I was just asked to contribute some thoughts for an English music magazine’s upcoming Beatles special issue in September. Here they are:
The Beatles are the most influential music group of all time and anyone who denies that is simply clueless. In addition to pop and rock, the Beatles have made a mark on nearly every conceivable genre of music, from jazz (“Michelle”), classical (“Eleanor Rigby”), to genres that were yet to come, such as heavy metal (“Helter Skelter”) and world music (“Within You Without You”). They were the first rock band to have lyrics as poetic as the top folk artists and the first to have melodies that measured up to the great standards and showtunes. Their music is essential studying for any songwriter and is a lesson not only in coming up with great songs, but creating the right arrangements and parts for them. The Beatles were not virtuoso musicians, but that didn’t matter. They had personality and creativity and did more with their limited abilities than a thousand virtuosos .
Here Comes The Sun” was the first song I ever sang along with as a child. Although Kiss was the band that got me to start playing guitar, The Beatles were the only other band I’d listen to. I outgrew Kiss for a while, but I never outgrew the Beatles. The first song I ever learned to play and sing was “Act Naturally” and the first guitar riff I ever figured out was “Day Tripper,” both by The Beatles.
They are the only band I can think of that has never sounded dated. As I got into metal, my Beatles appreciation never wavered. I found out that a lot of my icons (Ozzy and Kiss for instance), had also been Beatles fans. Whenever the Beatles come on the radio or my iPod, I’m always in the mood to listen. Like millions of others worldwide, I cannot imagine life or music without the Beatles.