The Beatles: Rock Band Unveiled

Outside of its release date and peripherals, not much has been revealed about the upcoming Harmonix game, The Beatles: Rock Band… until now. Microsoft unveiled the game for the first time in its playable form on the morning of June 1 during their press conference at the 15th annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3). Viewers were able to see the game being played with all the new peripherals including three singers harmonizing their way through “Day Tripper.”

Joining the game’s developers on-stage after the performance (I can call it a performance, right?) was Olivia Harrison and Yoko Ono Lennon who both expressed their support of the game. The real surprise, however, came when Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney took the stage to also express their support.

“What do you think of the game?” McCartney asked Starr. “I love it,” he replied. “The game is good. The graphics are very good. And we look great.”

McCartney adds, “We love the game, it’s fantastic. Who’d ever thought we’d end up as androids?”

Giles Martin, music supervisor for The Beatles: Rock Band, also took the stage to reveal ten Beatles tracks that fans could expect to play when the game releases on September 9, 2009. These songs are:

01.I Feel Fine
02.I Want to Hold Your Hand
03.Day Tripper
04.Taxman
05.I Am The Walrus
06.Back in the USSR
07.Octopus’s Garden
08.Here Comes the Sun
09.Get Back
10.I Saw Her Standing There

Additionally, the game will support full album downloads shortly after its release with the first being Abbey Road. Microsoft also announced that the song “All You Need Is Love” will be available to download exclusively on the Xbox 360 with all proceeds going to the Doctors Without Borders charity.

You can check out the first ever trailer for The Beatles: Rock Band here. The trailer shows off gameplay footage of the band in their full three-dimensional glory performing in various milestone venues from the Ed Sullivan Show to their performance on the rooftop of Apple Corp. Headquarters.

The Beatles: Rock Band releases internationally on September 9, 2009 for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Nintendo Wii video game consoles.

Comments

[thfc]

Awesome!!! No real surprises in the tracklist yet, apart from "I am the Walrus" and "Octopus's Garden", which are quite odd choices. (I just noticed, shouldn't it be: "Octopus' Garden"???)

[new_age_reject]

As much as I love The Beatles, would it be all that interesting to play on rock band?

[SuicidalFreak]

No "Love Me Do", "A Hard Day's Night" "She Loves You", "Help!", "Let It Be", "Here Comes the Sun", "Yellow Submarine" or "Can't By Me Love"? Damn!

[HerrMagnum]

SuicidalFreak wrote:

No "Love Me Do", "A Hard Day's Night" "She Loves You", "Help!", "Let It Be", "Here Comes the Sun", "Yellow Submarine" or "Can't By Me Love"? Damn!

Calm down, they only revealed some of the tracks they are doing. I agree with new age. How interesting can it be to play beatles songs on a plastic guitar? I think they should stop releasing band exclusive games and just stick with compilations because that will appeal to a wider audience and is more fun to have a wide variety of styles and bands to play.

[alkalineweeman]

SuicidalFreak wrote:

No "Love Me Do", "A Hard Day's Night" "She Loves You", "Help!", "Let It Be", "Here Comes the Sun", "Yellow Submarine" or "Can't By Me Love"? Damn!

Thats only a short preveiw of the songs available, i'd be very surprised if the songs you mentioned werent in it.

[Metorical]

Suicidal: they've only revealed ten of the songs in the game. There's a lot more, so those songs will probably be in it (and by probably I mean definitely)

[kgesme21]

SuicidalFreak wrote:

No "Love Me Do", "A Hard Day's Night" "She Loves You", "Help!", "Let It Be", "Here Comes the Sun", "Yellow Submarine" or "Can't By Me Love"? Damn!

But Here Comes the Sun is on there...

any way can't wait for this game to come out. most excellent.

[mercurymay]

hey bulldog and revolution belong on there.

[badfish2829]

new_age_reject wrote:

As much as I love The Beatles, would it be all that interesting to play on rock band?

