Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles!

[Doctor Q]

Millions of people all over the world are fans of the music of the Beatles, including many people who were not yet born on February 9, 1964 (the kickoff of Beatlemania in the USA) or December 31, 1970 (when John, Paul, George, and Ringo legally dissolved the group).

Are you one of those fans? Which is your favorite Beatle album, Beatle song, Beatle movie, or Beatle?

[iMeowbot]

Ugh. My mom came this >< close to naming me Paul :rolleyes:

Favorite album is a tie between Revolver and The Beatles (white), but favorite song goes to "I Am the Walrus."

[eyelikeart]

turn me on dead man...

uh...wait a minute...that's not right... ;)

[virividox]

i cant pick a favorite!!! its toooo difficult!!!

[kiwi_the_iwik]

I actually quite liked THE RUTLES...

http://www.rutles.org/

A much better group all round, The Pre-Fab Four were made up of Dirk, Stig, Nasty and Barry - and were at their best when they were experimenting with Tea...

Powered with an impressive arsenal of songs, including such greats as "The Tragical History Tour" and "Ouch!", they had a grand presence, culminating into an energetic, outlandish and interesting sound. Of all their songs, my all-time favourite has to be "All You Need Is Cash".

And, contrary to popular belief, they WERE bigger than Rod (Stewart).

;)

[edesignuk]

Well, I like their Music, I suppose I am a fan in that way. But I hardy listen to it all the time (born in '83 btw).

Sgt Peppers Lonely Harts Club Band! :D

[kiwi_the_iwik]

Nah - the Rutles did it better...


Sgt. Rutter's Only Darts Club Band

[iMeowbot]

Originally posted by kiwi_the_iwik
I actually quite liked THE RUTLES...

Yes, "Cheese and Onions" has to rank as one of the most brilliant uses of the recording medium up to that time. Coincidentally, cheese and onions frequently cause me to produce some of the most brilliant flatus of all time.

[pseudobrit]

I think I own every Beatles tune ever released on CD. I think. Plus I have all of John's stuff, most of Paul's and some of George's (That right there should tell you who my favorite Beatle is).

I could not peg a favourite song. I really like a lot of the early stuff that most people don't recognise, like Baby's in Black and The Things We Said Today.

Help! is a kickass album, one I'll listen to the whole way through without skipping over more than one or two tracks, as are Let It Be and Abbey Road. It's straight up kick-in-the-pants rock n' roll without the frills.

[vollspacken]

I don't like the beatles...

I think their songs are much too happy-hippy'esque and to sing-a-long-like

BUT I love the songs that were written by George Harrison (here comes the sun for example)

I'm more of a "Brian Wilson-guy" (Jeez, that guy was a frikken GENIUS!!!)... not into Lennon/McCartney

...and from a rock perspective, I always preferred the Rolling Stones, The Kinks, and The Who

this means, No! Beatles for me... :(

vSpacken

[Sayhey]

I know this is heresy in some circles but I've always loved the Beatles and the Stones. Too many great songs to choose from, but "Blackbird", "Here Comes the Sun", "Hey, Jude", "Norwegian Wood" (hell, almost all of Rubber Soul) springs to mind as outstanding.

[wdlove]

I'm not really what you would call a Beattles fan. I listened to their music when it was played on the radio. Never purchased any of their albums though.

I do remember watching their debut on "The Ed Sulliivan Show" forty years ago. My parents were fans of the show.

[Ambrose Chapel]

i was raised on the beatles, though i wasn't born until a few years after they disbanded. no way can i pick a favorite song...favorite album is the White Album though. Abbey Road and Revolver aren't too far behind...

[scem0]

I grew up listening to The Beatles, so I am thouroughly sick of them.

They are good though, but not after the millionth listen.

The rest of my family doesn't seem to get sick of them though, except for my mom :).

scem0

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by wdlove
I do remember watching their debut on "The Ed Sulliivan Show" forty years ago.Anybody who wants to hear those performances can listen with a few clicks in iTunes. Beatles-A-Rama (http://www.beatlesarama.com/), one of the iTunes builtin radio streams (in the Classic Rock section) will be broadcasting four of the Sullivan show tapes tomorrow (Sunday Feb 8) at 9am Pacific Time.

