The Beatles place in Prog History

sgt pepper was the first concept album, it also experiemented with deverse styles, themes and instruments in ways that was never done before, revolver introduced revolutionary studio techniques such as the double tape loop system and digitaly altered vocals...abbey road features early use of synths and a mini rock suite, and the white album was prog all the way, with longer instrumenals, more epics and so on...plus they experiemented with so many styles..raga, 20s style tin pan alley music, classic theater and opera, plus stuff that is completely out there...they progressed greatly after rubber soul, so id say yes, they made a big influence on prog.

Odd24 wrote: ivan_2068 wrote: I don't think so, they were one of the influences, prog' roots especially symphonic come from way behind (A couple of centuries) to precise since the late XVII - early XVIII Centuries and Johan Sebastian Bach, there's also a lot of Jazz influence (in the way they blend styles and genres), classic Rock & Roll and even other genres as folk. The Beatles are one more. The Beatles combined classical music with pop. They were one of the first bands which did this. Prog is also pop with classical influences. I wonder what was actually the very first pop hitrecord with classical influences. Was it "Anyone who had a heart" by Dionne Warwick? I think that song was a revelation for the music back in 1964. I'm not very interested in the mainstream pop from 1960-1964. I usually make fun of it , but something changed in 1965...

You're almost there Odd. But I wouldn't consider prog as "pop" with classical influences. Prog is a more non-mainstream experimental genre that was spun-off of what the Beatles started. Would you really call Yes, KC and early Genesis as pop? Some of them had some pop moments most notably ELP, but overall they were not pop. Pop with classical influences would be artists like French conductor Paul Mauriat (remember Love Is Blue in '67? Actually a beautiful song, I love it), the Sandpipers, Burt Bachrach and so forth.




Edited by marktheshark

I have been known to say I don't particularly care for the Beatles, but Revolver is one that I find myself playing somewhat often. Probably the ONLY Beatles album I find myself playing somewhat often.

But for some reason, I didn't particularly care for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.  Oh well.

After reading all the previous posts some questions come to my mind:

1.- Were The Beatrles influential?

Yes they were, denying this would be absurd and blind.

2.- Are The Beatles the main influence in Prog?

I don't think so, they were one of the influences, prog' roots especially symphonic come from way behind (A couple of centuries) to precise since the late XVII - early XVIII Centuries and Johan Sebastian Bach, there's also a lot of Jazz influence (in the way they blend styles and genres), classic Rock & Roll and even other genres as folk. The Beatles are one more.

3.- Are the Beatles Prog?

No way, they released 2 albums prog' related  but their earlier career is very far from prog'.

I'm not offending The Beatles or their fans, I know they were great, but I don't believe they were gods, to be honest, I don't like most of their albums, except Sgt. Peppers (Which I believe is good but way overrated) and Abbey Road which is my favorite.

Iván 

Edited by ivan_2068

philippe wrote: lucas wrote: philippe wrote: pppffffff, the Beatles, just radiophonic boring stuff. 60s pop psych pre-progressive bands as Seventh sons or Bobby Callender are by fare more original, dynamic and consistent than the ridiculous Beatles...stop being blind!!  Philippe likes to cite bands no one ever heard of... you can easily find and purchase these CDs on the net if you were more attentive to what happened outside the big musical business

Phillippe is one of those few anti-Beatles types you come across occasionally. Which is fine, I respect everybodys opinion. I'm sure he's got a good thorough knowledge in music. But if you guys think you can convert him, you're wasting your time. I know, as a Beatlemaniac myself I've come across a good share of them. Most of them Deadheads. Those types always have the same arguements:

"They didn't improvise, dude"
"Phil Lesch is a better bass player than Paul, dude"
"They only had one drummer, the Dead had TWO, dude"
"They didn't do jazz, dude"
"The Dead's album covers were cooler, dude"

And so on and so on. They're like a broken record! At least Phillippe has some rather unique observations.

   

Edited by marktheshark

Beatles are amazing beyond words, I can not begin to say how good they are.

Has anyone seen/bought the anthology? Its fantastic and every beatlemaniac should see it at least once. The last episode brings tears to my eyes.....

Hi guys,

There are two things:

1st.-> They are (and always be) my favourite all time band.

2nd-> They were the root of all styles that appears from then. (from prog to metal)

And that`s all.

 

Let's just include the White Album and leave it at that ... oh, and Yellow Matter Custard

Very true grandoleopry. I especially like "Where the Beatles went, rock followed. Everybody and I mean everybody at the time waited to see what direction the Beatles would take music next. Hendrix, Zappa, Beach Boys, Jagger, LZ, Tull, Yes, Dylan, Doors, Paul Simon, Elton John, not to mention the country western, jazz and pop stars, they all took their cues from the Beatles." That's entirely correct. Look at any genre in rock or pop (plus a few others) music today and the Beatles will have a strong influence in it. Pop songs today can be traced back to Please Please Me and other early records an songs like Come Together. At the same time the symphonic prog world is reminiscent to Revolver and St. Pepper. Even genres like punk and heavy metal can be traced to some place in the Beatles history. Oh what a marvelous group they were. If a band came around today with the same goals they'd be gods among men.

Great post.

krauthead wrote: I read some interviews on an online record store for some years ago and many top names in the progressive genre choosed the Sgt. Pepper album

not surprising, the guys who written these articles surely be influenced by others..and you believe that!!! very disconcerted! the first prog rock album in history is raga by seventh sons!

Edited by philippe