Stumbled
across this fun list called 50 Things We
Wouldn't Have Without The Beatles.
50
things. That’s a lot. Some of them even matter, like: long hair,
music videos, stadium concerts, concept albums, backmasking, eastern
philosophy, and intentional feedback.
Examples of how The Beatles changed the world. Speaking of which: musicians trying to change
the world.
Other
things are true but more curious than impactful: heavy metal (yes, check Helter Skelter), Monty Python’s The
Life of Brian (well, if George didn’t have the money …)
50
things is a lot. So some are a stretch: Apple (copycat name and logo), Thomas the Tank Engine (Ringo was cool
and all, but …), Nirvana? Cher? Phil Collins?
Double
albums? In 1968, everyone had a double album!
Maybe
50 is just too many things. Like, of course we wouldn’t have Beatles cover
bands without The Beatles! And I guess
we wouldn’t have had The Monkees, but …
Keeping
the list to 20-25 might have bee a good idea.
A shorter list would have contained less whimsy – a definite Beatles
characteristic – but would have carried more credibility. The impact of the guys is immeasurable. We don’t need a longer list to establish that.
And
yes, Ringo was apparently the first to put a pillow inside his kick drum. And now it’s time to say goodnight.