[MacFan26]

Mine probably have to be "Act Naturally" "Yesterday" and "Across the Universe." My mom was a pretty big fan, so I inherited some of that. I hear they're doing a segment about the Beatles at the Grammy's this year.

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by MacFan26
I hear they're doing a segment about the Beatles at the Grammy's this year. Correct. And George Harrison is nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Instrumental Performance, and Best Pop Vocal Album, all three for his "Brainwashed" CD.

[jefhatfield]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
Millions of people all over the world are fans of the music of the Beatles, including many people who were not yet born on February 9, 1964 (the kickoff of Beatlemania in the USA) or December 31, 1970 (when John, Paul, George, and Ringo legally dissolved the group).

Are you one of those fans? Which is your favorite Beatle album, Beatle song, Beatle movie, or Beatle?

i didn't get into the beatles until after they broke up...john has always been my favorite

[WinterMute]

Whilst I recognise the massive impact they had on the formation of popular music, I can't stand the smug bastards, McCartney needs a good kicking and isn't half the nice guy everyone thinks he is (I speak from personal experience).

I'm not sire I could name 5 songs I like, certainly there isn't a single Beatles song on my iPod (1350 and counting)... No, wait, I have "I am the Walrus" by Jim Carey and Bobby McFerrin & Robin Williams version of "Come together", plus I might still have "With a little help form my friends" by Joe Cocker...

OK, 3 songs and not a beatle in sight:p

I'm not claiming they are over-rated or rubbish, I'm saying I don't like them.

[iGav]

I'm having to go with with vollspacken and WinterMute on this, although I've never met McCartney so I can't say for sure if he's as smug as he appears on TV though... heheh.

I thought the Beach Boys were better, and IMHO Brian Wilson wrote material that Lennon and McCartney (or McCartney and Lennon as Paul would now have it :rolleyes: ) couldn't touch... even if they had a copy of it in their hands.

[Sayhey]

Originally posted by iGAV
I'm having to go with with vollspacken and WinterMute on this, although I've never met McCartney so I can't say for sure if he's as smug as he appears on TV though... heheh.

I thought the Beach Boys were better, and IMHO Brian Wilson wrote material that Lennon and McCartney (or McCartney and Lennon as Paul would now have it :rolleyes: ) couldn't touch... even if they had a copy of it in their hands.

As a California boy who grew up listening to both, all I have to say is - are you crazy? I love much of the Beach Boys stuff, but to say that the music that shaped much of the 60's couldn't touch them shows a separation from reality. Either that or an axe to grind.

And so what if Paul isn't the nicest of guys? Does that mean his musical contribution is less? Some of the stuff he did after the Beatles was pure rubbish, but his contribution during the "Fab Four" was tremendous. If I have a bone to pick with McCartney it is over what both he and Jagger have done with becoming Knighted. I'm sorry, rock n roll and aristocratic titles just don't go together. But none of that means the music wasn’t great. After all, Sinatra may have been the biggest ass to ever sing a tune, but he had one of the world’s greatest voices.

[kiwi_the_iwik]

Of course, now with George Harrison gone, I can't say my favourite Beatles' joke...




Q: What will it take to bring the Beatles back together?



A: 3 more bullets...


Don't get upset - it's just a joke...

:rolleyes:


Then, for all the English out there, there's the "lost" Paula Yates joke - damn these celebrities for dying on me...


Q: Why would Paula Yates be great in the English Cricket team?



A: Because she screws Australians and brings home the Ashes....


:p

[iGav]

Originally posted by Sayhey
As a California boy who grew up listening to both, all I have to say is - are you crazy? I love much of the Beach Boys stuff, but to say that the music that shaped much of the 60's couldn't touch them shows a separation from reality. Either that or an axe to grind.

And so what if Paul isn't the nicest of guys? Does that mean his musical contribution is less? Some of the stuff he did after the Beatles was pure rubbish, but his contribution during the "Fab Four" was tremendous. If I have a bone to pick with McCartney it is over what both he and Jagger have done with becoming Knighted. I'm sorry, rock n roll and aristocratic titles just don't go together. But none of that means the music wasn’t great. After all, Sinatra may have been the biggest ass to ever sing a tune, but he had one of the world’s greatest voices.

it's just an opinion fella... eveyone has one... ;)

I just can't stand the Beatles myself... and I do believe that Wilson was a a couple of leagues above Lennon and McCartney... but that's my opinion and I can only speak for myself.

