Rolling Stone wastes thousands of words explaining in a cover story "Why the Beatles Broke Up." Two words suffice: Yoko Ono.

Yes, but how could you walk away from a talented babe like that?

I think the beginning of the end was that full frontal shot they did.

Like we all needed to be witnesses? I would have been just fine with the MUSIC just as it was B.O.

It was more than just Yoko. John Lennon, the eternal child/milquetoast, certainly handed his testes over to Yoko Ono but that's on him, not her. There were cracks in that superstucture long before she showed up.

It's amazing to me that we're still talking about the Beatles' breakup. They were here, they made their mark and now they're gone. Why do we need to keep chewing that fat over and over?

Same reason people still drool over Elvis.

They sort of usurped rock music from the US, in my opinion, and from that perspective I've always sort of resented the Beatles. But I don't think anyone can deny the impact, thus while we're still talking about them.

However, I think the impact of bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane (actually Jorma and Hot Tuna), CCR, and others kept the bluegrass and blues scene alive and even revitalized it to some extent. The roots-rock bands actually promoted awareness of and stimulation for uniquely American forms of music, blues and bluegrass most notably. Just go to a bluegrass concert these days, you'll be surrounded by hippies and the band will bust out NRPS songs every once in a while. While their individual impact is not nearly the size or quality of the Beatles, I personally have a softer place in my heart for those guys.

Kiss kiss kiss!