Are The Beatles still relevant?

[dwell]

Apple is making a big deal about The Beatles coming to the iTunes Store. I think it's about time because there's no band that should not be available in download format (I'm talking to *you* AC/DC).

This got me thinking. It's been almost 50 years since they came out and almost 40 years since their last album, are they as relevant now as they were, say, 20 years ago?

When I was a kid I grew up hearing The Beatles all the time. I think they were the first music I ever heard. In the 80's - 90's they were still pretty relevant in the grand scheme of things. When I picked up guitar I went through a whole Beatles phase for a couple of years. These days, I don't listen to the too much any more though I bet I'll go through another Beatles period at some point in my life.

For all you young'ins (like people born 1980 onward) what do you think about the Beatles? Are they "old people music" or do you think they matter to you with regards to your musical interests?

 

[Patranus]

No

Its 2010 not 1960.

For the most part, old hippies and their children trying to live in the past.

 

[muskie32]

Make it a poll

I would have to say... Ummm... no

 

[darkewaffle]

Nah, they're not even as good as Coldplay or Kanye West.

 

[mb]

Old people music.

My parents got me Beatles Rock Band last year. It is still shrink wrapped. I keep forgetting to trade it in.

 

[zokudu]

No

Its 2010 not 1960.

For the most part, old hippies and their children trying to live in the past.

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

 

[surfsatwerk]

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

:thumbsdown:

 

[JulesMaximus]

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

So...much...fail...

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Relevant as to music history? Yes
Relevant as to current popularity or influence? Not much

 

[lxskllr]

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

Most of the music I've been listening to lately was made before your parents were born :^D

 

[Kadarin]

Relevant as to music history? Yes
Relevant as to current popularity or influence? Not much

This. I'm 42 and not interested in downloading anything from The Beatles.

 

[dwell]

Relevant as to music history? Yes
Relevant as to current popularity or influence? Not much

This is pretty much what I figured. A lot of people make such a big deal about them and granted, there's never been a band as "big" since, but I think most people today don't care.

 

[zokudu]

Its not that there isn't good music prior to that time frame I'm sure there is but I have enough of a time keeping up with modern music. (Note I say modern not POPULAR)

 

[shiner]

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

You've got it 100% backwards....

 

[lxskllr]

Its not that there isn't good music prior to that time frame I'm sure there is but I have enough of a time keeping up with modern music. (Note I say modern not POPULAR)

Old music puts new music in a framework. Nothing is original. To know what's going on now, you have to know where it came from.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Absolutely not.

 

[lxskllr]

Absolutely not.

There he is! How the hell ya been?

 

[seepy83]

They wont be relevant anymore when popular artists stop covering their songs, and modern DJs stop sampling their music.

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

There he is! How the hell ya been?

Good! Actually a lot has happened in my month off, was thinking about making a [blog.anandtech.com] thread.

 

[lxskllr]

Good! Actually a lot has happened in my month off, was thinking about making a [blog.anandtech.com] thread.

I'll look forward to it :^)

 

[Fingolfin269]

Duh of course they are. This is not even up for debate.

 

[darkewaffle]

Old music puts new music in a framework. Nothing is original. To know what's going on now, you have to know where it came from.

So where did your old music come from them? Because it certainly wasn't original following your reasoning.

Every generation prefers their own music because it is theirs. Old people dont like new music, young people are bored by old music. It's an endless cycle. Old people never give new music credit because to most in this thread new music is still nothing more Nsync and Britney Spears and Justin Bieber because they don't care enough to look; they have no reason to. Young people want something new and want to claim something as their own so old music lacks appeal because it's spoken for.

 

[lxskllr]

So where did your old music come from them? Because it certainly wasn't original following your reasoning.

It came from the gospel traditions of slaves, who originally came from Africa. They then mixed that with western instruments, and jazz was born(which itself is a refinement of blues) ;^)

 

[soulcougher73]

This I refuse to listen to any music made prior to 1989 just on the principle that theres too much good music coming out now to live in the past.

ROFL. The fail is strong in this one.

 

[Drako]

Nah, they're not even as good as Coldplay or Kanye West.

Wow, thanks for the laugh.