Rick, now that you've been nailing some of the big names for interviews, you should really go big, and try to get some time with Sir Paul McCartney! He seems very open to interviews in various formats other than TV(like podcasts) and sounds like an easy, generous person to interview! Would be amazing to see the two of you sit down to have a chat!
I saw The Beatles on Sept.7th 1964 at Maple Leaf Gardens, literally the day before I started high school age 13. My world has never been the same since…and at 71,I still listen and play music every day. 🎼🎵🎶
I saw them at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1966, Their last tour, you couldn't hear a thing with the screaming and I remember the audience throwing flashbulbs and lipsticks and anything they could pelt them with. The first concert I ever went to.
I was at both the 1964 and an 1966 concerts in Toronto. The screaming was terrible for those of us who didn’t scream and would have liked to actually hear the music. I’m so grateful that my teenage fan years coincided with the Beatles era - the greatest band of all time. Most teens are not so lucky with
I saw the Beatles in 1964 at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. We asked the girls around us, as nicely as possible, to please stop screaming so that we could all hear the music. No such luck. But what we could hear & see was great. They played a very short set, less than half an hour, as I recall. I was just 11 yrs. old at the time, but will always remember & treasure seeing them.
The Beatles were simply a miracle. Nothing compares to these four guys and no one can explain the flow of their divine music. Like Timothy Leary said: They are angels come in human form.
Every other band is in a completely different category for me. I mean, I love Pink Floyd and Rush and LZ, but they’re just bands. Great bands, amazing bands, sure. But the Beatles were “Amadeus.” I went to see Ringo with the All-Starr band a few years ago and the diversity of people there, singing along, cheering and knowing every word was amazing. Every race, every age, every walk of life…at some point the music just grabbed them and never let go.
Queen IMO comes the closest they had 4 writers, 3 singers capable of being lead singers with the incomparable Freddie Mercury, as muscians each had primarily a single role.
You are not alone. I am always listening to The Beatles music, analyzing their songs and practicing learning and playing their songs. I have been a Beatles' fan for over 50 years.
And this is why The Beatles are revered so much. There is no doubt about it, they led the world and still have the most profound influence on modern-day music.
Rick sounds like all of us going down each song within their discography and saying “one of my absolute favorites” after every other tune haha. Love it
Yea i mean i have dozens of my favorite Beatles songs. In fact when me and my girlfriend got together i would play the Beatles and she had never heard a lot of deep tracks and she caught me saying "thats my favorite " and she'd say wait you already said that lol
"and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" is as great a mantra philosophical statement as any great person ever stated, thank you Paul McCartney
Writing "Norwegian Wood" only one year after "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Is truly astonishing. It seems like every song they wrote was just waiting to be written. The library they created in only 8 years will forever remain unsurpassed.
Yeah, and they goofed around 90% of the time whilein the studio! Imagine what their catalog would look like if they had goofed around only half the time?
"It seems like every song they wrote was just waiting to be written" That was a brilliant line! So many songwriters struggle to not keep writing the same song, and Lennon/McCartney just flowed through one style after another.
@@demonslayer5613 Norwegian Wood must have been written based on a personal experience.. I live in Norway, the lyrics are a perfect description of a fairly standard interlude here ;)
@@alanwaterworth6464 Yep. Lennon wanted to write a song about an affair he'd had without alerting Cynthia to the fact. Bob Dylan immediately lampooned him, writing a twee little number for Blonde on Blonde in a similar style. The only famously quick-witted songsmith who could best John Lennon in this manner would have to be Bob Dylan...
I came away from "Get Back" also stunned by their ages, which I'd never thought of before. But beyond the profound talent the Beatles possessed, which is indeed astounding, let's not forget that at their young ages they also dealt with being the most famous 4 people ever, the crush of demands on their time and attention, the business side of being the Beatles, their personal relationships and the painful recent loss of Brian Epstein. The business part alone would overwhelm most 28-year-olds. Truly astounding.
To your point, imagine having a year where you had to write and record two 14 song albums, play well over a hundred live dates around the world along with all the requisite press appearances, and on top of that star in a full length major motion picture. Now imagine doing all that and then having to do the exact same thing the following year. This is precisely what the Beatles went through in 64/65. It's amazing they survived that pace without nervous breakdowns.
@@Fordham1969 right it is unbelievable. Impossible? Maybe the Beatles used ghost writers and sessions musicians like so many other popular bands at the time?
@@phadrus If you listen closely to the Beatles tracks through the years I'd say you can pretty clearly hear each members playing style as it develops over time. As to ghost writers, I mean for a catalog that significant do you honestly think that if it were ghost written it could have been kept a secret for all these years? I'd say that's getting into "Paul is Dead" level conspiracy theory if you forgive me for saying so. Even back then there were those who didn't take the Beatles seriously that would claim there were multiple versions of them that would get sent off on the road by the record label. So if they really didn't write, record, or play the songs live then was there actually a Beatles at all?
I'm amazed these four young men didn't completely self-destruct. Fame and money have wrecked so many in rock...so many with far less success. It really is a miracle.
The Beatles had 4 rhythm guitarists. They had 3 lead guitarists. They had 3 electric bassists and 4 drummers. They had 4 keyboardists. They had 4 lead singers and 3 harmony singers. They had 4 songwriters. When you look at them as a 29-man musical idea generator and session call list, you can see why the inspiration came so often, why the style was so varied, and why the execution was so consistent and of such high quality. When you look again and see four men behind it all, you also see why this doesn't happen every day.
Yes. Well said. Two things. 1. All this in four people generous in spirit so they didn’t censure each other. We now know how generous in spirit each was/is. 2. John Lennon sought and found strong independent minded talented ppl and found them (miraculously) in Paul and George. His leader instincts were to be generous and non-judgemental. Mark Lewisohn writes about this repeatedly in his 1,700 page bio of them, covering their childhoods and their early rock n roll history up to their breakthrough in 1963, the start of Beatlemania. John cast off from his life anyone who could not stand up to him and be strongly independent.
There are so many artists I adore... Hendrix, Doors, Pink Floyd, Love, Black Sabbath, Bob Marley, ABBA, Cream, Parliament-Funkadelic... the list goes on... but NO ONE compares to The Beatles. From Please Please Me to Let It Be, their music overwhelms me with joy, more than anyone else. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to each and every one of their song's, and yet I'm still floored, and I mean genuinely floored by their talents. I truly feel bad for anyone who doesn't understand them. I don't mean that in a condescending way. I really mean it. They totally blow me away.
Every succeeding generation will rediscover the Beatles till humans no longer exist. But being alive when it all happened, I consider a blessing. They were a musical, cultural, social phenomenon that will never be duplicated.
It's apples and oranges. I feel the same way about Stevie Wonder. As far as I'm concerned he is the greatest talent in the history of popular music PERIOD.
“Let’s Talk More About the Beatles.” Yes, let’s. I’m always down for anything Beatles-related. I have 30 minutes left of part 2 of Get Back. I could watch this stuff all day.
I feel exactly the same. We need ongoing material!! We are watching the Get Back film for the second time. I’m catching sooo many things I missed the first time- it’s like it’s all new to me! Sigh. No trivia too small- bring it!!
I'm 47 years young (almost 48), a guitar player for 27 of those years and that documentary got me to go back and re-listen to many of the Beatles' hits. I'm blown away at the simplicity, yet intricacy of their writing. I'm even talking about many of their first hits; "She Loves You", "Eight Days a Week", Ticket to ride", "I Should Have Known Better", "We Can Work It Out", "All My Loving", "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", .... the list goes on! I intentionally listed a lot of songs for people to see how many hits, you may have forgotten! I had forgotten quite a few of these and there are TONS more hits that they have! These were just the first few years! I'm more of a metal guy and I had never really given the Beatles the musicianship credit they deserved! Learning the progressions of those songs and some of their later stuff blew my mind! I'm a self taught guitar player, can't read sheet music but I can see chords and play along. But the Beatles opened my eyes up to using more of the "7" chords (B7, C7, D7, etc). So many of their songs have these and some other crazy chords that actually sound melodic! For example the song, "From Me to You", there's a progression there (I'm not sure if it's the chorus but I would probably call it a chorus) Gm/C7/F/D7/G/G+! That G+ chord I have never heard in any other song ever but it sounds great at the end of that line! But the most impressive part were the harmonies over those genius progressions. I love a lot of Alice in Chains and I can definitely hear the influence they got from the Beatles with their harmonies (even with AIC being a Eb tuned band). Also, George has some pretty cool little licks he put on songs that get over"looked"(more over heard). The little blues like at the end of each line in "She Loves You" is pretty bad ass for back then! Skid Row, Chains and many other bands use that in some of their songs (especially in Drop "D") or a song like "Monkey Business" by Skid Row uses that little A/D strings (that one use frets 2-3 4) but I definitely think some influence is there. Killswitch Engage, "My Curse" (one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion) uses those chords but in a slightly different progression but also with a slight blues bend (and tuned in Drop "C") It's the A/D strings- Frets 3 and 5. It's been a while but I think I use the 6th fret too. Anyways, that cool bluesy lick in "She Loves You" is only part of the genius! Using E minor as the starting chord (darker chord) in such an uplifting and upbeat song is pretty interesting! Another thing I noticed was the duality in the main song writing between John and Paul! "We Can Work it Out" is a great example of this! Intro and verses (upbeat and jingly chords) D/C/G/D/G/A. Then John's part, Chorus: Bm/A/G/F#7 (dark lyrics and progression). Put them together and you have an amazing song! I know it was long winded but I've been really geeking out on these songs on the acoustic. PS- Ringo is a much better drummer than I thought he was!
I got into The Beatles late, when I was 27. Golden Slumbers caught me off guard the first time I heard it and actually made me cry. It instantly reminded me of my daughter and has always been ‘her’ song since then.
I was fortunate to have seen them live in the period that they released Help, Rubber Soul and Revolution. I was at their December 1965 gig in Liverpool and I was just over two months short of my eighth birthday. My Uncle (Dad's brother) had two tickets for the gig and for whatever reason had nobody else to take. I remember it so strongly, even the fact that it was hard to hear the band over the screaming girls. They played two sessions the same night (Sunday 5th December) and as far as I know those sessions were the last time that they ever played together in their home city. That gig might have been the single biggest reason that I took up the guitar
My theory as to why Ringo is not only the most underrated drummer in history, but one of the greatest - imagine how the Beatles would have sounded with a more 'technically gifted and flamboyant' drummer. I can guarantee that the magic and 'simplicity' of their entire catalogue would not exist. There will never be another Beatles, and that's exactly how it's supposed to be. From the age of 3-4, listening to the odd song played on local radio, to the age of 47, I still never get bored with them. They literally spun gold from nothing.
Yes, Ringo was super simple but always right there where he needed to be. Plus he was able to put up with the egos of the other three. But I think he belongs in the drumming hall of fame for the shuffle beat on Get Back alone.
Simple, non-technical. But still creative, interesting. He could have sat back and just played the same simple beat on every song. But instead he was right there in it, collaborating. The creative energy, risk taking, attention to the songs, effort; those attributes much closer to the other guys. And yeah, absolutely critical to the overall sound of the band. Would that be the formula some business exec would come up with? No way. Feels like a lesson in there for teams everywhere.
One thing I want to add is that this documentary is completely congruent with all that they said on later years, specially Paul. When so much has being speculated about Paul’s attitude towards Yoko, we can see him defending her, and saying it was not her fault. Yes, we see Paul and John being a little rude and pushy with George but then we hear them recognizing their mistakes and understanding George needed more respect. Paul said in Stephen Colbert’s show that during the 70s he questioned himself because media almost convinced him that he was the villain. Now we can see the truth. There’s no villain. There never was. Only differences. The guys cared about each other like brothers.
I agree-no villain, and that must include Yoko. You can see the love they had for each other, despite the growing differences. SPOILER ALERT: so many great moments in this program - but for me, possibly, it was the scene after the one where Ringo reveals the new song he's working on-a little tune called "Octopus' Garden" - in that scene, George helps Ringo polish up the song a little-like 2 brothers.
I agree. I love that scene where Paul says how much John & Yoko are so in love that he tried writing songs about white walls just to bond with them and it didn’t work 😍🤣 so much love there man…I have to admit that since I got into the Beatles, so many years ago, I have never seen the movie let it be, I didn’t want to! I did not believe that there was malís or hatred between them, I’m glad I didn’t 🤙🏼
@@josechavez5467 Well you don’t miss much. Opposite to this documentary, Let It Be is mostly focused on the sessions in Twickenham, and very few in Apple Corps. A few arguments. And mostly rehearsals with few dialogs. Pretty boring tbh.
So glad you mentioned the rooftop concert. To this day, I can't believe how good they were especially given the limitations they worked with. Amazing!!!!!
The Beatles weren’t a band- they were a miracle ( not in the religious sense)- just an unrivaled talent all the way around. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite bands are before I say YES, Zeppelin, Floyd, ELP, Tull, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree etc I qualify my list by first stating that I exclude the Beatles because they are on a list all by themselves.
The Beatles had so many different sounds and were able to absorb so many different influences and make them their own. Years ago I was binging on Abby Road and could hear Pink Floyd in it. I don’t know rock history all that well or who came first, but to begin as a rhythm and blues band marginally more adventurous than Frankie Valli to progress through all their iterations to the dark hard rock of Abby Road is remarkable.
@@johntravena119 funny you mention that, because I often hear “firsts” when indulging in my Beatles habit. I hear Seattle/grunge/namely Alice In Chains with Happiness is a Warm Gun. Speaking of, I need a fix, so I’ll put it on!
