In My Life – what's happening in your life currently? | Page 456 | Fab Forum | The Beatles Bible

Okay, I don’t understand that.

This was my response to the answer:

There are so many points here which are completely wrong. I will touch on just a few.

“1. First band to cram 14 songs on an album: Please Please Me . Before that, it was only 8 to 10. Beatles wanted to give fans their money’s worth.”

12 to 14 tracks was standard in the UK. Cliff Richard’s first album, Cliff Sings (1959), ran to 16 tracks.

“2. First rock & roll band to use a harmonica: Love Me Do . Delbert McClinton gave John some harmonica tips, and he put the lessons to use right away.”

Technically, as a band without a named leader in the name, possibly true. However, Delbert McClinton was a member of Bruce Channel’s band, and John quizzed him on his harmonica playing on Bruce’s hit Hey Baby. Love Me Do was far from the first rock and roll song to feature harmonica. In fact, I’d class it closer to blues than rock and roll, and harmonica was very much a blues instrument.

“6. First R&R artist to have album of all original songs: A Hard Day’s Night.”

Far from. Chuck Berry, After School Session (1957). All songs written by Chuck.

“10. First music video shot specifically for a single: Paperback Writer . Previous ‘music videos’ — such as Elvis — were excerpts from his movies.”

Right and wrong. The Beatles filmed videos for the We Can We Work It Out/Day Tripper single on 23 November 1965, along with videos for Help !, Ticket To Ride and I Feel Fine . The Paperback Writer and Rain videos were just a continuation of what they’d already begun.

“13. First rock band to include classical instruments: Yesterday . It went to #1. and they used classical instruments on many more songs as well.”

Possibly technically true in your use of “first rock band”, however their openness to the use of strings was because Buddy Holly had (Raining in My Heart, True Love Ways, etc.). They were far from the first rock artist to use classical instruments.

“15. First to have a hit longer than the standard 3 minutes: Hey Jude is a great example of this. This is also the first song with an extended fade out.”

The Beatles didn’t break the three minute barrier until 1965. The Righteous Brothers You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’, released in November 1964, clocked in at 3:45.

“19. First time we heard psychedelic music. Example: Tomorrow Never Knows this used a sitar and blended classic sitar music with western music.”

Kim Fowley was there a year ahead, with his single The Trip. Released in the summer of 1965, though not a hit, it is widely regarded as the first psychedelic song. Ads for it even referenced its “psychedelic sound”. The Fugs, who were advertising themselves as a “psychedelic band” in 1965, also have a claim with the April 1965 recordings of We’re the Fugs and Hallucination Horrors, though they were not released until 1967.

“20. First Rock band to compose a double album: White Album . Okay I have already received a comment that Frank Zappa released a double album in 1966 so I will clarify my answer and say “First commercial double album.” Freak Out by Zappa contained a lot of material that was non commercial and not truly a musical double album. Nor was it recognized as such.”

Erm… Bob Dylan, Blonde on Blonde (1966)? Reached #9 on the Billboard chart, and #3 on the UK chart.

“21: First to have their own record label.”

Trumpeter Herb Alpert founded A&M with record promoter Jerry Moss to release his Tijuana Brass recordings in 1962. (Years later they would be the distributor of George’s Dark Horse label.)

It should also be noted that Capitol Records was formed by songwriters Johnny Mercer and Buddy Deylva along with businessman Glenn E, Wallichs in 1942. Johnny Mercer as a recording artist was the first act signed to the label.

Shall I go on?