There are plenty of people out there who believe the Beatles aren’t deserving of the hype they continue to receive. When faced with disputing those comments it’s best to take a deep breath and walk away, knowing deep down that you are completely and wholly correct in basking in their greatness.
When a huge industry figure and downright legend happens to voice a socially unacceptable opinion on the rock and pop pioneers, it’s a different situation.
In a recent interview with Vulture, the iconic producer and musician Quincy Jones unearthed his personal opinions on modern pop music, as well as throwing it back to where it all began with – The Beatles.
Now Quincy Jones is responsible for some of modern music’s greatest triumphs and having the dealing hand he did in Michael Jackson’s career, it’s fair to say his opinion could be just a little more reputable than your mate who solely listens to The Needle Drop endorsed records.
Jones recalled his first impressions of the act, in which he described their music as “nothing but a white version of rhythm and blues”.
He continued to say, “they were the worst musicians in the world. They were no-playing motherfuckers. Paul was the worst bass player I ever heard. And Ringo? Don’t even talk abut it.” Pondering on his time spent with the band in the studio with George Martin, he recounted how the “fifth-Beatles member” had “taken three hours for a four-bar thing he was trying to fix on a song” and that “He couldn’t get it”. Jones suggested he took a break and brought in Ronnie Verrell, a jazz drummer who finished it in “15 minutes”.
Although he didn’t have too many choice words to say about their ability, he did say that Ringo was a “great guy”. Peace and love.
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He also voiced his opinion on the current state of U2, ‘shaking his head’ when asked if he believed they were still making good music.
“I don’t know. I love Bono with all my heart, but there’s too much pressure on the band.
“He’s doing good work all over the world,” he continued. “Working with him and Bob Geldof on debt relief was one of the greatest things I ever did. It’s up there with ‘We Are The World’.”
