The Rolling Stones were hitting their stride when the Beatles disbanded. Think: "Let It Bleed", "Sticky Fingers" et al. The Stones had more rock n roll SOUL in just one song (Honky Tonk Woman) than the entire Beatles catalog. I have never understood the fascination with them. From "I want to hold your hand" to "Sgt. Peppers" (although it was interesting to listen to, but had NO real soul), they were just an accomplished pop band.
To this day, check out any bar band or jukebox and see how many Stones songs are played versus Beatles. Also, arguably the greatest intro to a rock song is "Gimme Shelter". Plus, how many movies have you seen that have Stones in the background versus Beatles? As recent as "Flight" with Denzel Washington had Stones songs in it, not to mention the many Scorsese movies.
The Beatles were over. They did their thing and had nothing left because their music wasn't truly built on rhythm & blues, as they claimed. The Stones were from the very first album and progressed from there. I could name numerous early Stones songs that were blues/rock versus Beatles early Partridge Family crap.
The Beatles’ best work blows away anything the Stones ever did . I’m talking about Revolver , Rubber Soul , Sgt. Peppers era . Very accomplished pop band . Even gave the Stones their first top 20 hit , I Wanna Be Your Man . :-)
I think as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, good music is in the ear of the listener. So I can’t really argue against your preference of the Stones over the Beatles.
Having said that, I will say I agree with sushi man when he says, “The Beatles’ best work blows away anything the Stones ever did.”
I think the Kinks had better songs than the Rolling Stones.
But, what I want to ask you, as an obvious Stones fan, is about what I think is their best song period — when they were doing country-fried songs.
Do you think Gram Parsons was a big influence on that? The vocals on Wild Horses in some parts sounds like Jagger is imitating a Burrito song.
I wonder if Parsons even essentially wrote or created the songs while he was living with Richards, doing heroin together and jamming.
The Rolling Stones sucks. Their deal with Satan was a real bust. Satan could only get crap out of them.