I would personally say the beach boys got to that same level a number of times, or more accurately Brian Wilson. The Beatles were a more consistently great band, but I personally believe Pet Sounds to be an overall greater album than any the Beatles put out. Also the fact that Wilson wrote, arranged, produced and performed on that album without the extra help of someone like George Martin. Some of the arrangements and sounds he experimented with there are still baffling today. It's silly to compare bands like this, I just think The Beach Boys are sadly dismissed by a lot of people for their earlier more poppy hits, when in terms of creativity and musical talent I would put Brian up there with all four of the beatles.
My thoughts on what made The Beatles such good writers? All those years in Hamburg having to play hours and hours of cover versions from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. All of those different chordal ideas, melodic ideas. What they developed was their own personal arsenal of ‘ right ‘ chords, of interesting progressions and melodies that they could draw from - not steal. Individually they were supremely talented and they did that thing that all highly skilled people - artists, athletes, whatever did - they made it look easy. It’s only when you deconstruct their songs do you get to see the work. The ideas in motion. They were four true wizards - and not four little men hiding behind a curtain operating levers.
So right. When I started playing clubs we played a lot of AC/DC, Scorpions and other blues based rock bands. Nothing at all against any of them - great stuff but very little of that prepared me for music theory outside of the pentatonic scale and the occasional minor or 7th chord. Some of those songs the Beatles were learning and playing while in Hamburg were mini- (albeit largely subconscious at the time) music theory lessons unto themselves that came out in their writing a few years later. They put in the hard work and it showed.
As well as the music Paul heard as a child listening to his father’s music. Born in 42, his parents were most likely listening to 30’s and 40’s 50’s music. I believe that musical people pick up by listening.
I still remember after they were on Ed Sullivan the first time, how parent's, school teachers, aunts, uncles etc. Saying what a joke they were and how after 6 months or so they'd be completely forgotten. 50+ years after breaking up and they're still the biggest thing ever.
If you’re a bassist, you probably know exactly how much more effort it takes to properly figure out a McCartney bass line as opposed to the usual fare in pop and rock music. Paul has a wonderfully sophisticated musical brain, so much so that it can even sometimes fly under the radar amid the more accessible tunefulness, so to speak.
They were all amazing, that much is a given. I would never say that any of them don't deserve every acvolade; but I think Paul's musical intuitiveness sets him apart, distinguishing him as a truly exceptional musical mind.
What I came away with was how insanely talented Paul McCartney is. He was a crazy writer and a great musician on every instrument and I’m sure it was very intimidating for the other musicians especially George to be in a band with him. But to Paul’s credit I think he understood that and he always walked a line and he also respected the abilities of the other musicians. I believe he understood that what came out from all of them together was very special and completely different than what would come out of just him Or any of the others solo. Conversely I believe John and Paul realized that as well. Just a crazy freak occurrence that they grew up together and came together in a confluence of talent that will never be seen again.
100% dude. Paul is a total freak. So inspiring to watch. How does he have so many damn ideas just flowing out of him all the time? Totally awesome documentary.
"Just a crazy freak occurrence that they grew up together and came together in a confluence of talent that will never be seen again." I constantly blow my own mind when I think about this.
I think each of them made two classic solo albums: Ram & Band on the Run; All Things Must Pass and Living in the Material World; and Plastic Yono Band and Imagine. Then the other records might have one or two good tracks amidst lots of crap. But I'd say John wrote the most beautiful, hurtful solo songs (Jealous Guy, Oh My Love, Isolation, How), George wrote the deepest ones (Isn't It a pity, Beware of Darkness, Give me Love) and Paul wrote the most epic one (Band on the Run) in addition to inventing indie pop with the track "Ram on".
@@theamazingbrokenman as far as the songwriting goes outside of the Beatles they each developed a distinctive voice and everyone has their favorites I suppose but I’m only speaking in the context of the Beatles band. The dynamic was such that they definitely pushed each other rating wise that was one of the unique factors itself of why the material was so great within the band.
Great segment - Revolver might be the best album they ever made - and when you combine it with the Rubber Soul track listing and the singles and think about doing that in a single year, it’s almost incomprehensible. There will never be another band like that, and I’ll never get sick of you doing Beatles segments.
Yep. Those two albums in one year, and considering what was going on in music at that time and how much of a quantum leap those two albums are, and all from guys in their early 20s. Just astonishing. Still my most listened to Beatles albums.
Revolver is the greatest, Rubber Soul is my favorite, and there's a special place in my heart for Beatles For Sale. But every album they made has songs that make me say, Wow!
Did you guys notice the way Paul would lovingly gaze at John when John was doing something exceptional? Oh man, what a special brotherly bond those two had. I can only imagine how devastated he was when John was taken from us.
Rick - as a 63 year old HUGE Beatles fan, I just barely remember the feeling of Beatlemania, and it was magic. And it still is. The Beatles were a miraculous event that hasn't happened often in the history of this world. So glad you appreciate them as much as we all do. I could listen to the Beatles - and then YOU talk about them - all day.
Rick - Just wanted to point out that The Beatles' first single ("Love Me Do"/"P.S. I Love You") was recorded on September 4th, 1962 - and again on September 11th, 1962. It was released on October 5th, 1962 and peaked at #17 on the U.K. charts. Their second single ("Please Please Me"/"Ask Me Why") was recorded on November 26th, 1962... and was released on January 11th, 1963. It went to #1 for two weeks in February of 1963 on two of the U.K.'s three record charts of that period. John was 16 and Paul had just turned 15 when they first met in July of 1957. George was 14 when Paul brought him into the group that winter. So John was 21 years old when they recorded their first hit record (Sept of 1962) - and turned 22 on October 9th, 1962... just 4 days after their first single record was released. Ringo had turned 22 on July 7th, 1962... so he was 22 when their first single was recorded and released. Paul turned 20 on June 18th, 1962... so he was 20 when their first single was recorded and released. George turned 19 on February 25th, 1962... so he was 19 when their first single was recorded and released. During the "Get Back" sessions of January 1969... John and Ringo were 28 years old, Paul was 26 and George was 25. About a month after the Abbey Road album recording sessions ended in August... John told the other Beatles that he was quitting the group on September 20th, 1969. That was the real end of the group. The four of them never got together for any official Beatles meeting, recording, photo session, or anything else after that date. John and Ringo were both 28 years old when it ended. Paul was 27. George was 26. The first time John, Paul, George & Ringo recorded a Beatles track was in early September 1962... and the last time the four of them recorded a Beatles track was in August 1969. Just seven years total... recording together - making history. John, Paul had been together for 12 years when it ended. George had been with them for about 11 and a half years. Those three went through more in that 11.5 years than most people would in a dozen lifetimes. Ringo didn't join until August of 1962... but those four went through more in that 7 year period than most people do in ten lifetimes.
For perspective: the Beatles went from "Love me do" "She loves you" and "I want to hold your hand" to "She said, she said" "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Tomorrow never knows" in 3 years...
That incredibly artistic era with Dylan, Byrds, Beach Boys, etc. created and fostered such a beautiful and amazing evolution in pop music. There will never be anything else like it.
@@surfohio And I just found out Harry Nilsson (The beatles "favourite band") apparently were hugely influential. It's like Sports, having multiple greats in an era makes the everyone's level go beyond what they would have been capable of in a vacuum
Yeah, when people mention the 'Beatles Early stuff', it's like they mean way back 20 years into their past or something. When I remind them that the early stuff is practically in the same time zone as their later stuff it surprises them
@@opencurtin When the shooter was arrested, he said "It's phony!"...Was he referring to the post Beatles careers, pursued for money and "success". therefor destroying their previous "anti-establishment" attitudes?
They were the greatest band ever. I have been playing music for 56 years, studied theory, played guitar with a maestro and an orchestra, but ALL of the Beatles had huge Talent. All of them in every way.
They were lightning in a bottle! Their music is a miracle. The joy, wonder and beauty of their music has impacted countless lives and will continue to do so through generations to come. We will never see or hear anything like these four amazing men ever again and we don't need to. They are enough.
I really like the way you pay honor to George Harrison, he was so young and came up with the best songs that year... and then recorded his solo triple album. Great achievements for 25/26 year old.
I would NEVER be sick of your Beatles videos, Rick. If you could do them. The Beatles have been my absolute favourite band since I was 14 years old - 31 years ago - and they are still, hands down, the best band ever! They did more for music than any other band has done. And all before they turned 30. Mind blowing.
To the average listener, the Beatles are great. To a musician, the Beatles were phenomenal. The inversions, chord voicings, time changes, chord melodies, chromatic movement, etc. Masterful songwriting, and surprisingly advanced considering they learned all this stuff by ear and years of gigging.
I’m learning Beatles songs all over again after years and years of listening to them. It never ceases to amaze me how they came up with so many incredible songs.
The fact that their music is still played, discussed and is still massively popular is, in itself incredible. I was fifteen when Beatlemania started and no one played music from previous generations at that time so listening to them now would have been the equivalent of me listening to music from the 1910s then! Just think about that!
I've often done that calculation too but never posted it. The cross generation in Beatles is astonishing. Rolling Stones and a few others as well. But life us much harder for new acts to make a living unless they hit the hackpot of global Internet success
I don't understand what you mean by no one played music from previous generations. In 63 I was 9 and the radio played Sinatra, bing Crosby... Both youth culture and the recording industry grew in the 60s, much to the Beatles advantage. The popularization of the electric guitar and recording gear occurred during their time, as did the baby boom coming of age. Their greatest gift ( with a nod to Leo Fender ) was the belief that if these four poor kids could have a band and excite all these girls then we could too. I started guitar lessons at 10, was playing in a band with schoolmates at 12 and had a Fostex 4 track recording us at 14. None of this existed prior or wasn't available in a mass sense. Thee marketing of music to teenagers grew with them. Then there's the internet where people make a living promoting them. The music is great but it came along at the perfect time.
I appreciate your enthusiasm of the Beatles. I was 14 when I saw them at Shea Stadium. So memorable. It was a happening, not just a concert, total hysteria! Changed my entire existence! I love them as much today as I did then.
wow. What an Experience! . Don't think Woodstock can hold a Candle in terms of Crazy - whenever I watch Documentary Footage of that Concert at Shea, I can't wrap my Mind around the ABSOLUTE hysteria. I heard somewhere that the Sound Systems back then simply couldn't handle the Space let alone their Music rising above the en masse hysterics.
You are so lucky to have been a part of that famous concert. Could you hear anything through the tannoy or was it just ear splitting screaming girls? Seeing some of them passing out and being taken away to hospital really stunns me.
It was more of an existential happening than a concert. You could just about get which song it was but the screaming element and the whole environment pretty much took over. They flew in on a helicopter, it was wild to a teenager in the 60’s (Punk rock not yet in existence!)
Rick, you always have the incredible perception of the Beatles.....NO ONE worked harder than these guys. All I could thing about was if they were not recording they were writing and practicing, and finally if they were not doing those things, they were thinking about melodies, lyrics and arrangements......they were incredible.....as I looked at John, to think his days would be brought to an end in just 11 years..........if he only knew.....Rick, I really appreciate what you do.....thank you!!!!!
I’m not a musician and yet I frequently come to tears of joy and appreciation with Mr. Beato’s masterful musical presentations displaying not only his talent but respectfully the talent of other artists. I wonder how many future rock superstars will be crediting Mr. Beato for their inspiration? 👏🎸🎼
Talking about harmonies... there's a scene in Get Back where John and George are talking, goofing off while Paul is singing Let It Be and they just pop right in with their parts and of course, it's spot on. Amazing...
Rick, you are just the world's most engaging, honest, reliable walking encyclopedia. I was 13 when the Beatles became a part of our consciousness, and they are part of my life to this day. The Peter Jackson documentary is a real gift to those of us who find the process of creating all these genius songs completely fascinating. Never stop talking about them!
The Beatles truly are the greatest band of the recorded age. They never copied their own music. The lyrics make you think. The progressed their offerings with Rubber Soul and Revolver. They were talented and they could sing, McCartney having one of the greatest voices ever. Such complex music at times. Just amazing still after all these years.
Brian Epstein and George Martin deserve just as much credit, Brian for believing in the lads and keeping the management ship afloat until his untimely death, and George for introducing influences they might never have discovered or brought to full potential, and for being a bit of a needed father figure as well. Geoff Emerick and Billy Preston get grand mention here too.
you are really an extraordinary music connoisseur, but what i appreciate most about you is that you have recognized the true status of the beatles and that you are very sympathic to suggesting it to people in your nice way! Greatings from Germany
George clearly had been squelched by Lennon and McCartney...so he did indeed have a creative burst of excellent music, in the early 70s...but, like most artists, his individual output became mediocre as time went on.
I always love getting perspective on the age of musicians when they wrote and recorded their works. It's really incredible. I get the same sense of awe when I consider the ages of the guys in Yes, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson and Genesis when they wrote their great works in the 70's. So astounding. The biggest difference is that arguably none of those bands would have existed had it not been for the Beatles.
BEATLES RULE. Thank you Rick. It was very emotional for me watching this series. What a privilege. Watching the Beatles perform is nothing less than awe inspiring. What tremendous musicians, and they were all playing piano during the series...amazing.
I was eight years old in 1964 when my parents got the Capitol Meet the Beatles album. I remember turning it over and looking at the album as it played on a cheap turntable. For some reason this moment was more impactful on my memory than seeing them on Ed Sullivan. No other musical act has meant more to me than The Beatles, and I marvel at how they may have influenced generations by how their invention and taste was so incredibly appealing. Years later, in 1976, I finally saw Wings, the first Beatle live experience, and I have seen Paul and Ringo live countless times. And I have sung and will sing Beatles songs till the day I die
When I was 7, I pulled my sister's brand new Rubber Soul album from its sleeve, stuck it out of the bottom dresser drawer, and dropped my G.I. Joe on it, thinking it would be a sweet diving board. It snapped in half. I quietly slid both pieces back into the sleeve and crept out of the room.
