Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

First off- I heard the Beatles only played for around 45 minutes during live shows. Is this true?!

Second- What do you think the hardest and most complicated Beatles songs are.

On-

Guitar
&
Bass

It wasn't always that way, but by the time they started touring the US in 1964, their sets were down to about 25 minutes. They figured that since no one could hear them anyway, there was no point in playing much more than that. I heard also that there were safety concerns too --- the possibility of the crowds getting out of hand increased as the length of the show increased.

As for their hardest guitar songs... Probably depends on your own skill as a player. I know for me, I had a hard time with things like "Dear Prudence" and "Blackbird" since I did NOT grow up learning to finger pick (parents, PLEASE teach your children to finger pick!).

I'm not really a bass player, but I'm trying right now to record "Rain" and while working on the guitars, I am stuck by how VERY intricate the bass line is.

Interesting question tho...I tend to worry more about getting the specific TONE of the guitar/bass part right. Have to think some more on the technically difficult songs.

For me it was learning to play BOTH parts to 'And Your Bird Can Sing'.

I can play both parts in three different ways.

I recently got a bass for graduation and I decided to learn " I saw her standing there" I thought it would be pretty easy, which it isn't. After learning it I could play it with ease, but it sure seems a bit difficult compared to the guitar parts.

As for guitar, I'm tryin to get "Helter Skelter" down pat. I really don't know enough songs to name a hardest one, but helter skelter is pretty intense, so it's intense to learn!

Not hard but certainly requires a higher level of concentration-"Something".

Some of McCartney's stuff can be, at the least, elaborate to me.

And the Beatles played like 30 minutes when I saw them in '64.

I'd have to say The End and the getting the rhythm exact for All My Loving.

Yes, the Beatles played only 30 minutes. This wasn't uncommon on the "Shower of Stars" type programs where 10 or so acts tour together, but it's woefully short these days, especially for a headliner. But bear in mind that way back then, the business was nowhere near what it would become over the next 5 years. In many ways, the Beatles were making up the "business of music" as they went along. As late as 1968, I saw Steppenwolf, the Turtles, Ohio Express (Yummy Yummy Yummy) and about five other acts all on one bill in Pittsburgh, PA. No act played longer than 30 minutes.

I think Yummy Yummy Yummy would be harder to play than any Beatles tune...with a straight face, at least...

Old Brown Shoe ties my fingers in knots.

Speaking of The Turtles, we were on a bill with them, The Grass Roots, and Herman's Hermits. It was the coolest! Stage was set up at second base at a real nice ballpark.
I have a video of YYY, the bassist is playing a Hagstrom 8-string. Someone gave me the video when I bought my Hag 8.

Ok, maybe if I had a Hagstrom 8...

Nah, I still couldn't keep a straight face...

In their book, the Stones half-heartedly curse Led Zep, because before Zep came on the scene, they said they could play short shows, then suddenly, everyone is expected to play two hours! Though that might have started with other bands (The Dead for one?)at least in the Stone's book, Zepplin gets the blame.

The classical guitar lick at the beginning of Rocky Raccoon gives me trouble.

Classical lick? Rocky Racoon? You must have a different CD than I do. Or maybe I need a SAP button for my stereo.