THE BEATLES vs LED ZEPPELIN | with The Super-i-ometer

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I am a drummer, producer and educator. I talk about Jazz, Prog and Fusion and the cultural context in which music has been, and is made. And sometimes, if you are lucky, I go off on one...

[@Jerlwayne]

IMO, the Beatles belong on their own shelf, immune from any comparisons. They influenced all that came after. They are and will likely remain the most important act in pop music history.

[@kypekka]

Hats off for not regulating and adjusting your superiometer to your personal taste. Not everybody can resist that temptation.

[@keriford54]

The Beatles serve as a calibrating test for any Super-i-ometer. If you feed the Bealtes and any other band into one and it gives an answer other than the Beatles, you know there must be something wrong with it. This one seems to be working.

[@JCM-LedZeppelin-Stories]

Very brave to do this one but can because you played with Robert :) The Beatles deserve to be the winner here because of the blueprint they built for everybody else and i say this a hardcore Zeppelin fan. McCartney's bass work alone influenced everybody. Great video Andy!

[@preservedmoose]

Yes, often maligned because they weren't virtuosos, The Beatles were very competent and were musically incredible. As you say, Paul's bass playing was hugely influential.

[@gregoryg3256]

🌠DDDUUUUDE ..U GO..! your video's & Andy's r both amazing

[@graniterhythm53]

@@preservedmoose I'd argue that having both Lennon & McCartney in the same band singing lead, & both 'virtuoso' rock singers, also gives The Beatles quite an edge over anyone!

[@kevincorrigan7893]

Three cheers for the Superiometer!! In an age of extreme subjectivity and blind partisanship, it's infallible thanks to the Factual Facts!

[@jdmresearch]

Or "true facts" as they say in Washington DC

[@heartoftherose]

The relief of total objectivity is palpable.

[@davidcromwell6805]

Here's a suggestion for a future video... ANDY EDWARDS vs RICK BEATO | with The Super-i-ometer Gotta be done, Andy. You know it.

[@kzustang]

I know who wins in my book, but the parameters would be interesting. Innovation? Influence? Good to crap ratio?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I think I would lose...

[@grahamnunn8998]

If there is a category for slightly self satisfied versus normal guy I think we know who would win!

[@cbolt4492]

​@@AndyEdwardsDrummerYour so much better the RB, I've never made it to the end of one of his videos. I know you like his channel so I'm being respectful

[@jdmresearch]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Beato takes popularity, everything else goes to Andy...

[@michaellord9745]

Huge Zeppelin fan most of my life. Like you, my appreciation of The Beatles has grown immensely much later in my life. When you announced a THE BEATLES vs LED ZEPPELIN Super-i-ometer battle I knew it would be the wipe out that it turned out to be. And yet, while The Beatles are not my personal favorite band, I believe they could objectively be called THE greatest band ever. I doubt I would be able to effectively argue a case against it. Would love to see a Super-i-ometer battle pitting Bob Dylan vs Neil Young. Would love to see what kind of records you would need to calibrate the Super-i-ometer with on that one!

[@jdmresearch]

Agreed. I never liked the Beatles, and I avoided listening to them (an almost impossible task). But then I started to listen more closely Tomorrow never knows, Come together, Blackbird, I mean....Also, the number of bands who have said they were influenced by the Beatles is just incredible. Anyway, I still prefer LZ but my respect for Beatles is there now....

[@markvonwisco7369]

The incredible thing about the Beatles to me, is that they went from from "Love Me Do" to "Abbey Road" in 7 years! I will say that I was surprised that the Beatles beat Led Zeppelin by such a wide margin.

[@markvonwisco7369]

A note on the Super-i-ometer: This is a potentially world shattering piece of machinery. It can be used for good or evil. Please Andy, be very careful to not allow the power of this technology to corrupt you!

[@stephencarroll230]

Im sure LZ themselves would say there is no comparison. Apart from the music, the Beatles were a social phenomenon.

[@sjbang5764]

Fortunately, The Super-i-ometer came up with the correct outcome. And since this is a scientific study, there is no question about the results. Love your stuff, Andy. Fun!

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Maybe someday try putting “Forever Changes” by Love up against any other sixties album and see what happens

[@andrewfraser4376]

Great album.