I was thinking the same thing. Cept, I don't love The Beatles. Not so sure how this will be even REMOTELY fun.

[VoodooChild15]

The Beatles were the first successful group to write their own material. They were the first successful group without an apparent leader (e.g Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Bill Haley and his Comets, etc.). They were one of the first groups to use their given names instead of making up some flashy showbiz monikers. They smoked and drank and had sex and did drugs (and not just in the psychedelic period). They experimented with tape loops and orchestras and cutting edge instruments before anyone else did. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show inspired the formation of thousands and thousands of garage bands. If you don't like them, fine, that's your prerogative. But don't ever call them Jonas Brothers.

[ripjoestrummer]

All my loving would be nice, but this honestly looks like a shit game. I'm not the biggest fan of The Beatle's music, though their influence is immeasurable. Oh well, I guess we'll see.

[jimmyslashpage]

The Beatles were the first successful group to write their own material. They were the first successful group without an apparent leader (e.g Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Bill Haley and his Comets, etc.). They were one of the first groups to use their given names instead of making up some flashy showbiz monikers. They smoked and drank and had sex and did drugs (and not just in the psychedelic period). They experimented with tape loops and orchestras and cutting edge instruments before anyone else did. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show inspired the formation of thousands and thousands of garage bands. If you don't like them, fine, that's your prerogative. But don't ever call them Jonas Brothers.

All true except they did rename ringo from richard starkey . But anyways the Beatles are my favorite band along with Zeppelin so this should be interesting if I can play it somewhere considering the newest video game console I have is an N64

[radioplay]

IMO,it looks like theyre doing this correctly. It doesnt seem overblowen,and seems like it could actually be kinda fun. But yet,idk...it just doesn't seem right to me

[radioplay]

VoodooChild15 wrote:

The Beatles were the first successful group to write their own material. They were the first successful group without an apparent leader (e.g Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Bill Haley and his Comets, etc.). They were one of the first groups to use their given names instead of making up some flashy showbiz monikers. They smoked and drank and had sex and did drugs (and not just in the psychedelic period). They experimented with tape loops and orchestras and cutting edge instruments before anyone else did. Their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show inspired the formation of thousands and thousands of garage bands. If you don't like them, fine, that's your prerogative. But don't ever call them Jonas Brothers.

THANK YOU

[Chaingarden]

We actually got a The Beatles: Rock Band trailer at Blockbuster (I work there) that we've been playing for a few weeks now. I know it doesn't mean they're confirmed, but there are some songs on the trailer that weren't listed here.

[Cheesepuff]

new_age_reject wrote:

As much as I love The Beatles, would it be all that interesting to play on rock band?

The vocals are harmonized. That's pretty difficult.

Whoever thinks the Beatles are overrated are either really old and live under a rock, or too young to know music beyond metallica and guns n roses.

[Cheesepuff]

oh right and your playing guitar at the same time... I hope that it comes with a mike stand...

[nosaj89]

the multiple vocal option is what will make this game unique from other rock band/ guitar hero games. also a much larger spectrum of people will buy this.

[mwelsh]

The Beatles are not overrated.

[MotörHeadFan22]

Cheesepuff wrote:

new_age_reject wrote:

As much as I love The Beatles, would it be all that interesting to play on rock band?
The vocals are harmonized. That's pretty difficult.

Whoever thinks the Beatles are overrated are either really old and live under a rock, or too young to know music beyond metallica and guns n roses.

That would be me! but, no i will enjoy this game considering i was raised on the beatles and stones lol but yeah i enjoy a lot of their music, and am actually looking forward to this game!

[thewickerman512]

Cheesepuff wrote:
Whoever thinks the Beatles are overrated are either really old and live under a rock, or too young to know music beyond metallica and guns n roses.

I'm 16, I love Old GNR and Metallica, i'm also a big time metal head, and yet i grew up on The Beatles and still love and appreciate their music, and the impact it had. in fact i went and saw Ringo and his band for my 16th birthday. so what was that about being too young to listen to real music?

