Originally posted by GtoRA2
I think the Beetles where the back street boys or Nsync of their day.
What do you guys think?
I think it's spelled Beatles to begin with. Not being old enough, you may not remember exactly what was passing for Rock and Roll before John, Paul, George and Ringo made their impression on American (and Worldwide) Music.
Here's the Billboard Top 10 for 1963: (1 year before the invasion)
1. Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs
2. He's So fine - The Chiffons
3. Dominque - The Singing Nun
4. Hey Paula - Paul and Paula
5. My Boyfriend's Back - the Angels
6. Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton
7. Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto
8. I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March
9. Fingertips pt. 2 - Little Stevie Wonder
10. Walk Like A Man - the 4 Seasons
Now look at the Billboard Top 10 for 1971:
1. American Pie - Don McLean
2. Joy To The World - Three Dog Night
3. Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones
4. Maggie May - Rod Stewart
5. Proud Mary - Ike and Tina Turner
6. You've Got A Friend - James Taylor
7. Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin
8. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
9. Colour My World - Chicago
10. Imagine - John Lennon
The change in music content and style may not be completely because of The Beatles, but they played a HUGE part in it. Sweet and wholesome "safe" music was gone. Pushing traditional boundries with Magical Mystery Tour and Sgt. Pepper opened the door for many, many artists to express their talent in ways that would have gotten them thrown in jail just a few years earlier. Yes, other bands played their part in music's evolution....but The Beatles were the catalyst. Oh, yeah....they also had the best songwriting duo in existence.