Graham completely nailed it. The Beatles were a force of nature. Many artists could've had a respectable career had they written two or three of the Beatles songs, but the fact that the Beatles pumped out dozens and dozens and dozens of these masterpieces from the small window of time between 1964 and 1969/70 just blows my mind, it seems inconceivable.
doug peters whats hard to understand is Lennon and McCartney didn't know how to write songs when they were the silver Beatles(1960-62).How did this ability suddenly appear in 1963? And beyond
Jeffrey Kaufmann - It didn't suddenly appear. The Beatles never stopped practicing and paid their dues for 5 years before they got a recording contract. They wrote hundreds of bad songs growing up so that by the time they got to the cavern club they were near-veterans of songwriting and developed a prolific habit. The Beatles weren't just the Beatles because of fate, it was also because of pure hard work and undying persistence to succeed. That's mostly why the music scene sucks nowadays because no musicians are willing to pay their dues like the Beatles did. Most people give up after a year or two when they don't get a hit single, or they only write songs when they are hired to. The Beatles were living behind a movie theater living off each other until 1962 writing songs nonstop that nobody was ever going to hear; yet they still didn't stop dreaming of being "the top of the pops"
I once saw Ringo Starr being interviewed by David Letterman. When Letterman asked him if there would ever be another Beatles, said something like 'sure'. I'd hate to disagree with Mr. Starr but I think he was wrong. If he meant another artist who would outsell the Beatles he may be right. Other acts have broken the Beatles concert attendance records and probably their album/singles sales. But there will never be another act that equals their cultural significance and creative output.
It's ironic that he uses the word "simplicity" because that in its essence is the true genius of Lennon/McCartney/Harrison's songwriting. You listen to the melodic structure, find the sequence on your guitar/bass and go, "alright! I can play that!" And then after you've played the song, you ask yourself, "why can't I write a melody like that? It shouldn't be that hard." Guess what? It is THAT hard and it takes talent which 99.9% of musicians don't have. Some have written a few great melodies that we all remember but to be as prolific as the Beatles in such a short time period is beyond miraculous. That is why I've never been impressed with musicians that are acrobatic on their instruments, yet couldn't write a solid melody if someone was holding a gun to their heads. Give me great songwriting any day of the week. Today's standards are so low that aspiring to be the next Beatles must seem like solving the mysteries of the Universe.
Yes. And that same simplicity was carried through in their arrangements and guitar fills (and Ringo on drums). All four had the Genius of Miles Davis: the note not played. They never stepped on each other’s melodies in there instrumentation.
@@willybones3890 OasisPFFFT!(beer shoots out my nose) Masters of melancholy with mindless guitar solos and too much reverb-even worse than the Beatles.
Brian Wilson heard Sgt Peppers and said, that's it, I quit, they win. But, in fact, it was Pet Sounds that inspired the Beatles to take things up a notch, so thank you Brian Wilson.
Greg Lake played in Ringo's allstar band. One day he asked Ringo what is was like working with the other three. He told him that every day he showed up in the studio, Paul AND John each, had another song to work out. Every day. How incredible and unimaginable.
Graham is still incredibly lucid and vivid in how he speaks. He also expresses the thoughts and sentiments we've all shared in the 50 years since this song provoked the zeitgeist it did.
Thanks for telling the truth, Graham, I respect you. And Ozzy Osborne said IF THE BEATLES AREN'T #1 IN A POLL THE POLL IS INVALID. How did John Lennon sing so good early on? wtf? I still find it incredible.
3 years 16 hrs a day 360 plus days a year playing the Reeperbahn in Germany gave the lads a musical education unparaleled ever before or since. Thats how they got so good.
@@sambekins Totally agree with you. Their experience grew playing in those tough overseas bars. Their graduation was connecting with Brian Epstein and George Martin. All the right people at the right time.
And, as I've just been reflecting, George was "just seventeen--if you know what I mean" in the summer of 1960 in Hamburg. They were all babies, but he was the littlest!
