Crazy Beatle Fans

[beatles beatnik]

Hi guys, I'm relatively new to the whole rickresource, and I have a quick question for you guys. What do you think of the people who are really, obnoxiously, into The Beatles? I mean, I really enjoy them as a band, and collect a lot of memorabilia....but I am talking about the people who have houses full of sub-par Beatles artwork, and if you say one bad thing (god forbid you bring up John neglecting Julian!) about one of the four they will threaten your life?

I am just wondering since I just recently watched the doc "How The Beatles Rocked the Kremlin" and the one guy they focus on has a shack completely full of everything Beatle, and to see him organize the Beatle-event, he comes off as a kind of jerk to anyone who doesn't share his dream...

[egosheep]

It annoys me when people are fans to the exclusion of all other music. Also when they have an inflated view of the Beatles importance and influence. Yes, the Beatles were hugely influential... but they themselves were influenced by a lot of great music that doesn't get recognized by these kinds of Beatles fan's I know. For example, they think the 50's were pure ****, they couldn't name a single Smokey Robinson or Mary Wells song, and they seem to think no one wore matching suit's before the Beatles appeared on the scene.

Another example from memory: "The Beatles caused peace between the Mod's and the Teddy Boys. Literally the Teddy Boys dropped their clubs and the mod's dropped their switchblades. They didn't have to hate each other because the Beatles bridged the gap." I hate when fans say things that the Beatles themselves would find ludicrous.

That said, I'm a huge Beatles fan. Beatles, Stones and Zombies are my 3 favorite groups from the 60's.

[electrofaro]

I think most people expect hardcore fans to react in a weird way - there's this programme on dutch tv where they follow fans of music groups, footie (pardon me french) clubs or whatever...

...and if it's not non-fans trying to bait the hardcore fans into defending their group/club/whatever, or having the fans go completely beserk, then it's actually fellow fans that have huge arguments - or even physical fights.

I guess it's all down to the personality of the fan, and not really of the thing they're fan of.

Whenever they try to bait me about being a huge R.E.M. fan I always reply "too bad" and then overwhelm them by stating facts about the bands they like.

[jimk]

No matter where one goes, no matter what one's interest is in life, no matter what hobby organizations one becomes part of, one is certain to find such folk as those. I merely smile, nod my head, and walk away. So far, I've found them to be relatively harmless.
JimK

[electrofaro]

So far, I've found them to be relatively harmless

I'm glad you walk away, as there's enough dangerous "fans" out there, Jim!

[egosheep]

and then overwhelm them by stating facts about the bands they like.

One of my personal favorites is "Did you hear Bono bought a first-class plane seat for his hat?"