Which was most influential

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

The Beatles or Elvis Presley.

Only a Deejay would confuse the influence of these two artists.

Visit any Pro Audio/Engineering/Producing forum, whether it's Gearslutz or ProSoundWeb or Dave's Place or PSW and do a web search on Elvis or The Beatles. You'll get literally TEN MILLION threads about the Beatles, their recording process, overdubbing process, questions and answers from guys like Ken Scott and so on.

You'll find very few about Elvis.

Elvis was an AMAZING entertainer. He was and still is the coolest singer/frontman of all time, IMO. He's been copies but never duplicated. The man was a True Original.

The Beatles, on the other hand, not only changed popular music forever, they changed the way popular music was recorded and delivered. From syncing up multiple four-track machines to Abbey Road to George Martin to their competitive nature (Sgt. Peppers was a direct response to Pet Sounds) to visiting the Maharishi to using acid to expand their minds, to the British Invasion to the introduction of Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and countless other "American" artists, The Beatles influence is unparalled.

I could spend hours commenting on innovations in sound recording and songwriting as it pertains to The Beatles but I won't. This is not the proper forum.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Only a Deejay would confuse the influence of these two artists.Visit any Pro Audio/Engineering/Producing forum, whether it's Gearslutz or ProSoundWeb or Dave's Place or PSW and do a web search on Elvis or The Beatles. You'll get literally TEN MILLION threads about the Beatles, their recording process, overdubbing process, questions and answers from guys like Ken Scott and so on.

You'll find very few about Elvis.

Elvis was an AMAZING entertainer. He was and still is the coolest singer/frontman of all time, IMO. He's been copies but never duplicated. The man was a True Original.

The Beatles, on the other hand, not only changed popular music forever, they changed the way popular music was recorded and delivered. From syncing up multiple four-track machines to Abbey Road to George Martin to their competitive nature (Sgt. Peppers was a direct response to Pet Sounds) to visiting the Maharishi to using acid to expand their minds, to the British Invasion to the introduction of Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and countless other "American" artists, The Beatles influence is unparalled.

Yeah that's what this is about. I swear if you were any dumber you couldn't even wright the english language.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The Beatles, on the other hand, not only changed popular music forever, they changed the way popular music was recorded and delivered. From syncing up multiple four-track machines to Abbey Road to George Martin to their competitive nature (Sgt. Peppers was a direct response to Pet Sounds) to visiting the Maharishi to using acid to expand their minds, to the British Invasion to the introduction of Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters and countless other "American" artists, The Beatles influence is unparalled.

And as I have pointed out. This is mostly wrong. (depending on how you are defining influence) Yes, there were a few incremental things they did but nothing as big as the likes of the Beach Boys or Phil Spector. I will say, Geoff Emerick (engineer for the Beatles on their most "groundbreaking" stuff) was/is one of the best to ever live. So they have that.

To be clear, I am a HUGE beatles fan... which is why I know the subject matter and can point out other artists who were responsible for FAR AND AWAY more innovation in the industry. The Beatles just did everything so damn WELL that they get more credit than they often deserve.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

And as I have pointed out. This is mostly wrong.

I cannot even begin to tell you just how wrong you are, so I won't even bother.

But, check out Brian Kehew's "Recording The Beatles" book, which is a must read for any and every studio engineer, producer and even musician and check back in.

Furthermore, Ken Scott was more influential than Emerick, but we're splitting hairs. Abbey Road, EMI consoles, the engineers, etc. pretty much defined modern music and there are a countless number of worshippers along with people still chasing those recordings.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I cannot even begin to tell you just how wrong you are, so I won't even bother.

But, check out Brian Kehew's "Recording The Beatles" book, which is a must read for any and every studio engineer, producer and even musician and check back in.

Furthermore, Ken Scott was more influential than Emerick, but we're splitting hairs. Abbey Road, EMI consoles, the engineers, etc. pretty much defined modern music and there are a countless number of worshippers along with people still chasing those recordings.

You can begin to tell me and you'll be wrong. Sorry but this is something I have studied as well and I can go line by line and point out someone BEFORE who influenced and did more in almost every single instance of innovation. Of course, there will be some things where you have to give the nod to the Beatles but MOST of it is based on popularity and execution not on true innovation.

Hey, I love the Beatles but there is a cult-like mentality around them that tends to disregard or downplay all the facts.

let's look at one big "innovation".. ADT.. well it certainly is a major convenience.. all it does is make something that was being done for years, easier to do. That's great and all but not a "push the envelope" type of innovation that I am going to count for much.

Compare that to the Beach Boys TRULY pushing forward the use of multi-tracking. Which of course was an extension of Phil Spector's work. The Beatles made incremental improvements but nothing as drastic as either of them.

And I still think Emerick is a better engineer!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

You can begin to tell me and you'll be wrong.

(This isn't a sarcastic laugh but a laugh from the heart)

If you're ever in LA, give me a buzz. I have several Grammy winning engineers and producer friends that would fight you to the death over your words. Me? I'm not nearly that passionate about it. I respect The Beatles, Martin, Emerick, Scott, the EMI & Abbey Road guys but I don't and won't defend them 'til death.

And as for the Beach Boys, YES. They don't get nearly the pub for their innovative songwriting and recordings publicly as they should.

One of my friends manages Brian Wilson. JFC, the stories I could tell...

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

(This isn't a sarcastic laugh but a laugh from the heart)

If you're ever in LA, give me a buzz. I have several Grammy winning engineers and producer friends that would fight you to the death over your words. Me? I'm not nearly that passionate about it. I respect The Beatles, Martin, Emerick, Scott, the EMI & Abbey Road guys but I don't and won't defend them 'til death.

And as for the Beach Boys, YES. They don't get nearly the pub for their innovative songwriting and recordings publicly as they should.

One of my friends manages Brian Wilson. JFC, the stories I could tell...

I'll have to take you up on that! I bet I could hold my own in that fight!

And once again, I am not trying at all to denigrate the Beatles or any of the engineers mentioned. I absolutely love them and the product produced. I just think the record could be set a little more straight.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

I'll have to take you up on that! I bet I could hold my own in that fight!

And once again, I am not trying at all to denigrate the Beatles or any of the engineers mentioned. I absolutely love them and the product produced. I just think the record could be set a little more straight.

LOL. Again, not as an insult.

I must warn you that these guys are ****ing brutal. I like and respect The Beatles, while admittedly, not being a fan. But those that are fans: Watch out!

http://www.recordingthebeatles.com/

This is an absolutely phenomenal book that I highly recommend to any Beatles aficionado. Not only is there specific information about what microphone was used for several recordings, the photographs are worth the price of admission alone.

And Brian is an amazing producer and archivist/mastering engineer in his own right.