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30 years ago today....
John Lennon died.
Now, my question is, was he re\ally that much of a genius as some claim? Or are we looking at him through rosy tinted specs since he was shot?
Come ot think of it, singularly, were any of The Beatles good? Or was it them coming together as they did that made them so magical?
And lastly- if they were starting out now, as a boyband, do you think they's make it?
Now, my question is, was he re\ally that much of a genius as some claim? Or are we looking at him through rosy tinted specs since he was shot?
Come ot think of it, singularly, were any of The Beatles good? Or was it them coming together as they did that made them so magical?
And lastly- if they were starting out now, as a boyband, do you think they's make it?
Answers
Your perception of the Beatles depends on your age. In 1963 the were a breath of fresh air, a focal point for everyone in Britain, then the world. They were innovative not just in music, but in fashion and life style. No one before or since, with the possible exception of Elvis, has had such an impact on the social life of the world. Then in 1967, they...
10:16 Wed 08th Dec 2010
Ludwig - I love the Beatles, to the point that I have read everything I have ever been able to find about them. When you look at all the official stuff, the Hunter davis biography etc he comes across as a wiity, urbane man of musical genius, but when you read deeper he comes across as a deeply troubled man, a bully, who loved to pick on those weaker than himself especialy those he felt were intellectualy inferior.
Maybe a simplistic statement but its true.
Maybe a simplistic statement but its true.
I dont think anyone who was not around during the 1960s can really understand the impact the Beatles had on almost everything, from music, fashion, hairstyles, singles, albums, album covers, song writing, youth culture etc.
There was a documentary on TV a year or so back about the 1960s, and they called it "the Beatles decade". That is the impact the Beatles had.
Back in the early 1960s music was rather staid and old fashioned (except for rock and roll) and songs like "How much is that doggy in the window" still made the charts.
Few pop artists wrote their own songs, most were penned by "jobbing" writers who churned out song after song, almost like a production line.
Most male pop singers like Elvis, Cliff etc had "greased back hair" and wore "leather" clothes making them appear very aggresive.
When the Beatles started in 1962/1963 they were like a breath of fresh air.
Catchy pop songs (written by the band themselves), new hairstyles (brushed forward in a fringe) and smart siuits.
To show the impact they had, even though their first single only came out in late 1962 they headlined the Royal Variety Show in Novermber 1963. They were not just on it, they HEADLINED it, only a year after their first single.
And how many groups EVER get on the Royal Variety Show.
I DO think it was easier to be big in the 1960s than it is now, with so much competiton around iow, but Beatles songs are still played on a regular basis (how often do shows like X Factor have Beatles evenings when everyone sings a Beatles song).
There was a documentary on TV a year or so back about the 1960s, and they called it "the Beatles decade". That is the impact the Beatles had.
Back in the early 1960s music was rather staid and old fashioned (except for rock and roll) and songs like "How much is that doggy in the window" still made the charts.
Few pop artists wrote their own songs, most were penned by "jobbing" writers who churned out song after song, almost like a production line.
Most male pop singers like Elvis, Cliff etc had "greased back hair" and wore "leather" clothes making them appear very aggresive.
When the Beatles started in 1962/1963 they were like a breath of fresh air.
Catchy pop songs (written by the band themselves), new hairstyles (brushed forward in a fringe) and smart siuits.
To show the impact they had, even though their first single only came out in late 1962 they headlined the Royal Variety Show in Novermber 1963. They were not just on it, they HEADLINED it, only a year after their first single.
And how many groups EVER get on the Royal Variety Show.
I DO think it was easier to be big in the 1960s than it is now, with so much competiton around iow, but Beatles songs are still played on a regular basis (how often do shows like X Factor have Beatles evenings when everyone sings a Beatles song).
As others have said, John was a complex character, and I am not sure he ever really knew what he wanted.
He was desperate for sucess when he was young, but when the Beatles were at the height of their success (1963/64) he felt trapped and wrote this song "Help" as a desparate plea for someone to help him.
While it may seem like a light hearted pop single there is a man in their screaming to get out.
This is also a great example of how "clever" some Beatles songs are.
In most songs the backing singers repeat what the main singer has said AFTER they has said it. But listen how the backing singers (Paul, George) sing what John is going to sing BEFORE he says it. Very clever and subtle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t8MeE8Ik4Y
He was desperate for sucess when he was young, but when the Beatles were at the height of their success (1963/64) he felt trapped and wrote this song "Help" as a desparate plea for someone to help him.
While it may seem like a light hearted pop single there is a man in their screaming to get out.
This is also a great example of how "clever" some Beatles songs are.
