[BonzoHansen]

In 1967, there was no more epic than Sgt Peppers. It was a game changer like you've never seen in your lifetime. Or mine.

The Beatles changed music and the music business. They proved pop/rock artists could really expand and explore music in ways people in the music business could not previously fathom. There was just a thread on the guy from type 0 negative. He listed the Beatles as a big influence. Dave Mustaine does too. Lots of musicians in many genres do. The Beatles' influence on popular music is undeniable and immeasurable.

The Stones fall in line with Zep, Hendrix, The Who and Sabbath, among others, whose influence is huge but is a rung down the scale form the Beatles. The Stones, especially in the Brian Jones years, really were quite innovative and really had a large influence over music. Many of these bands also changed direction form record to record. They didn't ride the waves, they made the waves. Eventually all the great bands exhausted their creative powers, but some of them make waves that impact generations of popular music.

Music goes through cycles, each generation wants 'their own' music. Nirvana and Pearl Jam (damn, 10 was a monster record) represented a departure from the hair metal/glam rock scene that grew old.

Yeah, you can't confuse your personal feelings with the impact either had. I don't like rap, but I recognize acts like Run DMC and the sugar hill gang were innovators and influential.