[bowdowntomono]

I don't think it is impossible to over-rate the Beatles... I personally think they're over-rated. Sure, they helped start the music world as we know it, blah blah blah, but what's important really is whether their music is good.
To my tastes, it's not amazing. Not bad, but not godly.
I shall now prepare to get pwned.

[kmbuchamushroom]

Does it come with a Sitar Hero controller for those Indian influenced songs?

[Alpha_Wolf]

A Beatles Rock Band? I don't know...

[Paydro91]

Alpha_Wolf wrote:

A Beatles Rock Band? I don't know...

that's what I was thinking

they're good and all but.....eh.....rock band?

[Led Lennon]

mercurymay wrote:

hey bulldog and revolution belong on there.

amen. i bet they will.

[Serjem]

i hate things like GH and rock band etc... it makes people think they're musicians.

[punkrocker22]

I't would be cool if they put in stuff from there offshoots, ya know? like Wings, Paul, Ringo, John, George, Thenewno2, etc... I.d be fine if they left out Julian Lennon, though.

[PcaKes]

Oh joy. Now we'll get a months worth of Beatles rock band news. I don't mind the announcement or even occasional updates. But what gets me is when people start reporting every little thing.

[guitar67]

Learn to play every beatle song and it will make you a better geetar player.

[sugna_slays]

I'm iffy on a beatles game that let's people pretend to play the songs. yeah, yeah, it's a game, yeah, many people like the beatles, but staring blankly at a screen while pressing plastic buttons does not sound like it would go with the beatles. i can't see someone getting the same experience from pretending to play sgt. pep all the way through and listening to it all the way through.

[Jayjayobrien]

I agree with serjem, Rock Band & Guitar Hero kind of ruin music, in a way, makes 'noobs' for lack of a better term think they know music, cause they can hit a few colour coded bar in sequence. I just hope they dont make a guitar hero & rock band for every good band.

[mikkisaturn]

Basically, I'm excited about this, but I am also curious as to how they will handle some of the songs which don't feature prominent guitars/drums etc. Some of the piano driven tracks for instance - will they not be in the game, or will they ask the guitarist or bassist to play minimalist parts while the singer gets to have all the fun or will they just ignore the fact that technically it's a piano and have the guitar player and/or bass player play along with it? Hmm, I wonder...

[Beerad1337]

Serjem wrote:

i hate things like GH and rock band etc... it makes people think they're musicians.

Oh don't be so ignorant. Kids playing a game doesn't ruin music, nor does it make them think they're pro musicians. I doubt those who play Metal Gear Solid actually think they're a special operations agent / mercenary.

I still find the games fun. Paul and George themselves have said it's enjoyable, and come on, they're the Beatles man. Real instruments can be both expensive and very time consuming. Playing Rock Band is just fun, where actual music is a hobby, maybe more for some people. There aren't too many people who think they'll make a career out of a video game.

I'm looking forward to it. Not sure if I'll buy the special instruments too though, it'll add up to be quite a bit out of my wallet. The game is a definite buy however, I still occasionally play my old Rock Band.

[NightEmbers]

they need some fast songs like Help! and Ive just seen a face, I hope those make it on the bill

[Beerad1337]

^ My bad, I meant Ringo*

[arkham13]

Im not a Beatles hater, but come on they ARE overated. And I can understand the Jonas Brothers comparison. If you look at their audience in the 60's, 90% were teenage girls.

[visiofx]

they should consider adding some Beatllica tunes in there..that would be most excellent.

[Mr. Chang]

It's easy just to say they were the most influential band ever and then never back that up. All anybody seems to pick up on is they were vaguely involved with the psychedelic scene, a scene most people have no real perspective on, and that they experimented with studio equipment, something even fewer people understand.

