[Bruce Wang]

In less than 30 days (February, 9, 2014), the 50th anniversary of the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show will take place. 

I remember watching it but I did not realize at the time the profound influence they would have on American culture.  Wow, fifty years...............

American culture?  WORLD culture.  All four sides of my daughter's family are from the other side of the world, and we have a multi-generational love for the Fab Four.  My daughter was shaking it to "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" before she could walk.

Chuck Klosterman wrote an interesting essay about "rated" music.  Basically it's easy and lazy to call a band overrated or underrated.  What is more interesting is "rated" bands, meaning the bands that are regarded exactly correctly.  The Beatles finished 4th on that list, and this is what he wrote.  They invented rock (as opposed to rock & roll) and wrote all the best songs.  They are universally acknowledged as the greatest band.  Rated exactly right.  As a corollary to this, I will point out that very few people will acknowledge them as their favorite band, probably because it says nothing about you as an individual.  As Phoebe from Friends tries to connect with her birth mother, she's amazed that they both love the Beatles and puppies.  If you asked me who my favorite band is I'd tell you New Order/Joy Division.  If I got stranded on a desert island and could only bring one band's catalog: that would be the Beatles.

[Bruce Wang]

In less than 30 days (February, 9, 2014), the 50th anniversary of the Beatles first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show will take place. 

I remember watching it but I did not realize at the time the profound influence they would have on American culture.  Wow, fifty years...............

American culture?  WORLD culture.  All four sides of my daughter's family are from the other side of the world, and we have a multi-generational love for the Fab Four.  My daughter was shaking it to "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" before she could walk.

Chuck Klosterman wrote an interesting essay about "rated" music.  Basically it's easy and lazy to call a band overrated or underrated.  What is more interesting is "rated" bands, meaning the bands that are regarded exactly correctly.  The Beatles finished 4th on that list, and this is what he wrote.  They invented rock (as opposed to rock & roll) and wrote all the best songs.  They are universally acknowledged as the greatest band.  Rated exactly right.  As a corollary to this, I will point out that very few people will acknowledge them as their favorite band, probably because it says nothing about you as an individual.  As Phoebe from Friends tries to connect with her birth mother, she's amazed that they both love the Beatles and puppies.  If you asked me who my favorite band is I'd tell you New Order/Joy Division.  If I got stranded on a desert island and could only bring one band's catalog: that would be the Beatles.