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The Beatles in th early days not only outdid the Stones in every way possible they took the whole world by storm.
I was a devout Beatles fan and John Lennon was my hero as a kid.
Beatle velvet collar jackets, Beatle boots,Beatle Haircuts were everywhere. Every kid had at least one fav Beatles stuck on the front of their school jotters, bags or lunchboxes. You go on a train or a bus and you could guarantee someone would be whistling a Beatles tune. It wasn’t called Beatlemania for nothing.
Their records were at number 1 on pre-sales alone and the viewing figures when they were on TV went through the roof. Hard to imagine but when a Hard Days Night hit the big screen you couldn’t hear a word that was being said for girls screaming their favourite Beatles name out.
Whole thing was nuts! From Love me Do right up until it John started to get a bit wierd and set out to save the world their music was simple but brilliant. Their presentation of themselves and their music was even more brilliant. Lennon the funny man was a complete nutter, Paul the handsom lad any mother could love, George was the quiet one and poor little Ringo nobody loves me was the perfect blend.
Without doubt if not the greatest band of all time they certainly were the most influential. When the music changed the screaming stopped and the Beatles prior to breaking up were turning into mere mortals in the eyes of their, now older, fans.
The Stones on the otherhand were about as loveable to parents as a pack of wolves. Loud, untidy and unrully but the kids loved them. Never quite as popular as the Beatles they still had a massive following and most teenagers who loved the Beatles also liked the Stones along The Hollies, Gerry and the Pacemakers etc etc.
Like a lot of the band emerging at the time The Stones first 3 single were all cover version written by Chuck Berry, Lennon and McArtney, Buddy Holly
as was their first number 1 hit "All Over Now" So the Beatles played apart in getting the Stone of The ground.However once Jagger and Richards got going they penned some of the greatest rock music/songs of all time.
For me comparing the 2 isn’t simple like Arkle to Mill House. There is more to it than that.
Sure the Beatles were more pupular and more influential but they were also a fad who were over as a band just as quicly as they started.
As it turns out wild boys Mick Jagger Keith Richards and Charlie Watts were’t the stupid louts Mum’s and Dad’s thought they were. Three very smart guys who have stood the test of time.
40 years ago I would have argued with my own mother the Beatles were the greatest but now without a shadow of a doubt
The Rolling Stones
are the greatest rock band of all time. When Mick is out there strutting his stuff and performing "Miss You" the place still rocks like it did over 40 years ago.
Sure the Beatles were more pupular and more influential but they were also a fad who were over as a band just as quicly as they started.
Is this serious?
I suppose the fact that Mozart died young indicates that he was a bit of fad too. Whereas Mrs Mills lasted for ever and was therefore the greatest
Thanks Drone…
I could go on. I actually believe that if anything the Beatles have been slightly underrated. Im not sure people quite comprehend the vast chasm between their level of creativity and sheer voume of work and that of other musicians/groups
Im not sure people quite comprehend the vast chasm between their level of creativity and sheer voume of work and that of other musicians/groups
Have you ever considered the reason people may not comprehend it is because there isn’t a vast chasm as you suggest? At the end of the day it is just personal opinion.
Maybe it’s like looking at ‘The Haywain’ and instead of thinking what a beautiful painting, I must find out more about the artist, you just think yawn, just fit to put on chocolate boxes. Because most of us have either grown up with The Beatles music or have always had it in our lives we can’t look at it objectively so no longer realise how good it is.
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Im not sure people quite comprehend the vast chasm between their level of creativity and sheer voume of work and that of other musicians/groups
Have you ever considered the reason people may not comprehend it is because there isn’t a vast chasm as you suggest? At the end of the day it is just personal opinion.
No,no,no, Stilvi – It’s actually scriven in stone!
http://www.britishhitsongwriters.com/page3.htmI think the Americans have a phrase; apples and oranges.
Music likes and dislikes is all about personal taste.
The Stones are a world brand and nothing more than a money making corporate machine these days.
Brian Jones was their main driving force of the group in the 60s; the leader whom the others looked up to. When he departed, Jagger assumed leadership and usually what he wanted, he got – contrary to his classic song lyrics.
