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3.56pm
18 November 2011
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Everyone knows that the early rockers had a big influence on The Beatles, but another, often overlooked influence is the R&B/soul from Detroit (Motown) and Memphis (Stax), especially in the early days.
“When I Get Home ” is totally John trying to do the black girl-group (i.e. the Supremes) sound, and that funky bass/guitar riff on “Drive My Car ” is straight out of Otis Redding’s “Respect”.
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vonbontee4.09pm
12 November 2012
Offline I wouldn’t say that it’s overlooked, at least not by me. John loved Smokey Robinson, and even admitted that he was still trying to sing like him on the Double Fantasy album. The songs This Boy and Sexy Sadie were inspired by Smokey Robinson, especially by the song, I’ve Been Good to You. With the Beatles is filled with Motown covers, including You Really Got A Hold On Me . 
"The world is a very serious and, at times, very sad place - but at other times it is all such a joke."-George Harrison
4.50pm
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1 May 2011
Offline All Ive Got To Do was another Smokey influenced John track on With The Beatles . And George recorded a tribute to Smokey Robison on the track ‘Pure Smokey’ which was released on one of his solo albums.
I dont know if many heard it but BBC Radio 1 Extra broadcast a fabulous 2 hour documentary on the Beatles and Black Music exploring what influence early R&B had on the Fabs and what effect the Beatles have had on many of todays leading Black Artists. You can get a download here and its well worth a listen.
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
6.42pm
8 November 2012
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5.36am
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1 May 2011
Offline Something Else reviews article on Paul’s comment’s at LIPA on how Motown influenced the Beatles songwriting and recording.
“I mean, you’d hear like the Supremes and Motown, Diana Ross’ group, those records are very similar,” McCartney says. “‘Stop! In the Name of Love’ or ‘Baby Love,’ they’re all very similar things. We wanted to avoid that. So, I think that was one of the good things for us, because we just kept on going and never sort of did the same song twice.”
The article also contains a link to the clip of the conversation
"I told you everything I could about me, Told you everything I could" ('Before Believing' - Emmylou Harris)
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