Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles - Who Is The True Rock G.O.A.T.?

[Blaster]

My dad is a Led Zeppelin fan and my mother loved the Beatles. Led Zeppelin had a harder sound while the Beatles were more of a pop band.

 

[Concerned American]

Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles
Who Is The Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.?
​

First off I have to say that I am an unapologetic Zep head, and get tired of hearing my whole life that the Beatles are the greatest rock band in history. But is this really true?
2nd off I want to say that the Beatles were a great band who were way ahead of their time. Their songs will ALWAYS be remembered as some of the greatest ever written. Someone would be hard pressed to find a greater collaboration as was the case with McCartney and Lennon.
I will state my case for Zeppelin below, and would love to hear yours.

The first thing that has to be looked at between these two great bands is with record sales. The Beatles have far more record sales than do Zeppelin, but their is more to this issue than meets the eye.

1. The Beatles released 19 studio albums. That's 10 more then Led Zeppelins 9 studio albums. It was a common practice in rock for a band to record an albums than go on tour for almost a year to promote it, than come off of the road, again record an album, than back on tour again etc..
The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, and this enabled them to release multiple albums in a year to everyone else's 1.
2. Singles. Who can possible count all of the 45 rpm records that the Beatles sold to millions of love struck teeny bopper girls. Led Zeppelin did not release singles. If you wanted to hear them you had to buy the album. Imo, this is what created what is referred to as album rock.

So, before record sales can be used to say who is the greatest of the two, than you have to remove 10 of the Beatles studio albums to match Zeppelins 9 studio albums. Also, you have to remove the millions and millions of 45 rpm records that the Beatles released because Zeppelin did not release singles.

The next issue I would say would be promotion. The Beatles were the most heavily promoted band in history. To this day I can't think of another band that came close. The Beatles name and images were on just about everything. Their were Beatles dresses, record players, wigs, stamps, key chains, guitars, mirrors, watches, pendants, bowling balls and on and on and on. 6 months before they came to America posters were plastered everywhere proclaiming The Beatles are coming!, The Beatles are coming!. Radio d.j.'s were almost non stop declaring the same thing.
In contrast Led Zeppelin were the complete opposite, and the least commercial band in history. They wanted their music to speak for them, and not some gimmick. They even refused to appear on television. Interviews with Zeppelin were rare. Their is an early interview though were John Bonham the Zep drummer points out that people went to see the Beatles live just to look at them. You couldn't even hear the ban play. But to Zeppelin it was about the music they and not the image.

The last thing would be about musicianship and talent. So, lets compare these bands with that in mind.
1. Singer. I really don't think even die hard Beatles fans would disagree that Robert Plant is a far greater singer than any one of the fab four.

2. Guitar. George Harrison was an awesome player, and much better after the Beatles broke up. However, Jimmy page is legendary. I have never seen a list of the greatest guitar play of all time that didn't have him at 1 or at least top 3.. He was a riff machine. I doubt there is a Harrison tune that page cannot play, and probably many Page pieces that Harrison just could not play.

3. Bass. I think Paul McCartney was a good bass player, even better than he got credit for. But was no match for John Paul Jones.

4. Drums. Do I even really have to point this out. John Bonham is considered the greatest rock drummer in history. He played an 11 piece kit and used every single piece of it. What he was able to do still has most pro drummers in awe of him. If you've never heard "Moby Dick" than I suggest you give it a listen. Ring Starr? I guess you could he took a 3 piece kit as far as you could take it, but he could have easily have been replaced and not have been missed.

Okay, I guess this is the end of my case that Led Zeppelin not the Beatles are indeed the Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.. Their 300 million album sales I would venture to say out sales the Beatles if you take what I said above and even the game up the way it should be done for a true measure of who the greatest are.
What do you say?

It is a moot comparison. Two totally different styles of music. Like comparing Black Sabbath to the Mama and Papas. The Beatles popularity rose largely because of their versatility. As you stated, their early successes were due to the "teeny bopper" audience but they were able to slide into the psychedelic groove as well. As a Zeppelin fan, myself, I believe this distinction alone sets the two bands apart. Zep never reached fans of the softer side of rock. One possible exception would be the elevator music version of "Stairway to Heaven"

 

[Concerned American]

I remember when the Beatles were compared to the Rolling Stones and of course we heard "who's better?" And someone said (I don't remember who) "It's like comparing Rembrandt to a house painter. They are both painters but not in the same way." That's a good way to look at this argument. Call both rockers but not in the same way. The Beatles ran the gamut from Metal to Classical and Zeppelin remained in the rock world for the most part. I think history will tell the story in that Beatles music is timeless to a greater degree. I love them both but for different reasons. I only wish that The Beatles had lasted as long. Zep's rendition of "Kashmir" live from Celebration Day reminded me that greatness can indeed endure time.