In most songs the backing singers repeat what the main singer has said AFTER they has said it. But listen how the backing singers (Paul, George) sing what John is going to sing BEFORE he says it. Very clever and subtle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t8MeE8Ik4Y
John also had a VERY VERY soft sad side.
His father left home when he was very young, his mother was killed (hit by a car) when he was 17 so he a had a troubled early life.
The song "In My Life" (written by John) can hit a chord with any of us.
Friends we have known, relatives who have passed on etc.
Listen to this and try not to feel a little sad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYlhzfZLcjY
His father left home when he was very young, his mother was killed (hit by a car) when he was 17 so he a had a troubled early life.
The song "In My Life" (written by John) can hit a chord with any of us.
Friends we have known, relatives who have passed on etc.
Listen to this and try not to feel a little sad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYlhzfZLcjY
To show the impact the Beatles had at the time.
I remember the day the Beatles album Rubber Soul came out. 14 new Beatles songs and no old singles or "B" sides to pad out the album (an unusual thing in those days).
This may sound an "ordinairy" pop album nowadays, but it was big stuff back then, adult lyrics and unusual instruments (French Horn, fuzz bass, sitar etc).
Anyway, a friend of mine had a party within days of it coming out, and all evening that is all we played, side 1, then side 2, then side 1 again and so on, right through the party. We played nothing else.
THAT is the impact the Beatles had, and if you were not around at the time you just cant understand it.
I guess it was the same when Elvis first came out in the mid 1950s, or Frank Sinatra became the first "hearthrob" in the 1940s. Their songs now can seem "tame", but at the time it changed the face of music.
And here is "Girl" off the album, another John song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZshCZndWmco
I remember the day the Beatles album Rubber Soul came out. 14 new Beatles songs and no old singles or "B" sides to pad out the album (an unusual thing in those days).
This may sound an "ordinairy" pop album nowadays, but it was big stuff back then, adult lyrics and unusual instruments (French Horn, fuzz bass, sitar etc).
Anyway, a friend of mine had a party within days of it coming out, and all evening that is all we played, side 1, then side 2, then side 1 again and so on, right through the party. We played nothing else.
THAT is the impact the Beatles had, and if you were not around at the time you just cant understand it.
I guess it was the same when Elvis first came out in the mid 1950s, or Frank Sinatra became the first "hearthrob" in the 1940s. Their songs now can seem "tame", but at the time it changed the face of music.
And here is "Girl" off the album, another John song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZshCZndWmco
"If they were starting out now, as a boyband, do you think they's make it?"
What a fascinating thought.
I think if their social and musical backgrounds were translated into the closest present-day equivalent, I could imagine them starting off in the indie/punk scene.
If their compositional influences from then were translated into present day trends
they could still skyrocket to superstardom or become one of those timeless "cult" bands.
Then again, what could those 'equivalents' consist of ?
Modernising the Beatles - what a fun thing to do !
Could someone ever re-write the whole story from a millennium POV side-stepping the inescapable fact that there are "Beatlesisms" in virtually all areas of modern music. (That is said from the POV of someone who firmly believes that they drastically altered the course of contemporary music).
What a fascinating thought.
I think if their social and musical backgrounds were translated into the closest present-day equivalent, I could imagine them starting off in the indie/punk scene.
If their compositional influences from then were translated into present day trends
they could still skyrocket to superstardom or become one of those timeless "cult" bands.
Then again, what could those 'equivalents' consist of ?
Modernising the Beatles - what a fun thing to do !
Could someone ever re-write the whole story from a millennium POV side-stepping the inescapable fact that there are "Beatlesisms" in virtually all areas of modern music. (That is said from the POV of someone who firmly believes that they drastically altered the course of contemporary music).
I have to agree with Dave as well. My mum was a big fan and she too had some singles on vinyl. Don't know whats happened to them but heyho. I was born in '71 but grew up listening to the Beatles and I actually prefer their latter stuff like Strawberry Fields and and anything from Revolver onwards. I do like their earlier music but not as much as the latter music.
I know Wikipedia is a bit hit and miss with its facts but this link shows that they appear to have sold as many if not more records than any other pop act since. Even Jacko couldn't Beat It!
http://en.wikipedia.o...selling_music_artists
All I can say is what the hell am I doing up at this time of night!!!
I know Wikipedia is a bit hit and miss with its facts but this link shows that they appear to have sold as many if not more records than any other pop act since. Even Jacko couldn't Beat It!
http://en.wikipedia.o...selling_music_artists
All I can say is what the hell am I doing up at this time of night!!!
