Re: new beasties/Beatles

k kiernan (mrfliz@interport.net)
Wed, 29 Jul 1998 11:14:16 -0400


i simply cannot let that go by unchallenged. at best, the beasties are the
elvis of the 80's and 90's; they've pushed something that began largely as
an african-american music style and helped popularize it. their rap
'skills' are virtually non-existent (flame bait), but they're among the best
producers in the field, but, c'mon. the beatles: 1) produced about one
album a year for a decade, 2) had top 10 songs from virtually every album,
3) basically set the direction for popular music through its most varied and
productive decade, 4) pioneered new recording techniques (read "sessions"),
5) successfully introduced politics to top 40 radio, 6) are cited by the
vast majority of musicians as an influence, ....

now, as if i haven't begged enough to be flamed back, my take on the most
influential musicians in popular music:

duke ellington
robert johnson
the beatles

i also think louis jordan gets strong consideration, but he was more of a
bridge between styles that a real innovator.....and chuck berry was
basically johnson meets jordan....

on the other hand, i did buy 'hello nasty' by noon the day it came
out.....but on the other other hand, i'll probably try to buy tribe called
quest's new one at midnight the night/morning it comes out (8/25).......

crankily,

kevin k

>You make a good point, maybe then, they are the Beatles of the 80s and 90s.
>Only the Beasties are more original and creative (uh-oh, did I just start
>something?) than the Beatles were when they became so incredibly popular.
>
>Well, those are my two cents.
>
>Greg
>