...in the same breath as....

[2 of 3]

Ok....Lots of great talent out there. The Beatles are pretty much universally known as the best band out there, in terms of song quality and innovation through their  career. Question is...who is equal to the Beatles when you think about other bands or artists, who don't fall into the "Beatles category" ie: Pop/Rock band?

Add to the list people!

1. Led Zeppelin: Arguably, as good as the Beatles as what they did.

2.

[Paperback Writer]

2. Grateful Dead

[mervap]

as strange as it sounds:

2. AC/DC- For pure, high octane, testosterone driven r & r!

[Derek]

Before i answer this, PLEEEZE, think outside the "disco box" for one breif moment. In fact, i don't think they were considered "pop" until disco. To me that group that is worth mentioning in the same breath as the Beatles is...The Bee Gees. Yes, i said it and i'm not ashamed. I have thier entire 60's output from "Bee Gees' First" to "Odessa", Its AWSOME. It's almost unbelievable they went on to help launch disco. My fav Bee Gee album of all time has got to be "Odessa" (with the 2nd being "Main Course") But "Odessa" is like an opera. Here's the theme. It's somewhat of an obscure album, but very wrongly obscure.

But here's something from that same era a bit more well known. The were the closest thing to The Beatles.

[Greg]

Paul and Artie.  Love his lyrics and musicianship, their singing.   

(I don't have time to post long right now, but just an hour ago I listened to all four sides of Bee Gees Live.  I think it's from 74-75ish.  Too lazy to get up and dig out the album again.
Have total respect for them.  Their early stuff is amazing.)

[chris]

when asked who is the greatest band of all time...my answer, natch, would be the beatles. but i am aware that others may have different tastes in music. and i should point out that i do enjoy other music besides the beatles. but the most common answer to that question...that isn't the beatles...would be the stones. they have LOTS of great rock and roll songs. they have a sense of humor. if i had to choose a number 2, it'd be them.

but my first favorite rock band was probably ac/dc. and i know this reveals my age...but i think they were better with their original singer, bonn scott. in spite of releasing what is probably their finest album (back in black) with the replacement singer (and i still say replacement with a sprinkle of disgust...wishing they had their first singer)

i think the who is fabulous. townshend is an undervalued songwriter and guitarist. at least when keith was around, this band kicked booty.

the floyd was great. but i think they found a recipe...or formula...and stuck with it.

zeppelin has a monster following too. and musically they were a powerhouse. but plant's vocals were (still are, in fact) fingernails on a chalkboard for me. for out and out heavy metal...i would still take black sabbath (early, with ozzy) over the zep any day. but i realize i am in the minority on that one.

[2 of 3]

Some great choices there folks. I wonder if any shiny new acts that are out now will join our list in the years to come?

[Roger SB]

i would have to add U2 to any greatest band not named Beatles list. REM a distant second.

[Paperback Writer]

Amongst the "older" ones: Crosby Stills Nash + Young
                                       Byrds
                                       Stevie Wonder
                                       Jimi Hendrix Experience

"newer"
                                       Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

[Kylenz]

I have to stand firm here and say there is nothing that can touch The Beatles, in any genre, any era. There are no bands out there that have achieved so many worldwide number ones, consistent albums song-for-song (no filler, despite what John said in his 'Lennon Remembers' interview)over a ten year period, innovative production, topping lists of 'most covered songs', lasting impact for decades to come, memorable public image.. all those factors.. there are NO bands that have the complete package like The Fab Four did.

Thinking of other bands, like The Stones, The Cure, The Who, Led Zep.. not every album was a winner. Sometimes there will be a long run of 'clunkers' in their respective careers if you know what I mean. And even on some of those 'great albums' there might be only a handful of 'great songs', whereas on The Beatles' albums, almost every track is a winner. Such a high level of consistency, nothing can top them.

[Greg]

I buy that.  I like the reasoning behind the statement.

[Kylenz]

Thanks Greg :) Kurt Cobain and Nirvana were often regarded as 'The Beatles of grunge', because of Kurt's ear for a catchy melody and a hook in the heavy noisy choruses, and Nirvana are my second favourite band ever - but heck, they only made a handful of studio albums, only had one number 1 hit, lasted a couple of years before it all came to a halt.. short and sweet.. it's impossible to say they matched The Beatles pound-for-pound, and you could say that about The Byrds - peak period from 65-67, then drifted off and made country rock albums, then into the wilderness. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - hot + cold periods, Tom himself disappeared for awhile then reinvented himself as a Wilbury, and then a solo artist (which angered his fellow Heartbreakers).

I mean.. all of the people mentioned here are great artists, brilliant people all of them.. but on the mantle of The Beatles? Probably not. Perhaps only Elvis or Madonna / MJ have had a similar fame streak - but of course they are solo artists. 

[acebackwords]

The Beatles were number one.  And they were so far ahead of the pack, I can't even think of a number two.  Whoever they were, they were so far behind as to be invisible.

In terms of songwriting, recording, performing -- that alone puts the Beatles miles beyond anyone in the popular music field.  Add in all their other influences -- culturally, historically, politically, spiritually, artistically  -- they're simply in a class of their own.  Theres been no one like them, before or since.  And probably won't be in our lifetimes.

[Paperback Writer]

......I read 2/3's initial post as "universally" acknowledging the best as the Beatles, then went on to surmise he was calling out for nominees of excellence in other bands, below the Beatles,  sort of like an upper echelon Lets Talk Beatles version of the Rock + Roll Hall of Fame... so I answered, twice!

Agree, Beatles far and away totally superior to anyone, the titans of music, in a universe all their own.

...but in the spirit in which I originally read the post, I have to add: The Beach Boys.