Well said, Graham. I still wonder to this day how 4 young working class boys from the same town, at the same time, come together and do what they did. And had the right manager & producer! If not for Brian, they might have stayed in leather and never went much of anywhere. George Martin was The right man for the job. Fate, the stars, God? I don't know but I'm grateful!!!
They did more than change music, they changed culture. Society went from Leave it to beaver to Archie Bunker overnight, with Beatle boots , long hair and Maryjane ( groovy)
Brian Epstien and George Martin were the 5th and 6th Beatles for they had a profound effect on the phenomenon that was the Beatles. George Martin added his classical music experience which eventually became part of their sound. In my opinion the most amazing thing about the Beatles was the number of original melodies they composed that are still valid to this day. Melody and harmony - that's something that is sadly missing in much of todays music.
I love the quote of George Harrison from Martin Scorcese's documentary about George. "When I was 17, I was playing in bars in Hamburg. By the time I was 25, we had recorded Sgt Pepper's. Every year in between, was like living ten years of your life...you gave us your money and screams. We gave you are nervous systems." That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it? Not a Haley's comet; not just a once in a lifetime experience...the Beatles are for the ages.
At this moment, April 14th 2017, 11:01pm, The Beatles are more important & relevant to the world than they were in the 1960's. For a decade or so after The Beatles broke up, the world was waiting for The Next Beatles. The Next Big Thing that would take what The Beatles did & move the world farther than The Beatles did. We all know now that there will never be anything remotely similar to the power of The Fab Four. The Beatles are a gift from God. A gift to humanity. The Beatles sing the songs of our souls.
I agree with Graham that the Beatles were something very extraordinary that came along. There were so many aspects of music and poetic things put together and most of all at the same time made simplicitc although very complicated to perform. The raw talent one can see is the fundament for things!
As performing musicians/vocalists, the Hollies & the Beatles were in the same league of tremendous talent. However, when it came to songwriting & creativity, nobody could touch the Beatles.
@@LordFlashheart.11 No way were the Hollies even a "slightly" better live band than the Beatles. They were both very comparable as I said earlier. However, the Beatles were more "versatile" than the Hollies. McCartney had every bit of range as Allan Clarke. Lennon could sing "In My Life" & then turn around & sing "Twist & Shout". McCartney could sing "Yesterday" and then turn around and sing "Long Tall Sally".
I was stunned like everyone else when Peppers came out and the radio was playing it over and over yet A Day in the Life was banned and i heard that on the record borrowed from my friend across the street and then left blown away when i heard it. This shot rovk and roll into Rock. It was the Dorothy moment when she opened the door in Oz, it was the Atom Bomb/the Iphone/Moon Walk moment all rolled into one. No one has topped it since which is almost 56 years.
I love this interview, I love "A Day in the Life" and I love Nash's general honesty... so much so that I can ignore his nonsensical references to an anthropomorphic Universe!
I'm not a religious fellow. But when it comes to the Beatles, I have to lean toward the explanation that Mr. Nash posits here. To argue it's chance, for me, is stretching the bounds of coincidence a little too far.
Well, one reason The Beatles came to the world's attention when they did was to distract (or change the subject) a bit from JFK's assassination, so, I'm not sure about the universe but how about the CIA? Laugh
Imagine hearing Sgt. Pepper for the first time, day of release. Imagine being one of the Beatles' musical peers. Imagine the 'wtf moment' they had and then thought 'wtf do we do now?' Some rose to the challenge, most crashed and burned. I agree that the Beatles were unique in space and time. They are the Prophets of the 20th century. I was lucky enough to have experienced it all through the eyes of a child, and as I got older, I'd ask 'who will be the next Beatles?' It never happened, and it couldn't happen now. All you need is love, baby. All you need is love.
Agree 100%. It must have been the same when all the greatest guitarists went to see Hendrix for the first time. Most said they felt like their careers were over. Just like Hendrix's guitar playing, the Beatles genius cannot be explained or duplicated.
