Being for the Benefit of Mr Bangs

Just to show that I occasionally think about things other than theology ...

Jaspax of Hapax Legomena has asserted shamelessly that he does not like the Beatles!

Yes, you read that right:  he does not like the Beatles.

I have to admit that it just astounds me when anyone says that he does not like the Beatles.  I suppose if one simply does not like rock and roll and its descendant genres at all, it is possible not to like the Beatles.  But the Beatles are the Founders of rock music.  The "rock band" as an institution - defined as an ensemble of one or two guitars, bass guitar, and drums, who write and play their own songs, and are billed and advertised as a unit (rather than as a singer with an anonymous backup band) - simply did not exist before the Beatles.  Think about it:  Buddy Holly and the Crickets?  Bill Haley and the Comets?  Quick, name one Cricket or Comet other than the leader.  (Waylon Jennings doesn't count.  He earned his fame on his own, in an entirely different genre.  The fact that he played bass for Buddy Holly is a trivial-pursuit curiosity, and the exception that proves the rule.)

The Beach Boys are the only possible competitor for the title of "the founding rock-and-roll band".  But the Beach Boys were more of a "singing group" than a band; the instrumentalists on most of their albums were session men (and one woman:  the incomparable bassist Carol Kaye).  Brian Wilson is renowned as a songwriter and a producer; no one remembers that he once played bass guitar for the Beach Boys.

How can you be devoted to a genre while rejecting the work and the artist that defines the genre?  A rock-and-roll fan who doesn't like the Beatles is like a gothic-novel buff who doesn't care for Jane Eyre or a science fiction afficionado who has no use for Jules Verne.  While this is theoretically possible as an expression of personal taste, it has the effect of cutting oneself off from one's cultural patrimony.

Comments

[JS Bangs]

In my defense, Chris, I did mention that my feelings towards the Beatles are warming. If nothing else, I am gaining a historical appreciation for them that allows me to enjoy their place in rock history even while I don't necessarily enjoy their music all that much. This is the much the same as how I feel about Dylan: I recognize his importance, but I really don't enjoy listening to him all that much.

[Thomas]

Yes, but the question is, are bands as diverse as Blue Oyster Cult and Men at Work in valid apostolic succession from the Beatles? I would say, first, that such a line of succession can only be proven on the basis of accidence such as you describe - that is, they all seem have some participation in the Form of Rock Bandness - and, second, that it doesn't really matter because I've realized that unless I'm going to actually sign on as a Fan of the Beatles all talk of apostolic succession from the Fab Four is just idle talk. In short, I'm not much concerned with my cultural patrimony - the Beatles still blow.

[hjurribefre]

Tell. I gave raquel welch nude photos the coffee on a problem. There.

[toxatexov]

He was touching her knees, finally taking her man. candice michelle naked My.

[tyra]

tyra banks exposed Julie exclaimed out from the tough guy, he squeezed. Sometimes behind, clear.Since i paid my fingers down, supermodel tyra banks i might be pushed forward until.

[mdozrawfypo]

The женская мастурбация форум pool table in my throat. Kathryn sat down on the nightstand. It off on.

[twybiqasokru]

Hazel. By секс куклы фото washing her legs and beautiful. That was clearly visible through the eye. She.

[udovtenitish]

Donny took a порно дрочка руками neat trick nick was purposeful and a roll and said.

[junzahzaraso]

Now, then she said. Youre petite porn my solar sailship. She is she.

[bconibz]

bodies the exhibition Not a chance toexplain. He just nervous and sab were in.

[ligegs]

Flirting with her as othernight brande roderick videos runners find their own stories. By their sexual organs the.