I have a feeling most people saying that just heard that they were the most important thing ever, then never though critically as to why that might be true, and accepted it as fact. Of course they're not the most important musical act ever, or even of the sixties. There was a Jazz Fusion scene growing completely independently and was musical worlds far and away from the pop of the British Invasion. There was a minimalist movement happening in Classical music that has had a huge impact on a considerable amount of music of the last few decades, again that had nothing to do with the Beatles. Or the (relatively) early electronica music, underground psychedelic and progressive rock movements, the still developing free-jazz, the first jam bands. None of those had anything to do with the Beatles and yet were happening at the same time and had an enormous impact on modern music.

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

[jrcsgtpeppers]

I'm not even going to put forth the effort to argue with you. The Beatles are the greatest band to ever form. No questions asked.
Coming from someone who has ever Beatles Lp on Cd released.
You have to listen to them, from Please Please me all the way down to Let It be. It is the greatest roller coaster you will ever ride, it beats DisneyLand.

[wtbskill91]

The songs will mostly be boring other than the vocals, you have to admit. I probably won't buy this.

[Colohue]

checked.

Ignore the trolls. If you are wondering where your comment has gone then you should not have quoted a troll.

[Baconfish]

kmbuchamushroom wrote:

Does it come with a Sitar Hero controller for those Indian influenced songs?

Those were mostly played on guitars designed to mimic sitars. :p

Beatles rockband could be fun, things like Here Comes The Sun are actually really fun to play normally.

[RapterX]

Ehhhh Im not a fan of the beatles, and really dont think they deserved their own Rock Bandgame. i BARELY consider them a rockgroup in the first place. Personally, i think there are many more groups that deserve their own game. I agree, The Beatles are very 'influential' and have made a few good songs, but an entire game dedicated to them? No. Why not bands like Black Sabbath who founded an entire genre? or Genre Specific games, not just single bands, which limits people and cuts entire groups from wanting toi playthe game? like "Rock Band: Metal" or "Rock Band: Southern Rock" or something along those lines, instead of limiting yourself to one band with a couple other songs from other people?

[WheredMyRockGo?]

thfc wrote:

Awesome!!! No real surprises in the tracklist yet, apart from "I am the Walrus" and "Octopus's Garden", which are quite odd choices. (I just noticed, shouldn't it be: "Octopus' Garden"???)

I am the walrus was one of their "heaviest" songs if that makes any sense. I think that one should definately be on there.

Although just in general I don't think they should have done a guitar hero beatles. It seems like they're just abusing the name, but that's just me. I got no problem with living bands doing the guitar hero thing but I would think that John Lennon would want nothing to do with this.

[seveninsign]

Mr. Chang wrote:

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

i think that this is where their contribution is greatest. by incorporating from the smaller movements into the greater pop landscape, more people were exposed to these things. they were, regardless of what anyone says, the biggest band of the 1960s. the charts and their lasting presence proves that.

the game will probably not be super-fun to play on guitar, though vocals would present quite a challenge.

[Lemoninfluence]

checked

[Pencil Man]

I think that will be a pretty cool game, but after it comes out, everyone will become a "Beatles expert."

[Badmotorfever]

Fingers crossed for Dr Robert, Drive My Car, Do You Want To Know a Secret, Twist and Shout, Paperback Writer, and We Can Work It Out. Anything from Yesterday and Today is a winner.

[Mr. Chang]

seveninsign wrote:

Mr. Chang wrote:

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

i think that this is where their contribution is greatest. by incorporating from the smaller movements into the greater pop landscape, more people were exposed to these things. they were, regardless of what anyone says, the biggest band of the 1960s. the charts and their lasting presence proves that.

the game will probably not be super-fun to play on guitar, though vocals would present quite a challenge.

The flipside to that is that they generally desensitized most of the innovations and elements they absorbed and just merely added it to the bland world of pop music. A lot of the meaning and depth of underground music is lost when it gets absorbed into the mainstream unfortunately.

But yeah I agree with you for the most part, their place is as the introductory or stepping stone band. One of the first places many music fans start at is the Beatles, its just too bad many don't go too far past that.

