What Band Or Person?

[sneakers]

What current band or person sounds like The Beatles if they were still together today?

[wileyibex]

Well...I suppose it'd have to be a 2-piece band, with one member a drummer and the other a vocalist/instrumentalist -- like the White Stripes -- in view of the George and John situation.

[bigbajo60]

Now, if you base it on "stylistic considerations", I'd vote for Chris Cornell.

Take one of his songs and imagine it sung by John or Paul and you'll see what I mean.

A lot of his solo stuff is extremely Beatle-esque yet very much updated and contemporary.

[wileyibex]

Or the Moody Blues -- 4 British guys in their 60's.

It's my impression that it's impossible to guess WHAT kind/style/or genre of work the Beatles would presently be doing, had they (a) all survived, and (b) managed to stay together without visiting mayhem upon one another.

It is evident that, by their final couple of albums, they had arrived at a point in their career where they had a well-rounded dislike for one another, and were moving off in the direction of solo writers and performers with built-in (if often begrudged and begrudging) sidemen. Drugs (and Yoko) were taking their toll on John's musical focus, and alcohol had Ringo in its grip. George was increasingly marginalized, and Paul seemed to be on a power trip. George Martin's role was greatly diminished -- and none should discount his contributions to the Beatles' sound and catalog.

So who sounds like the Beatles would sound like today If they had survived, IF they had remained together in a functional relationship, IF they had conquered their demons, IF they had a producer who could and would contribute the way G Martin did...

It strikes me as a moot question.

[shamustwin]

I thought the same when I first heard Chris Cornell's solo. Polyphonic Spree has something like it.