The Beatles: Top Band of All Time

The Beatles can arguably be called the greatest group of all time. Take into consideration that the Beatles chief rivals in the 1960's, The Rolling Stones, did not call themselves "the greatest Rock n roll Band of all time" until after the Beatles broke up in 1970. The Beatles was only recording for eight short years. But within those eight years, they amassed a body of work that was so far ahead of their time that the music still stands today.

The first indication why the Beatles are the top band of all time is. Of course, success. The Beatles, without question, was the most successful musical act in the 20^th century. In the 1960's, the Beatles amassed twenty number one singles. They logically could have had more because the vast majority of their songs could have been A-sided singles. Back in the 1960's, a single was released on a 45 rpm vinyl record. The A-side is the main song on the single. For example, with the single of I Feel Fine/She's A Woman, the first song listed is the A-side and second song is the B-side. Typically it was the A-side that received more airplay at radio stations. Again, the Beatles could have easily had more than 20 number one hits. Any B-side could have been a major single. As is evident today, there probably aren't many Beatle songs that aren't known. Of course, their big hits are the most recognizable, but I wouldn't hesitate to say that their entire catalog of songs are also well known.

Another aspect of how big the Beatles are is longevity. Each decade that passes, a new generation is admiring the Beatles music. They are still evident everywhere. From influencing new groups like Oasis to young people walking around wearing Beatles t-shirts. In 1995, the Beatles released a new single to coincide with the release of their anthology. The single "Free as a Bird" was the first original Beatle release since 1970 and reached the top ten on both the American and British Charts. That is a testimonial to the Beatles longevity. The series The Beatles Anthology was one of the highest rated series on television in 1995. Since 1970, Beatle compilations have consistently entered the top ten on the American and British charts. The Beatles had the biggest selling album of 2000 with another compilation of their number one hits.

Another reason one can call the Beatles the top group of all time is how they influenced popular culture. When they hit American soil in 1964, they immediately changed the world. Their music was different from anything that had came before. Their music continued to evolve, challenging and changing other musical acts of that time. They challenged the Beach Boys to come out with "Pet Sounds". With not only their music, but also the style of their clothes, they helped usher in the psychedelic/hippie music in the mid 1960's. As the world's youth embraced psychedelic rock and culture, the Beatles then did an about face and returned to their rock-n-roll roots. That was when John Lennon embraced the anti-war movement, that many young people followed him into.

Many groups can be considered great but there was only one group that can claim top of all time. Whether its in 1964 or 2007, there isn't a group that can come close to the success or the body of work the Beatles had or still have. I would say it will continue for a great number of years to come.