[afratmdk]

I love that they're giving the proceeds of the song sales to Drs Without Borders

[LoloLalaLe]

all you need is love only for xbox??
:S
as usual, Wii is always treated as less...
well, i'll have to rent it before i can see if it will be worth, because if only those songs are on the rack list... hmmmmm

[taytay8b]

RapterX wrote:

No. Why not bands like Black Sabbath who founded an entire genre?

I think you people are forgetting that the Beatles essentially created the whole Rock n' Roll thing along with Elvis Presley in the 60s. They also pretty much created the whole phychodelic thing too.

Sure there may be some "better" groups out there that you think are more deserving of their own video game, but what did they really do for music? Other than groups like Sabbath and Zeppelin and what not, that are sort of in the same league as the Beatles (to some extent)

I believe, and if you think about it, music would NOT be where it is today if it weren't for the Beatles, and other defining rock groups and people such as Elvis. This doesn't go to RapterX, but if you're not a fan of their music, just remember what they did, and keep in mind they were a rock band 30 years ago but music has greatly shifted since then and now they're more pop than anything.

[FancyHandLuke]

The Beatles are the most important rock\pop band that existed. If it weren't for them then who the hell knows where modern music would have gone to for better or for worse?

I'm actually glad that The Beatles music can be brought to the next generation of kids with the help of Rock Band.

[Altered_Carbon]

This is the first video game I've been excited about in a while, and definitely the only Rock Band/Guitar Hero one. I don't care if other people say The Beatles are overrated, they've always been my favourite band. The music always just sounds great to my ears, and that's all that matters. I don't care about what they did for music, they're just the shit.

Those were mostly played on guitars designed to mimic sitars. :p

Um...False? George learned to play sitar from Ravi Shankar; there was no need to do something like that for such a talented musician.

[Let It Be0o0]

Ok don't get me wrong, I love the Beatles and they're actually one of my fave bands with let it be being my fave song. Seriously though, how fun would they be to play on rock band, not exactly party music. GH metallica is way better for party music (love beatles way more though) and Beatles songs don't really have those crazy solos that make Rock Band and GH fun like Free Bird and Through The Fire And Flames (even though it's just a shitload of crappy effects it's still fun on GH).

But once again, Beatles still kick ass.

Be kinda fun singing and playing at the same time. Bassist and Drums gonna have a pretty clean highway though...

[Bass of Grunge]

I dunno, The Beatles are pretty boring. I recognize their importance to music, but I just don't like them. They just seem so hyped up for some pop-rock band.

[TheNextPage711]

I would love if they include I Want You (shes so heavy)

[edgeyyz]

Seems quite strange, it makes sense with a band like Metallica or Van Halen, but the Beatles? I don't think that this will sell very well. They're a great band but they don't belong in a game like this.

[Santeria420]

The Beatles aren't overrated, they're over hated by metal heads and punks with aggression issues. Its vain, pathetic and boring.

I'm not saying all metal heads and punks are like this by any means. Just the stupid ones, and every group has some of those.

I'm not saying they were the greatest band ever, and if I did it would just be my opinion, nothing to get angry over. But they were an enormously influential band and while you have every right to disrespect them you're just making yourself look stupid to the musically intelligent.

Buh-bye :P

[dazz mania]

heres my pitch...

Rock Band: Deep Purple

[Stratogibson]

"I think you people are forgetting that the Beatles essentially created the whole Rock n' Roll thing along with Elvis Presley in the 60s. They also pretty much created the whole phychodelic thing too."

The Beatles Didn't create Rock music. Black artists did in the early 1900's with blues and folk music. Elvis didn't create Rock either, he copied black musicians and put his name on it.

I do think the Beatles are one of the most influntial bands ever and they deserve the accolades. If it wasn't for the Beatles influence, my favorite band wouldn't have had thier Beatle-esque pop sound and popularity. I think people say they are overrated because they have never listened to thier music...which is really sad.