I saw a similar comparison (Beatles/Stones) in the late 60s. That one compared the Fab Four to the Dave Clark Five--As history has shown us, there was no comparison. Bottom line, that period gave us some of the greatest music of all time. Comparing two great bands serves no purpose. I would not want to have to listen to ANY one band exclusively. It is the versatility of these great artists that made the music landscape of that time great.

 

[Blaster]

I saw a similar comparison (Beatles/Stones) in the late 60s. That one compared the Fab Four to the Dave Clark Five--As history has shown us, there was no comparison. Bottom line, that period gave us some of the greatest music of all time. Comparing two great bands serves no purpose. I would not want to have to listen to ANY one band exclusively. It is the versatility of these great artists that made the music landscape of that time great.

I'm only 33 but I enjoy the music of that era. The music of my generation sucks.

 

[Mac-7]

Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles
Who Is The Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.?
​

First off I have to say that I am an unapologetic Zep head, and get tired of hearing my whole life that the Beatles are the greatest rock band in history. But is this really true?
2nd off I want to say that the Beatles were a great band who were way ahead of their time. Their songs will ALWAYS be remembered as some of the greatest ever written. Someone would be hard pressed to find a greater collaboration as was the case with McCartney and Lennon.
I will state my case for Zeppelin below, and would love to hear yours.

The first thing that has to be looked at between these two great bands is with record sales. The Beatles have far more record sales than do Zeppelin, but their is more to this issue than meets the eye.

1. The Beatles released 19 studio albums. That's 10 more then Led Zeppelins 9 studio albums. It was a common practice in rock for a band to record an albums than go on tour for almost a year to promote it, than come off of the road, again record an album, than back on tour again etc..
The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, and this enabled them to release multiple albums in a year to everyone else's 1.
2. Singles. Who can possible count all of the 45 rpm records that the Beatles sold to millions of love struck teeny bopper girls. Led Zeppelin did not release singles. If you wanted to hear them you had to buy the album. Imo, this is what created what is referred to as album rock.

So, before record sales can be used to say who is the greatest of the two, than you have to remove 10 of the Beatles studio albums to match Zeppelins 9 studio albums. Also, you have to remove the millions and millions of 45 rpm records that the Beatles released because Zeppelin did not release singles.

The next issue I would say would be promotion. The Beatles were the most heavily promoted band in history. To this day I can't think of another band that came close. The Beatles name and images were on just about everything. Their were Beatles dresses, record players, wigs, stamps, key chains, guitars, mirrors, watches, pendants, bowling balls and on and on and on. 6 months before they came to America posters were plastered everywhere proclaiming The Beatles are coming!, The Beatles are coming!. Radio d.j.'s were almost non stop declaring the same thing.
In contrast Led Zeppelin were the complete opposite, and the least commercial band in history. They wanted their music to speak for them, and not some gimmick. They even refused to appear on television. Interviews with Zeppelin were rare. Their is an early interview though were John Bonham the Zep drummer points out that people went to see the Beatles live just to look at them. You couldn't even hear the ban play. But to Zeppelin it was about the music they and not the image.

The last thing would be about musicianship and talent. So, lets compare these bands with that in mind.
1. Singer. I really don't think even die hard Beatles fans would disagree that Robert Plant is a far greater singer than any one of the fab four.

2. Guitar. George Harrison was an awesome player, and much better after the Beatles broke up. However, Jimmy page is legendary. I have never seen a list of the greatest guitar play of all time that didn't have him at 1 or at least top 3.. He was a riff machine. I doubt there is a Harrison tune that page cannot play, and probably many Page pieces that Harrison just could not play.

3. Bass. I think Paul McCartney was a good bass player, even better than he got credit for. But was no match for John Paul Jones.

