Beatles vs. Led Zeppelin

I hear you and it may be the case but I doubt it;  the psychedelic rock movement started in the U.S., not Britain (though it was close and the two scenes certainly influenced each other) --   we know Prog was born mainly of psych [the Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Byrds, Big Brother&the Holding Co. and in England the Nice and Pink Floyd ] as it began incorporating all sorts of musics into the mostly spaced-out scene , so it follows that the biggest early influence on the development of what later would be termed 'Art' or 'Progressive' rock was in fact an American one.  That leaves the Beatles largely out of the Underground Rock equation as these bands began rejecting the simple and melodious drivel of the Fab Four.  Just because George Martin was an arranger who knew how to score for an orchestra doesn't make the Beatles the biggest influence on Prog.

The Beatles may have been the goose that used the golden egg to their advantage as master songsmiths, but you can't tell me the Beatles were responsible for Prog, it just doesn't add up.  Responsible for much in rock's evolution during the 1960s, perhaps as you say even providing a platform for many acts, but not Prog which was almost the antithesis of the Beatles' rudimentary music.





    

L Z... LE ZE... LED ZEP... LED ZEPP... LED ZEPPE... LED ZEPPELI... LED ZEPPELIN!

Edited by Mandrakeroot - December 26 2008 at 11:11

It appears I voted on this one a while ago, since "You have already voted in this poll" is the message.  I would assume I voted for The Beatles.   If you want the answer to the chicken/egg conundrum, the answer is The Beatles.  Let me say it loudly:  WITHOUT THE BEATLES NOTHING THAT CAME AFTER WOULD EXIST.  Phil Spector would still be trotting out wall-of-sound girl groups, the Beach Boys would still be in love with their cars and surfing, The Who would still be doing James Brown covers, and the Rolling Stones would still be an obscure R&B wanna-be.

Not voting!

jplanet wrote: i have to join those who cannot vote - a world without either would be a sadder and bleaker place... It would be so much easier if it was Zepp vs. Sabbath, or Beatles vs. the Stones...

Gee I wonder who would win Beatles vs. Stones...

Neither would be in my top 20 bands, I'm mainly into 70s prog. But the Zeps would have more cool tunes which don't sound ancient or too simplistic

Abstrakt wrote: While Beatles may have been more important for the music scene, Led Zeppelin is much better.

I beg to differ...

Zeppelin put on a barnburner of a show even when they stumbled, were technically superior, recorded possibly the single most influential album in rock history [Zep II], didn't steal anything every other blues-rock artist hadn't already stolen, produced a catalog from day one of consistently brilliant and powerful albums that no one could match but everyone wanted to copy, revolutionized the way rock bands tour, perform, record, and release music.

the Beatles were good too.

Chelsea wrote:  The Beatles are the best Progressive Pop band and best at really putting anything with pop music/rock together. Led Zeppelin is the greatest mainstream hard rock band.  I would put Abbey Road over Led Zeppelin II.  Led Zeppelin loses points for their blatant plagiarisms on much of the first two albums. Some of the songs they did not even bother giving credit for the original artists.  Even when the Beatles based something from another artist they would change the chord progressions or notes for example "I Feel Fine" based on "Watch Your Step".  "Moby Dick" is an almost note for note copy of a riff which appears in Bobby Parker's 1961 single, "Watch Your Step"

I fully agree. Led-Zep's copying on the first two albums was really retarded, but somehow I can stand up for Zeppelin because they did get sued for that and had to pay tons of money...

 The Beatles are the best Progressive Pop band and best at really putting anything with pop music/rock together. Led Zeppelin is the greatest mainstream hard rock band.  I would put Abbey Road over Led Zeppelin II.  Led Zeppelin loses points for their blatant plagiarisms on much of the first two albums. Some of the songs they did not even bother giving credit for the original artists.  Even when the Beatles based something from another artist they would change the chord progressions or notes for example "I Feel Fine" based on "Watch Your Step".  "Moby Dick" is an almost note for note copy of a riff which appears in Bobby Parker's 1961 single, "Watch Your Step"

Edited by Chelsea - December 20 2008 at 14:19