97 Things That Changed My Life: The Beatles

From Left to Right: Ringo Starr (Drums), George Harrison (Lead Guitar), Paul McCartney (Bass Guitar), and John Lennon (Rhythm Guitar)

I owe my love of the Beatles to my father. The Beatles were his favorite group, and he was very musically inclined. My dad was a music producer, and he had multiple artist and musicians coming through our New York City basement.

Dad teaching his children the way of the Beatle

There is no debate, the Beatles are my all time favorite band. They had genius songwriters, played multiple instruments, and their songs differed greatly from one another. I remember being 13 years old and wanting to start a band with my brother and his best friend. We couldn't have 3 guitar players, so I drew the short end of the stick and got stuck playing the bass guitar. What the hell is a bass guitar I thought? Bass was one of those instruments that wasn't really sexy. As a bass guitarist, you were the guy in the back that no one cared about. For the most part the bass is an easy instrument and it really bored me... until I heard my father's business partner playing some Beatle's bass lines. I didn't know a bass could do that. I was already in love with the Beatle's but this experience changed everything for me.

My father and his business partner having some fun, singing Beatle tunes.

Paul's bass guitar licks were complicated and melodic. They were actually more complex than anything the other two guitarist in the Beatles were playing. I am a bassist today because of Paul McCartney.

Years later, we all still jam. Special thanks to dad for supplying the Beatle wigs

The only question is, who was better John Lennon or Paul McCartney.

Paul McCartney

Paul was not only one of the best bassist in the world but a master pianist, guitarist, drummer, along with being able to play many other instruments. Listening to a Paul baseline is like listening to a lead guitarist play. Paul never played two verses the same. There were always some variations/embellishments that he added to every verse.

My favorite Paul songs include.

Black Bird

Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Lady Madonna

Band on the Run

Jenny Wren

Michelle

All My Loving

Hey Jude

Mother Nature's Son

Let ’em In

Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey

John Lennon

And then there is John Lennon. John could pretty much play any instrument he touched. He wasn't as a refined musician as Paul, but his talent came from his cleverness. John's lyrics cut deep, and his songs had more of an edge.

My favorite John songs include.

Imagine

Hey Bulldog

Dear Prudence

Come Together

Oh Yoko!

Gimme Some Truth

Across the Universe

Julia

Real Love

Hard Day's Night

I Am the Walrus

For the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Abbey Road (The Best Album of all time)

The Beatle's having fun

I am excited to announce to that I will be getting to see Paul McCartney in concert at the end of this month. Paul isn't getting any younger, and although we didn't get the best seats, it will be the best money I ever spent.