4. Drums. Do I even really have to point this out. John Bonham is considered the greatest rock drummer in history. He played an 11 piece kit and used every single piece of it. What he was able to do still has most pro drummers in awe of him. If you've never heard "Moby Dick" than I suggest you give it a listen. Ring Starr? I guess you could he took a 3 piece kit as far as you could take it, but he could have easily have been replaced and not have been missed.

Okay, I guess this is the end of my case that Led Zeppelin not the Beatles are indeed the Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.. Their 300 million album sales I would venture to say out sales the Beatles if you take what I said above and even the game up the way it should be done for a true measure of who the greatest are.
What do you say?

You cant judge the greatest rock band in the context of your own life

You measure them by how long their music endures and that takes generations

For every Mozart that we honor there were a thousand composers who are forgotten

Over time Led Zepplin will be remembered by fewer and fewer people while the Beatles and Rolling Stones will still be musical icons

One more thing

George Harrison was not only a good guitar player he was the best Beatles song writer too

 

[ActionJackson]

Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles
Who Is The Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.?
​

First off I have to say that I am an unapologetic Zep head, and get tired of hearing my whole life that the Beatles are the greatest rock band in history. But is this really true?
2nd off I want to say that the Beatles were a great band who were way ahead of their time. Their songs will ALWAYS be remembered as some of the greatest ever written. Someone would be hard pressed to find a greater collaboration as was the case with McCartney and Lennon.
I will state my case for Zeppelin below, and would love to hear yours.

The first thing that has to be looked at between these two great bands is with record sales. The Beatles have far more record sales than do Zeppelin, but their is more to this issue than meets the eye.

1. The Beatles released 19 studio albums. That's 10 more then Led Zeppelins 9 studio albums. It was a common practice in rock for a band to record an albums than go on tour for almost a year to promote it, than come off of the road, again record an album, than back on tour again etc..
The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, and this enabled them to release multiple albums in a year to everyone else's 1.
2. Singles. Who can possible count all of the 45 rpm records that the Beatles sold to millions of love struck teeny bopper girls. Led Zeppelin did not release singles. If you wanted to hear them you had to buy the album. Imo, this is what created what is referred to as album rock.

So, before record sales can be used to say who is the greatest of the two, than you have to remove 10 of the Beatles studio albums to match Zeppelins 9 studio albums. Also, you have to remove the millions and millions of 45 rpm records that the Beatles released because Zeppelin did not release singles.

The next issue I would say would be promotion. The Beatles were the most heavily promoted band in history. To this day I can't think of another band that came close. The Beatles name and images were on just about everything. Their were Beatles dresses, record players, wigs, stamps, key chains, guitars, mirrors, watches, pendants, bowling balls and on and on and on. 6 months before they came to America posters were plastered everywhere proclaiming The Beatles are coming!, The Beatles are coming!. Radio d.j.'s were almost non stop declaring the same thing.
In contrast Led Zeppelin were the complete opposite, and the least commercial band in history. They wanted their music to speak for them, and not some gimmick. They even refused to appear on television. Interviews with Zeppelin were rare. Their is an early interview though were John Bonham the Zep drummer points out that people went to see the Beatles live just to look at them. You couldn't even hear the ban play. But to Zeppelin it was about the music they and not the image.

The last thing would be about musicianship and talent. So, lets compare these bands with that in mind.
1. Singer. I really don't think even die hard Beatles fans would disagree that Robert Plant is a far greater singer than any one of the fab four.

2. Guitar. George Harrison was an awesome player, and much better after the Beatles broke up. However, Jimmy page is legendary. I have never seen a list of the greatest guitar play of all time that didn't have him at 1 or at least top 3.. He was a riff machine. I doubt there is a Harrison tune that page cannot play, and probably many Page pieces that Harrison just could not play.

3. Bass. I think Paul McCartney was a good bass player, even better than he got credit for. But was no match for John Paul Jones.

4. Drums. Do I even really have to point this out. John Bonham is considered the greatest rock drummer in history. He played an 11 piece kit and used every single piece of it. What he was able to do still has most pro drummers in awe of him. If you've never heard "Moby Dick" than I suggest you give it a listen. Ring Starr? I guess you could he took a 3 piece kit as far as you could take it, but he could have easily have been replaced and not have been missed.