I cannot fathom that from teenagers to pre 30 year olds could get together and CREATE such a diverse, melodic, mind-bending, revolutionary, entertaining, body of work. It absolutely boggles my mind. It almost seems impossible.
@@harsimaja9517 Most mathematicians and science related people have their greatest inflection points in their early years. The same goes for musicians. We all know of people who are/were musical savants at an early age. What I find interesting about The Beatles is that there were 4 of them creating multiple kinds of music, obviously borrowing from music in the past...and doing it collabotativly. They reconfigured it into something new. What's rare is when people come up with something that's never been done or heard before in specific in an artform.
@GuyCybershy Yes, and how did a 16 year old, Jackson Browne, write "These Days?" "These days, I seem to think a lot About the things that I forgot to do And all the times I had the chance to..."
They were all self-taught. Had they received a conventional music training they couldn't have done what they. Meeting their manager was a huge break also, most pop music businessmen in those days were amoral shysters.
Your comments and insights about the Get Back documentary and the Beatles in general are one of the reasons why we love you Rick! Their deeply intuitive knowledge of music from their time in Hamburg and learning so many covers, their insanely creative output in the mid-60j's, their unique brilliant vocal harmonies, etc. Many of their individual songs have given birth to entire genres of music. The Beatles, as far as their impact on the entire world, both musically and socially, are the greatest band of all time, no other band has affected and influenced more people on the planet than The Beatles. Hundreds of years from now, when people are studying the music of the past, The Beatles will be looked back on as the Bach of modern pop/rock music, just as we look back on Bach as one of the masters from the past.
Great piece Rick, thank you for delving into these guys' amazing legacy. My obsessive love of music of all types/genres began when I heard the Beatles' Twist and Shout blaring out of a loudspeaker while living in Germany on an Air Force Base in 1963. Loved every record they put out and, while not truly being a musician (just a hack guitarist), have always felt that they were brilliant as songwriters and musicians and constantly groundbreaking throughout their career together. Opened the door to much in music that followed that I love. Too many favorite songs to have a favorite song; however, Abbey Road in its totality is an album that I will listen to until the end of my days.
Great stuff. I’ve waxed poetically about the same thoughts, many times. I don’t get how anyone could not be a Beatles fan, or at a minimum be fascinated by their song writing, performing, etc. Just the thought that their entire musical catalog was created before any turned 30, is truly amazing.
I noticed a really poignant moment in this. Just when George leaves and John doesn’t turn up for practise the next day, Paul McCartney has tears in his eyes whilst he’s sat with Ringo. And he says ‘and then there were 2’. Just thought that was a really poignant and almost a moment of foreshadowing as now of course only Paul and Ringo are left still alive. Really touching moment I thought.
@@customURLfor I also noticed how Paul was constantly picking at his beard, during moments of stress...and yes, I did find myself wiping away a tear during that moment you speak...and so did Ringo!...I gained a lot of respect for Paul....he never really wanted to be the "leader" of their sessions, and was clearly saddened when he realized that he and John were indeed drifting away from each other....I could feel his quiet heartbreak...and I also felt very bad for George, as he so wanted to contribute, but was being often ignored...it was gratifying to hear that discussion between John and Paul, wherein these issues were finally addressed.
He apparently got really heavily into drinking after the breakup. That's what he said in a BBC interview. You could see that all of this was his whole world...
@@ibunkatraining yeah definitely, I didn’t know that about Paul. In that Get Back doc he definitely seems like the one who try’s to keep the peace. He’s my favourite Beatle for that and many reasons
I've been into the Beatles since they kicked off in 1960 and this video has shown me just how much I've been taking them for granted. They weren't just another rock and roll band they were really special.
If you listen to The Beatles singles, starting at the beginning, their genius very quickly becomes apparent. I have and as I listened to each song, I thought it was probably their best, then its the next song which seems to be their best, then the next... eventually I started to laugh at how impossible it seemed that they wrote so many "best" songs! I think The Beatles are in a class of their own.
One of the coolest things about this doc, was how funny John was. He was sitting there doing weird voices and hamming it up. The other big takeaway for me was how much on the same wavelength John and Paul were. They were just sitting across from each other reading the other's minds. It's no wonder George got a little ignored.
John reminds me of Groucho Marx in this doc. But he gets even sillier, even doing some physical comedy. But his number one audience is Paul, who is often funny, too. They could have been comedy partners, or really any kind of creative partners because they shared the same reference points.
I doubt their habit of making George feel left out was at all intentional. Poor guy just happened to be the youngest in a band where the principle songwriters were otherworldly forces of nature who had this bizarre and extremely powerful platonic soulmate connection. And he was a talented man coming very much into his own by '68 and was caught in the middle of the Paul/John/Yoko love triangle drama. They all made mistakes, as young people do, but I think they had to break up if only so George could retain his sanity. I think it hurt George for YEARS that both John and Paul preferred each other over him. He was initially close friends with Paul--who dumped him for John early on. I'm sure it sucked watching two of your older brothers become so close and not only get more money than you but get all the accolades when you know you deserve them too.
After watching the Analogs concert of the white album live, which is so impossibly spot on in every way, my emotions caught up with me so hard and sweet. Hard because I was in high school at that time, mostly deaf and subjugated to go through the demeaning labeling that went with being nearly deaf. Their music defined me and motivated me. It created bonds never otherwise possible. I studied hard, practiced guitar lots and went on the play in several local bands. Bands liked to be loud and that worked for me. Thankfully you are there for me today Rick. You have motivated me all over again.
I love your insight about George's writing and where we've ended up at the end of the Beatles' legacy. George's songs were amazing. Taxman, I Want to Tell You, Within You and Without You, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, I Me Mine, Something, Here Comes the Sun. George was no minion. As some might have thought, or as he may have felt. He may not have been as prolific as the Lennon-McCartney songbook, but he was only one guy. One songwriter, one player. And he contributed so much to the Lennon-McCartney effort that is remarkable as well.
I'm a massive Beatles fan, too. Have been since they came to the states in 1964. The facts you gave gave just blow my mind. They accomplished so much in a relatively short amount of time.
The 3-part harmonies in - for example -This Boy, Nowhere Man and Because have never been bettered. And they sang the first two live with no appreciable difference in quality. They had the instinctive ability to step towards or away from the mic when a different balance was required. When you consider the technology available to them, it is nothing short of miraculous.
Much of their experience, expertise and refinement of style came from on the job training, playing night after night, set after set, day after day in the bars and cabarets of the grimy port city of Hamburg...
When it comes to Ringo, it’s what he chose to play and not to play that makes him a genius behind the kit. ‘Ticket to ride’, ‘Get back’, ‘Something’. Amazing. Every drummer including me would have overplayed these and many more Beatle songs. It’s not whether it’s technical or not. It’s pure art . I don’t Ringo is truly understood as a drummer and what he contributed to the Beatle sound.
There is a story from one of the producers working with Alfred Hitchcock. Every time there was a serious problem to solve regarding the direction a film should take where the team was stymied and working hard, Hitchcock would change the subject and joke around with something completely unrelated. This frustrated the team to no end that Hitchcock wasn’t taking these problems seriously. But after much time working with Hitchcock they realized that whenever this happened, someone would come up with a solution. This device of distraction was a deliberate move by Hitchcock to activate creative thinking by creating a new perspective. I think the Beatles understood this, and the good folks that put out derivative content haven’t yet discovered the gold in using this liberating device.
They sure were. Today, music has become a secondary, superficial element of life due to substandard output. Back then music was paramount and these masters were at the top of the mountain.
The Beatles are the very first music I can remember hearing. I was born in 1965 (#1 song on US pop charts that day, Ticket to Ride), but I had two brothers several years older than me who were of the perfect age to be Beatles fanatics, which they were. Sgt. Pepper’s is probably the first thing I have any memory of hearing, and it, along with The White Album, is what made me fall in love with music . Back in the USSR is the first song I ever played air guitar to. Both of my brothers also played (real) guitars, inspired by The Beatles, and because of that, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world that I would also learn to play guitar. It never occurred to me NOT to play guitar. So in my perception, it seems as if The Beatles have just always been. They’re central to my entire consciousness of music and everything I love about music. It’s kind of hard to overstate how important their music has been to my life as a musician. But not until I was much older, when I started to understand how short seven years is, did I appreciate how stunning the evolution and growth in their music over that time was. To call it unprecedented is obvious, but it’s a phenomenon that I just can’t see ever being repeated in ANY artistic discipline, let alone in music. If it does, it will take a form which no one could possibly predict today, just as no one listening to Love Me Do in 1963 could predict that Tomorrow Never Knows and A Day in the Life and While My Guitar Gently Weeps and the Abbey Road Suite were just around the corner.
Rick mentions the scene with George helping Ringo with "Octopus's Garden". I don't know what it is, but that clip always brings me tears. It's just such a sweet moment. Ringo seems nervous about showing what he's worked up, and George is so gentle and supportive.
I’m amazed by not only the productivity of The Beatles, but also the consistently good quality of their material along with their innovations! Their fame was so immense, it’s incredible they stayed (for the most part) sane! As George famously said “we gave our nervous systems”. Also, Rick-I absolutely love the guitar sound in She Said, She Said-killer riff!
I love listening to you talk about the fab four because I could talk about them all day too. They completely transformed popular music and youth culture. Their output was truly staggering. As I've said on a previous video, Noel Gallagher said "They went from Love Me Do to Let it Be in seven years"! On a personal note, I was always a massive George and John fan and looked down on Paul as being too 'commercial'. However, in recent years, I've really come to appreciate that Paul is a genius and that it was actually he that was the Avant Garde one. Also, his ability to sing (even harmonise) while playing such melodic bass lines, just blows me away. I also got to see Ringo live a few years ago - what a wonderfully sympathetic and musical drummer he is. The fab four would have sounded quite different with another drummer.
Kurt Cobain said that John Lennon wrote these very simple songs he described as "lullabies" and that was what he aspired to do with Nirvana. It’s much harder to write truly simple music that is not simplistic than it is to be "avant-garde". That is why John’s music resonates with humanity (both solo and with the Beatles) over the decades rather than Paul’s. Just my opinion
When Rick said "In My Life...man, one of the best songs ever written", I stopped the video to go listen...he isn't wrong! It is just so beautiful. I am so happy I listened to it. I just recently (this past week) got into The Beatles and I'm 37. I am somewhat mad at myself for not actively listening sooner. But also understanding that sometimes things will just come to you naturally.
The Beatles were such a huge part of my musical background . In 1969 I was 13 years old and learning how to play the guitar and spending hours upon hours learning Beatles songs. I feel like this band is so much a part of me that it is almost part of my DNA. When I watched Get Back It was like I was in a time warp re-experiencing all of those high school memories. I was absolutely blown away watching the creation and evolution of these songs . Thank You for sharing your thoughts and comments about the Beatles Get Back Documentary .
Gawd, George was only 25!? He speaks and acts like a man with the wisdom and experience of someone twice that age! Curiously enough my favourite two moments out of all those hours of footage were both ‘George’ moments *spoiler alert* First, when Ringo’s bashing around the first verse of ‘Octopus’s Garden’. George, having spent the past two weeks struggling to get anyone to take his songs seriously, wastes no time in helping him flesh out the composition further. Both of them on the piano, trying all manner of chord progressions, was just a sweet moment. The second was of course George defiantly switching the amps back on after Mal flicked them off under orders from the police. 100% fearless badass!
Georges output during that time is staggering. Something and Here Comes The Sun and then records the All Things Must Pass album which is my favorite solo Beatles album. Got it the day of release. That album never disappoints...
Thank you, Rick. As a massive Beatles fan, for me it's just a great joy to hear you speak about the band and know your insight on the "Get Back" documentary. It's a shame Beatles material gets blocked on TH-cam. Hope Paul and Ringo are watching this and that they take note, 'cuz this is the way to pass this great, wonderful music to the younger audience. Keep it rockin'...
Rick, I agree 100%. It bears repeating over and over again that every Beatle song, album and movie was written and recorded within a 7 year period (excluding 1962's Love Me Do/PS I Love You) - and before anyone of them was 30.
What amazed me is how much their music changed. They went from Please Please Me to Sgt Peppers in just 4 years. IMO the period 1965 to 1975 was the golden era of rock. The Stones, Beatles, Who, CSNY, Pink Floyd, Dylan. Hendrix, Joplin, The Doors, Zeppelin, Clapton, Beck. So much great stuff and the music business had not gotten so marketing driven yet.
this was already released as a movie in 73 as a vhs tape in the 80'´s and in dvd in the 90´s and what i would like to see is other albums recording, this when started was first filmed in a rented theatre but was too cold and they return to the studios they were used to work, i only say that they have other interesting footage of other albums recordings, but no one cared for watching it ,unless they released it one more time with all the footage but there is more film ,why not releasing others ,only let it be ,this time they even change the name to get back ,i have the raw footage of hours and hours that will be forgoten ,there are very interesting scenes in other LP´s recordings this was already released 3 times this was the 4th time ,but what about other footage .not allowed for people to see
Actually, just a wonderful age for almost every genre of music…and many of them you could hear on the same station. Rock, R&B, Blues, Motown, even folk music…all on you favorite AM station…back to back. It is my favorite era of music.