The Beatles came from a totally different angle; appealing to a more eclectic mix of fans. Lennon was a big hero of mine ( a working class hero is something to be
); he had a sparkling wit and was never afraid to say what he thought – a trait which most young people found endearing. He was also one of the best pop/rock vocalists ever.Both groups produced fantastic music over the years an d for any music fan that’s all that matters.
But then, there was also Ray Davies and The Kinks, lest we forget; whose songwriting and prolific output ( many would argue ) was every bit as good as The Beatles and The Stones.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Have you ever considered the reason people may not comprehend it is because there isn’t a vast chasm as you suggest?
so which group came close to their innovation, productivity and sheer success then? Not the stones…frankly… for one.They mined a seam beuatifully but on the one occasion they stepped outside of that, they released an absolute shocker of an album Much as i like the stones, would certainly have the beach boys ahead of them for originality
himself..The kinks? bloody hell, do you really think they released as much classic material as the beatles? Although I like their two classic tracks a lot
Lennon was a self styled working class hero. he was in fact the least working class of the beatles. ringo was the only one who could really claim that mantle. the group were (ringo apart) grammar school boys from the nicer suburbs of liverpool
Clivexx, The Kinks were considered the third biggest and most popular group of the 60s in the UK. Ray Davies was a superb songwriter: he churned out many hits – and indeed The Kinks probably influenced as many bands and artists as The Beatles did.
Did they produce as many classic songs as The Beatles? Probably not, but they did record many truly classic tracks. Check out their back catalogue. You may be amazed.
Do I prefer The Kinks to The Beatles ? No, but like The Beatles ( and The Stones ) they played a major and significant role in shaping and defining the music of the 60s.
Two classic tracks ???
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
But then, there was also Ray Davies and The Kinks, lest we forget; whose songwriting and prolific output ( many would argue ) was every bit as good as The Beatles and The Stones.
The Kinks were good – nice toons and off-beat romantic observations of ‘Englishness’ such as Waterloo Sunset and Village Green Preservation Society
Don’t particularly like either. Both over rated.
Though with my name you would not expect me to like the Beatles.
John Lennon RIP.Now:
Sex Pistols Or Joy Division?
Value Is EverythingBut then, there was also Ray Davies and The Kinks, lest we forget; whose songwriting and prolific output ( many would argue ) was every bit as good as The Beatles and The Stones.
The KInks?
I see your Kinks and raise you The Beach Boys!!
But then, there was also Ray Davies and The Kinks, lest we forget; whose songwriting and prolific output ( many would argue ) was every bit as good as The Beatles and The Stones.
The KInks?
I see your Kinks and raise you The Beach Boys!!
Then you’d better fold now.
I hear what you’re saying, and indeed, I have studied the evidence over the years. I own the revered Pet Sounds; the so called musicians album. Good album though it is, I honestly think it’s a tad overrated. Brian Wilson is an excellent composer and is justly credited as true pop guru and with influencing many artists. Paul McCartney said when he heard Pet Sounds, he had to think again. Similarly, Wilson said the same thing about Sgt Pepper.
To cut a long argument short; no, I still prefer The Kinks. You can get too much of surfing Californians.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
On the subject of Reggae.
What has happened to black music these days?
I loved reggae, ska, soca, even pop music from Africa. But can’t stand most of the stuff Black artists produce these days.
P.S.
Think Kinks influence lives on, so too Beatles, Joy Division and Smiths.Value Is EverythingBlack music, whether you like it or not, has been far more influential and original over the past 25 years or so than white rock music IMO
Hip hop, rap, garage, house are all new sounds that have broken new ground. Im not keen on some elements, but the white rock music i sometimes suffer sounds little different to stuff trotted out in the seventies and eighties. Same old format and droning guitars. Having said that, not much has really happened in black music in more recent times
Having said that, not much has really happened in black music in more recent times
Grime. Dubstep. Even speed garage or drum ‘n’ bass, if you want to go back a few more years. Ringbang, too, in the West Indies.
There’s still tons happening, it’s just that lots of it is happening outside of the mainstream’s immediate line of vision.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Ringbang, too, in the West Indies.
Yep, well acquainted with that. Also known as Montezuma’s Revenge or The Trini Quickstep
); he had a sparkling wit and was never afraid to say what he thought – a trait which most young people found endearing. He was also one of the best pop/rock vocalists ever.
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