Every once in awhile, I meet someone who just doesn't get The Beatles, or who doesn't even like them.
I try to keep an open mind about this, since there are some groups that I simply don't get, either. Bob Dylan? Sure. His voice itself can turn some people away. But The Beatles? Come on!
20 accomplishments, achievements and innovations that may change your mind:
1. During the week of April 4 1964, The Beatles occupied the top five positions on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart (12 in the 100), the top 2 positions on the albums chart, the no. 1 position in the British singles chart, the first two positions in the British albums chart and the no. 1 position in the British EP chart,-the most complete domination of the British and American charts in history. Today, you're lucky to have one top 10 album and single at the same time.
2. To date, The Beatles have sold over 1billion records. That's billion, with a B.
3. They have the most no. 1 albums in the British album charts (15), and 17 no. 1 hits.
4. They hold the record for the group with the longest span between no. 1 albums in the Billboard albums chart (39 years and 51 weeks, 1964 to 2001). In 2000-20 years after John Lennon was killed and 30 years after they broke up, their second major greatest hits compilation, 1, spent eight weeks at no.1 and sold 13 million copies in it's first month of release.
5. They boast 20 no. 1 hits in the United States, (19 no. 1 albums), with 24 consecutive Top 10 hits from 1964 to 1976 (six years after they broke up), a record for a group. They also have 12 no. 1 hits in Germany, 23 in Australia, 21 in the Netherlands, 22 in Canada, 13 in Malaysia.
6. According to the United World Chart, The Beatles have 16 of the 100 most successful tracks of all time, and also seven of the 100 most successful albums in history.
7. The Beatles recorded four of the Top 10 Greatest Albums of All Time, according to Rolling Stone magazine, and three of the Top Five. (I'll ignore the fact that Abbey Road was only no. 14).
8. They were ground-breaking pioneers almost from the beginning, being the first group ever to employ feedback in 1964's "I Feel Fine." One of their hits, "A Hard Day's Night," features an opening chord so revolutionary that people are still trying to figure out. 1965's Rubber Soul and the follow-up, Revolver, saw more innovation, from the use of a sitar in "Norwegian Wood" to tape loops in "Tomorrow Never Knows." Then there are the backwards vocals in "Rain" (a first) and a Moog synthesizer on several songs on 1969's Abbey Road.
9. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band is arguably the greatest album ever made (indeed, it topped Rolling Stone's list). While it doesn't have the strongest material, the album was a landmark in recording. It popularized the concept album-something that would serve as inspiration to the Who and Pink Floyd.
10. "A Day In The Life" from Sgt. Pepper may have been the crowning achievement of the group-a five and a half minute song composed of two suites-one by Lennon, one by McCartney-that are totally different in song and texture, yet complement each other perfectly. The song features two cacophonous crescendos from an orchestra, the final one climaxing in a single E major chord that lasts 42 seconds.