[4ng3l]

Hm I have more respect for rock band than guitar hero (had to say it)
Just hope no wanna-be beatles fans. I myself don't think I'm worthy of being called a fan, and I like the beatles

[dan1bad]

it should have revolution and helter skelter... and while my guitar gently weeps

[MetaMegaMagic]

I have listened to the Beatles and I recognize their influence. However, they are not as talented as acts like Racer X, Led Zeppelin or Lynyrd Skynyrd and their catchiness and life-devoted fans make them incredibly overrated.

[spelledwrong214]

I wouldn't call the Beatles overrated, just bland. Perhaps it is because I wasn't around when they were making music and can enver really understand their impact. I will agree that they are very influential and deserve a lot of repsect and credit, but their music just doesn't do it for me.

I also agree that Rock Band devoted to them wouldn't be very fun. Nowadays players usually want something challening, fast, and sometimes technical. The Beatles don't have much in the way of that.

[TSngRemainTSame]

Paul and Ringo need money.

[ndschroede23]

Mr. Chang wrote:

seveninsign wrote:

Mr. Chang wrote:

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

i think that this is where their contribution is greatest. by incorporating from the smaller movements into the greater pop landscape, more people were exposed to these things. they were, regardless of what anyone says, the biggest band of the 1960s. the charts and their lasting presence proves that.

the game will probably not be super-fun to play on guitar, though vocals would present quite a challenge.

The flipside to that is that they generally desensitized most of the innovations and elements they absorbed and just merely added it to the bland world of pop music. A lot of the meaning and depth of underground music is lost when it gets absorbed into the mainstream unfortunately.

An interesting viewpoint. seveninsign looks at the Beatles' effects as the enrichment of popular music, Mr. Chang focuses on the allegedly consequent detraction from underground music. I would argue that even though the Beatles may have "watered-down" some of the unusual aspects of underground music by incorporating them into popular music, the underground music scene itself didn't take much of a hit - they were still free to be as creative and avant-garde as they were pre-Beatles.

Of course, I'm just a kid who's making guesses and assumptions, so feel free to refute me with abandon.

On topic though, I'm a moderate Beatles fan, but I can't really see this game being loads of fun. Maybe to the hardest of Beatles fans, but the casual Beatles fans - probably the majority of Beatles fans in general - might not really get into it.

[overkill127]

Sweet. This looks like it'll be fun for singing but I dunno about anything else. But really, who needs crazy shred solos when they can pretend to be the beatles?

[your^consience]

Mr. Chang wrote:

It's easy just to say they were the most influential band ever and then never back that up. All anybody seems to pick up on is they were vaguely involved with the psychedelic scene, a scene most people have no real perspective on, and that they experimented with studio equipment, something even fewer people understand.

I have a feeling most people saying that just heard that they were the most important thing ever, then never though critically as to why that might be true, and accepted it as fact. Of course they're not the most important musical act ever, or even of the sixties. There was a Jazz Fusion scene growing completely independently and was musical worlds far and away from the pop of the British Invasion. There was a minimalist movement happening in Classical music that has had a huge impact on a considerable amount of music of the last few decades, again that had nothing to do with the Beatles. Or the (relatively) early electronica music, underground psychedelic and progressive rock movements, the still developing free-jazz, the first jam bands. None of those had anything to do with the Beatles and yet were happening at the same time and had an enormous impact on modern music.

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

Led Zepplin are the best band and beatles were the greatest songwritters in my opinion

[ajreciever14]

the game should force u to play left handed on Paul's stuff.

[kevlarmusicmojo]

oh, and to all of the people who say that people want something more "exciting" and "technically challenging" for a rockband game...

to an extent, i agree with you, but you're still just pressing 5 buttons with your left hand and flipping a little switch around with your right. not very technically challenging compared to REAL guitar if you ask me. if people want a challenge, try learning some of the beatles' songs on the guitar. some of them are actually a lot more difficult than you would expect.

oh, and although most of ringo's drum beats are pretty simple, he had a few cool ones which i could see as being entertaining to play.

