Beatles breakup turbocharged prog

Most new proggers tend to underestimate the the importance of the
Beatles to the development of prog and the influence they had on the
fledgling musicians of the time. The golden age of prog (1969 to 1974)
followed on directly from the demise of the Fab Four in 1969. Record
companies of the time were falling over themselves to find the "next
Beatles" and were open to the market potential of the kind of
experimentation that the Beatles pioneered in their later years.

I heard Rick Wakeman speaking about this particular matter on a radio
interview during his recent tour of Australia. He went to pains to point out
that the record company execs were happy to give the newer groups of
the time as much leeway as they needed in the studio and that they never
darkened the studio door nor expressed opinions regarding musical
direction. After all, what did they know apart from the fact that there was
a gaping hole had been left in the market?

German Polydor (who had the Beatles on their label in the pre-Parlophone
days) were so keen to discover/manufacture the new Beatles that they
commissioned and bankrolled an effort in that direction which became
Faust. It is no accident that Faust produced their hugely experimental
classic first albums in the 71-74 period.

The return of prog in the 90s has as much to do with technology as
anything else. With the availability of cheap computer-based music
technology, musicians have been able to self-produce their own efforts
independent of expensive studios and cynical A&R types. The internet has
given them access to global niche markets. This site in particular has
given prog a welcome "kick along" in the past 5 years (?) or so.

History shows us why the early 70s constituted the first golden era of
prog and why we're in the middle of another one now. (See my thread
"Why did prog go away?")

IM

It's a shame that those classic bands were not able to recreate the conditions
that allowed them to innovate so freely. The market for prog is not tied to
major labels anymore. Current prog bands get the music made and then
look to exploiting their niche markets esp. via the internet.

IM      

Don't forget that the personal computer was a mid 70s innovation. Somehow
I'm glad that the Beatles were pre-digital.

IM

How about Frank Zappa? I think he more or less gave the Beatles the possibility (and inspiration) to start with more experimental music. You are right though, because of the Beatles the bigger labels were more open to innovative music as the Beatles had a lot of success with it.

Rosescar wrote: How about Frank Zappa? I think he more or less gave the Beatles the possibility (and inspiration) to start with more experimental music. You are right though, because of the Beatles the bigger labels were more open to innovative music as the Beatles had a lot of success with it.

I have never read any Beatles book that gave Zappa an ounce of credit for their inspiration to explore new territory. I would say it was drugs and George Martin.

gdub411 wrote: Rosescar wrote: How about Frank Zappa? I think he more or less gave the Beatles the possibility (and inspiration) to start with more experimental music. You are right though, because of the Beatles the bigger labels were more open to innovative music as the Beatles had a lot of success with it. I have never read any Beatles book that gave Zappa an ounce of credit for their inspiration to explore new territory. I would say it was drugs and George Martin.

But it has been said that Paul wanted Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band to be their "Freak Out!".

Most new proggers tend to underestimate the the importance of the
Beatles to the development of prog and the influence they had on the
fledgling musicians of the time. >>>

 

I don't think it is the case anymore.  In the literature, The Beatles are now recognized for their contributions to prog.  Actually, it was not the Beatles as much as George Martin. Of course, Yes covered "Every Thing She Does" and was very influenced by The Beatles early on.  Dark Side of the Moon is also reminiscent  at places of parts of Abbey Road, especially Eclipse.

I ahve always felt, that the period 1967-1973 outlined an idealism and hope for humanity expressed in music. The Beatles had opened up a door, a new perception, with Tomorrow Never Knows and Strawberry Fields. ("Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream") This door was closed with the ending of Dark Side. ("Everything under the Sun is in tune; but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.")

I think part of its death was the new emerging record conglomeration, which the Beatles addressed in Yellow Submarine. Another reality was that all these guys were growing up and realizing that the end of institutional rascism and the Viet Nam War and all the work the counterculture did to get there, did not mean that there was going to be a new establishment of peace and harmony. The Paris Peace Accord did not end the war.

Progressive rock, as it came to be called, often addresssed the darkest, one might even say nihilistic aspects of that reality as in Floyd, King Crimson and ELP. At the same time, it often tried to create an alternative to it as in bands like Moody Blues, Gentle Giant and Yes, both of which deal a lot with spiritual issues.

Sorry if I got off point.  I tend to ramble but I think the Beatles were addressing these points.

Edited by ken4musiq