As for McCartney, I don't think anyone has doubted his musical contribution....

But the only person seemingly with an axe to grind is Paul McCartney and his willingness to rewrite history, not only wanting to re-order the song writing credits, but also his recent little escapade with 'Let It Be' 'Naked'.... quite sad...

Although he does deserve a good bitch slap for that Frog Chorus thing.... :eek: :p :p :p

[Chip NoVaMac]

Originally posted by Sayhey
As a California boy who grew up listening to both, all I have to say is - are you crazy? I love much of the Beach Boys stuff, but to say that the music that shaped much of the 60's couldn't touch them shows a separation from reality. Either that or an axe to grind.


I didn't get into the Beatles till the White Album, and the Beach Boys till the 80's (I think), when the opened for I believe Neil Diamond at the old Capital Center in the DC area.

[vollspacken]

Originally posted by iGAV
I just can't stand the Beatles myself... and I do believe that Wilson was a a couple of leagues above Lennon and McCartney... but that's my opinion and I can only speak for myself.

I'm with you on that iGav.

just take "Caroline No!" or the original "Smile"-version of "Surf's Up"... hmmmmm :)

and BTW, the Beatles were the original boy-group..!

;)
vSpacken

[Sayhey]

Originally posted by iGAV
it's just an opinion fella... eveyone has one... ;)

I just can't stand the Beatles myself... and I do believe that Wilson was a a couple of leagues above Lennon and McCartney... but that's my opinion and I can only speak for myself.

As for McCartney, I don't think anyone has doubted his musical contribution....

But the only person seemingly with an axe to grind is Paul McCartney and his willingness to rewrite history, not only wanting to re-order the song writing credits, but also his recent little escapade with 'Let It Be' 'Naked'.... quite sad...

Although he does deserve a good bitch slap for that Frog Chorus thing.... :eek: :p :p :p

I'm just expressing my opinion as well, so don't take my references to your sanity too seriously - I've had my own called into question on numerous occasions. ;)

I will agree with you that Paul's ego has gotten in the way of enjoying his music a number of times in his life. I don't mind so much the reordering of song writing credits thing so much. I heard an interview with him and I think he has a legitimate complaint on his name being lost on songs he wrote by himself. On those he wants not to take Lennon's name off but only put his first. Seems ok to me.

By the way, you won't get any argument from me about the greatness of Brian Wilson or the Beach Boys. Love their stuff.

[pseudobrit]

Originally posted by iGAV
But the only person seemingly with an axe to grind is Paul McCartney and his willingness to rewrite history, not only wanting to re-order the song writing credits, but also his recent little escapade with 'Let It Be' 'Naked'.... quite sad...

He only wanted to change the writing credits for the songs he wrote. It's not unfair, though I personally think he should just let it be.

AFAIK, Let It Be... Naked was done by the crew at Apple (no, not that Apple) on their own impulse and run by McCartney and Starr afterwards.

I think it's a fantastic idea. It's the album that would have kept the Beatles together, so historically there's quite a bit to it.

[Doctor Q]

I'm listing to the Ed Sullivan tape broadcast that I mentioned above. It's great fun hearing the contrast between the stuffy Ed Sullivan (who refers to anyone under 25 as a "youngster") and the screaming fans in the audience. When John and Paul sing those trilling "ooooohs" in "She Loves You", the crowd goes especially crazy. I've been to my share of rock concerts, but I've never seen girls fainting in the audience like happened at early Beatles performances.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Another bit of history...

My Dad was with the FAA Police. He was part of the detail that guarded the Beatles when they arrived at DCA (National Airport at that time, and will be forever in mine). This was prior to their Washington Coliseum concert.

Once they were inside away from the crowds, the Beatles apologized to my Dad and his detail for all the "trouble' they created. He said that he felt that the "boys" were lost in all the hype of the time. For that reason he never asked for autographs. He thought as a flash in the pan.


