The Million Dollar Quartet vs. The Beatles

The Beatles where a change of pace from what had been. Because they took, borrowed or stole from all those you mentioned. They were their sources.

So if . . .

quote:

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Johnny Cash, Elvis Presely, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis . . . didn't go into solo careers and instead formed a band into the 60s.

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didn't exist who would the Beatles have as their influences?

I'm not sure. However The Beatles probably would have found someone because they were not just musicians, but part of a counterrevolution, that included the sexual revolution and an antiwar movement. I don't see these other guys being able to spark such. Not at their age, nor their political persuasion. Yes, those superstars bed hopped around and had legions of groupies, however they didn't help spark (or further along) a long haired, make love, not war live style or movement. Not to say the pill may have done it alone. Just that the British guys hit a nerve at just the right moment, then rode it, changing with every new iteration. They had several periods of entirely different and unique music. Something Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis didn't do, they pretty much did themselves over and over.

That makes sense. I knew the quartet had different musical styles but didn't think how little they changed over the years. This is a good reason why I think a band is short lived.

Another thing is that the Beatles were influenced by country music. Hank Snow, Gene Autry, Hank Sr., Jimmie Rodgers, Buck Owens and Chet Atkins were noted as influences.