I don't have to imagine it; I remember it (except being a peer, of course, though I was that in my imagination). And with every note I knew my previous fandom was beyond justified: here was something, an experience unique in this world.
The Beatles are the finest pop music group I think I’ve or will always hear,I love all the stuff,but the album that knocks me out most still by them will always be Please.Please. Me.
What an outstanding comment... The Beatles recorded their great 'Please Please Me' album in only one day... one effing day... a musical-miracle... John's voice was shredded by the time they nailed 'Twist & Shout'... an absolute cover-classic, in one or two takes... before anybody in the States had even heard of them...!
Can't thank them enough for all the music! From 8 years old thru my teens when they broke up and now - more than 50 years later. Wonderful. Incredible. I love 'em, heh heh.
Ringo was once asked why he decided to leave his former band and join the Beatles. He replied, "it was because of that front line they had, man. (John, Paul & George). I was quite impressed with it!" 😆
That is true re the USA, however, The Beatles were already HUGE in England before the US "funk". Their first no1 was almost a full year before the US also discovered them. Their song She Loves You was in the top 40 for more than 30 weeks.
Glad I found this because it's something I've been telling those I know for decades. Musicians "get it" about how incredible The Beatles were and many non-musicians do as well but there are still some who just "hear" what The Beatles did but don't LISTEN to and absorb it. There just aren't enough words in any language to say enough about them. And Graham Nash is right. There will NEVER be another musical group to even come close to what they accomplished. They were from another world entirely.
We find it hard to believe that some people listen to a few Beatles tunes and just don't "get it" when they made the most melodic, accessible rock and pop music there is. I think of them as the world music band
@@minooch5670 They would`ve burst thru at some point. however... as an early eposh of a HEAVY METAL band!!! U see those LEATHERS them dudes was wear`in in GERMANY?? straight REBELS!!!
Graham said it all! I knew this even as a 9 year old boy watching these guys on The Ed Sullivan show back in 1964. I knew these guys were special! They were magical. There will never , ever be a Band like The Beatles again! We have all their music that will live on forever! And Im sure its ringing up in Heaven! Thanks Lord for giving us The Beatles! ❤☮✝🛐💒
I was 9 also. I saw that show. Feb. 9, 1964. Sunday night at 8. You're right. Magic. They opened with All my lovin' . I just looked up what Ed paid for performers. Elvis got $16,000 BEATLES got $2400 for three shows. Looking back, I think they should have gotten that for each show. But like Brian E . said, They are going to be bigger than ELVIS. I think he was correct. The King of Rock n Roll, maybe. I don't know WHAT label you can put on them to describe the BEATLES. Nothing compares . Nothing ever will.☮️😎
first record I ever bought: I Want to Hold Your Hand/I Saw Her Standing There first concert I ever went to: Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl first song I remember hearing on the radio: The Flying Purple People Eater first song/performer I remember seeing on TV: Tennessee Ernie Ford - 16 Tons first song/performer I saw on American Bandstand: Dell Shannon - Run Away first performer I ever personally new: Trini Lopez (as teens growing up in Dallas, Texas)
@@rheailiarome2287 i agree. each of the four was a genius in his own way, and perhaps their success is that each one knew was his role or contribution need to be for the song to be successful. and each one had something to contribute. that's what sets them apart.
@@trevorsaunders580 Disagree. With a few exceptions Ringo co-wrote every song they recorded. He didn't just play the drums he crafted drum parts, and they were integral to the songs.
Most musicians go through their entire career & life without meeting(more or less hooking up!) the perfect voice(s) to sing & harmonize with. Or compose great(er) songs with. The FABULOUS FOUR were indeed fortunate. Blessed, even. And WE, the people of these times, are blessed to have The Beatles and their musical legacy. Beatles songs will be played 200 years from now, just like Beethoven's compositions-- because they're timeless and truly great. Thank you Graham Nash for such an honest, insightful perspective! ( He was fortunate to hook up with Stills & Crosby too!!! ...with some help from Mama Cass Elliot!)
