If four young lads from Liverpool released a song called, "I Want To Hold Your Hand," and called themselves, "The Beatles," would such a group be famous today and would they have caused a frenzy known as "Beatlemania?"
Some A&R dude would tell them that guitar bands are out of fashion. And this time he would even be right.
Of course not, just like Elvis or many others wouldn't have stood a chance nowadays because it simply is a different culture now.
The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hendrix, etc ... they wouldn't make it in this scene. Today, music is about sex and image. And the record companies are dead because of the internet. Also, record companies stopped giving artists a chance to develop. Look at Tom Petty whose first two albums were lacking depth. It wasn't until Damn the Torpedoes came out in 1979 that we got to see his brilliance.
Depends. It is not just about the music. Sort of, at least on the US side. A&R folks in the UK still scour looking for nobodies with some potential to bring along. In the US, they want you to be established some before they just move in for the kill. The scene is changing due to digital. Live tours are where the bands make their monies and merchandising/promo deals are where the labels make their money. They do other things like get pennies for youtube views, release songs for download at a drips pace before releasing the full album, etc. I actually am excited by the world in which someone else can use social media/youtubes to get their music out there. People who want to rest on their laurels or live a posh life off a one hit wonder won't like the future too much, but performers/artists who just want to produce music and are willing to work it like they would any other career certainly have a tremendous amount of opportunity here.
It's not just about that. Musicianship in rock has advanced light years since the days of "I want to hold your hand" and the simplistic pop that the Beatles became popular on. Listen to this: [video=youtube;ZvUN7u4Vzjw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvUN7u4Vzjw[/video] George Harrison could have never played this during his life. Not that he ever had to, but he just wasn't that skilled of a guitar player. And the really sad thing, this guy maybe sold a couple thousand copies of this album. Not millions, like the Beatles. Skill doesn't sell records, unfortunately. I could post hundreds of songs with drumming that would have been beyond the wildest dreams of the very, very mediocre drumming talents of Ringo Starr. The same goes for Paul's bass playing ability. Lennon's songs were abstract, and I like that he was a huge influence that got this ball rolling, but they would have never been able to compare to some of the amazing songs that have been written since then. The Beatles were simply at the right place, at the right time, for their kind of music. If it wasn't for them, we probably wouldn't have a lot of the music we have today, so we must always be grateful for the influences they've provided, but they simply wouldn't be able to compete today. Of course, I might retract everything I just wrote because I'm comparing their music to what I feel is the best, most musically proficient stuff out there. Compare their stuff to today's pop, which is truly horrible indeed? Maybe. Oasis was able to rekindle a little bit of what the Beatles had done. Of course, the audience has changed since then.
Beatlemania was a phenomenon. I saw the Beatles in 1966. The ticket was $5.50. I wish I had the stub. Dylan is the guy who turned them on to weed. Here's Dylan and Lennon. https://youtu.be/_ybvOH3VrNA
Very true. I picked up the guitar and 1994, and my influences were not the Beatles. It was Motley Crew, Guns n' Roses, Nirvana, Alice n Chains, Metallica and other bands. I know a lot of Beatles' songs, but they're easy to play. Nothing the likes of the song you posted.
I highly doubt it. We have moved a long way from innocent songs like "I Want to Hold Your Hand," We had just moved away from the big band era and got into rock and roll. Elvis lead the way and the Beattles followed. They were at the right time and place for their brand of music. Even the Beattles moved on from innocent songs into psychedelic and hard and acid rock soon followed. No, no way today.
You're right, they were never great instrumentalists, much less at the beginning of their career and not even to their contemporaries. But it's not just technical proficiency that matters. I think Ringo Starr gets underestimated a lot - he's not a great drummer from the technical point of view, but he's got his own unique style. I could pick out his playing from a hundred other drummers. And they were the best songwriters within the restraints of pop music - which they constantly extended. I can't think of anyone who can hold a candle to them in that regard.
I am so happy that you were able to see The Beatles in person. Yes, I do remember those unbelievably low prices to see a Beatles concert during the 60's.
Short answer not likely. Unless it was done like a rap anthem,and they all got good tans, curled their hair, and claimed to be African American's even though their parents disagreed. lol
