Morgan BellBeating the Beatles: Will it ever be done?
September 22nd 2006 18:50
Looking at the state of the modern-rock scene the answer seems to be: not anytime soon! Sure, we have some great bands going right now, notably The Strokes, Oasis, the Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Foo Fighters and Australia’s own Wolfmother. However, the popularity of Rock & Roll certainly seems to be in a downward spiral, sliding down the slippery slide to non-existence, following the path of classical music, blues and jazz. It’s such a sorry fate for this great music to be replaced by the formulaic, sleep inducing music of Britney Spears, the Pussy Cat Dolls and the Sugababes. Now, I know I’m going to have to prepare for a torrent of metro slaps and pointed-stiletto kicks. But honestly, no amount of make-up and silicone breasts could make these “artists” comparable at all to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Could the music of the Beatles, Stones, Pink Floyd and Led Zep ever be matched? Will there ever come a modern-rock band who not only sells a massive amount of records like these bands have, but produces music just as good, if not better?
One reason why they won't be beat: Let it Be
The grunge movement of the 90s may have come close, but its bands, particularly Nirvana, were often too short-lived to achieve the greatness of the bands of the 60s and 70s. Great bands are often overlooked by the mainstream, usually because millions of eyes are distracted by shiny cars, platinum teeth and hot asses. It is because of this that would-be-Beatles bands do not achieve enough success and get the chance to flourish. The only time rock music attracts any mainstream attention is when some teen Rockstar heartthrob, like Pete Doherty, gets too boozed or high and does something stupid. What ever happened to the great hippie-era love of music? What ever happened to the awesome musical performances? What ever happened to setting your guitar on fire and smashing it? Sadly enough, it seems great Rock & Roll has long since been bled dry by a word I cannot say without shuddering: Pop.
One reason why they won't be beat: Let it Be
The grunge movement of the 90s may have come close, but its bands, particularly Nirvana, were often too short-lived to achieve the greatness of the bands of the 60s and 70s. Great bands are often overlooked by the mainstream, usually because millions of eyes are distracted by shiny cars, platinum teeth and hot asses. It is because of this that would-be-Beatles bands do not achieve enough success and get the chance to flourish. The only time rock music attracts any mainstream attention is when some teen Rockstar heartthrob, like Pete Doherty, gets too boozed or high and does something stupid. What ever happened to the great hippie-era love of music? What ever happened to the awesome musical performances? What ever happened to setting your guitar on fire and smashing it? Sadly enough, it seems great Rock & Roll has long since been bled dry by a word I cannot say without shuddering: Pop.
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Comment by Joy
"Let it Be" was inspired by "Bridge over Troubled Water." I do like Paul Simon more than the Beatles, but that's probably not what you were asking. (Geez, I'm bad at this)
Anyhow, I think the days of the Beatles have passed. Nothing quite so profound may come into the mainstream. We can only hope it does.
Comment by Jass
I suppose I mean "Beating the Beatles" in a general way, both popularly and musically.
The Eagles did have the best-selling individual album, however, the Beatles are the
best-selling band of all time. See http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/ledzeppelin/articles/story/
5926820/led_zeppelin_is_second_highest_selling_band_in_us_history.
I hadn't heard that Let it Be was inspired by Bridge over Troubled Water. I'm not sure if this is true
because as far as I know Let it Be was recorded in early 69 and Bridge over Troubled Water was
not released till 1970. I am probably wrong though. Regardless, I too love Paul Simon, though not as
much as the Fab Four.
Sadly enough I must agree that the days of the Beatles have passed.
Thanks for the comment.
Comment by Joy
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Comment by Jimbo
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Comment by DanielR
again, that's not the argument, is it? but i get upset when people have a go at the 'state of music today' when, in my opinion, it's healthier than it's ever been in history. there are more artists around and more money to spend on them and more ways of finding out about them than there has ever been before.
stop me if i'm going off topic!
Comment by MelissaA
Fun Facts
From what I remember, Let it Be was recorded early 1969, but the Beatles shelved the entire album for about a year because they weren't happy with that entire album.
Bridge Over Troubled Water then came out later in early 1970 and it was inspired by an old gospel song - something to do with a bridge over deep water.
Comment by boydie
Comment by lethalpiano
Here's another twist. How about the different marketing strategies that seem to go unnoticed? For example, TOTO. Absolutely massive in Europe and Asia, but since "Africa", overlooked and underrated in the States, UK and here in Oz. Having played in Europe, I get the feeling, but I may be wrong, that they missed the majority of the Punk, Thrash, Pop and manufactured stuff. I may be wrong, but it sure showed in my audiences. Marketing...another lost art.
But, sad as it is, I don't think there's ever gonna be any more decent music. Maybe we should all get together and form a Supergroup. Yuz can crash at my pad!
Oh, and get rid of that Pop Idol shite.
Comment by katyzzz
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