Which band was more influential?
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Fun Facts: The Beatles and The Beach Boys are considered two of the most influential and innovative rock bands ever. They had a rivalry during their heydays and would be considered "frenemies" today.
The BeatlesThe Beatles are often referred to as the most influential and successful rock band in history. They made significant contributions to both the music world and the 1960’s counterculture movement. The Beatles formed in 1960 in Liverpool, England with members Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon.
Their first hit was “Love Me Do” in 1962 and they achieved great success in their home country. By 1964, they were international superstars. As their fame grew, the frenzy that followed them was known as “Beatlemania” and they were nicknamed “The Fab Four”. In 1964, they led “The British Invasion” with their first trip to the United States, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show to an estimated 73 million viewers.
While all their albums are considered classics, the most influential ones are Revolver in 1966, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, a masterpiece with many innovations, The White Album and Abbey Road. The Beatles broke up in 1970 after their final album release Let It Be. Following the break up, all four Beatles would go on to successful solo careers.
In 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment in New York City, dashing any hopes for a Beatles reunion. The Beatles are the most successful band of all time, with worldwide sales of over 600 million records, including a record setting 20 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. They’ve won seven Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Song Score, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and were #1 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists in history.
Their first hit was “Love Me Do” in 1962 and they achieved great success in their home country. By 1964, they were international superstars. As their fame grew, the frenzy that followed them was known as “Beatlemania” and they were nicknamed “The Fab Four”. In 1964, they led “The British Invasion” with their first trip to the United States, appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show to an estimated 73 million viewers.
While all their albums are considered classics, the most influential ones are Revolver in 1966, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in 1967, a masterpiece with many innovations, The White Album and Abbey Road. The Beatles broke up in 1970 after their final album release Let It Be. Following the break up, all four Beatles would go on to successful solo careers.
In 1980, John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment in New York City, dashing any hopes for a Beatles reunion. The Beatles are the most successful band of all time, with worldwide sales of over 600 million records, including a record setting 20 number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100. They’ve won seven Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Song Score, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and were #1 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists in history.
Beach BoysThe Beach Boys are a beloved American band from California and considered the face of the “California sound” and “surf music”, reflecting the southern California lifestyle of cars, surfing and romance. The original lineup contained brothers Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love and Al Jardine. Their first big hit was in 1963 with “Surfin’ USA” followed by a series of top ten hits, including “Surfin’ Safari”, “I Get Around”, “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Help Me Rhonda” and “California Girls”. While they survived and thrived during the British Invasion of the mid 1960’s, they saw their popularity falter later in the decade.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
Starting in 1965, they abandoned the California sound and beach themes for more lyrical and complex themes. In 1966, they released the ambitious and innovative Pet Sounds album, considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, named as #2 on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 greatest albums. Orchestrated by Brian Wilson, Pet Sounds was complex and utilized advanced studio techniques. It garnered several of their most well known songs such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, “God Only Knows” and “Sloop John B.”.
During their career, there was controversy when their publishing rights were sold for $700,000 ($5.7 million today); the catalog has generated over $100 million in royalties, none of which went to the band members. The Beach Boys have sold over 100 million units worldwide, had 36 songs in the Top-40, which is the most by an American band, four #1 songs, were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and were named #12 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest artists of all time.
