
Originally Posted by
John(Zappa)
Hi Chris
Hope you enjoyed your Zappa day in Baltimore.
I got loads of Zappa fanz who like the Beatles so it shows we're not all perfect(haha).
Each to their own I say but lets not argue over it.Its like arguing over "who's the fastest guitarist".
Am going the ZPZ show in London.Amazing the last 1.
Anyway cheers mate
John
Hey John. I'm the guy Chris was referring to who came to Baltimore for Zappa Plays Zappa. I think your comments are born more of misguided snobbery than anything else. The Beatles were not particularly amazing musicians, but in actuality that, along with the fact that none of them could read or write music, makes their achievements all the more amazing. And virtuosity is not the same thing as creativity. Look at Yngwie Malmsteen for example. Looking at the Beatles' clear artistic growth over the years, the thought and work that they put into their albums, and the almost mind-boggling consistency of the quality of their tunes renders any comment stating so simply that they had "no talent" rather silly. You may not like what they wrote, but to equate them with mindless pop acts like we see today (which is essentially what you are doing) is ridiculous my friend.
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By the way, I'm heading to the London ZPZ also. Judging from the Baltimore gig you (along with me and everyone else there) are in for a serious treat. The band are looser and more comfortable than last year, and the setlist is spectacular. It's evenings like these that, more than almost anything, make life worth living. Music is the best.

Originally Posted by
Gerard
Not Talented ?..Frank Zappa never wrote a song that will come close to anything Lennon and McCartney wrote.
Bottoms up..

I have to take issue with this. I will always adore the Beatles, who were the genesis of my love affair with music. What they did should never be underestimated and it irritates me greatly when people do so. Frank Zappa's music, however, is technically on another level completely; it combines virtuosity with constant invention, diversity and conflation of style, and is sheer musical adventure. The man was a genius, plain and simple (and I hate overuse of that word), and his work transcends almost all popular music.
Just to go back the original discussion regarding the Beatles. Objectively I think it is hard to argue with the fact that, while hardly the only great thing about Liverpool, they have been probably the most significant force in placing Liverpool on the map, along with Liverpool Football Club. Ask any American or non-Brit about Liverpool, and they will likely mention one of those two things, with the Beatles being probably the more likely. There are many great things about Liverpool but, love 'em or hate 'em, John, Paul, George and Ringo are its most famous sons.
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