Which was most influential

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

The Beatles or Elvis Presley. Debergs prog rock thread started me thinking and I thought it was a fairly easy choice until I talked to a few others about it and looked up some numbers. Now it seems like a toss up... although I know what my original gut feeling was.

The Beatles...
Best selling band in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold
22 #1 singles world wide
7 grammys
10 films

Elvis Presley
Best selling solo act in history... roughly 1 billion 600 million units sold
36 #1 singles
3 grammys
33 films

Of course there is plenty of other criteria. What say you though?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

However, until the first showing of Teen Spirit on MTV, those acts were music geeks' little secrets. So Nirvana 'started the era' in the sense of authoritatively announcing its arrival and dominance for the next 5 years. A week before, Guns 'n' Roses were undisputed and deserved cocks of the walk.

And IMO, Nirvana was just an extension of Guns 'N Roses, to the extent that it was about the visuals, the frontman, etc.

They were Cheap Trick for the 90's. And by that, I don't mean to insult Cheap Trick, which is a phenomenal band.

[Hammock Parties]

Elvis Presley stole all his music from black musicians.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The most ridiculous aspect of your assertion is that Seattle grunge, whether it's Nirvana or Soundgarden or Pearl Jam, actually meant anything.

The genre was dead almost as quickly as it began.

Alanis Morrisette had a bigger and longer lasting impact on the music scene than any of the Seattle bands. Soundgarden disbanded in 1997 after a lackluster release, Pearl Jam's appeal faded dramatically after Vs. and Nirvana died when Kurt died.

"Grunge" is nothing more than a footnote in Rock & Roll history. You of ALL people should know that.

The band that benefited the most from the "Alt/Grunge" era was Smashing Pumpkins and even they couldn't sustain it.

It meant something for a while. But you're Dane and you know best. We all know you'e the smartest person here because you say so, even if you're the dumbest person this side of CoMO.

Oh and check Pearl Jams realeases since you say they died.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

It meant something for a while. But you're Dane and you know best. We all know you'e the smartest person here because you say so, even if you're the dumbest person this side of CoMO.

Giving up that easy? Well, okay. Just more proof that your threads are worthless and lack conviction.

Good luck with that.

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

Oh and check Pearl Jams realeases since you say they died.

I never said anything about Pearl Jam's music: I alluded to their mass appeal, which is a mere fraction of what it was back in 1992-1994.

For the record, I saw Pearl Jam at the Gibson in the last year. The performance was absolutely amazing and was made even better when Chris Cornell joined them onstage for "Hunger Strike".

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Elvis Presley stole all his music from black musicians.

Claythan stole all his ideas from slightly smarter people on the internet.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning

Elvis Presley stole all his music from black musicians.

He didn't "steal" anything. Royalties were paid, just as they were when the blues were covered by The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Beatles and just about anyone that ever covered previously publishing songs.

Copping someone's vibe isn't stealing.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And IMO, Nirvana was just an extension of Guns 'N Roses, to the extent that it was about the visuals, the frontman, etc.

They were Cheap Trick for the 90's. And by that, I don't mean to insult Cheap Trick, which is a phenomenal band.

Honestly Dane, these are the words of someone who looks at music as a product to be marketed with no conception of the actual worth of the content.

You're coming off like Barton Fink's producers here.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Dr. Johnny Fever

Dude... Pearl Jam is the best of the 3.

Pearl Jam isn't the best of any 3 bands ever.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

This thread had good footing for a while. Then the usual asswads came in and made asswads of themselves again LOL.

I'm due at a funeral at 9am so Dane asswad can think I gave up if it makes him feel better about himself.

Good thread overall... thanks guys.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

He didn't "steal" anything. Royalties were paid, just as they were when the blues were covered by The Rolling Stones, Cream, The Beatles and just about anyone that ever covered previously publishing songs.

Copping someone's vibe isn't stealing.

Holy Shit. I'm a big supporter of remix culture, but I hold no fantasies that all previous rights holders were made whole.



There's shit ton that was repurposed without compensation. I've made my peace with it, but I don't claim righteousness.

EDIT: And yes, I'm aware Kirby is a Ginger Chewbacca

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Giving up that easy? Well, okay. Just more proof that your threads are worthless and lack conviction.

Good luck with that.



I never said anything about Pearl Jam's music: I alluded to their mass appeal, which is a mere fraction of what it was back in 1992-1994.

For the record, I saw Pearl Jam at the Gibson in the last year. The performance was absolutely amazing and was made even better when Chris Cornell joined them onstage for "Hunger Strike".

You actually did. Dumbass.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Honestly Dane, these are the words of someone who looks at music as a product to be marketed with no conception of the actual worth of the content.

You're coming off like Barton Fink's producers here.

Two words: Geffen Records.

[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 Dr. Johnny Fever

You actually did. Dumbass.

Where?

I said their mass appeal greatly faded. I made absolutely no mention of their music.

Dumbass.

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Pearl Jam's appeal faded dramatically after Vs.

[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.