Are the Beatles the reason why modern music exists

Let me say up front that these thoughts are my opinion and I really don't want to get into a pi**ing contest with anybody so flamers look elsewhere.

To really understand the impact of the Beatles it helps immensely to have lived through it. There was a ton of social unrest, the Vietnam War, civil rights, cold war et.al and the Beatles timing was, IMO, greater than their music of which I am a huge fan. No apologies offered for that. The Beatles offered an alternative to troubled times and problems. Especially to us younger (at that time) folks who knew something special was going on. The Beatles were huge and commanded a lot of attention. Once the "love song" (Help!) era ended they began (with Rubber Soul) to release albums with strong social commentary and everybody paid attention; kids, parents, teachers, media, artists, politicians, etc.

Are they responsible for the existence of modern music? Of course not. However, the influences from which they drew (and most of them have been mentioned here) inspiration coupled with an unbridled enthusiasm (and heavy medication at times) broke down many barriers for other performers both literally and figuratively.

To me the litmus test of greatness is longevity. Bach, Mozart, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, Bob Dylan, etc. Will the Beatles pass the test of time? Probably but it's much too early to definitively say yes.
Have they greatly influenced rock music? Absolutely. However, even without the Beatles rock music most certainly would would have evolved into something interesting. Youth must be served.

Goo Goo G'Joob

I wasn't dismissing Zeppelin indeed Zep are arguably my favourite band I've been listening to them since I was 14.
Oh and the only country they didn't release singles in was the UK.

They are massively influential but not as universally influential as The Beatles.

The Beatles simply entered into both mainstream, artistic and popular culture in a way that NO band has managed.
Their influence actually goes beyond music into an almost iconic realm-you might not like them musically but to deny that is folly.

That's not to say that the basic premise of this thread is correct; I state above where I stand on that.

good take audiofeil, great band for sure but not even close to the reason Modern Music is what it is, sure they have peices in the puzzle, but so do the artists who inspired them, it is a huge circle and alot of bands and artists have a spin on it.

Audiofeil:

If your litmus test for the greatness of music/art is longevity, then do you believe that no artist can truly be credited or appreciated in their own time?

While I agree that truly great pieces of music and art will find a way to survive the ages, I also feel that many great pieces might disappear under the duress of War, Tyranny, and oppression. Who can say what great artists are no longer known because of oppressive government? It is for that that I suggest to you that the true test of music, and any art, is that it expresses emotions and ideas in a way that moves and inspires.

As you said Audiofeil, the demigod appearence of the Beatles has a lot to do with their timing and the walls they tore down.

Again, I'd like to state that I do love the Beatles. I just think it's a little bizzare how some people want to give them credit for every melody, every note that's ever been crapped out when they too have bands and artists before them which inspired them. It all gets back to, as I said, animals chirping and some guy banging some sticks together. Where's that guy/gal's place in the pantheon of rock gods?

I meant what I said and I said what I meant.

"Horton Hatches the Egg"
Dr. Seuss