Best rock band ever?

That’s how the Beatles started, because that’s what everyone else was doing and what their management made them do. They progressed to a much more diverse and eclectic output later on, when they had more artistic control. I suspect the diversity is one of the reasons a lot of people only associate them with their early sound. Listen to the “Yellow Submarine” and “St Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band“ albums – even if you don’t like them, you won’t be able to call anything there generic love songs.

 

You most likely are not a baby boomer then. Generation X'ers and the millennials didn't grow up with their music, the culture and the lifestyle.

 

I have listened to that album all the way through and it basically the same as their early stuff so far as I can see. They just made it a bit more tranquil and changed the subject matter.

I didn't mean to offend. This is just how it seems to me.

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I don't know what that timeline is.

And so what? Why do you need to grow up with music or be contemporary with music to grow up with it?

 

Well the “more tranquil” is no longer generic and the “changed subject matter” is no longer love songs, which was my point. As for being “basically the same”, “St Pepper’s” has more variety on that one album than many groups manage in their whole career.

 

Well, if those changes are sufficient for you then I'm glad they please you. I didn't notice much diversity in he album (at least no more than I expect in most pop albums). I can't help but wonder what your standard for a career of diversity is.

In my opinion, Blondie has more diversity between to albums than in the Beatles whole career. But that's just me. They dabbled in many genres: proto-punk, disco, reggae, pop rock etc. I have never known the Beatles to be anything other than basic pop.

 

The Beatles are indeed Rock, and in fact were one of the larger influences that propelled it. People tend to be influenced by them as musicians due to the many new sounds and rhythms they created, as fans due to the peer popularity and physical movement (dancing) the music inspired.

 

I have a really hard time believing that. If the Beatles are rock then why not Justin Beiber? What new rhythms? I notice none.

They are basically the Mozart of popular music. Watered down some innovations made by contemporaries in a why that happened to be more accessible and due to marketing and pop star cult of personality, emperors new clothes mentality and the domino effect of being famous, became somehow very popular.

 

That you do not notice any new rhythms in Beatles music makes clear to me there is no reason to bother answering further.

 

Spinal Tap, of course!

 

Sinatra and Miles Davis released the idea of concept albums in the 50s; long before Sgt. Peppers; and The Beach Boys released Pet Sounds in 1966...which in turn influenced The Beatles.

Everyone steals from everyone else and The Beatles were no different. I don't regard them as true innovators.

 

All Relative i guess. The beatles are much more innovative than many of the pop bands around them at the time. And to be fair, i dont think they promoted themselves as anything more than they were.... A pop band of their time. Imo they were fairly innovative within the context of who they were, and who they were selling to

As far as best rock band.... That is very very subjective... Depending on what style of music you prefer, and ultimately how you conceive the definition of rock. I personally do not care to define rock, or try to tease out the best in some battle of the bands. Instead, i just enjoy the music

 

They started out as a 60s equivalent to a Boy band...granted these guys played their instruments however musically they were influenced by black musicians like Chuck Berry and Smokey Robinson...their good looks and bubble gum lyrics propelled them into American homes through teen-age girls record players.

The Beatles had enough talent and musicianship to mature...lyrically and musically and this made them an enduring band beyond a mere floppy haired boy band.

Personally, I love Pink Floyd more than any other band...and they had very little musicianship in their early years. Syd Barret, who was later kicked out of the band, experimented with different sounds, though as a trained musician he was limited...again over the years they matured as did their music.

Some bands, like AC/DC...never adapt...their first release is similar to their last and the fans like that. I like Pink Floyd because their early work is so different musically from the their later releases. You could say the same for The Beatles. The Beatles had actual talent, no one can say otherwise...and talent eventually rises to the top beyond popularity with teen-age girls because of good looks and bubble-gum lyrics.

Switching gears for a minute, I think Justin Bieber's new album is actually a mature start to reinvent himself as maybe another Justin Timberlake....and no one can deny Justin Timberlake is talented. We'll see if Bieber can sustain his career beyond teen-age girls liking hm. The Beatles were able to do this...it's called staying power and it separates good bands from great bands.

 

I agree with the above
Pink floyd also a favorite.
thought queen was also good
I have never taken the effort to become familiar wth Timberlake or Bieber
Having comfortably settled into the old fuddie duddie stage of life

 

Queen is undeniably a solid band and Freddy Mercury the consummate entertainer...

I was born in 1964. I had a older sister who of course adored The Beatles...which I suppose I thought to be ok, but the band that changed my musical tastes completely was Genesis...early Genesis. I suppose the term used for that is "Prog-rock." 15 minute songs verses the standard 3 - 4 minute hook driven pop song of the day like The Beatles were putting out.

 

1964.... You are just a child!!!

And yeah, i also went through a genesis phase
And for "true rock"
Liked led Zeppelin to blow out my ears

 

I went through a Led Zeppelin phase, no doubt. I still have 4 of their albums somewhere...I mean albums as in 33 rpm but no turntable to listen to them. Led Zep was huge in my high school years...I've heard Stairway to Heaven, possibly a thousand times over the years.

I was also into the Moody Blues which you should be familiar with.

 

Yes mb was very nice.

I thought steely dan was interesting, though not rock

Fleetwood mac was nice, though unremarkable i guess
Creedence clearwater had their day
And for his time, hendrix was innovative, though all he did has now become almost a cliche

 

The Band: the Last Waltz

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v191484543aM8pxdK

"If I don't do it, somebody else will."

 

I'd say from the early 1960's thru the early 1970's.

Because in some cases one cannot relate to the music because they did not grow up in that era. They may view it in a different vein.

 

Faith No More.

 

[video=youtube;HQmmM_qwG4k]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQmmM_qwG4k[/video]

[video=youtube;qyivczZI5pw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyivczZI5pw[/video]

 

I don't think there is a "best" but how don't you have The Who ranked among the Beatles and Stones?

[video=youtube;PdLIerfXuZ4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdLIerfXuZ4[/video]

 

Totally agree with you, Townsends song writing put The Who up there with the very best. Daltry as a front man rated at well as Jagger and then there was Moon!

Tommy is THE rock opera.

But the best live band I ever saw was Queen, Mercury played the audience like a piano.

 

MrNick wrote: I don't think there is a "best" but how don't you have The Who ranked among the Beatles and Stones?

The Who are easily among the Top Ten Bands of Rock.

 

A band that most folks like but for some reason doesn't often come to mind on the Best of lists.

When he dies, music will truly have lost something huge.

[video=youtube;IxuThNgl3YA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxuThNgl3YA[/video]