1) The Beatles

Vocals: John Lennon / Paul McCartney
Guitar: John Lennon / George Harrison
Bass: Paul McCartney
Drums: Ringo Starr

So we have finally reached the peak of the countdown and who better to top it than The Beatles. Not only did they change the face of music forever but they changed the world. Everything The Beatles did was news and not only news but large news, whether it was Paul admitting he used drugs, John saying “The Beatles are bigger than Jesus,” or turning down an offer to play for royalty in the Philippines it seemed as if the world revolved around the fab four. In my last post I said that Pink Floyd was the most influential band in Progressive Rock music, well The Beatles take the spot for the most influential band in music, they were so incredibly innovative and important. They seemed to have a limitless imagination and their creativity will never be matched. I could write a novel on the importance of The Beatles but I’m sure nobody would like to read that and I sure don’t feel like writing that much. The Beatles career started off their career in the late 50’s and were known as The Quarymen, at this time John, Paul, and George were in the band but the search for a drummer was ongoing for quite a while. They eventually changed their name to The Beatles and found a drummer that would stick with the band and that was Pete Best. The Beatles career all began in Liverpool but their home seemed to move to Germany where they would play nearly endlessly. When they arrived back at Liverpool they were played many gigs at the now famous Cavern Club. In 1962 the drummer Pete Best was kicked out of the band, and still to this day there is no really clarity for their reasoning. They would soon after draft Ring Starr to play with them but he was already busy with a fairly successful band of his own. Lucky for The Beatles Ringo decided to make The Beatles his permanent band. The Beatles first scuffle with stardom was when they released “Love Me Do”/”P.S. I Love You” as their first single, but not until the release of the single “Please Please Me” had The Beatles reach TRUE fame. In 1963 they would release their first record which derived from their famous single “Please Please Me.” This album was a very catchy and primitive record when compared to future albums but none the less is a classic. After a few more albums and incredible success in both the U.K. and the U.S. The Beatles had decided they would take their first journey to the states. Although never setting foot in America The Beatles had the top five singles and the top two albums on the charts. In 1964 when they landed down in New York they received a larger than warm welcome from Americans, girls who only knew what they looked like just from the pictures on their album covers were ecstatic to finally see them as more than just pictures but as people. Once arriving in America they were set to perform three landmark performances on the Ed Sullivan Show, and thus Beatlemania had begun. In 1965 The Beatles would play the most famous concert by a single band and that was their Shea Stadium performance. Maybe more of a circus than a concert, but either way no band had received such a grand reception, maybe too good of a reception because when it came down to it all you can hear is the cries of girls and not the fantastic music of The Beatles. The Beatles went on to release more fun and catchy albums along with a few movies such as “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!” In 1965 the band came together to create what is often regarded as their best album “Rubber Soul.” What made “Rubber Soul” stand out more than it’s predecessors was it’s maturity and creativity. Songs like “Norwegian Wood” and “Nowhere Man” prove that The Beatles have grown from their basic love songs and to a more experimental and artistic realm. A year later came “Revolver” which is basically the brother of “Rubber Soul.” A very similar album but here we get to hear from George on the opening track “Taxman,” along with “Love You To,” and “I Want to Tell You.” Another surprise was to be found on this classic album and that is the voice of Ringo on “Yellow Submarine,” surely his voice isn’t profound but it fits with the fun spirited mood of the song. Another breakthrough found on this album is we finally start to hear Lennon and McCartney going their separate ways with their lyrics which is one of the greatest aspects of The Beatles. After the great “Revolver” The Beatles had become fed up with touring, and decided that it was time to put an end to it. The packed stadiums with screaming fans just wasn’t worth it, it was evident that their needed to be an end to it due to the fact that nobody in the audience could hear the music over the screams and the band couldn’t hear themselves play. In 1967 they came up with an idea to make a “fake” band as an excuse for them on longer wanting to tour and therefore the world received “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band.” At the time The Beatles were experimenting with drugs like LSD and it was quite apparent in “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band.” Once this album came out everyone knew The Beatles style in music had changed forever, they went from the fun loving songs of “Revolver” to sophisticated psychedelic music. As stated before “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver” were breakthrough albums but The Beatles had more breaking through to do and they made their greatest leap on “Sgt. Pepper.” Songs like “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and “A Day in the Life” prove their artistic ability was finally showing through. Also in 1967 The Beatles also created a made for T.V. movie with “Magical Mystery Tour.” A very imaginative movie and to say it’s odd is an understatement, scenes like John shoveling spaghetti onto an overweight ladies plate, and when I say shoveling I mean that literally with a large shovel. The movie did not catch on with the public, and it’s often said that the reason it did not catch on because it was not seen in color by the viewers and it was intended to be seen in color. None the less an album went along with the movie and that proved to be much more successful. Probably an overlooked album but contains so many of the classic Beatles songs we all love especially John’s imaginative “I am the Walrus.” A year later came the ambitious double album “The Beatles” aka “The White Album” which is the way I will refer to it. “The White Album” is filled with so many fantastic songs but it’s only problem is it seems as if there are a numerous amount of lackluster fillers such like “Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da” and “Piggies” just to name two. I could only wonder how great this album could have been if released on just one single disc, maybe one day I will actually come to create my perfect “White Album.” Regardless of the fillers the album is one of their strongest, and certainly one of their most popular. In 1969 The Beatles recorded “Let it Be” but oddly enough it was released as their final album, so before I go onto “Let it Be” I will go onto “Abbey Road.” There is really no better way for a band to go out than “Abbey Road.” It’s hard not to get choked up every time I listen to “Because,” it has Lennon and McCartney showing they had the greatest harmonies the world has ever heard. The Beatles creativity pushed forward even further with this album and their talents as well, it kills me that we couldn’t have the chance to hear more. Now back to “Let it Be” technically not their last album but it was the last album released. In 1970 the band hired Phil Spector to do some overdubbing for the album and unfortunately that was a terrible choice. He ruined some of their best work especially “The Long and Winding Road.” The album is often frowned upon because of the band was clearly divided when making it but although it may not be their best work it is indeed a fantastic album. Luckily for Beatles fans the album was re-released with out Spector’s wall of sound and it was called “Let it Be…Naked.” After the recording of “Abbey Road” the band was clearly hostile and there had to be an end to it. All the members parted their own ways and went on to pursue their own interests and all became fairly successful. Many would like to point the blame on Yoko Ono for the break up for the band, but I would have to disagree with that assumption. Hostility was in the band before Yoko showed up and although she may not have helped the situation she was not the cause of it. The Beatles had only recorded album for seven years and their importance is unquestionable. They pushed the barriers of music and created music the whole world could enjoy with their incredible harmonies and timeless pieces. The Beatles success can never be measured in number one hits or number one albums and no matter what band comes along in the future they will never have an impact on the music industry like The Beatles had. Wherever music is to go The Beatles music will be there watching over it. Thus ends the countdown of The Greatest Rock Bands of All Time! So go relax, pop in your favorite Beatles album and have a great day. LONG LIVE THE BEATLES!