[@labajadaman]

Very good analysis of each category. I was so absorbed with the Beatles in the 70’s (and still am) that I missed the initial impact of Led Zeppelin’s releases. After much persuasion my band mates finally dragged me to a midnight showing of “The Song Remains the Same” in 1981 and I became an instant fan and bought up all of their records. I love both bands, but the Beatles are no doubt my favorite and I agree with the Super-i-ometer’s results!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

You have to...it's the truth and can't be questioned

[@zilefn9212]

Andy, please please put LZ up against the Stones! I loove your superiometer. You're so nuts.

[@FuturePast2019]

Or the Stones vs the Beatles + Led Zep. Come and get it.

[@jdmresearch]

The best thing about this video is your haircut/hairstyle. For being a prog rock / fusion expert, you are by far the bloke who has exhibted more hair changes these past 2 years.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Appreciate that

[@rufoscar3]

The Beatles were the musical wallpaper of my childhood which I kind of took for granted. And they split up before I left Primary School. Led Zep, Pink Floyd , Yes and co. were the new Gods to worship - and the were good and very talented Gods. As more time passes the great music of the 70's still sounds just as good as it did then but the music of the Beatles weirdly sounds more original as it ages (Eleanor Rigby for instance in almost 60 years no'one has come close to writing a song that sounds that way). Nice post Andy Edwards. 35 minutes of my life well spent.

[@jnagarya519]

"The Beatles" kicked the door down and made possible all that followed.

[@Dan-zq5wt]

The Beatles kind of beat everyone along those metrics. Next tier (the greatest bands of all time not named The Beatles) to fight it out: Zep, Stones, The Who, Pink Floyd and maybe Hendrix. However, Zep is also my personal favorite, and I actually think TSRTS and Presence completely kick ass. No Quarter live is a masterpiece IMHO! Great video.

[@josexavierjr.5633]

I really dug this video, Andy! Thanks for having the guts to do it! How about one pitting Mahavishnu Orchestra vs. Return To Forever? 👍👌🥁🥁🥁

[@charleswells8453]

Love this video. Both bands were brilliant, iconic, pioneering. I would agree with The Beatles probably being out there on their own on almost every metric. A stunning 7 year recording career. But Zeppelin are up there with just a handful of other classic rock acts that built upon and expanded the Beatles’ legacy. Thinking of Pink Floyd up to 1983, Steely Dan, the Doors, the Rolling Stones (particularly 1968 to 1972), the Who (1969 to 1973), Roxy Music (1972 to 1975), David Bowie (1971 to 1980), the Velvet Underground. All pioneers.

[@grahamnunn8998]

With you on Ringo - Come Together is proof that he was way more than a plodder. His feel was wonderful. George was impressive but was way behind Page, even in the 60s.

[@erikheddergott5514]

My Judgement is done: The Beatles!

[@mikedenallo6997]

Andy- this was great, I agree with the outcome yet still prefer zeppelin as well. I’d love you to put up a video on the first 2 Tony Williams lifetime albums. have you heard bill laswells’ redux cut of turn it over? It restores that album to its brutal glory. I’ve caught some live bootleg recordings of theirs, pure amaze.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I have done and mention thw Laswell version too

[@Brian-jv5me]

Love the concept - keep them coming! Cheers from Ontario Canada

[@cazgerald9471]

I was out last night singing along to "In the Light" - then the bartender yanked my earbuds out and pointed to the door 8-P

[@MrDingDong2]

Gentle Giant vs. Rush. Do you dare?

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Bob Dylan vs Bjork

[@kzustang]

Loved the video! I just hit my head running around in the room with my shirt over my head... Love LZ just as much but it's no comparison with the parameters used by the Superi-o-meter. When you have the beatles running against anyone it might be Dylan, Elvis or Mozart. It would have been a closer match. Here are some ideas: Gong vs. Soft Machine. Jethro Tull vs. Rush Led Zeppelin vs. Black Sabath AC/DC vs. Deep Purple Zappa vs mmm.....The Grateful Dead?? Help me out here...

[@davidarchibald3755]

I play all the time. I record everything. I’m old. 67 soon. Got sd cards full of my adventures on guitars and pedals and drum machines and loopers. Looking forward to your advice on some direction on getting some of my stuff out there. I do it as a passion for 54 years and friends have been overrating me for many years to put my art out there. I do it regardless of success or failure.