Okay, I guess this is the end of my case that Led Zeppelin not the Beatles are indeed the Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.. Their 300 million album sales I would venture to say out sales the Beatles if you take what I said above and even the game up the way it should be done for a true measure of who the greatest are.
What do you say?

I like the Beatles very much, and I'll give credit where credit is due. The Beatles popularized and normalized rock music more than any other band of that era -- in my estimation. But I, too, am a big Zeppelin fan and if I had to choose one over the other on a deserted island ... I'd choose Zep.

As for who gets the "greatest band" status? That depends on what is meant by "great." In terms of sheer listening pleasure ... I'm going to pick Zeppelin. But as for who had the greatest overall influence and who made the most money over the decades, then the crown goes to the Beatles.

 

[ActionJackson]

Never was a huge beatles fan. Their stuff was ok, but only ok. Zep did some awesome stuff. Kashmir is just an example.

Great song. Having been a fairly avid "acid head" back in the 70s ... I have to give honorable mention to "Whole Lotta Love." Talk about "acid rock" ...

 

[Blaster]

You cant judge the greatest rock band in the context of your own life

You measure them by how long their music endures and that takes generations

For every Mozart that we honor there were a thousand composers who are forgotten

Over time Led Zepplin will be remembered by fewer and fewer people while the Beatles and Rolling Stones will still be musical icons

One more thing

George Harrison was not only a good guitar player he was the best Beatles song writer too

Elvis Presley has been dead for 46 years yet his music is still loved by millions. My parents were lucky enough to see his live performances.

 

[ActionJackson]

Elvis Presley has been dead for 46 years yet his music is still loved by millions. My parents were lucky enough to see his live performances.

He's a great artist who certainly popularized soft rock and pop rock. But from my perspective (clearly opinion-based), the word "rock" represents something harder and more in-your-face. So, for me, hard rock or heavy metal are better reflections of the "rock" genre. Nevertheless ... I really love lots of Presley's music. There are too many great titles to list.

 

[gipper]

You cant judge the greatest rock band in the context of your own life

You measure them by how long their music endures and that takes generations

For every Mozart that we honor there were a thousand composers who are forgotten

Over time Led Zepplin will be remembered by fewer and fewer people while the Beatles and Rolling Stones will still be musical icons

One more thing

George Harrison was not only a good guitar player he was the best Beatles song writer too

Agreed. The Beatles are timeless not so much for Zep. Though, Zeppelin is a great rock band.

Harrison is the greatest Beatle. In this his greatest song, he slams the elite establishment which needs sweeping and tries to wake up the people who are sleeping.

 

[Mac-7]

Agreed. The Beatles are timeless not so much for Zep. Though, Zeppelin is a great rock band.

Harrison is the greatest Beatle. In this his greatest song, he slams the elite establishment which needs sweeping and tries to wake up the people who are sleeping.

I agree

It is his best song

 

[Blaster]

He's a great artist who certainly popularized soft rock and pop rock. But from my perspective (clearly opinion-based), the word "rock" represents something harder and more in-your-face. So, for me, hard rock or heavy metal are better reflections of the "rock" genre. Nevertheless ... I really love lots of Presley's music. There are too many great titles to list.

Elvis could do hard rock, ballads, gospel, as well as pop. He paved the way for the acceptance of black musicians and numerous other artists including the Beatles.

 

[Foul Owl]

Between Zeppelin and the Beatles I'm definitely going with Led Zeppelin. Personally I always thought the Beatles were a little overrated. Not taking anything away from them. They're still great and were a major influence on the music industry, I just never thought they were the gods some thought they were. To me Led Zeppelin are better than the Beatles.

 

[merrill]

There were many great bands on the planet at the time Beatles and Zeppelin were depends on your tastes. I will place the Eagles among the top 10 forever ........

 

[ActionJackson]

There were many great bands on the planet at the time Beatles and Zeppelin were depends on your tastes. I will place the Eagles among the top 10 forever ........

Yup. Eagles are definitely top 10. And for my tastes, I also include Steely Dan & Fleetwood Mac.

 

[merrill]

Yup. Eagles are definitely top 10. And for my tastes, I also include Steely Dan & Fleetwood Mac.

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young = excellent together, on their own and a product of a few very good bands. Dylan also George Harrison who I saw perform with The Band good bye tour.

Eric Clapton = a genius as well who as we know played around.

