '67 became more and more involved into occult. Crowley also had huge influence over Zeppelin. It's also said that afterwards, Theo Ordono wrote all Beatles songs.

The Paul McCartney is dead theory is also really interesting. What I'm saying is that I could never trust them and their suspicious fame from several reasons (I won't go too into here because it involves politics and conspiracy theories). But PM me if you're interested, I've got some neat links on it which might be intriguing if you're a Beatles fan.

[trini]

Queen holds that title.

[revelation]

I personally feel it was nothing more than "right time, right place"

If they didn't come up with those melodies, somebody else would have. They capitalized on what was a fledgling pop genre and they get the credit because of their impeccable timing.

While its undeniable that the result of their music left an impact on music history, I think its way too much to consider them as the best band ever.

Also, the nostalgia factor seems to inflate their supposed greatness.

I guess my point is that while they were pioneers, I find it incredibly hard to believe that music would be much different today without the Beatles. If it wasn't going to be them, it would have been somebody else.

[Nettles]

Agreed. I'd go one step farther and say that British institutes like Tavistock were behind the Beatles and many other invasion bands of the time. I wouldn't even credit them with writing their own music.

[Chookman]

Metallica!

Before Metallica, how mainstream was heavy metal? It really didn't get much radio play. At one point in time, Metallica ruled the world as far as music goes. The following they had was huge and they changed heavy metal forever.

Well, as someone who was a teenager at the time these guys arrived and watched them subsequently blow up (and has their original guitarist as his avatar), I have to respectfully disagree. I can agree that they probably were the driving force at making metal mainstream but they fall much shorter in influence of other bands compared to the Beatles. Heck, Black Sabbath had/has more influence than Metallica - they created the genre and spawned all the NWOBHM bands that existed before Metallica was even formed. Metallica can only potentially lay claim to pioneering a subset of the Metal Genre (speed metal) - not the whole genre like Black Sabbath can.

I can't even get behind the legacy of Metallica being bigger than the Beatles, The Stones or (if I go to solo acts) even Elvis or Michael Jackson. Heck, a large part of their once loyal fan base detests them for reasons ranging from RIAA support to dislike of any album since the black album.

Even the idea that they made metal popular or mainstream could be legitimately contested by any kid who grew up the the 80s. If you recall, the hair metal bands (such as sellout Def Leppard - geez, what a way to ruin a good band) were all over the radio and Metallica was a speed metal niche band. They didn't truly become mainstream popular until Enter Sandman hit the air in 1991.

[angekfire]

Anyone read into the Beatles and their relation to infamous satanist/occultist Alastair Crowley (sp?)? He was apparently the guy who influenced them...he's said to be Sgt. Peppers. Crowley came up with many ideas like backwards messages in music and the alien image we see today (big head/eyes and small body). The Beatles after '67 became more and more involved into occult. Crowley also had huge influence over Zeppelin. It's also said that afterwards, Theo Ordono wrote all Beatles songs.

I have never heard of Aleister Crowley having any ties with the beatles or Zeppelin. He was an occultist, and he believed himself to be the anti-christ, I don't think that quite makes him a 'satanist'. Depends on the sense of the word I guess, because LaVey founded modern Satanism, and it really has nothing to do with devil worship. Crowley, while many would purport is one of the greatest occultists of all time, he was definitely on drugs of some kind. There is absolutely no question of that.

[Super strokey]

Beatles are great for sure, but i wouldnt say they are the "best" of all time at all. They were very influential but so have many others been, Jackson, Elvis, Johnny Cash, the list goes on and on. I would never say they are the best, but i would call them very good even though they are far from my number 1 band...

[RCGA]

If you said that the Beatles are the most overrated band of all time I'd agree.

[Nettles]

Crowley not having any ties to the Beatles? He's on the cover of Sgt. Peppers on the top row. Btw they were apparently going to include Hitler on the cover but it was removed at the photo shoot (this is based on another shot where a portrait of Hitler can be seen at the set).

Jimmy Paige from Zeppelin often spoke of his admiration for Crowley. I think Crowley was actually the guy who came up with back-masking. Point is that The Beatles had too many people behind them similar to handlers for me to ever take an interest in their music.

[angekfire]

Crowley not having any ties to the Beatles? He's on the cover of Sgt. Peppers on the top row. Btw they were apparently going to include Hitler on the cover but it was removed at the photo shoot (this is based on another shot where a portrait of Hitler can be seen at the set).

Jimmy Paige from Zeppelin often spoke of his admiration for Crowley. I think Crowley was actually the guy who came up with back-masking. Point is that The Beatles had too many people behind them similar to handlers for me to ever take an interest in their music.

Crowley died in 1947. The Beatles didn't form until 1960. Crowley wasn't a musician, and I sincerely doubt he had anything to do with back-tracking. Yes, he is on the cover, but so is are a lot of other people.

So yes, he may have had some indirect influence, but I doubt it was anything major. And I was pretty sure all the supposed backtracking was merely a myth.

[trini]

Oh! I forgot to mention even Santana is better than the Beatles.

[originalnutta]

Oh! I forgot to mention even Santana is better than the Beatles.

He might be, in your opinion.

But he doesn't have the legacy that the Beatles have.

[CFRTim]

I don't necessarily agree, but I think the op might be right. The album Sgt. Pepper's I think is a great example

[originalnutta]

I don't necessarily agree, but I think the op might be right. The album Sgt. Pepper's I think is a great example

exactly.

im not asking if you think the beatles are your favourite band, and if you like their music.

but you have to respect their body of work and their influence.



i think a lot of people here are just voting no, because they like Zeppelin, the who, the stones, jimi hendrix etc etc etc... better than the Beatles.

thats not what im asking.

[angekfire]

I don't think they were the best band ever, and therefore I voted no. However, I do respect what they did, and would definitely agree they had a huge impact on the music world.

The other people that you listed I never really listened to either.

I don't really have an opinion on "The best band ever". There are a lot of very talented musicians, but to pin it down to 1 person/group I wouldn't even know where to start.

[ptownplayer]

exactly.

im not asking if you think the beatles are your favourite band, and if you like their music.

but you have to respect their body of work and their influence.



i think a lot of people here are just voting no, because they like Zeppelin, the who, the stones, jimi hendrix etc etc etc... better than the Beatles.

thats not what im asking.


Then what exactly is it that yor asking? When I think of the "best band ever" ...I think of bands that are/were the most talented. It seems like your asking "Are the beatles the most recognized band ever?"...then ya probably yes.

[Nettles]

I don't know about the past but I do know now that:

Tom Chaplin from Keane >> Paul McCartney