Greatest decade of music in history. You had the best of the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zep, the Who, Pink Floyd, the Doors, CCR, CSNY, so many other amazing rock bands and artist, plus MoTown, Stevie Wonder, all those great R&B groups, Funk, Simon and Grfunkel, the Mamas and the Popas, and other folk rock….the list is endless
I wouldn’t count “Yesterday and Today” (or any other US album”) when trying to describe how prolific they were because all of the US albums were cut-and-paste jobs from the UK releases. That being said, your point about how much great work they did in short amounts of time is completely valid.
From a Beatles fan's point of you thank you Rick for this passionate and honest video,you are a fantastic musician and your respect for the Beatles can only add to your stature.
Rick, there's never been an act like them before or since ❤️ their catalogue of music in 7 and half years will never be matched. Theyll still be talking about the Beatles in another 50 years. Love your channel man.
The Beatles have been the sound track of my life. I went from 3-13 years old in the 60’s. With 4 older sisters an 2 older brothers, one of them was picking up the latest Beatles LP, which would be played almost continuously until the record would wear out. The music would be accompanied by lots of singing and dancing. Those days were the best.
Watching the Get Back documentary (writing the Let it Be album) is even more impressive when you realize that they just released The White album (a double album) 2 month earlier and started to record Abbey Road just one month after.
Love your videos, Rick, and really appreciate your enthusiasm for the Beatles. I always tell my students, "You had to be there to understand it." Yes, their music and influence lives on in so many ways, but this generation is blissfully unaware of it. They came up with so many "firsts" that I won't even begin to list them, since anyone on this page is already in the know. I'm really thankful to have been in the "Beatlemania" generation, joining 73 million other Americans who were captivated by their initial Ed Sullivan appearance. The Beatles are the ones who influenced me musically more than anyone else, and I'm currently working on my seventh CD! I always smile when someone tells me they can hear the Fab Four influence in one of my songs. I've learned and been impacted by Dylan, Hendrix, CCR, the Hollies, Clapton, and many, many more ... but John, Paul, George and Ringo are the epicenter of my musical career.
I was born in 1950 so I was 13 years old when the Beatles first records came out. The succession of songs and albums that followed year after year progressed so quickly that it blew our minds. The Beatles literally took the world by the scruff of the neck and yanked us into musical territory that we never saw coming. They were creating sounds and compositions that were groundbreaking month after month, year after year. Each record was a new experience greater than the previous experience. For people who didn't live through this it's impossible to imagine. The Beatles spawned thousands of imitators but they just kept moving the bar higher with each new record. Eventually they reached heights of creativity that bands couldn't replicate and the imitators pretty much gave up. As much as I love the Stones, they were never in the same league as the Beatles in terms of creativity and complexity. I can name a half dozen Stones albums that are real duds. I challenge anyone to name one Beatles album that was a dud. You can't. There are albums I like more than others, but even the early albums with covers on them had something special going on. Mick and Keith were very good songwriters and the band was tight but they also produced a lot of crap. The closest bands to the Beatles in terms of creativity in my opinion were Led Zeppelin and possibly the Who. Jimi Hendrix, arguably the greatest guitarist of all time, had two or three visionary albums then lost the magic. The Kinks were a very creative band, but again their output was limited to a couple of great albums. You could go on and on with comparisons, but nobody can touch the Beatles for consistently groundbreaking music over an 8 year period. And as Rick points out. They retired as a band while they were still in their 20s. Ridiculous. I know that young people today think that Boomers like me just love the Beatles because we're so self-centered and it was OUR music. But I know that if any millennial could transport back to 1963 and experience the Beatles as they unfolded, they'd feel the same way we do. Boomers don't own the Beatles. The Beatles are timeless. More than 50 years after their final album dropped, the Beatles are still being played, analyzed, and adored. That says it all.
As someone born in 1983 (technically a Millennial but identify more with Xers and according to some, part of a cusp mini-generation called Xennials), I agree 100%. My parents played them constantly throughout my child, then I started putting the pieces together on my own at age 10, they got me 1962-1966 for Christmas, then 1967-1970 for my bday two months later, and that’s all she wrote. I was hooked and have been a full-blown fanatic since, which amounts to 28 years. I have the perspective of someone who came of age in the ‘90s and got really into the music of my time (including several of my favorite bands and artists), and still put The Beatles at the top of the list. And it’s not even close.
Yes , you put your finger on something crucial..! Boomers don't own the Beatles and despite being born in Britain most of us in Britain realise that WE don't own them either. ! They truly belong to the World and to all generations..!!
You said one of the most astute points about the Beatles ever. That when they were busting their chops in Hamburg and learning all those cover tunes they were doing them by ear I completely agree that was absolutely foundational to their ability to understand harmony but also to ability to work bits out so quickly. They had a intuition for what the song needed and this vast repertoire of examples to poach ideas from. They're exposure to John Cage likely came via Yoko, she made work with John Cage in the early 60s.
Yep. And it's nice how the early years get the wink on Let it Be with the One after 909 cover and general 'back to basics' ethos, albeit watered down (I think it's clearer on the Glyn Johns mix)
"they were doing them by ear I completely agree that was absolutely foundational to their ability to understand harmony" *cough cough* Rick Beato Ear Training on Line 2...
@@KerryKugelman Hey man I don't know anything about Rick; but it only makes sense that learning songs by ear develops a different and valuable skill than what you get just being shown something or following some tab. Music's not in the notes, its in the spaces and intervals between notes.
@@Airestotle09 Where did you got that i'm a hater? I love the Beatles, i'm just saying that 26 is pretty old really, and the examples you gave are not the working on your favor. I'd say writing Nowhere Man and Eleanor Rigby, being all of them younger than 26 i think, do is actually very impressive.
@@brunoactis1104 so your just a George hater then, why discredit someone writing two masterpieces just because he was “slightly” older? Give me a break. I dont need to waste more time and energy explaining to people like you why George Harrison is one of the best (and under appreciated) song writers of all time. Good day sir
There’s the Beatles and then everyone else. There was music before the Beatles and then they changed everything that would ever come after it. Besides their insane talents and the stars aligning to bring them together, they existed in a time when being original, being unique and against the establishment was the mood of the times. Todays culture in art and everything else is so conformist. I’m grateful I was born in a time when I could experience that time and the greatest music of all time.
You can love the Beatles but don’t call their music the greatest of all time. It’s far far from it. I think you haven’t listen to much music, sadly. Try to listen to a few genres including classical and educate yourself please
@@nevertheless123 I never said their music was the greatest of all time. I said that music was never the same after they created what they did. You have no idea what music I know and love. I’m as comfortable with John Coltrane, Tom Waits, Debussy, Bill Withers, etc…. But the Beatles contribution to music is undeniable, and certain among the greatest ever.
@@RussPaladino Well, this is exactly what you said "....experience that time and the greatest music of all time." LOL And even if not, if you talk about Beatles and Debussy on the same breath you must be smoking my friend. I doubt the pretty boys from England even knew how to read music. They are genius melodists, agreed. You grew up with their music and cant live without it, agreed. They're British and maybe you love any thing British, thats fine. But please please dont compare them to Debussy the great master of orchestration and musical texture. The entire beatles is a drop in the ocean of classical music. Greatest music of all time? I dont believe there is anything like that. (For a millennial its probably Taylor Swift anyways). But if I were to name one that would be Beethoven's 9th or one of the early blues greats. Each started a century of new music. There is NO Beatles without Blues and Jazz. Lets not forget that.
@@nevertheless123 I disagree. I think that The Beatles were the culmination of virtually every novel concept which can make music “good”. The fact that none of them were formally educated in music theory or could read sheet music during their career only supports that assertion. There have been many composers before and after who have achieved greater heights in terms of a specific or particular aspect of composition or performance, but there is no single entity to have surpassed The Beatles in terms of the synthesis of as many musical elements as possible combined to result in the type of success, innovation and staying power they enjoyed during (and after) their relatively short career. In retrospect, what they accomplished in the context of the 1960s and in under a decade-all before the age of 30-is nearly inconceivable.
@@MrKittles1123 Boy am I in a jungle of Beatles fanatics. You said that Beatles were the "culmination of virtually every novel concept which can make music “good”"". "... none of them were formally educated in music theory or could read sheet music during their career only supports that assertion." Two bizarrely contradicting statements that I won't even try responding, but will just make one point: If they are uneducated in music theory they are ILLITERATE in music. FULL STOP.
Rick, now that you've been nailing some of the big names for interviews, you should really go big, and try to get some time with Sir Paul McCartney! He seems very open to interviews in various formats other than TV(like podcasts) and sounds like an easy, generous person to interview! Would be amazing to see the two of you sit down to have a chat!
Exactly!
@@davepollison4333 It would be far more interesting to hear him chat with Rick. Because Rick is a complete musical nerd and that's why we love him.
@@BeatPoet67 If you don't understand why Paul would choose to do Howard rather than a TH-cam guy there's no helping you.
Yes dude he'll just order up a Beatle for you. McCartney is dying to talk to a TH-camr, he'll be right on it.
@@davepollison4333 Terry Gross did s wonderful interview with Paul, the best I've heard.
I saw The Beatles on Sept.7th 1964 at Maple Leaf Gardens, literally the day before I started high school age 13. My world has never been the same since…and at 71,I still listen and play music every day. 🎼🎵🎶
I saw them at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1966, Their last tour, you couldn't hear a thing with the screaming and I remember the audience throwing flashbulbs and lipsticks and anything they could pelt them with. The first concert I ever went to.
I think the tickets were $7.50.
I was at both the 1964 and an 1966 concerts in Toronto. The screaming was terrible for those of us who didn’t scream and would have liked to actually hear the music. I’m so grateful that my teenage fan years coincided with the Beatles era - the greatest band of all time. Most teens are not so lucky with
I saw the Beatles in 1964 at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. We asked the girls around us, as nicely as possible, to please stop screaming so that we could all hear the music. No such luck. But what we could hear & see was great.
They played a very short set, less than half an hour, as I recall. I was just 11 yrs. old at the time, but will always remember & treasure seeing them.
david you might enjoy my compleat beatles remake documentary. in fact i know you would.
The Beatles were simply a miracle. Nothing compares to these four guys and no one can explain the flow of their divine music. Like Timothy Leary said: They are angels come in human form.
Yes ! The Music already existed .
The Beatles were the medium through which the music was given to us . !
Beatles suck
Every other band is in a completely different category for me. I mean, I love Pink Floyd and Rush and LZ, but they’re just bands. Great bands, amazing bands, sure. But the Beatles were “Amadeus.”
I went to see Ringo with the All-Starr band a few years ago and the diversity of people there, singing along, cheering and knowing every word was amazing. Every race, every age, every walk of life…at some point the music just grabbed them and never let go.
Yes Sir. They were good channels letting it flow through them. Charismatic as no band had ever been.
Queen IMO comes the closest they had 4 writers, 3 singers capable of being lead singers with the incomparable Freddie Mercury, as muscians each had primarily a single role.
There's NO WAY I'd ever get sick of you talking about the Beatles, Rick! I know I'm not alone.
You are not alone. I am always listening to The Beatles music, analyzing their songs and practicing learning and playing their songs. I have been a Beatles' fan for over 50 years.
He knows his subject so well and still comes up with nuggets of information panning in that golden river called the Beatles.
Good job Mr. Beato.
I almost did with all those minutes on their ages.
I can't get enough of them
@@daletwin1 For me, over 60 years. Still the same thrill and amazement and fun. What a complete blast of a time to be young in!
And this is why The Beatles are revered so much. There is no doubt about it, they led the world and still have the most profound influence on modern-day music.
The Beatles SHAPED the world.
Amen Ray Jennings :)
Rick sounds like all of us going down each song within their discography and saying “one of my absolute favorites” after every other tune haha. Love it
Yea i mean i have dozens of my favorite Beatles songs. In fact when me and my girlfriend got together i would play the Beatles and she had never heard a lot of deep tracks and she caught me saying "thats my favorite " and she'd say wait you already said that lol
I realized how true this was when I tried to rank all the songs and an absolute rocker like I've Got A Feeling wasn't even in the top 100 💀.
@@thebelen2359their 100th best song is most other artists best song, sums up how good they were.
"and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make" is as great a mantra philosophical statement as any great person ever stated, thank you Paul McCartney
Writing "Norwegian Wood" only one year after "I Want to Hold Your Hand." Is truly astonishing. It seems like every song they wrote was just waiting to be written. The library they created in only 8 years will forever remain unsurpassed.
The power of cannabis
Yeah, and they goofed around 90% of the time whilein the studio! Imagine what their catalog would look like if they had goofed around only half the time?
"It seems like every song they wrote was just waiting to be written" That was a brilliant line! So many songwriters struggle to not keep writing the same song, and Lennon/McCartney just flowed through one style after another.
@@demonslayer5613 Norwegian Wood must have been written based on a personal experience.. I live in Norway, the lyrics are a perfect description of a fairly standard interlude here ;)
@@alanwaterworth6464 Yep. Lennon wanted to write a song about an affair he'd had without alerting Cynthia to the fact. Bob Dylan immediately lampooned him, writing a twee little number for Blonde on Blonde in a similar style. The only famously quick-witted songsmith who could best John Lennon in this manner would have to be Bob Dylan...
Rick, I personally could never get tired of you talking about the Beatles. I love Abbey Road too.
I came away from "Get Back" also stunned by their ages, which I'd never thought of before. But beyond the profound talent the Beatles possessed, which is indeed astounding, let's not forget that at their young ages they also dealt with being the most famous 4 people ever, the crush of demands on their time and attention, the business side of being the Beatles, their personal relationships and the painful recent loss of Brian Epstein. The business part alone would overwhelm most 28-year-olds. Truly astounding.
