Getting into the Beatles...

One could argue that Paul was actually the only virtuoso musician in the band (unless you count George Martin). And I say this as someone who thinks the Beatles are the greatest musical act of all-time.

 

You don't have to argue that - it's an inarguable fact.

I think John once compared his, George's and Ringo's playing to that of inspired primitives, or something along those lines. But he acknowledged that Paul was head and shoulders above the rest of them.

 

Simon was easily the mastermind of Simon and Garfunkel, but the way Garfunkel's sweetness undercut the bluntness of Simon's voice is what made the pairing transcendent.

 

Joe Bonamassa does a lot of things better than the originals. He is officially Bad Azz.

 

I like Led Zeppelin, although there are far more passionate fans of them.

As to their lyrics, a while back I had one of their opening riffs stuck in my head and I couldn't recall any lyrics to the song to google for the name. I "did" the riff for five people, all of whom know rock, and they all immediately recognized the song but couldn't name it either.

It was "The Ocean," and if you had give me 3,000 guesses I would never have come up with that.

 

Did anyone say "She's Crafty" by Beastie Boys?

 

Led Zep is great, but they borrowed liberally from tons of other artists. Listen to some old Spirit and tell me if you run into a song that is the opening bass guitar for Stairway.

 

My favorite track on Presence is Achilles' Last Stand. The riffs are just contagious, especially when they start going really fast and it sounds like the guitars and bass and drums are speaking to you in an "Ahhhh ahh ahhhh ahhhhh" tone.

 

Anyone who is a fan of Zep should seek out and download the rehearsals from the 2007 reunion show (it surfaced in the last few months). Excellent versions of No Quarter, Since I've Been Loving You and Dazed and Confused on that one.

 

How did this evolve from a thread about the greatest band ever to pick up instruments into one that couldn't hold their guitar straps?

 

Oh, you gone and done it now.

 

I'm only halfway through the White Album, so I'd appreciate it if there are no spoilers.