I couldn't imagine Beatles songs recorded and produced by the Decca Label or any other record company for that matter. Just have to agree with all the comments below, that for me sums up how I feel about the magic.
I love that I grew up through my teens England with all the Beatles music and others that they inspired. Incredible times etc etc Defined my life and YES A Day in the Life is unbelievable from the very start to the epic ending. Phenomenal is not the word enough
In today's 'throw away society' bands like the Beatles are just yesterdays news. Sadly you don't hear their music on the radio or TV or anywhere but here in these pathetic Beatle nostalgia sites for us geezers. The Beatles have become the Boomers generation 'Tommy Dorsey Band', or the Al Jolson of my grandfathers generation. I guess that's just the way things go
Graham was right, There will never be another Beatles. There's a lot of people that have no idea that The Beatles changed the world in so many ways back in the 60's and early 70's, together and individually. My top #1 band.
@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 just a boy band? Each Beatle had more talent than all of the boy bands for the last 30 years combined! Next thing you'll tell me is that Vladimir Putin should be nominated for sainthood. SMH
Definitely, there will never be another Beatles. No way. Well said Graham. Dylan? No where near, Stones? Sorry no chance, Elvis? Only an influence, Chuck Berry, the real king of rock n roll! The Beatles were massive.
The Beatles tapes were smuggled behind the Iron Curtain, and some culture buffs credit them for helping to bring down that Curtain. Imagine - there are Russian boomers who sing Beatles songs in Slavic!
Graham Nash was part of two very influential bands: the Hollies and CSNY, and has much to be proud of. But he's right: there will never be another Beatles. I still get shivers listening to "A Day in the Life", just as I did over half a century ago when I first heard it. I am so so grateful to have grown up in the 60's when all this great music was brand new. It truly was a magical time, at least for music!
Heh Well its kind of 2 albums:) If Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane had been included Pepper would have been a more complete album. But Emi needed a single so they put out the double A side.
@@fourthtunz it would be interesting to speculate where those 2 songs would be placed in the running order on Sgt Pepper, or which 2 songs to remove to keep the album the same length
@@stevefowler5970 Yes interesting but I wouldn't want the job of removing one of the song! But looking at the tracks It would be a task adding those songs back in!
The Beatles' greatness lies in the sum of their efforts - their entire songbook. Their music impacted a generation and continues to inspire young artists to cover their songs. We graduated High School in 1964 and '67 - and in that short span the Beatles went from "Introduction" to U.S. audiences to Sgt. Pepper. We knew they were a great band.... we just didn't know how great!
I bow to no one in my love of the Beatles and Graham is a deeply talented and creative artist. He's very gracious too, in his praise for the Beatles, because back in the day, the Beatles, particularly George, where less than generous about the Hollies, who were a very fine band. While not on the same plane as the Beatles they used melody and close harmony in a very similar way to the fab four.
The majority of the critics" reviews of Sgt. Pepper infuriated THE BEATLES because while the album was highly praised, most critics singled out Producer George Martin as the real star behind the album. Paul said EVERY line of music and special effect on the entire album were completely from the minds of him, John, and George. McCartney said even Ringo was pissed with the critics, and Paul went on to say that any competent music producer in the industry would have easily duplicated George Martin's work.
polymathematic, outstanding as it relates to FIBONACCI and the PENTATONIC, MNENOMIC, DIATONIC, APPLICATION TO MUSIC think it has something to do with a ratio in the octaves. but, not a musician just an ardent listener. from 'BACK IN THE DAZE WHEN THE BEATLES WERE MORE THAN LORE'. that waz my title to a poem i wrote in 1976. ok good great gooder greater goodest greatest THE 📒PAD🏡 sldc
There will never be a band to open so meny doors to possibilities in music. Other bands developed those styles (jangly guitar pop, baroque/chamber pop, psychedlic/acid rock, raga rock etc) but it can still mostly be traced to the Beatles.
