Musical Moments 4: Ladies and Gentlemen - The Beatles! Mar 16 '04    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line Say what you will about the lads from Liverpool, there is absolutely no question that they were and are "it" Let's get my bias right out in the open - The Beatles is the greatest pop band ever. Not because they were the most talented - I think many others since their heyday have had gobs more musical skill... Not because they wrote the best music - though they certainly churned out a lot of classics, there has been better... Not because they were trendsetting superstars, and not because they sold a lot (that's spelled g-a-z-i-l-l-i-o-n-s) A LOT, of records... The Beatles is the greatest pop band ever because, as a whole, they had "it". NOBODY has ever had the "it" factor like the Beatles. -------------------- So, what is "it"? and why does Simon Cowell keep harping on "it"? Because "it" is that once in a lifetime, lighting in a bottle unstoppable force generated by the perfect combination of talent, charisma, timing, effort, and chance that can't be duplicated - if someone has anything of an "it" factor, then "it" is uniquely his own. For example, in last year's American Idol, Clay Aiken flared brilliantly with "it" in a thirty second audition clip - millions sat straight up in their La-Z Boys and took notice. And as Simon has rightly pointed out this year, "it" is sadly lacking, if not missing altogether in nearly everyone in the competition. But when you combine several "it" factors together, you have a weapon of mass entertainment that cannot be stopped Each one of the Fab Four had a measure of the "it" factor - either Paul or John would have been superstars in his own write (ten points for the first person who can tell me the source of that pun). George and Ringo had a smaller level of "it" but they needed the others to bring "it" out of them. They were brought together by a manager and producer each with their own level of "it" - Brian Epstein was possibly the hardest working manager in show business at the time, devoted almost exclusively to his beloved Beatles, going above and beyond the standards of the industry at the time to secure the best contracts and venues for the band. George Martin had his own "it" factor in the world of producing records for EMI - he brought a level of musical knowledge to The Beatles that they lacked. Though they worked hard to make themselves the top band in England, The Beatles would not have gone on to worldwide acclaim had it not been for a chance encounter. The most powerful man in television in that era was Ed Sullivan - when he observed a large, and ecstatically enthusiastic crowd at a London airport, he assumed they had gathered for the arrival of the queen or some other important British dignitary. He was floored to learn that these thousands had gathered just to catch a fleeting glimpse of four boys in a band. Upon his return to New York, he began to try to find out everything he could about The Beatles - one thing led to another, and in February 1964, Ed Sullivan hosted the most popular single episode of television ever aired - the American premier of The Beatles. The rest, as they say, is history... they wrote wonderfully catchy songs, almost too simple, and set them to a driving new beat that no one had yet tried. They played off each other perfectly, the ultimate gathering of ego and id - they were father (John), mother (Paul), priest (George) and clown (Ringo) - their combined attraction was difficult to resist and impossible to ignore. Eventually, it was this combination that doomed the band - nothing this perfect could hold together for long. It only took a few events within a couple years to upset the delicate balance, and the death spiral began for The Beatles. But through all of these things, they never lost "it", and our fascination with the Fab Four continues to this day. -------------------- In keeping with previous Musical Moments articles, here are three examples of The Beatles "it" factor (excluding the afore-mentioned Ed Sullivan show - that will always be number one). Richard Lester's 1964 "documentary" A Hard Day's Night This film captured the essence of the "it" factor at it's most manic high - the boys frolic their way through the silly and very slight plot, liberally spouting spontaneous Beatle-isms, mugging for the camera - in short, just being themselves. It is a time-capsule that can transport you back to a time devoid of psychedelic military uniforms, glass onions and Polythene Pam - "it" is defined in stark black and white splendor. A Hard Day's Night is the perfect introduction to The Beatles, and is the ultimate talisman of their "it" factor. Revolver The Beatles' 1966 masterpiece Revolver is loaded with fourteen sure-fire "it" factor hits - while some may argue that Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band is more imaginative, and the white album more ambitious, I maintain that there is no single pop album ever created that can exceed the greatness that is Revolver. Sorry U2, and move over, Police-men - great as you may have been in your time, your best works don't even come close to this one. The entire work is fueled by a fully mature "it" factor - each person contributes greatly to this album, a blending of mysticism, cynicism, heartbreak, passion, humor, all filtered through the unique sieve of four relatively unfettered minds. (I fully expect questions and comments regarding at least that statement, if nothing else...). They were on top of the world at this point, and were supremely confident in their abilities. Given their potent "it" factors and their unique freedom to create without boundary, Revolver is the model for all pop music to come. January 30, 1969 - No. 3 Saville Row, London - the final concert of The Beatles, the one and only concert by ??? (Ten points if you can tell me the temporary name of the band for this concert) Only four months away from the official demise of The Beatles, and mired in discussions about locations for a television special devoted to the release of "Let It Be", Ringo wandered up to the roof of the Apple Corps studio to see if it would do. It was a stroke of genius, and would turn out to be the final time all four Beatles appeared in public together to play music. (For that matter, I'm not sure all four of them ever appeared together in public at all after this concert). If you've heard the recording of the concert, you know that it certainly wasn't a display of musical genius - they ran through several songs from Let It Be, rehearsing them a few times each. Near the end of the concert, they played a few other songs once each - but this day, it was not about the music. For on this day, on a windy rooftop, the Fab Four managed to regain their innocent charm and the original "it" factor - all arguments and bickering set aside as they genuinely enjoyed each other's company for perhaps the last time in their lives. -------------------- Now it's your turn - I know that some of you disagree vehemently with my assessment, some of you could care less, and others may be raving Beatlemaniacs and would like to take an opportunity to gush about how dreamy their favorite Beatle was - well, whatever you do, comment! Don't let me down...please please me - oh yeah - and I'll please you. Thank you on behalf of the group, and I hope we passed the audition. The Musical Moments Series: Musical Moments 1: Rock Guitar Anthems Musical Moments 2: Fiery Guitar Solos Musical Moments 3: Blues Guitar Greats Musical Moments 4: Ladies and Gentlemen: The Beatles!

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