It was 50 years ago today....


...that the Beatles played their last concert on the rooftop of Apple Records.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beatles-famous-rooftop-concert-15-things-you-didnt-kno...
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Showing 3 responses by gpgr4blu

I think the Beatles songwriting, singing and arranging talents will never be equaled in the realm of pop/rock. In most interviews with musicians of that era and shortly thereafter,they say that listening to the Beatles caused them to pick up a guitar and play. They were indeed stood for much more than music as they led the cultural revolution through the turbulent mid- late 60s.  Virtually EVERYBODY listened to the music of the Beatles and loved the music. Some even sang about it (e.g."Beatles new record's a gas"--Ball of Confusion-Temptations). But now only the music remains. On the basis of their music alone, three of their albums are, to this day, in my top 10 of all time led by the U.S. version of Rubber Soul. Not to mention All Things Must Pass. So IMHO, they were not the second coming, but they were damn close.  
bdp24
Of course Paul has recognized God Only Knows as a great song and Brian Wilson as top notch friendly competition. But Brian's favorite album is Rubber Soul. Of course the Beatles loved Elvis, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry (and Little Richard, Carl Perkins, et al).
But that doesn't change the fact that Beatles songs are much more popular today than any of those artists. I am a fan of all of the above, but I can go for 6 months without listening to one song from the Beatles predecessors. I can't go 1 month without having the urge to hear an entire Beatles album.
 The Beatles were also extremely versatile (ie the wide variety of styles of they have excelled in--even in one album (White) ) in a way which none of the artists before them or after them have ever approached.
I love George Martin but he assisted the Beatles on many songs but he was far from  an arranger in the classic sense. As to musicianship, that was one area where the Beatles always beat the competition---not as the best technical players--but as musicians who had the best musicality. The Everlys are a favorite of mine as well and had great harmonies, but there musicians were not nearly as sophisticated and varied in their approach as the Beatles-- especially considering Paul's inventive and musical bass playing on many, many songs and Ringo's tremendously tasteful drumming. George wasn't half bad either. 
I'll take Lennon/McCartney harmonizing (Please Don't Wear Red Tonight, If I Fell, This Boy and many others) as the equals of the Everly Brothers--but different.
I also think Lennon's Twist and Shout voice and his voice in and around1964/65, is one of the greatest in pop history.
I will agree with you that Elvis, the Beatles and Dylan are clearly the big three.
And Richard Manuel was a great emotionally transporting singer.
By the way all---I did not mean to diminish the role of George Martin or Geoff Emerick (may they both rest in peace). They were both critical--especially Martin with classical music suggestions (often in answer to Paul's requests).  BUT, for example, Martin never told Paul how to approach the bass lines on" Something" or "With A Little Help From My Friends" or on many other Beatle songs as tastefully as he did. No one told Ringo how to hit the skins on "Ticket To Ride", "A Day In The Life" or "Come Together" or numerous other songs. The Beatles, according to Eric Clapton reflecting on his solo on "While My Guitar.." related how they were extremely tough task masters who worked hard to get every sound and every note exactly the way they wanted. In that respect, they were superb arrangers as was George Martin.