The greatest cultural influence in my lifetime was The Beatles. Nothing else comes close. But…I was too young to appreciate them when they were together (although one of my earliest memories was hearing Eleanor Rigby on the way to YMCA Camp in the summer of ‘66, at 6 years old, and thinking, “This is really good.”).
So, my perception of Abbey Road is perhaps different from someone’s who came of age in the 60s. For an earlier Boomer, the import of Rubber Soul or Revolver or Pepper or even the arrival of the band may have had a life-changing or memory-stirring meaning that is absent from mine. My perspective is simply to look at the songwriting, musicianship, studio wizardry, and enjoyment of the production.
Looking back from this vantage point, we see that Abbey Road, released on this date in 1969, had the greatest medley in rock history, most famous drum solo in rock history, and most perfect ending (aptly titled “The End” with each member giving us their finest solos- Her Majesty is just fluff). While Time Magazine got it right (“has a cheerful coherence and a sense of wholeness clearly contrived as a revel in musical pleasure…”.), others bashed it, with the New York Times calling it an “unmitigated disaster” and Rolling Stone panning it. They missed the clues – as a whole, this proved to be the greatest group’s finest hour.
While A Hard Day’s Night was better at pop, Rubber Soul was the lynchpin for unplugged music ever after, Revolver was more varied, Pepper was the godfather of conceptual rock pieces, and some would argue George’s finest moment ever was While My Guitar Gently Weeps, there isn’t a collective work by the band that invented classic rock that is more perfect, cohesive, and iconic. With their unparalleled songwriting sensibilities and melting melodies, this might be the only album that is enjoyable to people of any age from 5 to 95. It has it all.
And, with the contrast of the sunshiny, optimistic Harrison songs and the Lennon/McCartney medley (which featured twelve violins, four alt violins, four cellos, and a brass section) to the blues-meets-grunge of Come Together, it was the perfect bridge from the happy-go-lucky, free love, psychedelic 60s to the more uptight, less free-spirited, heavier music (and country) of the 70s and beyond. How perfect for the band who not only won our hearts but also led the cultural revolution to give one long, last love letter to our world while ushering in the hard rock and heavy metal era with She’s So Heavy that would dominate music for years to come.
What is your earliest Beatles memory, my friends?