To your point, imagine having a year where you had to write and record two 14 song albums, play well over a hundred live dates around the world along with all the requisite press appearances, and on top of that star in a full length major motion picture. Now imagine doing all that and then having to do the exact same thing the following year. This is precisely what the Beatles went through in 64/65. It's amazing they survived that pace without nervous breakdowns.
@@Fordham1969 right it is unbelievable. Impossible? Maybe the Beatles used ghost writers and sessions musicians like so many other popular bands at the time?
@@phadrus If you listen closely to the Beatles tracks through the years I'd say you can pretty clearly hear each members playing style as it develops over time. As to ghost writers, I mean for a catalog that significant do you honestly think that if it were ghost written it could have been kept a secret for all these years? I'd say that's getting into "Paul is Dead" level conspiracy theory if you forgive me for saying so. Even back then there were those who didn't take the Beatles seriously that would claim there were multiple versions of them that would get sent off on the road by the record label. So if they really didn't write, record, or play the songs live then was there actually a Beatles at all?
I believe George was just 22 at that time!
I'm amazed these four young men didn't completely self-destruct. Fame and money have wrecked so many in rock...so many with far less success. It really is a miracle.
"I'm Only Sleeping" is a phenomenal song with these crazy soaring chord changes that gets me every time.
The Beatles had 4 rhythm guitarists. They had 3 lead guitarists. They had 3 electric bassists and 4 drummers. They had 4 keyboardists. They had 4 lead singers and 3 harmony singers. They had 4 songwriters. When you look at them as a 29-man musical idea generator and session call list, you can see why the inspiration came so often, why the style was so varied, and why the execution was so consistent and of such high quality. When you look again and see four men behind it all, you also see why this doesn't happen every day.
Little Richard said they were the all-time-greatest because they were the greatest singers of all time.
And they had a producer who exploited all their creativity and who was also a genius.
Yet almost everything is credited to two names only.
George and Ringo were both still worth well over $200M. It was pretty good for everyone. But they all should have been billionaires
Yes. Well said. Two things.
1. All this in four people generous in spirit so they didn’t censure each other. We now know how generous in spirit each was/is.
2. John Lennon sought and found strong independent minded talented ppl and found them (miraculously) in Paul and George. His leader instincts were to be generous and non-judgemental. Mark Lewisohn writes about this repeatedly in his 1,700 page bio of them, covering their childhoods and their early rock n roll history up to their breakthrough in 1963, the start of Beatlemania. John cast off from his life anyone who could not stand up to him and be strongly independent.
There are so many artists I adore... Hendrix, Doors, Pink Floyd, Love, Black Sabbath, Bob Marley, ABBA, Cream, Parliament-Funkadelic... the list goes on... but NO ONE compares to The Beatles. From Please Please Me to Let It Be, their music overwhelms me with joy, more than anyone else. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to each and every one of their song's, and yet I'm still floored, and I mean genuinely floored by their talents. I truly feel bad for anyone who doesn't understand them. I don't mean that in a condescending way. I really mean it. They totally blow me away.
Right there with you man.
Amen, well said.
Every succeeding generation will rediscover the Beatles till humans no longer exist. But being alive when it all happened, I consider a blessing. They were a musical, cultural, social phenomenon that will never be duplicated.
It's apples and oranges. I feel the same way about Stevie Wonder. As far as I'm concerned he is the greatest talent in the history of popular music PERIOD.
Their compositions (especially at their ages) is truly astounding!!
“Let’s Talk More About the Beatles.” Yes, let’s. I’m always down for anything Beatles-related. I have 30 minutes left of part 2 of Get Back. I could watch this stuff all day.
I don't want to watch part 3 because I don't want it to end.
I feel exactly the same. We need ongoing material!! We are watching the Get Back film for the second time. I’m catching sooo many things I missed the first time- it’s like it’s all new to me! Sigh. No trivia too small- bring it!!
I will be watching it again.
@@StratoHari2 I felt really emotional at the end. Their music is the soundtrack to my life. Big place in my heart for them.
I'm on the second round now. There's so much going on you just have to watch it more than one time!
I'm 47 years young (almost 48), a guitar player for 27 of those years and that documentary got me to go back and re-listen to many of the Beatles' hits. I'm blown away at the simplicity, yet intricacy of their writing. I'm even talking about many of their first hits; "She Loves You", "Eight Days a Week", Ticket to ride", "I Should Have Known Better", "We Can Work It Out", "All My Loving", "I Wanna Hold Your Hand", .... the list goes on! I intentionally listed a lot of songs for people to see how many hits, you may have forgotten! I had forgotten quite a few of these and there are TONS more hits that they have! These were just the first few years! I'm more of a metal guy and I had never really given the Beatles the musicianship credit they deserved! Learning the progressions of those songs and some of their later stuff blew my mind! I'm a self taught guitar player, can't read sheet music but I can see chords and play along. But the Beatles opened my eyes up to using more of the "7" chords (B7, C7, D7, etc). So many of their songs have these and some other crazy chords that actually sound melodic! For example the song, "From Me to You", there's a progression there (I'm not sure if it's the chorus but I would probably call it a chorus) Gm/C7/F/D7/G/G+! That G+ chord I have never heard in any other song ever but it sounds great at the end of that line! But the most impressive part were the harmonies over those genius progressions. I love a lot of Alice in Chains and I can definitely hear the influence they got from the Beatles with their harmonies (even with AIC being a Eb tuned band). Also, George has some pretty cool little licks he put on songs that get over"looked"(more over heard). The little blues like at the end of each line in "She Loves You" is pretty bad ass for back then! Skid Row, Chains and many other bands use that in some of their songs (especially in Drop "D") or a song like "Monkey Business" by Skid Row uses that little A/D strings (that one use frets 2-3 4) but I definitely think some influence is there. Killswitch Engage, "My Curse" (one of the greatest songs of all time in my opinion) uses those chords but in a slightly different progression but also with a slight blues bend (and tuned in Drop "C") It's the A/D strings- Frets 3 and 5. It's been a while but I think I use the 6th fret too. Anyways, that cool bluesy lick in "She Loves You" is only part of the genius! Using E minor as the starting chord (darker chord) in such an uplifting and upbeat song is pretty interesting!
Another thing I noticed was the duality in the main song writing between John and Paul! "We Can Work it Out" is a great example of this! Intro and verses (upbeat and jingly chords) D/C/G/D/G/A. Then John's part, Chorus: Bm/A/G/F#7 (dark lyrics and progression). Put them together and you have an amazing song!
I know it was long winded but I've been really geeking out on these songs on the acoustic. PS- Ringo is a much better drummer than I thought he was!
George called 7ths and diminished the “naughty chords”. Love it
Not long winded. I enjoyed it. 👍🇬🇧
I got into The Beatles late, when I was 27. Golden Slumbers caught me off guard the first time I heard it and actually made me cry. It instantly reminded me of my daughter and has always been ‘her’ song since then.
I was fortunate to have seen them live in the period that they released Help, Rubber Soul and Revolution. I was at their December 1965 gig in Liverpool and I was just over two months short of my eighth birthday. My Uncle (Dad's brother) had two tickets for the gig and for whatever reason had nobody else to take. I remember it so strongly, even the fact that it was hard to hear the band over the screaming girls.
They played two sessions the same night (Sunday 5th December) and as far as I know those sessions were the last time that they ever played together in their home city.
That gig might have been the single biggest reason that I took up the guitar
My theory as to why Ringo is not only the most underrated drummer in history, but one of the greatest - imagine how the Beatles would have sounded with a more 'technically gifted and flamboyant' drummer. I can guarantee that the magic and 'simplicity' of their entire catalogue would not exist. There will never be another Beatles, and that's exactly how it's supposed to be. From the age of 3-4, listening to the odd song played on local radio, to the age of 47, I still never get bored with them. They literally spun gold from nothing.
Hear, hear. The man played exactly what was needed, and with a incredibly deep pocket.
Yes, Ringo was super simple but always right there where he needed to be. Plus he was able to put up with the egos of the other three. But I think he belongs in the drumming hall of fame for the shuffle beat on Get Back alone.
And Ringo never played what was not needed. He always supported the others and played for the song.
Simple, non-technical. But still creative, interesting. He could have sat back and just played the same simple beat on every song. But instead he was right there in it, collaborating. The creative energy, risk taking, attention to the songs, effort; those attributes much closer to the other guys. And yeah, absolutely critical to the overall sound of the band. Would that be the formula some business exec would come up with? No way.
Feels like a lesson in there for teams everywhere.
@slangpdx Get Back a shuffle? I need to check my musical dictionary.
One thing I want to add is that this documentary is completely congruent with all that they said on later years, specially Paul. When so much has being speculated about Paul’s attitude towards Yoko, we can see him defending her, and saying it was not her fault. Yes, we see Paul and John being a little rude and pushy with George but then we hear them recognizing their mistakes and understanding George needed more respect. Paul said in Stephen Colbert’s show that during the 70s he questioned himself because media almost convinced him that he was the villain. Now we can see the truth. There’s no villain. There never was. Only differences. The guys cared about each other like brothers.
Definitely Bros, all the way!
I agree-no villain, and that must include Yoko. You can see the love they had for each other, despite the growing differences. SPOILER ALERT: so many great moments in this program - but for me, possibly, it was the scene after the one where Ringo reveals the new song he's working on-a little tune called "Octopus' Garden" - in that scene, George helps Ringo polish up the song a little-like 2 brothers.
I agree. I love that scene where Paul says how much John & Yoko are so in love that he tried writing songs about white walls just to bond with them and it didn’t work 😍🤣 so much love there man…I have to admit that since I got into the Beatles, so many years ago, I have never seen the movie let it be, I didn’t want to! I did not believe that there was malís or hatred between them, I’m glad I didn’t 🤙🏼
@@josechavez5467 Well you don’t miss much. Opposite to this documentary, Let It Be is mostly focused on the sessions in Twickenham, and very few in Apple Corps. A few arguments. And mostly rehearsals with few dialogs. Pretty boring tbh.
Well said.
The stars aligned in so many ways to give us The Beatles.
.....chemistry....chemistry.....good chemistry..............
So glad you mentioned the rooftop concert. To this day, I can't believe how good they were especially given the limitations they worked with. Amazing!!!!!
The Beatles weren’t a band- they were a miracle ( not in the religious sense)- just an unrivaled talent all the way around. Whenever someone asks me what my favorite bands are before I say YES, Zeppelin, Floyd, ELP, Tull, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree etc I qualify my list by first stating that I exclude the Beatles because they are on a list all by themselves.
The Beatles had so many different sounds and were able to absorb so many different influences and make them their own. Years ago I was binging on Abby Road and could hear Pink Floyd in it. I don’t know rock history all that well or who came first, but to begin as a rhythm and blues band marginally more adventurous than Frankie Valli to progress through all their iterations to the dark hard rock of Abby Road is remarkable.
@@johntravena119 funny you mention that, because I often hear “firsts” when indulging in my Beatles habit. I hear Seattle/grunge/namely Alice In Chains with Happiness is a Warm Gun. Speaking of, I need a fix, so I’ll put it on!
I would personally say the beach boys got to that same level a number of times, or more accurately Brian Wilson. The Beatles were a more consistently great band, but I personally believe Pet Sounds to be an overall greater album than any the Beatles put out. Also the fact that Wilson wrote, arranged, produced and performed on that album without the extra help of someone like George Martin. Some of the arrangements and sounds he experimented with there are still baffling today. It's silly to compare bands like this, I just think The Beach Boys are sadly dismissed by a lot of people for their earlier more poppy hits, when in terms of creativity and musical talent I would put Brian up there with all four of the beatles.
Exactly .My line is always- the Beatles are in their own category. They remain outside comparison….
I find them magical too. Also I would add shine on you crazy diamond pink Floyd also feels magical.
My thoughts on what made The Beatles such good writers? All those years in Hamburg having to play hours and hours of cover versions from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. All of those different chordal ideas, melodic ideas. What they developed was their own personal arsenal of ‘ right ‘ chords, of interesting progressions and melodies that they could draw from - not steal. Individually they were supremely talented and they did that thing that all highly skilled people - artists, athletes, whatever did - they made it look easy. It’s only when you deconstruct their songs do you get to see the work. The ideas in motion. They were four true wizards - and not four little men hiding behind a curtain operating levers.
So right. When I started playing clubs we played a lot of AC/DC, Scorpions and other blues based rock bands. Nothing at all against any of them - great stuff but very little of that prepared me for music theory outside of the pentatonic scale and the occasional minor or 7th chord. Some of those songs the Beatles were learning and playing while in Hamburg were mini- (albeit largely subconscious at the time) music theory lessons unto themselves that came out in their writing a few years later. They put in the hard work and it showed.
They worked like dogs in Hamburg. It paid off.
And they did it at the perfect age. They were just coming through their formative years.
As well as the music Paul heard as a child listening to his father’s music. Born in 42, his parents were most likely listening to 30’s and 40’s 50’s music. I believe that musical people pick up by listening.
And they mined the B sides for covers. So original.
I still remember after they were on Ed Sullivan the first time, how parent's, school teachers, aunts, uncles etc. Saying what a joke they were and how after 6 months or so they'd be completely forgotten. 50+ years after breaking up and they're still the biggest thing ever.
My fifth grade teacher told us the girls on Ed Sullivan had been paid to scream. 😂
If you’re a bassist, you probably know exactly how much more effort it takes to properly figure out a McCartney bass line as opposed to the usual fare in pop and rock music. Paul has a wonderfully sophisticated musical brain, so much so that it can even sometimes fly under the radar amid the more accessible tunefulness, so to speak.
