[Gui Blackout]

Sorry, I love MJ but to say he had more cultural impact than The Beatle is just statistically wrong.

[Benzene]

Originally posted by Icing

I can see that in his performances, obviously. But when it comes to the music, it's ALL the Beatles.

Even musically, especially with regard to his vocal mannerisms, I'd say he took more from soul singers like Marvin Gaye.

But technically we agree anyway, so

[Kang.]

Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR

About my comment on MJ opening doors:

That was a STRETCH. There were Black artists in the mainsteam before him. But he was the first Black musician on MTV. MTV is a huge part of Pop culture, therefore MJ's being the first one to do that is significant. MJ was also a pioneer in the art of the music video. WHO made videos before him that weren't simply live performances? MJ birthed an entire generation of performers. That is undeniable.

MJ = Beatles in impact. /thread

There were British musicians in the mainstream before The Beatles. But they were the first to truly permeate pop culture and sell huge amounts of records, not to mention the iconic and defining Ed Sullivan Show performance. TV and record sales are huge parts of pop culture, so The Beatles being the first to do that was significant. They were also pioneers of the art of the album. WHO else was making full length, consistent, commercially viable albums before them that weren't simply designed to sell singles? The Beatles birthed an entire generation of musicians. That is undeniable.

[Evun]

If ABBA hadn't split up so early (), they would have topped MJ and Madonna easily WW. However, even in their short career, they had an unprecedented and amazing impact on music that we can still see clearly today.

But as it stands, Beatles > MJ > Madonna > ABBA.

[Icing]

Oh and The Beatles are pretty much responsible for every pop song that doesn't follow the conventional 3 chord verse-chorus-verse-middle eight structure.

[Icing]

Originally posted by Evun

If ABBA hadn't split up so early (), they would have topped MJ and Madonna easily WW. However, even in their short career, they had an unprecedented and amazing impact on music that we can still see clearly today.

But as it stands, Beatles > MJ > Madonna > ABBA.

There was a rumor that they were offered a billion dollars to do a reunion concert.

And no they would not have outsold any of them. They haven't had one truly successful studio album.

[BLaCKPoWeR]

Originally posted by Muggwa

There were British musicians in the mainstream before The Beatles. But they were the first to truly permeate pop culture and sell huge amounts of records, not to mention the iconic and defining Ed Sullivan Show performance. TV and record sales are huge parts of pop culture, so The Beatles being the first to do that was significant. They were also pioneers of the art of the album. WHO else was making full length, consistent, commercially viable albums before them that weren't simply designed to sell singles? The Beatles birthed an entire generation of musicians. That is undeniable.

You basically took what I said about MJ and explained that it was applicable to the Beatles. Their impact is equal.

[Evun]

Originally posted by Icing

There was a rumor that they were offered a billion dollars to do a reunion concert.

They were.

It's too late now though. Agnetha isolated herself, and the rest of ABBA agrees that it is better that people remember them as the youthful performers they once were. A reunion will never happen.

[Icing]

Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR

You basically took what I said about MJ and explained that it was applicable to the Beatles. Their impact is equal.

Michael's music wouldn't be the same without them. But whatever makes sense to you.

[Kang.]

Originally posted by BLaCKPoWeR

You basically took what I said about MJ and explained that it was applicable to the Beatles. Their impact is equal.

Everything you said about MJ can easily be applied to the Beatles. But I think it's pretty obvious that they had a broader range of impact, in several areas.

[FreeXone]

The beatles while a force imagery and imo musically cannot touch Michael. His image is simply timeless.

Culturally though I guess the Beatles, since they were a major part of the cultural revolution of the 60's.

[Evun]

Originally posted by Icing

And no they would not have outsold any of them. They haven't had one truly successful studio album.

You mean in the US. I said WW.

And I said music impact, not sales.

[BLaCKPoWeR]

Originally posted by Muggwa

Everything you said about MJ can easily be applied to the Beatles. But I think it's pretty obvious that they had a broader range of impact, in several areas.

There are areas in which MJ has a broader range of impact too.

But whatevs.

[Icing]

Originally posted by Evun

You mean in the US. I said WW.

And I said music impact, not sales.

They haven't had a single studio album cross the platinum mark in the US or the UK.

When you said topped, I thought you meant in sales.

Edit: Australia, Germany, and Canada are the only countries where they have multi-platinum albums in.

[madonnas]

Originally posted by FreeXone

The beatles while a force imagery and imo musically cannot touch Michael. His image is simply timeless.

Culturally though I guess the Beatles, since they were a major part of the cultural revolution of the 60's.

You did NOT just imply that MJ is more musically influential than The Beatles!

[ManyUses]

MJ does not equal The Beatles musically and culturally. Again, he's overrated.

[Icing]

Originally posted by madonnas

You did NOT just imply that MJ is more musically influential than The Beatles!

But you are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart

[Sunderland 4ever]

The Beatles by far.

[BLaCKPoWeR]

Originally posted by ManyUses

MJ does not equal The Beatles musically and culturally. Again, he's overrated.

Oh.
Musically, the Beatles >
Culturally, They are equal to me.
Socially, MJ

[Evun]

Originally posted by Icing

They haven't had a single studio album cross the platinum mark in the US or the UK.

When you said topped, I thought you meant in sales.

ABBA Gold is the third best selling album in the UK of all time, and they're likely to surpass the Beatles and gain second place fairly soon (they're selling at a faster rate, it's inevitable unless Paul dies soon). They were the first band from mainland Europe to be continuously successful in the US, they paved the way for all non-American and non-British European acts. As you can see, studio album sales =/= impact on music and interest longevity.

I'm not suggesting they had more impact than the other 3, but let's not discredit the greatest pop group ever.