Who would the Beatles sound like?

[SAT-I need more room!!]

And don't say half of them would sound like the living dead!

John Lennon once commented how much he liked ELO and if the Lads were still together, that's what they'd sound like.

So who do you think they would sound like if they continued past 1970?

I think it would be a combo. Really of all those acts, but probably mainly ELO and Badfinger.

BTW-Jet may seem strange, but if you go past their 2 AC/DC inspired screamers, their mellow stuff sounds VERY Beatles influenced.

Other artists to consider-Hollies, Moody Blues.

[Pete70s]

No denying that ELO had a very strong Beatle influence. BUT, The Beatles were always about being ahead of everyone else. My belief is that it would be a combo of four.. The solo careers of John, Paul, George, and Ringo (only without the crappy songs!)

[lora]

They would sound like the Beatles, only newer and more unique.

[Ken]

I would have to say a combo as well - Big Star, Badfinger, ELO and Cheap Trick. Bun E Carlos and Rick Nielsen worked with John on a few demos for Double Fantasy - from what I understand he really enjoyed their records.

[Laura--I wuv u all :)]

SAT-Laney's said:

And don't say half of them would sound like the living dead!

Don't worry. Rockin' Johnny doesn't post on this board, so no one here will say that. Unless you're trying to fill in for him.

[SAT-I need more room!!]

Laura--BRRRRRR said:

Don't worry. Rockin' Johnny doesn't post on this board, so no one here will say that. Unless you're trying to fill in for him.

Hell no! I never cared for him.

[55dodger]

Been mulling this over for a few days. I would probably say they would have been more of an ELO & Cheap Trick (that would be Cheap Electric Light Trick Orchestra), with maybe some Badfinger thrown.

One thing I was wondering, even if the Beatles had continued past 1970, I would find it hard to believe that they would have survived intact. I'm thinking that one or more would have eventually left the group, only to be replaced by someone else. I believe George probably would have been the first to leave. But who would step into the band as his replacement. Clapton, John McVie, Mike Rutherford or Steve Hackett, Peter Tork, or someone or no one. Just a curious question I have, inside a curious question.

[Phoenixsong]

I had to pick "other" because they were constantly evolving. It would be hard to say how they would sound now. Still fabulous, I'd think.

[beatles4ever]

I picked "combo".
I have to get onto the ELO bandwagon as well....they had a sound that would have been a very logical progression for the Beatles.For style and partially lyrics,I could also see them sounding some like Tears For Fears....their "Seeds of Love" video is seriously Beatles-influenced and its visually stunning images are so Lennon-ish.....as are the words.

[Dawn]

I voted for "combo" as well. I would say it would be a blend of ELO, Badfinger, and Paul McCartney's mid '70s solo styles.

[H2IZCOOL]

I went with "other" , mainly because if they had stayed together, it's impossible to tell how they would have continued to evolve. They may have influenced other groups in a totally different way. There are too many questions. Would John and Paul REALLY reconciled musicwise so that they could continue to collaborate? Would one of them have left? Would THEY begin to be influenced by other groups? Might some of the 70s and 80s groups not have even existed because there'd be no void to fill?
..and finally, a question for Dawn. Would Band On the Run ever have been recorded?