# Who were America's Beatles? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2017, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662 "2017-05-29T18:20:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/21 "2017-05-29T20:58:20Z")
Not a band, but in terms of influence on the evolution of pop/rock music, Prince. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/22 "2017-05-29T21:02:55Z")
Why should there be an America’s Beatles? Do we ask who is Britain’s Elvis or Dylan? There were individuals who were tremendously popular, but no one truly compares. If people are one-of-a-kind, then the point is pretty much that there are no equivalents. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/23 "2017-05-29T21:07:49Z")
We’ve done this before: [Who is the greatest American rock band of all time? - Cafe Society - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=767190) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/24 "2017-05-29T21:58:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > The obvious answer is “The Beach Boys” but barring them, maybe “The Eagles?” > > Of course it’s an impossible question to answer. “The Doors” and “CCR” are certainly worthy of mention. > > Come to think of it, “Aerosmith” too. I’d say the Beach Boys, since their _Pet Sounds_ album was cited as one of the influences on _Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band._ The Eagles were, (and are still) one of America’s most popular bands. They were part of the merger of country and rock in the 70s and their _Hotel California_ album is one of the most important in rock, but I wouldn’t say they had the influence that the Beatles had. And as for Aerosmith, they’re America’s Rolling Stones. ---
**Author:** ![bobo\_blesinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bobo\_blesinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobo_blesinger)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/25 "2017-05-29T22:00:57Z")
The Yeastie Girlz ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/26 "2017-05-29T22:14:03Z")
The Byrds and the Lovin Spoonful were the early “American Beatles” as touted by the press. CSNY was another later one. The Monkees are not in the running. We had a thread about that. The Beach Boys are probably it. But, Some of you are not going to like it, but by the musical qualities, the composing, and playing, and leaving out public image and non-musical factors, over 6 straight LPs, I’d say it’s Steely Dan. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/27 "2017-05-29T22:21:54Z")
**Who were America’s Beatles?** Ir’s not a bad question, but it’s an incomplete question. The Beatles as in the cultural phenomenon? The Beatles as in dominance of the record charts and commercial success? The Beatles as in long-term influence on either contemporary music or the music industry? And make their impact in just seven years (from when Ringo joined the group to when John left)? No one. Not before, not since and probably not ever again. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/28 "2017-05-29T22:22:02Z")
I could accept Steely Dan. They have some fabulous albums. Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/29 "2017-05-29T22:57:15Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > I’m a huge Cheap Trick fan and will agree that they have sometimes been called that. Of course, they are huge Beatles fans themselves and deliberately sought that role. > > But the “Cheap Trick Universe” is actually pretty small (except for Japan). I encounter many, many people of my age (60+) who have never heard of Cheap Trick. In this country, they had a spectacular live album and a few hit singles. MHO: Their studio albums mostly left a lot to be desired; they are much better as a live band. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/30 "2017-05-29T22:58:27Z")
> [@bobo\_blesinger](#): > > The Yeastie Girlz 😛 Or the Shaggs? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/31 "2017-05-29T23:11:16Z")
I would also say Michael Jackson. Or perhaps Elvis. I strongly prefer Michael Jackson’s music, though. ---
**Author:** ![igor\_frankensteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/839c29/32.png) [@igor\_frankensteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/igor_frankensteen)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/32 "2017-05-29T23:34:06Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > **Who were America’s Beatles?** > > Ir’s not a bad question, but it’s an incomplete question. > > The Beatles as in the cultural phenomenon? > > The Beatles as in dominance of the record charts and commercial success? > > The Beatles as in long-term influence on either contemporary music or the music industry? > > And make their impact in just seven years (from when Ringo joined the group to when John left)? > > No one. Not before, not since and probably not ever again. yeah, this is what was behind my answer too. I actually did think back in 1977, that the Star Wars phenomenon was the closest thing I’d seen to Beatlemania. It was part of why I came to suspect that international fads that cause seismic shifts in cultures are an ever shifting thing. In one era, it can be a myth based religion, in another a philosophical revolution, in the mid last century, it was music, then came the Star Wars film series. In a way, the comedy revolution that included Steve Martin and George Carlin was another related kind of sea change effect. This kind of question gets asked a lot, and gets confused by the way that people selling things WANT to be able to create an artificial whatever. Hence the Monkees. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2017, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/33 "2017-05-29T23:53:21Z")
Could an argument be made for _ **The Simpsons** _? I’ll still contend that the Beatles may have reunited for a guest spot on the show had Lennon lived. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/34 "2017-05-30T00:28:45Z")
I’m 100% sure The Beatles would have reunited for something at some point. I doubt it would have been on The Simpsons though. Perhaps a benefit concert, like Live Aid or the SARS benefit in Toronto or something. The Simpsons was hugely popular in the beginning, so very, very funny! Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/35 "2017-05-30T00:34:31Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I’m 100% sure The Beatles would have reunited for something at some point. I doubt it would have been on The Simpsons though. > > Perhaps a benefit concert, like Live Aid or the SARS benefit in Toronto or something. > > The Simpsons was hugely popular in the beginning, so very, very funny! > > Sent from my XT1635-02 using Tapatalk I base that assumption on the fact that three of the Beatles did appear on the show; and I could imagine they could appear as something other than the Beatles, ala Michael Jackson’s uncredited appearance. So it could have been a “reunion” without really being a reunion, if you know what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/36 "2017-05-30T00:38:13Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > I base that assumption on the fact that three of the Beatles did appear on the show; and I could imagine they could appear as something other than the Beatles, ala Michael Jackson’s uncredited appearance. So it could have been a “reunion” without really being a reunion, if you know what I mean. For a minute their third film was going to have them all playing a guy called “Stanley” in different moods. ---
**Author:** ![bobo\_blesinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecae2f/32.png) [@bobo\_blesinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobo_blesinger)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/37 "2017-05-30T00:43:40Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > 😛 > > Or the Shaggs? > > :dubious: YES! ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/38 "2017-05-30T01:13:45Z")
> [@E-DUB](#): > > Inspired by the thread about the “Beach boys” (who IMHO come pretty close). Pretty much self explanatory question. > > One unacceptable answer is “The Doors”, who were actually America’s Rolling Stones. Aerosmith is much closer to the Stones than The Doors. As for an American Beatles? I’d say there isn’t one exactly but what is the criteria? 4 members/4-piece band? Prolific songwriting duo? Relatively short career (7 years) but lasting influence for 50+? Continuous string of pop hits and large volume of material over that span? Incorporated and experimented with a broad variety of styles, instruments, influences, etc…? Starred in motion pictures based on their own music? Successful solo careers post-break-up? Incited mass hysteria in young fans? The only name that comes even close is Elvis. ---
**Author:** ![Stephe96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Stephe96](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stephe96)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/39 "2017-05-30T01:23:03Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Aerosmith is much closer to the Stones than The Doors. > As for an American Beatles? I’d say there isn’t one exactly but what is the criteria? > > 4 members/4-piece band? > Prolific songwriting duo? > Relatively short career (7 years) but lasting influence for 50+? > Continuous string of pop hits and large volume of material over that span? > Incorporated and experimented with a broad variety of styles, instruments, influences, etc…? > Starred in motion pictures based on their own music? > Successful solo careers post-break-up? > Incited mass hysteria in young fans? > > The only name that comes even close is Elvis. Simon and Garfunkel? Maybe? ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662/40 "2017-05-30T01:58:21Z")
> [@bobo\_blesinger](#): > > YES! No love for Florence Foster Jenkins? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-were-americas-beatles/787662.md?page=3)