the 'we wouldn't have modern music' quote is bollocks.
we would, obviously have music these days, therefore, by default, making it modern. It would just be that without The Beatles influence on so many artists, modern music would probably just sound different to what we have today, we wouldn't be able to compare this, in the way we can't compare our current modern music, to an alternative universes version of modern music. The music then and now is what it was/is. Who know's, if another band had been the big thing of the 60's, maybe we'd have different music now. If Blues music hadn't been as popular, then what followed wouldn't have been the same and so on all the way back. The fact you like or hate the beatles is irrelevant on the history of music or it's future. It's just an opinion. If the vast majority all of a sudden said 'actually, yeah, the beatles were rubbish' it wouldn't change what we have now.
( Ya What Skiddlyboop, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 16:27, 1 reply)

They only influenced a small section of music though.
If you look at, for example, metal music you'll see no Beatles there -- it's blues channelled through bands like Led Zeppelin who "stole" the sounds and made them theirs. We'd still have Heavy Rock too, not much changed if at all. Electronica would be unchanged.
My point is that their influence, whilst obviously there, was only of any importance in a small number of bands meaning that they're a lot less important than they're given credit for.
Perhaps I've just met too many Beatles fans who can't see past the end of their own nose and most people are more sensible?
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 17:01, closed)

"If you look at, for example, metal music you'll see no Beatles there"
You've presumably never heard "Helter Skelter" or read any interviews with Ozzy, Page, Gillan who'd all quote The Beatles as a massive influence.
(woocfot friends with Sacha Distel, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 17:17, closed)

Take That could say they were influenced by Marilyn Manson.
Doesn't make him an actual influence on their music though.
It would be a bit tricky for led Zeppelin to be influenced by The Beatles when most of their catalogue are cover songs, for example.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 17:32, closed)

I'm not sure you understand what influence means

(woocfot friends with Sacha Distel, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 17:39, closed)

Not to mention The Who.

( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 25 Apr 2013, 19:11, closed)

I disagree that electronica would be unchanged
The Chemical Brothers cite the Beatles as a major influence. 'Let Forever Be' is basically a cover version of 'Tomorrow Never Knows'.
(Dermot O'Logical, Tue 30 Apr 2013, 15:41, closed)