| Every era produces a handful of historically | | | | 1960's. The Beatles may have been initially |
| significant artists whose work perfectly captures | | | | influenced by Elvis Presley, Little Richard and |
| the spirit of their times and becomes an inspiration | | | | Chuck Berry, but they did not limit themselves to |
| for countless generations to follow. Looking back | | | | those early styles of rock for long. With the help |
| at the 20th century, only a few musical artists | | | | of producer George Martin, The Beatles pioneered |
| represent the best in popular music: Frank Sinatra, | | | | many recording techniques that proved that rock |
| Bob Dylan, perhaps Elvis Presley. However, one | | | | music could encompass a nearly limitless array of |
| band holds the top spot for the most influential of | | | | harmonies, structures and sounds. Many types of |
| the century: The Beatles. | | | | "experimental" rock have a precedent on Beatles |
| The four lads from Liverpool took the music | | | | albums. Some of the effects heard in their music |
| world by storm and, in the course of a mere six | | | | were created using backward tapes, distortion, |
| years, established themselves as innovators of | | | | filters, animal sounds, and unfamiliar musical |
| rock and became known as one of the greatest | | | | instruments. |
| bands of all time. Their music continues to delight | | | | This dramatic change came about in late 1965 |
| generations of new fans, as well as influence | | | | with the release of the "Rubber Soul" album. At |
| many other artists such as U2, Radiohead, | | | | this point, they had decided that they would no |
| Nirvana, Coldplay, Green Day and countless | | | | longer tour and they wanted to focus on |
| others. | | | | developing and experimenting with more creative |
| Their astonishing career has produced numerous | | | | musical ideas and recording technology. Most of |
| albums that are now considered masterpieces of | | | | their music was recorded using four-track |
| rock music as well as capturing the zeitgeist of | | | | recorders, and multi-tracking was achieved by |
| the 1960's. Not many critics or serious music fans | | | | overlaying new tracks onto existing tracks. The |
| can name even one artist with as profound a | | | | result of their trailblazing in the studio was the |
| legacy in popular music, and The Beatles' albums | | | | development of the multi-track recording studio, |
| "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," | | | | with many technological innovations that are in use |
| "Revolver," and "The White Album" still frequently | | | | today. The band utilized everything that was |
| top the lists of the best rock albums of all time. | | | | available to them in a way that no other artists |
| This is quite significant, given that the modern | | | | had had the creativity or possibility to do before, |
| recording industry is many times larger than it | | | | and which no one has replicated since. |
| was in the Beatles' time, with literally tens of | | | | In late 2009, The Beatles re-released their main |
| thousands of albums being released each year. | | | | catalog with the much anticipated remastered |
| Still, The Beatles' recordings have weathered the | | | | recordings of their original works. Later, their |
| test of time and continue to sell steadily, as old | | | | company, Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI released a |
| and new fans alike continue to enjoy their | | | | unique box set: a beautifully crafted, green |
| timeless music. | | | | aluminum apple-shaped USB drive containing the |
| Though The Beatles' recording career was | | | | entire stereo box set, plus visual elements such |
| relatively short, mostly from 1963 to 1969, their | | | | as documentary films, album art, rare photos and |
| work cannot be viewed as a mere relic of the | | | | complete liner notes. |