The Beatles: Rock n Roll or Pop?

I find it ironic that people sing "Imagine" wistfully and put commemorative John Lennon license plates on their cars, yet ignore the fact it was written by an ****ole who beat his wife, ignored his first kid, then abandoned them both (without any substantial financial support) for a new fling.

 

Most Beatles songs are rock n roll. The back beat, tempo, use of electric guitars, etc. Although the Beatles had a very strong classical influence. Obviously from George Martin, but also the Beatles themselves were keen listeners of classical music. You could replace McCartney's voice in "Yesterday" with the first violin, and you would have a classical piece for quartet. Some people argue that Beatles music is classical music.

 

IMHO:

John Lennon = Rock and Roll with something to say about life.

Paul McCartney = Pop Music with amazing melodies.

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"Hey Jude", the album, was nothing but a compilation record, EVERY tune on it had been released YEARS earlier. Hey Jude (Revolution was the B-side) was released as a single in late August 1968.
As far as the Beatles being "rock and roll", well, everyone's opinion on that is different. What I know is that this band was amazingly prolific in penning what now literally should be classified as "Standards", just like the Gershwins, Cole Porter, etc....
They changed music, and not many can make that claim.
Along the way, they were incredibly reverential to musicians who came before them and NEVER missed an opportunity to speak of their NUMEROUS influences. They certainly never came across like "We invented it", while inspiring several generations themselves.

PS. I just noticed this baby is FOURTEEN years old....talk about a long shelf life.