Paul McCartney is a musical genius, no doubt.
Well put.
I find it ironic that Sir Paul's truly outstanding bass lines were on the songs he didn't write.
They were all amazing, that much is a given. I would never say that any of them don't deserve every acvolade; but I think Paul's musical intuitiveness sets him apart, distinguishing him as a truly exceptional musical mind.
@@TuberOnTheLoose I think maybe that could've allowed him to focus more on the bass parts.
What I came away with was how insanely talented Paul McCartney is. He was a crazy writer and a great musician on every instrument and I’m sure it was very intimidating for the other musicians especially George to be in a band with him. But to Paul’s credit I think he understood that and he always walked a line and he also respected the abilities of the other musicians. I believe he understood that what came out from all of them together was very special and completely different than what would come out of just him Or any of the others solo. Conversely I believe John and Paul realized that as well. Just a crazy freak occurrence that they grew up together and came together in a confluence of talent that will never be seen again.
100% dude. Paul is a total freak. So inspiring to watch. How does he have so many damn ideas just flowing out of him all the time? Totally awesome documentary.
Funny how he is most musically talented but I’m more aware of and prefer George’s and John’s solo stuff so that says something
"Just a crazy freak occurrence that they grew up together and came together in a confluence of talent that will never be seen again." I constantly blow my own mind when I think about this.
I think each of them made two classic solo albums: Ram & Band on the Run; All Things Must Pass and Living in the Material World; and Plastic Yono Band and Imagine. Then the other records might have one or two good tracks amidst lots of crap. But I'd say John wrote the most beautiful, hurtful solo songs (Jealous Guy, Oh My Love, Isolation, How), George wrote the deepest ones (Isn't It a pity, Beware of Darkness, Give me Love) and Paul wrote the most epic one (Band on the Run) in addition to inventing indie pop with the track "Ram on".
@@theamazingbrokenman as far as the songwriting goes outside of the Beatles they each developed a distinctive voice and everyone has their favorites I suppose but I’m only speaking in the context of the Beatles band. The dynamic was such that they definitely pushed each other rating wise that was one of the unique factors itself of why the material was so great within the band.
Love that Rick has 27 absolute most amazing favorite Beatles songs.
That’s a bare minimum LOL
Don’t we all? 😄
@@glowaves true, so true.
28 IF.
Favorite songs?
I can't even listen to Abbey Road unless I have time to listen to all of it!
Great segment - Revolver might be the best album they ever made - and when you combine it with the Rubber Soul track listing and the singles and think about doing that in a single year, it’s almost incomprehensible. There will never be another band like that, and I’ll never get sick of you doing Beatles segments.
Agree. Revolver changed music. Listen to other music in 1966. No comparison.
Yep. Those two albums in one year, and considering what was going on in music at that time and how much of a quantum leap those two albums are, and all from guys in their early 20s. Just astonishing. Still my most listened to Beatles albums.
Revolver is the greatest, Rubber Soul is my favorite, and there's a special place in my heart for Beatles For Sale. But every album they made has songs that make me say, Wow!
Me too! I never tire of hearing about them and their music!
Did you guys notice the way Paul would lovingly gaze at John when John was doing something exceptional? Oh man, what a special brotherly bond those two had. I can only imagine how devastated he was when John was taken from us.
For a long time afterwards, Paul simply didn't want to tour again.
Rick - as a 63 year old HUGE Beatles fan, I just barely remember the feeling of Beatlemania, and it was magic. And it still is. The Beatles were a miraculous event that hasn't happened often in the history of this world. So glad you appreciate them as much as we all do. I could listen to the Beatles - and then YOU talk about them - all day.
Rick - Just wanted to point out that The Beatles' first single ("Love Me Do"/"P.S. I Love You") was recorded on September 4th, 1962 - and again on September 11th, 1962. It was released on October 5th, 1962 and peaked at #17 on the U.K. charts. Their second single ("Please Please Me"/"Ask Me Why") was recorded on November 26th, 1962... and was released on January 11th, 1963. It went to #1 for two weeks in February of 1963 on two of the U.K.'s three record charts of that period.
John was 16 and Paul had just turned 15 when they first met in July of 1957. George was 14 when Paul brought him into the group that winter.
So John was 21 years old when they recorded their first hit record (Sept of 1962) - and turned 22 on October 9th, 1962... just 4 days after their first single record was released.
Ringo had turned 22 on July 7th, 1962... so he was 22 when their first single was recorded and released.
Paul turned 20 on June 18th, 1962... so he was 20 when their first single was recorded and released.
George turned 19 on February 25th, 1962... so he was 19 when their first single was recorded and released.
During the "Get Back" sessions of January 1969... John and Ringo were 28 years old, Paul was 26 and George was 25.
About a month after the Abbey Road album recording sessions ended in August... John told the other Beatles that he was quitting the group on September 20th, 1969. That was the real end of the group. The four of them never got together for any official Beatles meeting, recording, photo session, or anything else after that date.
John and Ringo were both 28 years old when it ended.
Paul was 27.
George was 26.
The first time John, Paul, George & Ringo recorded a Beatles track was in early September 1962...
and the last time the four of them recorded a Beatles track was in August 1969.
Just seven years total... recording together - making history.
John, Paul had been together for 12 years when it ended. George had been with them for about 11 and a half years.
Those three went through more in that 11.5 years than most people would in a dozen lifetimes.
Ringo didn't join until August of 1962... but those four went through more in that 7 year period than most people do in ten lifetimes.
Looking at all they created and accomplished in such a short time, and at SUCH young ages - it's mind-boggling.
For perspective: the Beatles went from "Love me do" "She loves you" and "I want to hold your hand" to "She said, she said" "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Tomorrow never knows" in 3 years...
Jeeeeez you're right. It's insane!
That incredibly artistic era with Dylan, Byrds, Beach Boys, etc. created and fostered such a beautiful and amazing evolution in pop music. There will never be anything else like it.
@@surfohio And I just found out Harry Nilsson (The beatles "favourite band") apparently were hugely influential. It's like Sports, having multiple greats in an era makes the everyone's level go beyond what they would have been capable of in a vacuum
NOw that is amazing. I cant think of any of the top bands who changed so much in so little time.
Yeah, when people mention the 'Beatles Early stuff', it's like they mean way back 20 years into their past or something. When I remind them that the early stuff is practically in the same time zone as their later stuff it surprises them
Revolver - one of the greatest pop/rock albums ever. Years ahead of its time and still sounds contemporary today.
It’s strange when you think that Lennon was killed by a revolver did his assassin act off of the name of that album ?
@@opencurtin What if it had been Silver Hammer?
@@opencurtin When the shooter was arrested, he said "It's phony!"...Was he referring to the post Beatles careers, pursued for money and "success". therefor destroying their previous "anti-establishment" attitudes?
They were the greatest band ever. I have been playing music for 56 years, studied theory, played guitar with a maestro and an orchestra, but ALL of the Beatles had huge Talent. All of them in every way.
Lmao
Correction - they ARE the greatest band ever. And I don't see anyone ever coming close.
@@emanuelmota7217 I'm not sure you're qualified to make that statement... Have you ever played guitar with a maestro, or an orchestra?
No. Maybe... the best songwriters in the rock genre. Mediocre musicians at best or below average according to Mr. Jones.
@@JBiggs54442 true not the greatest artists ever been but they were as good as they had to be...
I love how much you love the Beatles. You basically said 50% of their songs were the best song ever 😂
Because they are
They were lightning in a bottle! Their music is a miracle. The joy, wonder and beauty of their music has impacted countless lives and will continue to do so through generations to come. We will never see or hear anything like these four amazing men ever again and we don't need to. They are enough.
Couldn't have summarized it better. We've witnessed history in the making!
Completely agree. The Beatles was a magic moment in history, and their musical creativity and social \ global impact will never be duplicated (IMHO).
Perfectly stated. Lightning in a bottle, indeed.
I really like the way you pay honor to George Harrison, he was so young and came up with the best songs that year... and then recorded his solo triple album. Great achievements for 25/26 year old.
I would NEVER be sick of your Beatles videos, Rick. If you could do them. The Beatles have been my absolute favourite band since I was 14 years old - 31 years ago - and they are still, hands down, the best band ever! They did more for music than any other band has done. And all before they turned 30. Mind blowing.
To the average listener, the Beatles are great. To a musician, the Beatles were phenomenal. The inversions, chord voicings, time changes, chord melodies, chromatic movement, etc. Masterful songwriting, and surprisingly advanced considering they learned all this stuff by ear and years of gigging.
I’m learning Beatles songs all over again after years and years of listening to them. It never ceases to amaze me how they came up with so many incredible songs.
The fact that their music is still played, discussed and is still massively popular is, in itself incredible. I was fifteen when Beatlemania started and no one played music from previous generations at that time so listening to them now would have been the equivalent of me listening to music from the 1910s then! Just think about that!
I've often done that calculation too but never posted it. The cross generation in Beatles is astonishing. Rolling Stones and a few others as well. But life us much harder for new acts to make a living unless they hit the hackpot of global Internet success
Yeah it’s incredible, but music wasn’t exactly marketed or distributed in 1910 quite like it has been since the Beatles inception.
I don't understand what you mean by no one played music from previous generations. In 63 I was 9 and the radio played Sinatra, bing Crosby... Both youth culture and the recording industry grew in the 60s, much to the Beatles advantage. The popularization of the electric guitar and recording gear occurred during their time, as did the baby boom coming of age. Their greatest gift ( with a nod to Leo Fender ) was the belief that if these four poor kids could have a band and excite all these girls then we could too. I started guitar lessons at 10, was playing in a band with schoolmates at 12 and had a Fostex 4 track recording us at 14. None of this existed prior or wasn't available in a mass sense. Thee marketing of music to teenagers grew with them. Then there's the internet where people make a living promoting them. The music is great but it came along at the perfect time.
The sheer amount of material the Beatles released in only in 7 years and they weren't even 30 years old yet still surprises me.
I appreciate your enthusiasm of the Beatles. I was 14 when I saw them at Shea Stadium. So memorable. It was a happening, not just a concert, total hysteria! Changed my entire existence! I love them as much today as I did then.
wow. What an Experience! . Don't think Woodstock can hold a Candle in terms of Crazy - whenever I watch Documentary Footage of that Concert at Shea, I can't wrap my Mind around the ABSOLUTE hysteria. I heard somewhere that the Sound Systems back then simply couldn't handle the Space let alone their Music rising above the en masse hysterics.
You are so lucky to have been a part of that famous concert. Could you hear anything through the tannoy or was it just ear splitting screaming girls? Seeing some of them passing out and being taken away to hospital really stunns me.
It was more of an existential happening than a concert. You could just about get which song it was but the screaming element and the whole environment pretty much took over. They flew in on a helicopter, it was wild to a teenager in the 60’s (Punk rock not yet in existence!)
Rick, you always have the incredible perception of the Beatles.....NO ONE worked harder than these guys. All I could thing about was if they were not recording they were writing and practicing, and finally if they were not doing those things, they were thinking about melodies, lyrics and arrangements......they were incredible.....as I looked at John, to think his days would be brought to an end in just 11 years..........if he only knew.....Rick, I really appreciate what you do.....thank you!!!!!
the Tommy Emmanuel interview was stellar. congrats and thank you. the guy is untouchable on guitar. wow.
I’m not a musician and yet I frequently come to tears of joy and appreciation with Mr. Beato’s masterful musical presentations displaying not only his talent but respectfully the talent of other artists. I wonder how many future rock superstars will be crediting Mr. Beato for their inspiration? 👏🎸🎼
Rick's a great guy and very talented.
The Beatles had magic from the very beginning. We're VERY lucky to have lived in their era.
I get emotional knowing that it’s all over now.
Discovered your channel a few weeks ago. Just speaking as a songwriter, I truly appreciate your passion, sir.
The Beatles were astounding. Cannot compare them to anyone else.
Talking about harmonies... there's a scene in Get Back where John and George are talking, goofing off while Paul is singing Let It Be and they just pop right in with their parts and of course, it's spot on. Amazing...
Rick, you are just the world's most engaging, honest, reliable walking encyclopedia. I was 13 when the Beatles became a part of our consciousness, and they are part of my life to this day. The Peter Jackson documentary is a real gift to those of us who find the process of creating all these genius songs completely fascinating. Never stop talking about them!
I agree!
The Beatles truly are the greatest band of the recorded age. They never copied their own music. The lyrics make you think. The progressed their offerings with Rubber Soul and Revolver. They were talented and they could sing, McCartney having one of the greatest voices ever. Such complex music at times. Just amazing still after all these years.
Brian Epstein and George Martin deserve just as much credit, Brian for believing in the lads and keeping the management ship afloat until his untimely death, and George for introducing influences they might never have discovered or brought to full potential, and for being a bit of a needed father figure as well. Geoff Emerick and Billy Preston get grand mention here too.
Yeah..... EXACTLY. There are NO 2 Beatles that sound anything alike.
Lennon had a stunning voice too
Thank you for saying “greatest band of the recorded age”. So tired of people saying “greatest (fill in the blank) of all time”. It’s just so dumb.
You’re right. They copied OTHER’S music.
You could play Beatles songs all day long and I'd never get sick of it!!! Beatles❤
Correction: You could play Beatles songs all YEAR long and I'd never get sick of it!!! Beatles❤ ("Yeah, yeah, yeah")
5
If anything the more u play them the more you appreciate just how good they are.
