Harold-barrel,
I am a huge long time fan of Procol Harum, Moody Blues, King Crimson, you name it late sixties early prog/art rock act, but you gotta realize non of that may have ever happened when it did without the Beatles blazing the trail for new waves of creativity in pop/rock in various ways/phases, and at different times in the immediate years prior. Starting with their emergence in 1964 and pretty much up to the end, at least up through the white album, after which they cooled their jets and just did what they had to in order to go out in style (Abbey Road).
George Martin + Co. was a huge part of this!
Add their hit making and staying power, and being simply embedded in so many in so many ways as mentioned and there you have it. Plus they were a very talented kick-ass straight out rock and roll band to start with. They picked the ball back up from where Elvis, Buddy Holly, you name it left off in their late 50’s heyday, in their early days, and blazed the trail for pop/rock music from there, incorporating elements of most every prior music genre to some extent in the process.