Fast forward to the late 60's and he was assigned to guard the Apollo 11 crew on their visit to DC. Since I was into the space program he had no trouble asking the crew to autograph a painting repro of the mission (still a prized possession that I have).

Forgive my trip down memory lane...

Moving into the 70's my Dad went to the Marshals Service. It was during that time he was photographed with the likes of Dean and Erlichman from Watergate fame. He narrowly missed being a hostage in the late 70's early 80's with the DC Court House takeover by a 1/2 hour (for those that might not be aware - the Marshals Service serves the same function as the Sheriffs Department at the county level in DC). How I wish i saved those clippings.

I know that is really getting OT, but I hope that you all will indulge me. In the 80's my Dad was asked to join the the Special Operations Group (SOG); much like a SWAT team. He declined to to family obligations. They then offered him a position in the Witness Protection Program (WPP). Nothing glamorous there, he just transported those under the WPP to their news homes and identities.

He was forced to "retire" in the late 80's for medical reasons. He was offered a desk job that he would not have been forced to retire under; but he felt he "place" was in the field.

He passed away in 1992, 11 years after my Mother. They had been married 24 years before her passing.

Thank you for allowing me to share. In particular my Dad and myself were never close. It was just a year or two before his passing that he and I shared emotions. He told me of supporting the Merchant Marines in WWII in the Navy. Being in the harbors of England. Between the mines in the harbor and the working on ships there were many a sleepless night when he heard a "thud" against the hull. He other brush with the famous (and history) was with Elvis when he was in the Army.

Thank you all for the wonderful trip down memory lane. I guess my thoughts are that they may not be an important part of the history; but they are a part, however personal. And they are a part of the moment in time.

And to my Dad, you made a bigger impact than you ever knew. Wish i had a chance to tell you personally....

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Chip NoVaMac
Forgive my trip down memory lane...Nothing to forgive, Chip NoVaMac. Hearing personal stories when we talk about a topic of shared interest is one of the benefits of the Community Discussion forums.

I was surprised that you said that your dad declined to join the SOG "due to family obligations" yet you and your dad "were never close". Thinking in black and white, I was trying to classify him as "good dad" or "bad dad" but, obviously, every person is shaded.

I haven't met any rock stars in person. I did see both Paul and Ringo in recent (separate) concerts. And I have a friend who once interviewed George Harrison.

[MacFan26]

Originally posted by kiwi_the_iwik
Of course, now with George Harrison gone, I can't say my favourite Beatles' joke...

Q: What will it take to bring the Beatles back together?

A: 3 more bullets...


Oh, man that's so horrible, and yet funny at the same time.

[bennetsaysargh]

i think ringo is my favorite beatle. i don't know why. favorite song-ob-la-di-ob-la-da.

although im only 14, i listen to them a lot.

[Chip NoVaMac]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
Nothing to forgive, Chip NoVaMac. Hearing personal stories when we talk about a topic of shared interest is one of the benefits of the Community Discussion forums.

I was surprised that you said that your dad declined to join the SOG "due to family obligations" yet you and your dad "were never close". Thinking in black and white, I was trying to classify him as "good dad" or "bad dad" but, obviously, every person is shaded.

I haven't met any rock stars in person. I did see both Paul and Ringo in recent (separate) concerts. And I have a friend who once interviewed George Harrison.

I left High school in '76. My sister in was supposed in '81. He was devoted despite problems to my mother. I was in college living at home. My sister was trying to find herself. It was in '83 that I was with the Whitman Walker Clinic in DC and appeared as sound bite about AIDS on the 10PM News. He was "ashamed" of my moment in the spotlight. His "faggot" son at the time.

It was a few years before his death that he and I patched fences. So much so that I was able to bring by my boyfriends of the time. They seem to get along better than my Dad and I (never really got into sports). My Mother on the other-hand was more open. She and i were able to share much more. In fact it was a couple of years before her passing that I was able to bring my boyfriends by. So much so her "other son" was able to visit her in ICU).

In looking at it the timing may be a little off by a few years. Not my much in the end of all things. My family was Catholic with a capital "C". Church and family came in that order. And in the case of my Dad, one should put the military between Church and Family.