Thank you Sirius XM!
you are really an extraordinary music connoisseur, but what i appreciate most about you is that you have recognized the true status of the beatles and that you are very sympathic to suggesting it to people in your nice way!
Greatings from Germany
It is amazing that on Abbey Road, the Beatles last album, George has arguably the two best songs. And that's out of an album of incredible songs.
George clearly had been squelched by Lennon and McCartney...so he did indeed have a creative burst of excellent music, in the early 70s...but, like most artists, his individual output became mediocre as time went on.
Something in the way she moves, attracts me like a cauliflower...attracts me like a pomegranate...
Something and While my Guitar Gently Weeps are to of the greatest songs ever.
George's songs were never up to Lennon McCartney. He had some good ones, but that's the best songwriting duo ever. Becker/Fagan a close second.
@@NJtoTX What attracted her to me at all?
I always love getting perspective on the age of musicians when they wrote and recorded their works. It's really incredible. I get the same sense of awe when I consider the ages of the guys in Yes, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, King Crimson and Genesis when they wrote their great works in the 70's. So astounding. The biggest difference is that arguably none of those bands would have existed had it not been for the Beatles.
BEATLES RULE. Thank you Rick. It was very emotional for me watching this series. What a privilege. Watching the Beatles perform is nothing less than awe inspiring. What tremendous musicians, and they were all playing piano during the series...amazing.
I was eight years old in 1964 when my parents got the Capitol Meet the Beatles album. I remember turning it over and looking at the album as it played on a cheap turntable. For some reason this moment was more impactful on my memory than seeing them on Ed Sullivan. No other musical act has meant more to me than The Beatles, and I marvel at how they may have influenced generations by how their invention and taste was so incredibly appealing. Years later, in 1976, I finally saw Wings, the first Beatle live experience, and I have seen Paul and Ringo live countless times. And I have sung and will sing Beatles songs till the day I die
When I was 7, I pulled my sister's brand new Rubber Soul album from its sleeve, stuck it out of the bottom dresser drawer, and dropped my G.I. Joe on it, thinking it would be a sweet diving board. It snapped in half. I quietly slid both pieces back into the sleeve and crept out of the room.
I cannot fathom that from teenagers to pre 30 year olds could get together and CREATE such a diverse, melodic, mind-bending, revolutionary, entertaining, body of work. It absolutely boggles my mind. It almost seems impossible.
Wait until you hear about Mozart/Pergolesi/Galois/Abel/Alexander the Great...
@@harsimaja9517 Most mathematicians and science related people have their greatest inflection points in their early years. The same goes for musicians. We all know of people who are/were musical savants at an early age. What I find interesting about The Beatles is that there were 4 of them creating multiple kinds of music, obviously borrowing from music in the past...and doing it collabotativly. They reconfigured it into something new. What's rare is when people come up with something that's never been done or heard before in specific in an artform.
How did Dylan write "the times they are a changin'" album at 22?
@GuyCybershy Yes, and how did a 16 year old, Jackson Browne, write "These Days?"
"These days, I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
And all the times I had the chance to..."
They were all self-taught. Had they received a conventional music training they couldn't have done what they. Meeting their manager was a huge break also, most pop music businessmen in those days were amoral shysters.
Your comments and insights about the Get Back documentary and the Beatles in general are one of the reasons why we love you Rick! Their deeply intuitive knowledge of music from their time in Hamburg and learning so many covers, their insanely creative output in the mid-60j's, their unique brilliant vocal harmonies, etc. Many of their individual songs have given birth to entire genres of music. The Beatles, as far as their impact on the entire world, both musically and socially, are the greatest band of all time, no other band has affected and influenced more people on the planet than The Beatles. Hundreds of years from now, when people are studying the music of the past, The Beatles will be looked back on as the Bach of modern pop/rock music, just as we look back on Bach as one of the masters from the past.
I wish I could see the entire 60 hours of footage. I was sad when it ended so I watched it twice. Felt like I spent 9 hours hanging out with them.
Great piece Rick, thank you for delving into these guys' amazing legacy. My obsessive love of music of all types/genres began when I heard the Beatles' Twist and Shout blaring out of a loudspeaker while living in Germany on an Air Force Base in 1963. Loved every record they put out and, while not truly being a musician (just a hack guitarist), have always felt that they were brilliant as songwriters and musicians and constantly groundbreaking throughout their career together. Opened the door to much in music that followed that I love. Too many favorite songs to have a favorite song; however, Abbey Road in its totality is an album that I will listen to until the end of my days.
Great stuff. I’ve waxed poetically about the same thoughts, many times. I don’t get how anyone could not be a Beatles fan, or at a minimum be fascinated by their song writing, performing, etc. Just the thought that their entire musical catalog was created before any turned 30, is truly amazing.
I noticed a really poignant moment in this. Just when George leaves and John doesn’t turn up for practise the next day, Paul McCartney has tears in his eyes whilst he’s sat with Ringo. And he says ‘and then there were 2’. Just thought that was a really poignant and almost a moment of foreshadowing as now of course only Paul and Ringo are left still alive. Really touching moment I thought.
wow, well observed. had I noticed this at the time I'd probably shed a tear or two
Something I also picked up on
@@customURLfor I also noticed how Paul was constantly picking at his beard, during moments of stress...and yes, I did find myself wiping away a tear during that moment you speak...and so did Ringo!...I gained a lot of respect for Paul....he never really wanted to be the "leader" of their sessions, and was clearly saddened when he realized that he and John were indeed drifting away from each other....I could feel his quiet heartbreak...and I also felt very bad for George, as he so wanted to contribute, but was being often ignored...it was gratifying to hear that discussion between John and Paul, wherein these issues were finally addressed.
He apparently got really heavily into drinking after the breakup. That's what he said in a BBC interview. You could see that all of this was his whole world...
@@ibunkatraining yeah definitely, I didn’t know that about Paul. In that Get Back doc he definitely seems like the one who try’s to keep the peace. He’s my favourite Beatle for that and many reasons
I've been into the Beatles since they kicked off in 1960 and this video has shown me just how much I've been taking them for granted. They weren't just another rock and roll band they were really special.
If you listen to The Beatles singles, starting at the beginning, their genius very quickly becomes apparent. I have and as I listened to each song, I thought it was probably their best, then its the next song which seems to be their best, then the next... eventually I started to laugh at how impossible it seemed that they wrote so many "best" songs! I think The Beatles are in a class of their own.
I've always thought that even their early work is genius.
One of the coolest things about this doc, was how funny John was. He was sitting there doing weird voices and hamming it up. The other big takeaway for me was how much on the same wavelength John and Paul were. They were just sitting across from each other reading the other's minds. It's no wonder George got a little ignored.
I thought exactly the same.
John reminds me of Groucho Marx in this doc. But he gets even sillier, even doing some physical comedy. But his number one audience is Paul, who is often funny, too. They could have been comedy partners, or really any kind of creative partners because they shared the same reference points.
Right? That one part where John kept going "eh?" in the song was so funny.
I doubt their habit of making George feel left out was at all intentional. Poor guy just happened to be the youngest in a band where the principle songwriters were otherworldly forces of nature who had this bizarre and extremely powerful platonic soulmate connection. And he was a talented man coming very much into his own by '68 and was caught in the middle of the Paul/John/Yoko love triangle drama. They all made mistakes, as young people do, but I think they had to break up if only so George could retain his sanity. I think it hurt George for YEARS that both John and Paul preferred each other over him. He was initially close friends with Paul--who dumped him for John early on. I'm sure it sucked watching two of your older brothers become so close and not only get more money than you but get all the accolades when you know you deserve them too.
@@thesilvershining You make some pretty good points 👍
After watching the Analogs concert of the white album live, which is so impossibly spot on in every way, my emotions caught up with me so hard and sweet. Hard because I was in high school at that time, mostly deaf and subjugated to go through the demeaning labeling that went with being nearly deaf. Their music defined me and motivated me. It created bonds never otherwise possible. I studied hard, practiced guitar lots and went on the play in several local bands. Bands liked to be loud and that worked for me. Thankfully you are there for me today Rick. You have motivated me all over again.
I love your insight about George's writing and where we've ended up at the end of the Beatles' legacy. George's songs were amazing. Taxman, I Want to Tell You, Within You and Without You, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, I Me Mine, Something, Here Comes the Sun. George was no minion. As some might have thought, or as he may have felt. He may not have been as prolific as the Lennon-McCartney songbook, but he was only one guy. One songwriter, one player. And he contributed so much to the Lennon-McCartney effort that is remarkable as well.
And don’t forget the songs he contributed to like “And I Love Her” (the famous guitar part) and didn’t receive writing credit.
@@MsAppassionata no doubt- the waltz section in “We Can Work it Out” as well!
He was the dark horse
I'm a massive Beatles fan, too. Have been since they came to the states in 1964. The facts you gave gave just blow my mind. They accomplished so much in a relatively short amount of time.
The 3-part harmonies in - for example -This Boy, Nowhere Man and Because have never been bettered. And they sang the first two live with no appreciable difference in quality. They had the instinctive ability to step towards or away from the mic when a different balance was required. When you consider the technology available to them, it is nothing short of miraculous.
You see Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam do this quite often. WOnder where he learned to do it???
Much of their experience, expertise and refinement of style came from on the job training, playing night after night, set after set, day after day in the bars and cabarets of the grimy port city of Hamburg...
If I fell is my favorite harmony
The 3-part harmonies in Yes It Is are amazing, too
When it comes to Ringo, it’s what he chose to play and not to play that makes him a genius behind the kit. ‘Ticket to ride’, ‘Get back’, ‘Something’. Amazing. Every drummer including me would have overplayed these and many more Beatle songs. It’s not whether it’s technical or not. It’s pure art . I don’t Ringo is truly understood as a drummer and what he contributed to the Beatle sound.
In the early days, Ringo couldn't lay off the cymbals. It seems so much better when he grew out of that.
I've been amazed with his jamming on the Get Back series. Even when the songs were barely written he was playing just what was needed.
It seems like paul wrote pretty much all of ringo's most distinctive drum parts...
i always say that ringo is by far the coolest cat in the band...by far.
THANK YOU!
There is a story from one of the producers working with Alfred Hitchcock. Every time there was a serious problem to solve regarding the direction a film should take where the team was stymied and working hard, Hitchcock would change the subject and joke around with something completely unrelated. This frustrated the team to no end that Hitchcock wasn’t taking these problems seriously.
But after much time working with Hitchcock they realized that whenever this happened, someone would come up with a solution.
This device of distraction was a deliberate move by Hitchcock to activate creative thinking by creating a new perspective.
I think the Beatles understood this, and the good folks that put out derivative content haven’t yet discovered the gold in using this liberating device.
Listening to you when you talk about the Beatles is like when a child sees their first Christmas tree! 🥰 you are the best! keep it up!
Today, nobody can imagine how HUGE the Beatles were. It was literally biblical how massive an influence they were on EVERY aspect of life.
"More popular than Jesus" Whoops!
They sure were. Today, music has become a secondary, superficial element of life due to substandard output. Back then music was paramount and these masters were at the top of the mountain.
@@markbhoward Well, a lot of things still are more popular, like sin, unfortunately.
@@markbhoward That was a massive misquote.
@@michaelstanley5215 John was trying to tell the public, get your priorities straight, we’re just a band.
The Beatles are the very first music I can remember hearing. I was born in 1965 (#1 song on US pop charts that day, Ticket to Ride), but I had two brothers several years older than me who were of the perfect age to be Beatles fanatics, which they were. Sgt. Pepper’s is probably the first thing I have any memory of hearing, and it, along with The White Album, is what made me fall in love with music . Back in the USSR is the first song I ever played air guitar to. Both of my brothers also played (real) guitars, inspired by The Beatles, and because of that, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world that I would also learn to play guitar. It never occurred to me NOT to play guitar. So in my perception, it seems as if The Beatles have just always been. They’re central to my entire consciousness of music and everything I love about music. It’s kind of hard to overstate how important their music has been to my life as a musician.
But not until I was much older, when I started to understand how short seven years is, did I appreciate how stunning the evolution and growth in their music over that time was. To call it unprecedented is obvious, but it’s a phenomenon that I just can’t see ever being repeated in ANY artistic discipline, let alone in music. If it does, it will take a form which no one could possibly predict today, just as no one listening to Love Me Do in 1963 could predict that Tomorrow Never Knows and A Day in the Life and While My Guitar Gently Weeps and the Abbey Road Suite were just around the corner.
Rick mentions the scene with George helping Ringo with "Octopus's Garden". I don't know what it is, but that clip always brings me tears. It's just such a sweet moment. Ringo seems nervous about showing what he's worked up, and George is so gentle and supportive.
You might like a band called The Doublejumps if you like listening to The Beatles
I’m amazed by not only the productivity of The Beatles, but also the consistently good quality of their material along with their innovations! Their fame was so immense, it’s incredible they stayed (for the most part) sane! As George famously said “we gave our nervous systems”. Also, Rick-I absolutely love the guitar sound in She Said, She Said-killer riff!
one of their heaviest songs, paul walked out on that 1 n george took his place lol
...”they gave their screams but we gave our nervous systems.” Yes.
I love listening to you talk about the fab four because I could talk about them all day too. They completely transformed popular music and youth culture. Their output was truly staggering. As I've said on a previous video, Noel Gallagher said "They went from Love Me Do to Let it Be in seven years"! On a personal note, I was always a massive George and John fan and looked down on Paul as being too 'commercial'. However, in recent years, I've really come to appreciate that Paul is a genius and that it was actually he that was the Avant Garde one. Also, his ability to sing (even harmonise) while playing such melodic bass lines, just blows me away. I also got to see Ringo live a few years ago - what a wonderfully sympathetic and musical drummer he is. The fab four would have sounded quite different with another drummer.
