Quincy Jones Interview

His comments about music are very astute.  The Beatles weren't very good musicians when he met them, Hendrix was scared to play with top echelon jazz musicians, Micheal Jackson didn't share credit easily and modern pop production is unimaginative.  Jones has been a major player for at least the past 50 years.  You got to respect that.

Hendrix was an R&B/blues/rock player, so the prospect of doing a session with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard and Ray Brown playing jazz could have easily been intimidating.

Jones said he met the Beatles in 1963/64.  His comments were that Paul was terrible bass player and Ringo couldn't play simple rhythms.  Paul later became a superb bass play and Ringo is Ringo (the perfect drummer for the Beatles), but early in their recording careers as instrumentalist they were nothing special.

Jones was there, were you their with him?

One of the most patriotic and traditional American values is to hold those in elected offices accountable for their actions.  Sometimes the judgement is deservedly harsh.

Minori, it's Beatles, not beetles.  Paul developed into one of the finest bass players in rock.  George was a very good guitarist.  It's also inaccurate to say that jazz and blues players are the best in the world.  There are first rate musicians in all types of music.  Other than that, I largely agree with you.  The issue of race is an prominent undercurrent in the history of pop music in America, but it's my observation that many posters using this forum just can't deal with it.  But that is reflection of the larger society.

Let's imagine some alternate reality where the Beatles never existed, but J,P,G & R still had rock and roll careers.

RINGO - bounced from band to band, becomes well-known host of pop music TV show.  Always a tech head, was early investor in Apple and is still one of the 20 largest individual shareholders.

GEORGE - long term collaborator with Donovan and then Cat Stevens.  Releases several solo albums to little commercial success.  Leaves music for a period, but returned as Stevie Winwood's touring guitarist for 20 years.

JOHN - upon his release from prison relocates to NYC and co-founds the Velvet Underground.  Convicted of leading major drug distribution ring, but claims he was framed by the FBI and flees overseas before sentencing.  Last heard of location is in the jungles of Peru with Maoist revolutionaries.

PAUL - writes 15 to 20 number one hits for other artists.  Brings Hendrix to England, produces the albums and is the original bass player in the Experience.  Later forms a band with a piano player/singer named Elton and that band sells 100 million albums.

My point is that individually they all would have had impact, but there was something magical about when they worked together.  They can't really be separated.

Even from the grave, when Sammy G. reaches out, witnesses change their story.  Color me impressed!