Far be it for me to be controversial, but I thought since this is the Beatles' 50th anniversary, I would drop this dime on the group. I think the Beatles were and still are overrated. They just so happen to be the first group of their kind breaking a psuedo barrier in music. They were the first to get there, not the first to do it right. If they had hit the scene 10 years later, no one would care. Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Stones, The Who, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Bowie, ELO. Now that's Rock and Roll. I especially abhor the way many place them on a god-like pedestal. Of the 4 members of the band, I think George Harrison was a legit musician in every aspect. "Don't sit there!!! Lennon once flicked a booger on that chair". A nude pic of Lennon and Yoko on the cover of RS mag?? Sure! And while you're at it, let's make her a goddess by proxy too. Never mind the fact that she sounds like a cat being murdered with a piece of broken glass when she sings. In conclusion, I don't care for the Beatles. Of course, YMMV and all...
Well, we can agree on Yoko The Beatles aren't my favorite band ever either but I like 'em - especially their later stuff.
I feel the Stones are the best band ever. Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Springsteen and Elvis are all honorable mentions. I like some of the Beatles songs, but mostly their meh in my eyes.
I dunno, how do you call these achievements 'overrated'? • the Beatles are the best-selling band in the United States, with 177 million certified units. • the Beatles had more number-one albums on the British charts and sold more singles in the UK than any other act. • the Beatles topped Billboard magazine's list of the all time most successful "Hot 100" artists. • the Beatles hold the record for most number-one hits on the Hot 100 chart with 20. • the Beatles have received ten Grammy Awards, an Academy Award for Best Original Score and fifteen Ivor Novello Awards. • the Beatles are the best-selling band in history, with estimate sales of over 600 million records worldwide I agree about any idol-worship—but don't think for a minute the Beatles are unique in having near-worshippers: LedZep has 'em ("Jimmy Page is a God!"), The Who, The Stones, Jimmi Hendrix, etc. I happen to have listened to recordings (45s, lps, 8-tracks, cassettes, CDs, mp3s) of the Beatles since I was a kid—saw them on Ed Sullivan for the 1st time in '64. Are the BEST band ever? Too subjective, but I don't think their impact on popular music and thousands of musicians worldwide can be underestimated.
I always enjoyed the Beatles. However, John Lennon was a douche. He brought in that cancer called Yoko Ono and they crashed and burned from there. There was also some controversy over who wrote what songs and who should get the royalties. I think there was a fight between Paul McCartney and Yoko over how the songs were labeled I.e. Lennon-McCartney. I always liked George Harrison and Ringo the best. I always felt bad for Ringo because he seemed to always get crapped on by John and Paul. Also, they're still playing the Beatles on the radio 44 years after their demise. People like Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, One Direction, and any other silly group just like them will never be that big. Now those are examples of who is truly overrated muscially.
My point is they achieved all that not because they were great, but because they were the first. The masses have a way of being influenced by media, radio play lists, etc. If The Who had swapped places with the Beatles, then what?
I agree... over-rated and/or overly idolized causing at least equally talented (if not more so) groups to be eclipsed and nearly forgotten. Dave Clark Five anyone?
I much prefer Black Sabbath, CCR, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, Buffalo Springfield, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd. I like most rock from every decade starting from the 60's up to today.
So all those listed achievements were because they were FIRST? Surely you jest. Considering they were an actual marketed band for about 6 years (1964-70—give or take 1 or two), yet their legacy lives on and has influenced generations musically. I won't say they are the greatest musicians or the 'best' band (whatever THAT means), but three of the four were quite talented songwriters and broke onto the scene, were well marketed and they took america by storm. Had the 'Stones stopped making records in 1969-1970, would they still be as heralded as some view them today. Possibly. hey, I enjoy a broad range of music—listened to Led Zep, Stones, Beatles, Pink Floyd, etc.—but NOT the Who. Never cared for them nor the Doors. But because music is so subjective, making lists of best bands, best songs, best whatever is an exercise in futility if one is trying to get a unanimous agreement.
Randy, you'd have loved a house I showed today. There was an autographed gold LP of Def Leapord's Pyromania (the whole band) in the rec room. Plus Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin & Queen cover artwork on the walls.
Def Leap. One-armed drummer, now that's an accomplishment. Freddy Mercury. Without doubt, one of the best song writers and vocalists of all time. Jimi Page. A little sloppy with his mechanics, but had great presence and rythem. Pink Floyd. David Gilmore, IMO, the best lead guitarist ever.
Not trying to get a conscensus or change anybody's mind about anything. But after watching and listening to the Beatles for nearly all my life, both as a group and as soloists (save for Harrison), I think they were overrated and undeserving as musical icons.
Meh. Liked some of their stuff but wouldn't consider myself a fan. I'm still baffled as to why or how the sight of a celebrity can send someone into hysterical tears.
I saw Gene Simmons a while back but I didn't cry. Just quietly thought to myself 'Is that Gene Simmons..ya that looks like Gene Simmons..hey I think he saw me..ya he saw me..wo now it looks like we're staring each other down..he looks kinda tough but also old..hmm move along'...
On my recent trip to PR, the hotel across the street had Fran and Anthony Cosmo (original members of the band Boston) and I caught the sound check. My first thought was ... that's kinda cool. My next thought was "Dude, don'tcha remember how to play anything other than the opening riff to Indecision and scream "Hey!" into the mike?"
I live in Nashville. This past Fall I was at a high school football game where Reba McEntire was sitting a couple of seats to my right and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw were sitting right in front of me with my knees in their back. We all spoke and said hello to each other but I remember thinking "Meh". LOL!! I really wouldn't want to trade my life for theirs.
