Feb 272010
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Have you heard an interview with Ozzy Osbourne over the last 10 years – and been able to make out half of what he’s saying? I have, and the man can’t get through an interview without gushing over his love for The Beatles and the influence they’ve always held over him. In one way this isn’t surprising because I figure what kid growing up in England in the ’60s wasn’t knocked out by The Beatles. On the other hand, a spin of the music of Black Sabbath or Ozzy’s solo records doesn’t make me think Beatles. Except for some recent single of his.
What is the least-expected influence you’ve heard an artist cite?
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Back when I was a mere babe in woods, I loved me some Beatles. I thought The Beatles were IT and be all/end all as far as music was concerned. I had a long way to go and a whole lot to learn.
Back in 1992, The Disney Channel aired a special on the Sgt. Pepper record and all it’s glory. Some of the footage was used in the Anthology. At the time, I though Pepper’s was THE record and that there could be none better (Like I said, I had a lot to learn).
In addition to their own self-adulation (particularly Paul and George Martin), Paul talked about The Beach Boys and Pet Sounds and its massive influence on him and the making of Pepper. Paul just gushed about the genius of Brian Wilson and the greatness of this record. Then they cut to Brian Wilson who looked like he didn’t know where he was much less like the genius that Paul McCartney was describing. “Who does this goofball think he is and why is Paul giving him so much credit? Paul, YOU’RE the genuis…etc, etc…”
Thanks to Mike Love, I only knew of The Beach Boys as those stripe shirted happy-go-lucky surfing dudes. They were lightweights compared to THE BEATLES.
Once I grew up musically, it all began to make sense. Now, I don’t think Pepper is the greatest album of all time (although I think it’s nice enough), but I also learned alot about digging a little deeper beyond the image of a classic artist.
I don’t know if this was an unlikely influence that you’re trying to get at, but it certainly seemed very unlikely to me at the time.
TB
Rick Rubin loves Husker Du
Mike Watt loves Madonna.