I could too, I know every word to all their songs…listened relentlessly throughout my 61 years lol
Kurt Cobain said that John Lennon wrote these very simple songs he described as "lullabies" and that was what he aspired to do with Nirvana. It’s much harder to write truly simple music that is not simplistic than it is to be "avant-garde". That is why John’s music resonates with humanity (both solo and with the Beatles) over the decades rather than Paul’s. Just my opinion
Yeah, Ringo was an absolutely essential ingredient in the formula. Sorry, Pete Best, no disrespect intended.
Heck, a lot of the musique-concrète stuff in Tomorrow Never Knows was Paul!
@@fnjesusfreak Yeah, Paul, George and Ringo (tape loops) helped to work out what John wanted for the recording. But it was all John's vision though.
When Rick said "In My Life...man, one of the best songs ever written", I stopped the video to go listen...he isn't wrong! It is just so beautiful. I am so happy I listened to it. I just recently (this past week) got into The Beatles and I'm 37. I am somewhat mad at myself for not actively listening sooner. But also understanding that sometimes things will just come to you naturally.
You might like a band called The Doublejumps if you like listening to The Beatles
You definitely need to make the guitar intros a thing!
Sounds a lot like modern Billy Corgan
Yes sir
The Beatles were such a huge part of my musical background . In 1969 I was 13 years old and learning how to play the guitar and spending hours upon hours learning Beatles songs. I feel like this band is so much a part of me that it is almost part of my DNA. When I watched Get Back It was like I was in a time warp re-experiencing all of those high school memories. I was absolutely blown away watching the creation and evolution of these songs . Thank You for sharing your thoughts and comments about the Beatles Get Back Documentary .
💯
Gawd, George was only 25!? He speaks and acts like a man with the wisdom and experience of someone twice that age! Curiously enough my favourite two moments out of all those hours of footage were both ‘George’ moments *spoiler alert* First, when Ringo’s bashing around the first verse of ‘Octopus’s Garden’. George, having spent the past two weeks struggling to get anyone to take his songs seriously, wastes no time in helping him flesh out the composition further. Both of them on the piano, trying all manner of chord progressions, was just a sweet moment. The second was of course George defiantly switching the amps back on after Mal flicked them off under orders from the police. 100% fearless badass!
Georges output during that time is staggering. Something and Here Comes The Sun and then records the All Things Must Pass album which is my favorite solo Beatles album. Got it the day of release. That album never disappoints...
Thank you, Rick. As a massive Beatles fan, for me it's just a great joy to hear you speak about the band and know your insight on the "Get Back" documentary. It's a shame Beatles material gets blocked on TH-cam. Hope Paul and Ringo are watching this and that they take note, 'cuz this is the way to pass this great, wonderful music to the younger audience. Keep it rockin'...
Rick, I agree 100%. It bears repeating over and over again that every Beatle song, album and movie was written and recorded within a 7 year period (excluding 1962's Love Me Do/PS I Love You) - and before anyone of them was 30.
I love "Here Comes the Sun" as much as anybody, but the Lennon-McCartney medley that plays after that is my favorite part of Abbey Road.
Agreed. Those last minutes are just magical.
It was such a Pythonish type thing to pull Her Majesty out of the middle of it and tag it onto the end.
Mine too. The whole medley idea was brilliant.
Loved this! I’m not a musician, don’t play an instrument, but could listen to great music talk anytime. Just an admirer of the Arts.
The world could use more people like you. 👍
What amazed me is how much their music changed. They went from Please Please Me to Sgt Peppers in just 4 years. IMO the period 1965 to 1975 was the golden era of rock. The Stones, Beatles, Who, CSNY, Pink Floyd, Dylan. Hendrix, Joplin, The Doors, Zeppelin, Clapton, Beck. So much great stuff and the music business had not gotten so marketing driven yet.
this was already released as a movie in 73 as a vhs tape in the 80'´s and in dvd in the 90´s and what i would like to see is other albums recording, this when started was first filmed in a rented theatre but was too cold and they return to the studios they were used to work, i only say that they have other interesting footage of other albums recordings, but no one cared for watching it ,unless they released it one more time with all the footage but there is more film ,why not releasing others ,only let it be ,this time they even change the name to get back ,i have the raw footage of hours and hours that will be forgoten ,there are very interesting scenes in other LP´s recordings this was already released 3 times this was the 4th time ,but what about other footage .not allowed for people to see
You are absolutely. The Golden period or Renaissance of the genre.
Actually, just a wonderful age for almost every genre of music…and many of them you could hear on the same station. Rock, R&B, Blues, Motown, even folk music…all on you favorite AM station…back to back. It is my favorite era of music.
Greatest decade of music in history. You had the best of the Beatles, the Stones, Led Zep, the Who, Pink Floyd, the Doors, CCR, CSNY, so many other amazing rock bands and artist, plus MoTown, Stevie Wonder, all those great R&B groups, Funk, Simon and Grfunkel, the Mamas and the Popas, and other folk rock….the list is endless
65 to 75 I consider the greatest leap in culture than at any other time
I wouldn’t count “Yesterday and Today” (or any other US album”) when trying to describe how prolific they were because all of the US albums were cut-and-paste jobs from the UK releases.
That being said, your point about how much great work they did in short amounts of time is completely valid.
They truly changed the game and displayed true artistry
From a Beatles fan's point of you thank you Rick for this passionate and honest video,you are a fantastic musician and your respect for the Beatles can only add to your stature.
Rick, there's never been an act like them before or since ❤️ their catalogue of music in 7 and half years will never be matched. Theyll still be talking about the Beatles in another 50 years. Love your channel man.
The Beatles have been the sound track of my life. I went from 3-13 years old in the 60’s. With 4 older sisters an 2 older brothers, one of them was picking up the latest Beatles LP, which would be played almost continuously until the record would wear out. The music would be accompanied by lots of singing and dancing. Those days were the best.
Watching the Get Back documentary (writing the Let it Be album) is even more impressive when you realize that they just released The White album (a double album) 2 month earlier and started to record Abbey Road just one month after.
Love your videos, Rick, and really appreciate your enthusiasm for the Beatles. I always tell my students, "You had to be there to understand it." Yes, their music and influence lives on in so many ways, but this generation is blissfully unaware of it. They came up with so many "firsts" that I won't even begin to list them, since anyone on this page is already in the know. I'm really thankful to have been in the "Beatlemania" generation, joining 73 million other Americans who were captivated by their initial Ed Sullivan appearance. The Beatles are the ones who influenced me musically more than anyone else, and I'm currently working on my seventh CD! I always smile when someone tells me they can hear the Fab Four influence in one of my songs. I've learned and been impacted by Dylan, Hendrix, CCR, the Hollies, Clapton, and many, many more ... but John, Paul, George and Ringo are the epicenter of my musical career.
I was born in 1950 so I was 13 years old when the Beatles first records came out. The succession of songs and albums that followed year after year progressed so quickly that it blew our minds. The Beatles literally took the world by the scruff of the neck and yanked us into musical territory that we never saw coming. They were creating sounds and compositions that were groundbreaking month after month, year after year. Each record was a new experience greater than the previous experience. For people who didn't live through this it's impossible to imagine.
The Beatles spawned thousands of imitators but they just kept moving the bar higher with each new record. Eventually they reached heights of creativity that bands couldn't replicate and the imitators pretty much gave up. As much as I love the Stones, they were never in the same league as the Beatles in terms of creativity and complexity. I can name a half dozen Stones albums that are real duds. I challenge anyone to name one Beatles album that was a dud. You can't. There are albums I like more than others, but even the early albums with covers on them had something special going on. Mick and Keith were very good songwriters and the band was tight but they also produced a lot of crap.
The closest bands to the Beatles in terms of creativity in my opinion were Led Zeppelin and possibly the Who. Jimi Hendrix, arguably the greatest guitarist of all time, had two or three visionary albums then lost the magic. The Kinks were a very creative band, but again their output was limited to a couple of great albums. You could go on and on with comparisons, but nobody can touch the Beatles for consistently groundbreaking music over an 8 year period. And as Rick points out. They retired as a band while they were still in their 20s. Ridiculous.
I know that young people today think that Boomers like me just love the Beatles because we're so self-centered and it was OUR music. But I know that if any millennial could transport back to 1963 and experience the Beatles as they unfolded, they'd feel the same way we do. Boomers don't own the Beatles. The Beatles are timeless. More than 50 years after their final album dropped, the Beatles are still being played, analyzed, and adored. That says it all.
Agree on all points
Well stated!
As someone born in 1983 (technically a Millennial but identify more with Xers and according to some, part of a cusp mini-generation called Xennials), I agree 100%. My parents played them constantly throughout my child, then I started putting the pieces together on my own at age 10, they got me 1962-1966 for Christmas, then 1967-1970 for my bday two months later, and that’s all she wrote. I was hooked and have been a full-blown fanatic since, which amounts to 28 years. I have the perspective of someone who came of age in the ‘90s and got really into the music of my time (including several of my favorite bands and artists), and still put The Beatles at the top of the list. And it’s not even close.
Yes , you put your finger on something crucial..! Boomers don't own the Beatles
and despite being born in Britain most of us in Britain realise that WE don't own them either. ! They truly belong to the World and to all generations..!!
You said one of the most astute points about the Beatles ever. That when they were busting their chops in Hamburg and learning all those cover tunes they were doing them by ear I completely agree that was absolutely foundational to their ability to understand harmony but also to ability to work bits out so quickly. They had a intuition for what the song needed and this vast repertoire of examples to poach ideas from. They're exposure to John Cage likely came via Yoko, she made work with John Cage in the early 60s.
Yep. And it's nice how the early years get the wink on Let it Be with the One after 909 cover and general 'back to basics' ethos, albeit watered down (I think it's clearer on the Glyn Johns mix)
"they were doing them by ear I completely agree that was absolutely foundational to their ability to understand harmony" *cough cough* Rick Beato Ear Training on Line 2...
@@KerryKugelman Hey man I don't know anything about Rick; but it only makes sense that learning songs by ear develops a different and valuable skill than what you get just being shown something or following some tab. Music's not in the notes, its in the spaces and intervals between notes.
George Harrison wrote “Something” and “Here Comes The Sun” at age 26
Thats incredible
Didn't James Taylor say George stole the line something in the way she moves?
Why would that be impressive at age 26 specifically?
@@brunoactis1104 because not many 26 year olds have a #1 song on the top 100 charts.
Seriously whats with all the beatle haters on this channel 🤦🏻♂️
@@Airestotle09 Where did you got that i'm a hater? I love the Beatles, i'm just saying that 26 is pretty old really, and the examples you gave are not the working on your favor. I'd say writing Nowhere Man and Eleanor Rigby, being all of them younger than 26 i think, do is actually very impressive.
@@brunoactis1104 so your just a George hater then, why discredit someone writing two masterpieces just because he was “slightly” older? Give me a break.
I dont need to waste more time and energy explaining to people like you why George Harrison is one of the best (and under appreciated) song writers of all time.
Good day sir
There’s the Beatles and then everyone else. There was music before the Beatles and then they changed everything that would ever come after it. Besides their insane talents and the stars aligning to bring them together, they existed in a time when being original, being unique and against the establishment was the mood of the times. Todays culture in art and everything else is so conformist. I’m grateful I was born in a time when I could experience that time and the greatest music of all time.
You can love the Beatles but don’t call their music the greatest of all time. It’s far far from it. I think you haven’t listen to much music, sadly. Try to listen to a few genres including classical and educate yourself please
@@nevertheless123 I never said their music was the greatest of all time. I said that music was never the same after they created what they did. You have no idea what music I know and love. I’m as comfortable with John Coltrane, Tom Waits, Debussy, Bill Withers, etc…. But the Beatles contribution to music is undeniable, and certain among the greatest ever.
@@RussPaladino Well, this is exactly what you said "....experience that time and the greatest music of all time." LOL And even if not, if you talk about Beatles and Debussy on the same breath you must be smoking my friend. I doubt the pretty boys from England even knew how to read music. They are genius melodists, agreed. You grew up with their music and cant live without it, agreed. They're British and maybe you love any thing British, thats fine. But please please dont compare them to Debussy the great master of orchestration and musical texture. The entire beatles is a drop in the ocean of classical music. Greatest music of all time? I dont believe there is anything like that. (For a millennial its probably Taylor Swift anyways). But if I were to name one that would be Beethoven's 9th or one of the early blues greats. Each started a century of new music. There is NO Beatles without Blues and Jazz. Lets not forget that.
@@nevertheless123 I disagree. I think that The Beatles were the culmination of virtually every novel concept which can make music “good”. The fact that none of them were formally educated in music theory or could read sheet music during their career only supports that assertion. There have been many composers before and after who have achieved greater heights in terms of a specific or particular aspect of composition or performance, but there is no single entity to have surpassed The Beatles in terms of the synthesis of as many musical elements as possible combined to result in the type of success, innovation and staying power they enjoyed during (and after) their relatively short career. In retrospect, what they accomplished in the context of the 1960s and in under a decade-all before the age of 30-is nearly inconceivable.
@@MrKittles1123 Boy am I in a jungle of Beatles fanatics. You said that Beatles were the "culmination of virtually every novel concept which can make music “good”"". "... none of them were formally educated in music theory or could read sheet music during their career only supports that assertion." Two bizarrely contradicting statements that I won't even try responding, but will just make one point: If they are uneducated in music theory they are ILLITERATE in music. FULL STOP.