[@davidarchibald3755]

Love the fact that my son got me behind you and I’m hooked . Thanks for the inspiration. The others got nothing on you.

[@jimsalman7257]

I would argue that Jeff Beck and The Yardbirds (and then the original Jeff Beck group with Rod Stewart) were the first to formulate the blues/rock/pop idiom. (Led Zep I was released shortly after the Truth album). But it was Jimmy Page’s brilliant production skills along with state-of-the-art rock recording techniques that made Led Zeppelin sound so new and fresh.

[@juantoledo5789]

Led Zeppelin had already admitted as much when in the early 70’s they were touring the States under the banner “The Best Rock ‘n’ Roll Band since The Beatles”

[@basedgodandrews]

How about comparing Jaco Pastorius and Jimi Hendrix? Basically the main characters of their respective instruments timeline in terms in inspiring players directly or indirectly to this day.

[@MrDingDong2]

How about Frank Zappa vs The Postman Pat soundtrack?

[@moogfooger]

its the best thing since the invention of the debate. Cheers

[@SoCalDan530]

I agree. The Beatles simply did so many things right. It's hard to complete

[@stuffallthetime]

Love your content. How about comparing the careers of Zappa & Fripp?

[@rightcheer5096]

Since you haven’t seemed to have covered either of these bands... THE VELVET UNDERGROUND VS JOY DIVISION....

[@mnpv7812]

My casual jam group called out Candy Store Rock last week. Bonham at his syncopated best. Any drummers watching should give that track a whirl.

[@syn707]

The great Superior O Meter is a marvel. It takes the guess work away from delicate issues, but! It makes a funny smell when working!

[@wilsonconvictor]

Great judgement. Kudos to the superiometer 👏

[@markcorcoran482]

Ringo in A Hard Days Night when asked if he’s a mod or a rocker: “ Uh, no, I’m a mocker.” I LOVE both bands, but l do believe the Superiometer called this correctly.

[@brettstrausser3846]

Influence goes to the Beatles, hands down. Fun video, Andy!

[@bongodroid]

Beatles For Sale is their worst but it´s still a great record and superior to a whole bunch of LZ albums. I´ve loved Led Zeppelin since I was 12 as well and they do a lot for me that the Liverpudlians never quite pulled off, but.. it is the Beatles. Of course they win.. like they always should.

[@Zholobov1]

What's the best tree - oak or pine? Let's count the branches...

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Its Oak

[@carlharvey6461]

Nice work, Andy. Led Zeppelin would eviscerate 99.8% of bands, but they were going up against the Beatles here. Your Super-i-ometer did its work.

[@Rasenschneider]

Two of the songs I liked the most from Led Zeppelin were stolen from Jake Holmes and Bert Jansch who impressing me far more than LZ

[@Hallalo]

As a musician I enjoy Zeppelin way more. So many details

[@jackxavier3915]

Exactly this

[@SpookyLuvCookie]

I always enjoy Andy Edwards's videos. You say you've not got any Beatles records, but a few CDs. I'm gonna guess you've got Revolver, Pepper, White Album and Abbey Road. Maybe Magical Mystery Tour is there? I'd like to know, out of interest, which Beatles albums you do actually own. I'd recommend that you should take a moment to play Ticket To Ride on a good system/headphones just as a reminder of their pop excellence before it got weird. I'm a huge fan of the explosive confidence of that song; and how it is such a turning-point in their studio techniques and their abilities as musicians. And next on the Super-I-ometer ... Floyd vs Radiohead anyone? (I'd also be interested in any random cassettes that are kicking about your place - particularly compilations you made, or tapes made for you - like it was in the old days.)

[@georgeorr1042]

It’s a bit of a “great apples” versus “great oranges” experiment. For me, the Beatles left behind the most magical song catalogue and discography. They even had the most engaging personalities. But Zeppelin maybe the best live band with that huge sound. Yes, the first two Zeppelin albums are derivative but they were also super heavy - even now. So, I guess a slight edge to the Beatles; since they actually made the world a better place :)

[@jimsalman7257]

The title of one of Frank Zappa’s live albums is the question, “Does Humor Belong In Music?” Well, I’ll just let the musicologists argue over that one. But I’m here to declare: humor definitely belongs in music commentary!

