Oh sorry, I thought you were a fan, because you spoke and speak like a fan, and not to my ear like a musical scholar. But that’s fine, except what do you know of the “the world-wide scale that the Beatle’s did”? (and why “Beatle’s”, when they were the Beatles?!) The world is a big place and in many places the Beatles have thankfully had little or no influence.
I’m speaking as a critic, and to me the Mamas and the Papas, or the Who don’t show to have been any more influenced by the Beatles than Muddy Waters by the Rolling Stones, no matter what they say. Music speaks better than musicians. Sure, Sgt Pepper as a concept album probably influenced Pete Townsend to write his rock operas, but in another example, the Kinks came out from another British tradition, and the Loving Spoonful from another American tradition, and everybody influenced everybody else, sure. More than musical influence, I think that the commercial success of the Beatles influenced the music industry, sometimes in very negative ways. And so, the recording careers of other performers may owe to the commercial success of the Beatles but not to the music of the Beatles, stylistically speaking.
Are you aware of what was happening in pop music in England of 1962? There was a lot of noise then, and the Beatles themselves were one of many groups and vocalists that could have come out on top at the time. It was a lively scene (unlike the scene of the time in the States.) Some got lucky, some didn’t. The Undertakers from Liverpool had Jackie Lomax and could have, should have gotten lucky on the strength of his talent, but didn’t. The Pretty Things?
I’m not contradicting everything you are saying, I’m only trying to place it in historical perspective, meaning the history of popular music which lives and dies with its listeners, and that is my main point, even if you and I can still dig Glenn Miller. Another generation and Glenn Miller too will be forgotten.
I don’t know why every generation wants its trashy (let’s be honest) popular culture to outlast it! We oughta be embarrassed by our immature, youthful loves and tastes. If the Beatles are going to be listened to forever, as I read on these pages, then why not Chubby Checker? Everybody loves Chubby Checker. Anyway, that’s enough.
Actually Pete says it was Jimi Hendrix aping his guitar smash act that made him shift focus to lyrics.
re: “Oh sorry, I thought you were a fan, because you spoke and speak like a fan, and not to my ear like a musical scholar.”
I guess this just shows that ANY thread, no matter how light the topic, can turn into something unpleasant. I apologize for my part in it as well. There are way, WAY, too many other important things to get worked up about. This isn’t one of them.