[ajreciever14]

edgeyyz wrote:

Seems quite strange, it makes sense with a band like Metallica or Van Halen, but the Beatles? I don't think that this will sell very well. They're a great band but they don't belong in a game like this.

they're making a guitar hero: Van Halen by the way.

[your^consience]

TSngRemainTSame wrote:

Paul and Ringo need money.

i very much doubt that

[Unknownsage]

I find this one odd. It's not technically a RB game cuz it's not exportable and is getting it's own DLC. Like the whole Abbey Road album.

[sean_etc]

doesnt seem right as must of the guitar in the beatles are just chords

[fattyDQ]

What a surprise, even the beatles get bashed on UG. If it's not a metal band with blazing fast guitar solos, they suck, according to most people here.

How old is the average UG member, 13? Jeez...

[hurtjak117]

this is going to be bad ass

[XxStrifeXx]

Mr. Chang wrote:

It's easy just to say they were the most influential band ever and then never back that up. All anybody seems to pick up on is they were vaguely involved with the psychedelic scene, a scene most people have no real perspective on, and that they experimented with studio equipment, something even fewer people understand.

I have a feeling most people saying that just heard that they were the most important thing ever, then never though critically as to why that might be true, and accepted it as fact. Of course they're not the most important musical act ever, or even of the sixties. There was a Jazz Fusion scene growing completely independently and was musical worlds far and away from the pop of the British Invasion. There was a minimalist movement happening in Classical music that has had a huge impact on a considerable amount of music of the last few decades, again that had nothing to do with the Beatles. Or the (relatively) early electronica music, underground psychedelic and progressive rock movements, the still developing free-jazz, the first jam bands. None of those had anything to do with the Beatles and yet were happening at the same time and had an enormous impact on modern music.

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

Yeah but who gives a shit about the "jazz fusion" movement? Its unfair to brand them as pop just because they were so damn succesfull. Best band ever.

[ShyGuy {IZAIAH}]

TSngRemainTSame wrote:

Paul and Ringo need money.

considering michael jackson owns their songs, and was prolly the one the green light it since his permission is required.. might not be anything to do with Paul and/or Ringo

[lurch_276]

whisper words of wisdom, let it be. I ****ing love The Beatles.

[jthm_guitarist]

Well now all the kids are going to be into the Beatles.

(This is not a bad thing.)

[aig91]

Checked

[VanadiumLG]

I could understand metallica. But is the expert mode on this going to be the same as easy on the others?

[Shamanic Rhythm]

Mr. Chang wrote:

It's easy just to say they were the most influential band ever and then never back that up. All anybody seems to pick up on is they were vaguely involved with the psychedelic scene, a scene most people have no real perspective on, and that they experimented with studio equipment, something even fewer people understand.

I have a feeling most people saying that just heard that they were the most important thing ever, then never though critically as to why that might be true, and accepted it as fact. Of course they're not the most important musical act ever, or even of the sixties. There was a Jazz Fusion scene growing completely independently and was musical worlds far and away from the pop of the British Invasion. There was a minimalist movement happening in Classical music that has had a huge impact on a considerable amount of music of the last few decades, again that had nothing to do with the Beatles. Or the (relatively) early electronica music, underground psychedelic and progressive rock movements, the still developing free-jazz, the first jam bands. None of those had anything to do with the Beatles and yet were happening at the same time and had an enormous impact on modern music.

The Beatles generally just picked up on the surface noises of some of those movements and lightly incorporated them into their pop. I'd have no problem with them being called the greatest pop band, but the greatest band of all time is simply outrageous.

The biggest flaw with your argument is that you're saying that because the ideas The Beatles were picking up on already existed outside of the genre they were playing in (ie pop), they weren't innovators. That's basically like saying that Ulysses wasn't an innovative novel because the classical allusions James Joyce made throughout the novel already existed.

