The Velvet Underground vs The Beatles vs The Rolling Stones

[555]

Frankly, I'd say that Les Paul is the most important name in Rock and Roll. 2nd, I'd say Jim Marshall. Without these 2 men, and their innovations, the greatest minds of Rock and Roll wouldn't have had the tools to make the wonderful music that we enjoy decades later.

Lets not leave out Clarence Leonidas "Leo" Fender (August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991) .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leo_Fender

 

[Locutus D'Borg]

Let us not forget Paul Butterfield Blues Band, with the incomparable Mike Bloomfield as lead guitarist. They inspired a whole lot of bands in the 60's. And his records taught me how to play the harmonica.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Love all three bands. The Stones may be the closest to my heart in many ways, but I really have no doubt that the Beatles were the most influential and cutting edge of all bands in the 20th century. Looking at their whole catalog, they touched on all music genres, brought a lot of musical experimentation, really advanced studio work.... the only thing I think they were weak in was live music and maybe improvisation. They touched on alot of ideas throughout their career and always managed to expand the envelope.

Were they a pop band? Sure, but they managed to do a whole lot more while being a pop band.

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Frankly, I'd say that Les Paul is the most important name in Rock and Roll. 2nd, I'd say Jim Marshall. Without these 2 men, and their innovations, the greatest minds of Rock and Roll wouldn't have had the tools to make the wonderful music that we enjoy decades later.

Jim Marshall made my favorite amps, but those amps were copies of Fender designs using English parts (While Fender designs were made from GE designs!), I don't see him being near the top. Too much great Rock and Roll was made with other amps.

Les Paul was definitely important to guitar playing, electronics and recording techniques..... he was really more instrumental in the development of recorded music more so than the development of Rock and Roll.