Hey, great discussions lately (this Beatle's one and a few others)!  

I have little to add that has not been said. 
On the one side, I have had moment's like Stewart and others 
described in sharing my "holy grail" of music with someone. I 
remember when my nephew's were into the alternative scene. I brought 
out my Mat's discs to share with them and was certain they would be 
blown away with my truth of the true masters. They collectively 
yawned.

However, I think, as others have stated, the impact The Beatles had 
is larger then any other band in Rock and Roll band. Again, we can 
over state their importance but I think we can understate it easily 
too, when considering the timing and cultural impact they had (as 
Josh has stated). 

Mike B said.
snip
--Yes and no -- compare this to how people react to Citizen Kane -- 
granted, 
not the same 'stands for a generation' appeal, but it's been called 
the 
greatest movie ever for so long, that I know a lot of people who have 
found 
that to be a turn off.  Yet, for that very reason, it is why so many 
new 
viewers gravitate towards it.


I like this comparison Mike made. I hope I'm not altering his 
intentions too much. But, I've heard many people who seek 
out "Citizen Kane" and come away saying "Overrated" or "Eh, It's 
OK".  Well, the reason for this, IN PART (IMO) is per so much has 
happened in film SINCE Citizen Kane. Its influence has been felt and 
is still felt in film whether or not it hold up as the "Greatest 
Film" ever made. Again, its complete impact is only fully appreciated 
in it's moment in time and the immediate impact it had at that time 
and understanding the impact it still has today, to a less overt 
degree. The further we get from it's release the less it's impact is 
felt but it's still there. (Again, however, like music or any art 
form Kane had influences before it). 
   Conversely, some see KANE and say "THIS IS THE GREATEST FILM" and 
when pressed, acknowledge it's shades, tones and camera angles, and 
yes, if pressed, it's influence. However, anyone could easily make 
arguments for other films being better per their film doing what 
Welles did but to their eye's more effectively, or simply feeling 
their fav movie "works" better then Kane for what ever reason. Thus, 
I think the "greatest film" sometimes is overstated per this 
influence.
  Here's where I get even more subjective. Now, Kane vs. Beatles 
impact. I would argue that Kane as a viewing experience is a great 
film and "could" be argued as the greatest film in terms of 
historical impact. However, I think it's honestly, harder to argue in 
terms of greatest film if you NOT talking about its historical 
impact. (Great film mind you but to me not the greatest separate from 
it's impact).
  Conversely, I think in rock, to me it's hard to deny the 
significant impact the Beatles had and continue to have in R-n-R 
music.  Separate from their historical impact (as Josh said) another 
and different argument is whether they are the best band of all time. 
Obviously, very subjective but I think one could argue this point 
pretty well, separate from the historical or cultural impact they 
had. 
Whew, ramble done..

Steve D

(In conclusion, your all right)