If you're going to be critical of pop music, you have to step off the intellectual high horse for a minute and accept the fact that if it's going to be successful, then it will have to cater to a simpler audience. Now don't get me wrong, I freaking love jazz and classical, but I also like pop/rock for something lighter that's easy to sing to. Have you ever tried to hum the whole of Dvorak's New World Symphony? I thought not. So rather than approaching it from the viewpoint that what The Beatles did was "dumbing down" music in general, it's better to look at it as "smartening up" pop music.

And as for the "best band ever" idea, well, that depends where you draw your limits as to what is a band. If you set it at "rock band", then yeah, I could see grounds for that title, in a broader context though The Beatles could come up for some serious competition against Duke Ellington's Big Band or Louis Armstrong's Hot Five. But in the end, who cares. They did write some great songs.

[Tone_85]

Its easy for people to moan about this game when comparing it to actually PLAYING a guitar. people need to realise that this is a GAME and is completely different to being in a band or being a musician. I am a fan of the Rock Band franchise and think this release is great news. I dont know anyone who plays Rock Band songs and then brags that they can play Beatle songs on a real guitar. People making that point should realise that this is a completly different complex and is aimed at those who either cannot play a guitar/dont have time to learn or patience etc but still wish to enjoy their music.

This game will be a great asset for family orientated fun xmas/birthdays etc as the older generation can get involved and stop moaning about the current catalogue of songs available in Rock Band 1 & 2.

I'll reiterate my point. No one believes this to require more talent or skill than ACTUAL guitar playing, it is for entertainment purposes only so can moronic people please stop making this comparison?

[jimzer]

i personally think thisll be a great party game. especially among those who are beatles fans. im psyched.

[MaidenandEddy]

A Beatles Rock Band?!

Next thing you know, Rock Band will do a Lego version!

Oh, wait.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_Rock_Band

[salrap10]

i think this is going to be the last gh/rb game because i am a HUGE beatles fan and this looks really good

[salrap10]

EDIT: i think this is going to be the last gh/rb game i am going to get because i am a HUGE beatles fan and this looks really good. Ive been listening to the beatles for years before rb or gh so im prtty excited.

[Baconfish]

WheredMyRockGo?Although just in general I don't think they should have done a guitar hero beatles. It seems like they're just abusing the name, but that's just me.

Abusing the name of the most merchandised band in history?

[dwightleach]

i hope the songs dig a pony, you really got a hold on me, dont let me down, and paperback writer will be in the game. i love those songs.
i love that there will be harmony singin too.
and as a side note, i hope there will be eventually a Doors rockband game. that would be awesome.

[Soma3009]

I'm a huge fan of Rock Band and the Beatles. I understand that they may not be the best band of all time, but I love a lot of the songs they've written. And Rock Band is just a god damned good way to get a party started, and showing girls how well I know these Beatles songs may not be a bad (of course it's sad) thing

[poncho2049]

Its too bad the Beatles suck

[Tone_85]

poncho2049 wrote:

Its too bad the Beatles suck

You are a moron pal...
Keep your deranged opinions to yourself please and comment on the subject in hand rather than offer your idle, ignorant opinion on one of the worlds greatest acts ever.

[Reighnart]

Man, I used to love rock band and guitar hero, just chillin out with a couple uh buds and playin the endless setlist like twice in a row. Those were some good days. It got to the point where it was too repetative though. I'd be really excited for this game, but I just don't play anymore. It got to the point where I recked my wrist every time I sat down and played. I actually couldn't play guitar for about two days because it hurt too much, so, I've hung up my plastic guitar forever. But, god, it was fun. And It's not about pretending to be a musician. To me those games are about enjoying some awesome music, and bro'in it up with a couple a dudes.

Beatles rock.

[bmorse]

in all honesty.... this is just deppresing
guitar hero and rockband have raped so many legacys, its just not funny
these games are crap