Rosemary Clooney, Joan Baez and Bonnie Raitt = so good

Bring on Taylor Swift!!!

Led Zeppelin = excellent rock and blues band.

This past 50 years has been a great experience music wise.

George Martin brought quite an interesting dynamic to the Beatles.

Tony Bennett

Grateful Dead = excellent in their own right.

So much music ..............

 

[AMart]

Spinal Tap is GOAT.

 

[Ringo]

 

[ScorpioRising007]

Led Zeppelin Vs. The Beatles
Who Is The Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.?
​

First off I have to say that I am an unapologetic Zep head, and get tired of hearing my whole life that the Beatles are the greatest rock band in history. But is this really true?
2nd off I want to say that the Beatles were a great band who were way ahead of their time. Their songs will ALWAYS be remembered as some of the greatest ever written. Someone would be hard pressed to find a greater collaboration as was the case with McCartney and Lennon.
I will state my case for Zeppelin below, and would love to hear yours.

The first thing that has to be looked at between these two great bands is with record sales. The Beatles have far more record sales than do Zeppelin, but their is more to this issue than meets the eye.

1. The Beatles released 19 studio albums. That's 10 more then Led Zeppelins 9 studio albums. It was a common practice in rock for a band to record an albums than go on tour for almost a year to promote it, than come off of the road, again record an album, than back on tour again etc..
The Beatles stopped touring in 1966, and this enabled them to release multiple albums in a year to everyone else's 1.
2. Singles. Who can possible count all of the 45 rpm records that the Beatles sold to millions of love struck teeny bopper girls. Led Zeppelin did not release singles. If you wanted to hear them you had to buy the album. Imo, this is what created what is referred to as album rock.

So, before record sales can be used to say who is the greatest of the two, than you have to remove 10 of the Beatles studio albums to match Zeppelins 9 studio albums. Also, you have to remove the millions and millions of 45 rpm records that the Beatles released because Zeppelin did not release singles.

The next issue I would say would be promotion. The Beatles were the most heavily promoted band in history. To this day I can't think of another band that came close. The Beatles name and images were on just about everything. Their were Beatles dresses, record players, wigs, stamps, key chains, guitars, mirrors, watches, pendants, bowling balls and on and on and on. 6 months before they came to America posters were plastered everywhere proclaiming The Beatles are coming!, The Beatles are coming!. Radio d.j.'s were almost non stop declaring the same thing.
In contrast Led Zeppelin were the complete opposite, and the least commercial band in history. They wanted their music to speak for them, and not some gimmick. They even refused to appear on television. Interviews with Zeppelin were rare. Their is an early interview though were John Bonham the Zep drummer points out that people went to see the Beatles live just to look at them. You couldn't even hear the ban play. But to Zeppelin it was about the music they and not the image.

The last thing would be about musicianship and talent. So, lets compare these bands with that in mind.
1. Singer. I really don't think even die hard Beatles fans would disagree that Robert Plant is a far greater singer than any one of the fab four.

2. Guitar. George Harrison was an awesome player, and much better after the Beatles broke up. However, Jimmy page is legendary. I have never seen a list of the greatest guitar play of all time that didn't have him at 1 or at least top 3.. He was a riff machine. I doubt there is a Harrison tune that page cannot play, and probably many Page pieces that Harrison just could not play.

3. Bass. I think Paul McCartney was a good bass player, even better than he got credit for. But was no match for John Paul Jones.

4. Drums. Do I even really have to point this out. John Bonham is considered the greatest rock drummer in history. He played an 11 piece kit and used every single piece of it. What he was able to do still has most pro drummers in awe of him. If you've never heard "Moby Dick" than I suggest you give it a listen. Ring Starr? I guess you could he took a 3 piece kit as far as you could take it, but he could have easily have been replaced and not have been missed.

Okay, I guess this is the end of my case that Led Zeppelin not the Beatles are indeed the Rock-N-Roll G.O.A.T.. Their 300 million album sales I would venture to say out sales the Beatles if you take what I said above and even the game up the way it should be done for a true measure of who the greatest are.
What do you say?

I am biased toward Led Zepplin I would say because I always enjoyed the study of the Occult and was involved in several magic groups. I always loved reading about Crowley and reading the Book of the Law. Jimmy Page also had interest reading about the Occult.

 

[Ringo]