“The Beatles were great composers and arrangers ...but, a rock band?”
Agree for the most part, but they had a few moments of hard driving music.
I'm pretty sure that if it wasn't for the Beatles mostly, and a handful of other groups at the time, we would not have seen the HUNDREDS of great bands that emerged in the late sixties and 70's. IMHO, other than great music, it was what they help start that is their legacy. They were inspirational (with a few others) to teh movement. Look at what lack of inspiration causes, right now there is a dearth of good musicians and good bands. If you don't believe me, name the top music albums as awarded by the Grammy's for the past 10-20 years - what are these bands doing today?
Talent, yes, but not on our side. There’s a big philosophical disconnect between any of the most admired people on FR and British pop groupies.