He may not have been the perfect dad (by TV standards), but in the end he was a good Dad. He was a product of his times. As I am a product of my times. I account for much of my success to his teaching (as well as my Mom's) to both of their values. That is all a parent can ask for in the end.

[hvfsl]

If we are going down memory lane, I know someone that met the Beatle that recently had a baby (I am not a Beatles fan so I cant remember his name). He got called into the hospital where the Beatle member's wife was having the baby, to fix the photo-copier. He had his phone on him, so he was able to take a picture of him with the beatle member and the baby.

I dont really like the Beatles, espeically since they took Apple to court over the iPod and Itunes store.

[Doctor Q]

Today (February 9) is the actual 40th anniversary of the first Ed Sullivan Beatles broadcast. Trivia: It wasn't actually their first Ed Sullivan performance. Before their live appearance that day, they recorded another performance that was broadcast on a later show.

I've collected many of the U.S. versions of the Beatles albums. Overall, I think I like the White Album best. I couldn't pick a favorite song overall, but I could pick a favorite song for each album.

The Beatles CD I have played the most during the last month isn't by the Beatles. It's a spoof CD called "Have Yourself a FAB-ulous little Christmas" by "The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute". It's a Beatles soundalike band doing holiday songs twisted to sound like familiar Beatles tunes. It is hilarious. Example: You would swear you were listening to "When I'm 64" but it's actually "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town". You have to hear it to believe it.

I saw a Beatles tribute band perform in person last month. They are called "Forever Fab" and were good at early Beatles tunes, not as good with the later ones.

[Doctor Q]

OK, I lied. By making a list of my favorite Beatles songs one album at a time, I was able to decide on an overall favorite.

Doctor Q's picks:

Meet the Beatles: I Saw Her Standing There
The Beatles Second Album: I'll Get You
A Hard Day's Night: If I Fell
Something New: Things We Said Today
Beatles 65: No Reply
The Early Beatles: Do You Want To Know A Secret
Beatles VI: Eight Days A Week
Help!: The Night Before
Rubber Soul: I'm Looking Through You
Yesterday And Today: And Your Bird Can Sing
Revolver: Got To Get You Into My Life
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: Good Morning, Good Morning
Magical Mystery Tour: Penny Lane
White Album: I Will
Yellow Submarine: Hey Bulldog
Abbey Road: Oh! Darling
Hey Jude: Paperback Writer
Let It Be: I've Got A Feeling
The Beatles Rarities: The Inner Light
The Beatles Anthology 1: Three Cool Cats
The Beatles Anthology 2: Got To Get You Into My Life
The Beatles Anthology 3: Teddy Boy

I bet I'm the only one to pick "I Will" as the best song on the White Album. I like good ol' loud and noisy rock and roll, but this one with the gentle melody and mushy lyrics just struck the right chord, so to speak.

Overall favorite: Got To Get You Into My Life. It's really amazing to compare the original version on Beatles Anthology 2 to the final version on Revolver.

[wdlove]

They performed a Beatle song last evening on the "Grammy Award Show." I think it was "I Saw Her Standing There." It was OK, mainly done for sentimental reasons.

Tonight on the "Late Show" with David Letterman. They are going to play the original tape of that performance.

[Doctor Q]

A few people seem to be saying "I don't like the Beatles because Paul is like this or Apple Records is like that". I'm surprised that people pick their music based on their opinion of the artist personally, rather than on their recordings and performances. I suppose if somebody really rubs you the wrong way, you hold that against them when judging their music. But a lot of artists are weirdos, jerks, or worse, and they still make great music. Other than when you really want to boycott somebody for behavior that totally irks you, I don't see why you wouldn't give your ears the best music you can find.

My favorite group is Foo Fighters, but I don't think I'd like Dave Grohl in person. He always looks like he has fleas! Would fans of R. Kelly's music necessarily be fans of R. Kelly? Would they really want to invite him over for the weekend just because they like his CDs? And the converse: just because you admire someone for being a nice person or a good citizen, would you listen to his/her music all the time? Mr. Rogers' Greatest Hits, anyone? ;)