What was Sgt. Pepper's huge impact?

Question

This is an honest question, because I wasn't there and I figure people who were have to know better than me.

Here's how I see it. The whole point was to stretch the limits of studio production right? Because the album could never be performed live. And I don't see the huge long term influence in that. I mean music is still made so that it can be played live and (excepting manufactured pop acts) most of the work isn't done in the production room. And then the sound? The simpler pop songs weren't new, the Beatles themselves had done better pop before. The trippier tracks weren't extremely revolutionary were they? I mean has the never ending note at the end of the album had a huge influence on modern music? What was different if you were actually there?

But then an album like The Velvet Underground & Nico actually introduced new concepts that were possible to actually play and not just produce. You can hear the its influence everywhere. Indie, noise, punk, pop and all out art rock.

So what did Sgt. Pepper's change that those of us thatt weren't there are missing? Because as mentioned I see a much more massive influence from the Velvet Underground & Nico in genre defying/creating and song content, sure the obscure references made by the Beatles were controversial but I think "Heroin" and "Venus In Furs" as well as "I'm Waiting For The Man" were all more controversial. And the next album had songs about botched lobotomies performed on transvestites, amphetamines, murder accidental and purposeful, and "sucking on my ding-dong". And both albums contain music at least as, if not more, experimental than anything the Beatles ever did. Plus the Velvet Underground & Nico came out before Sgt. Peppers! What am I missing?

I agree about the name recognition. I don't like hearing that they were the first to do psychedelic either. And wasn't the first concept album done by Frank Zappa?

Answer 1

George Martin paid a lot of attention to what other artists were doing just out of the corner of the public's eye. As a result of this, he managed to get the Beatles on board quite a few bandwagons which they tended to get a lot of excessive credit for "pioneering." Sgt. Pepper was a concept album at a time when the public didn't know what a concept album was, and many people still mistakenly believe it to be the first concept album. To quote Scaruffi, "put the label 'Beatles' on it and it becomes a revolutionary piece of music. Put any other label on it and it goes into the garbage can." If almost any other band had put out the exact same album, no way it would have gotten the same attention, if hardly any at all. Whether you think they were great or not, one must admit that name recognition goes a long way toward getting the public's attention.

EDIT: "And being the first in doing something is irrelevant."

No, it absolutely is not. It's history.

As for the concept album thing, you're unlikely to get a full consensus on that, but while Zappa's "Freak Out!" can be considered a concept album and it does predate Sgt. Papper, it's still not the first. I've heard a lot of contenders for that title, but considering how many artists of that age have been forgotten, we may never know.

Answer 2

The Velvet Underground actually weren't that well known when they were still together. They became influential years after they broke up. The Beatles, on the other hand, were the top pop group at that time so anything they did definitely attracted immediate attention. I know this was their most famous album I don't think it was their best. The songs are a little contrived and overproduced. Did you know that they were heavily influenced by The Beach Boys' album "Pet Sounds"? If that album had never come out, chances are "Sgt. Pepper" likely wouldn't have either. In my opinion, The Beach Boys deserve more recognition than just as a surf-rock group because they did much more than that.

Answer 3

Yeah, but Yellow Submarine received mixed reviews, along with one or two other Beatles albums.

Yeah, I guess Sgt. Pepper's was a heavily produced album, with effects and all. It showed people a new way to approach songs. It was innovative, but there's no way you could really hear Sgt. Pepper's influence, since a good deal of its influence was in production.

Musically, the Beatles used a whole lotta instruments, along with the basic ones. Instruments that you might not find in a normal pop or rock song.

The songs, as with most of the Beatles's later albums, were more complex, of course. Their compositions weren't like the normal pop and rock songs of the time. The Beatles were skilled instrumentalists, but the compositions were quite complex.

The song "A Day in the Life" pretty much showcases all of what the Beatles were aiming for.

I don't know exactly how it influenced bands, because even though the Beatles were influential, it's hard to actually hear a band influenced by them. You just know its there. You'd know the influence was there if we were talking about the Ramones debut album, since most punk bands followed the guitar style, polishing it a bit to create their own similar style.

I wasn't there, so I don't know really. But it was acclaimed for both its music and innovative production techniques, and it still is acclaimed.

And being the first in doing something is irrelevant. Maybe the influence WAS because the album was made by the Beatles, but they had to do something right first to come all the way and create their biggest selling and most critically acclaimed album.

Answer 4

The Beatles previously had mostly released just pop songs. Practically all of their songs were in the top 10. When Sgt. Pepper came out it was a dramatic change from all of their previous albums. It not only sounded different but The Beatles were more mysterious in 1967, experimenting with drugs, religion, girlfriends, etc. Back then The Beatles were the leaders of my generation and everyone our age was influenced by them, their hair, clothes, whatever they said, etc.
Even the album cover was extraordinary then, I remember contests where you had to name as many people on the cover as possible. I can't even compare anything like The Beatles influence on young people back then to anything or anyone else since! Sure other bands did some of the same things sooner but they weren't anywhere near as famous or influential to young people as The Beatles. The Beatles were like gods to my generation and we couldn't wait for any news about them or music by them!
Oh yeah, back then most adults didn't care for our generation because we had long hair and were actually discriminated against because of it. I remember being chased out of some stores just because my hair was long!

Answer 5

It was like the beginning of progressive rock. It took rock to another dimension. Pink Floyds Piper at the Gates of Dawn only came second. If it were not for SGT PEPPERS who knows what might have happened. Music only got a ton better after it. Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, Doors, Led Zeppelin, and it never looked back until punk destroyed rock in the 70s and then again in the 90s. Since when was the front cover of an album more significant before then? Classical mixed with rock? Other bands being scared out of their mind for an album so revolutionary no one else's album compared to it?
I believe Rolling Stone magazine rated it #1 which may be the only time Rolling Stone magazine came close to getting something right.
Velet Underground was when punk was 3D and not 1D like it became. But punk never matched up to progressive or art rock in any way. Otherwise you just dont have ear for music. Punk rock is gay and nothing is more horrible except country which ties with it.

Answer 6

I think Sgt. Pepper, was one of those albums that on the one hand it was a combination of new sound mixing techniques, paired with the creativity of Lennon/Macca/Harrison/Starr. Having come after such great albums as Revolver, and Rubbr Soul, it for me, paved the way for the White Album to start their experimental album phases.

I think its imact were its songs. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts CLub Band is one of the most regognizable Beatles tunes next too Yellow Submarine, and She Loves You. Whenever a TV show or movie spoofs the lads its always in Sgt Pepper Style. It set their image, to something that represented who they were, and what their music represented.

John would say otherwise, but I think a lot of people don't give the beatles the level of respect they deserve.

Sgt Pepper is their badge of honour.

Answer 7

GNR (weapons N Roses) only can not stand listening to Axel's voice by way of an entire song. additionally, The Fray. annoying. as a procedures by way of fact the Beatles circulate, attempt to think of on the subject of the term maximum of their songs have been written. that would assist you to relish their song lyrics and melodies. in spite of this, it would possibly not. I grew up with them and alter right into a sort of hysterical childrens in the group at their concert activities. Yeah, i think of you're able to evaluate me "previous". ingesting a brewski or 2 and staring at baseball.

Answer 8

Sgt. Pepper sucks