I just noticed this about The Beatles

Their five essential albums were released in the second half of the 1960s, at a pace of one must-have album per year.

Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (aka The White Album) (1968) or Abbey Road (1969).

So that's a really neat coincidence. This fun fact helps me understand their influence on pop music. You see, the years 1965-1969 happen to be the most revolutionary years in music history. So, Beatles were following/leading the trend at every turn.

As I understand it, the five albums have the following historical significance:

Rubber Soul - Music-wise, it shows elements of psychedelia and folk rock, which were very progressive at the time. Lyrics-wise, these songs start to have deeper meanings than the usual radio pop. So obviously it was influenced by Bob Dylan's 1965 classics.

Revolver - Haven't heard this album but I heard it changed the face of pop music forever.

Sgt. Pepper - An early pioneer of 70s art rock movement. Developed the concept of concept albums. Many characteristics of prog rock were already subtly present on this release.

White Album - 1967 was the year that saw some truly groundbreaking acts (Velvet Underground and Jimi Hendrix), so in 1968 it felt peaceful in comparison. Beatles used this time to experiment on some new ideas and explore a variety of existing genres.

Abbey Road - The apex as well as the swan song.

Why can't you just Let It Be? 

But yeah, for me the essential Beatles begins with Rubber Soul.

Also if you don't give Revolver a listen, I will have to shoot you.


Edited by Slartibartfast - October 10 2010 at 07:31

paganinio wrote: Their five essential albums were released in the second half of the 1960s, at a pace of one must-have album per year. Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver (1966), Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967), The Beatles (aka The White Album) (1968) or Abbey Road (1969). So that's a really neat coincidence. This fun fact helps me understand their influence on pop music. You see, the years 1965-1969 happen to be the most revolutionary years in music history. So, Beatles were following/leading the trend at every turn. As I understand it, the five albums have the following historical significance: Rubber Soul - Music-wise, it shows elements of psychedelia and folk rock, which were very progressive at the time. Lyrics-wise, these songs start to have deeper meanings than the usual radio pop. So obviously it was influenced by Bob Dylan's 1965 classics. Revolver - Haven't heard this album but I heard it changed the face of pop music forever. Sgt. Pepper - An early pioneer of 70s art rock movement. Developed the concept of concept albums. Many characteristics of prog rock were already subtly present on this release. White Album - 1967 was the year that saw some truly groundbreaking acts (Velvet Underground and Jimi Hendrix), so in 1968 it felt peaceful in comparison. Beatles used this time to experiment on some new ideas and explore a variety of existing genres. Abbey Road - The apex as well as the swan song.

I think a lot of proggers forget the Beatles might have been just as influential on folk rock and how their early songs chordal changes  were a huge influence on people like Dylan and the Byrds. 

Edited by Floydman - October 10 2010 at 09:37

The Beatles influenced so many things, improved so many things, started so many things it's unbelievable.

There's only one artist that can be compared with the Liverpool Quartet both by his body of work and by his impact on forthcoming art and culture.
His name is Leonardo da Vinci.

Nobody truly understands just how influential they were. EVERYTHING and I truly mean EVERYTHING the Beatles did changed things. From the drugs they took, to the clothes they wore, to their use of the mellotron (!) were used by all who came later. In the 8 years that they made albums, they had more impact and influence on, not just music, but popular culture than any other musician(s) before or since. The only other artists that could even be close to that level of direct influence would be Elvis or Nirvana, but even they didn't change as much as the Beatles did. And the albums you mentioned, are truly where the roots of Prog lie. Ian McDonald of KC even says that the first prog song was Yesterday, mostly because of its classical strings. The Beatles should be listed as prog, at least for crossover, if only for how they revolutionalized pop and made it artier. (This isn't trying to get them included as Crossover, its just what I believe).