[@johannhauffman323]

You rock Andy I think you should use the Super-i-ometer to settle the debate over Jamie Muir’s Mustache V. Nutella Biscuits !

[@jdmresearch]

Next for the infallible Super-i-ometer: Deep Purple vs. Black Sabbath. I've my favorite but I could see it going either way.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

good idea

[@vanplq8841]

Deep Purple was better.

[@jdmresearch]

I see your point about Ringo, but would you say the same about Nick Mason. (There's a story from R Wyatt that Mason was supposed to play a song by his in 7/4, and Mason just couldn't play it. He switched songs with another, more suitable drummer).

[@danstigator]

Love these videos but it is tough to compare anyone to The Beatles. I think Zep vs. The Who would be a more apples to apples comparison.

[@tektoniks_architects]

Agree that these are the two biggest bands of the 1960's and 1970's.... whichever you place 1 or 2 is a personal choice, with no wrong answer. Both of these bands are superior to their next closest competitors.

[@2407paul]

BTW Andy your absolutly fantastic

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

You rock!

[@1eflat]

Led Zeppelin sounds dated and very derivative(Blues-based) - lot of lawsuits. But if you listen to Abbey Road, recorded in 1968 - 1969, over 50 yrs ago, it sounds like it came out yesterday. Nobody can touch the Beatles for the innovations and songwriting. A Collective Genius. And they did it in their 20's and in less than a decade. No Comprasion!!!

[@Captain_Rhodes]

Stones Vs Zep would be closer

[@johnandmarie7250]

Or Beatles vs Stones. That’s the classic pairing

[@Captain_Rhodes]

@@johnandmarie7250 it is but objectively the beatles basically beat everyone in pop/rock

[@Stuman57]

When you were talking about album covers. I really liked your descriptions of all the brilliance of Zeppelin’s albums. But when you got to the Beatles Abbey Road. The first thing I actually noticed was how forefront the boys were but how far into the background the shot went. With the rd and the cars. All of it in focus. But then I looked at the boys. Paul’s bare feet. I thought you would give it to the Beatles on the bases of what that represented. The theories and mysteries it created. With this at its pinnacle. I don’t think Zeppelin had anything like that.

[@jackxavier3915]

Led Zeppelin thrived on their mysterious aura

[@herculesrockefeller8969]

Wayne vs. Garth.

[@PeterTea]

It’s interesting for me because I was born in 73 and grew up with the Beatles as my favorite group until I was introduced to Led Zeppelin as a 14 year old. Since then it has mostly been Zeppelin aa my favorite group. Regardless, I think there is a twin peak of the rock mountain that both these groups inhabit. 🏔️ ⛰️

[@bertkarlsson1421]

The Beatles

[@Dan-zq5wt]

How about a Superiometer analysis of Doja Cat vs Nikki Minaj? THAT WOULD KICK ASS

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I could do Doja Kat vs an actual cat....

[@phightphan]

😆🤣😂@@AndyEdwardsDrummer

[@G60syncro]

Tha point about composition illustrates the stance my bandmate took upon the Beatles after hanging out with me... When he started playing guitar, he was nurtured by a friend that told him the blues and the Stones were where it was at... The Beatles was just f*g music. When we started playing together he would notice little flourishes, fills, recording tricks and asked me where that came from... "Well I nicked that from the Beatles!!" I would reply. Since then he's gotten into it and realised how the songwriting and production was so on point!! He started gettin into 7th chords and some timing quirks that the Beatles were doing. I will add regarding the final score.. As a fan of both bands I will hand the Beatles the top mark for the score because they got there first and Led Zeppelin just built on that groundwork... That being said, in the grand scheme of things it just doesn't take that much away form Led Zep!!! The score looks dismal but I think of it on like a log scale where the big numbers mean just an incremental difference.

[@justiceforall101]

The Beatles started it all and I lived through the magic. Led Zep 2 blew me away, but the Beatles have to be my no.1.

[@tomy.1846]

Zeppelin for me, no question! 😃🤩😎👊🔥🔥🔥🌀🌒🌠🌩🏅☢🏁

[@dbarker7794]

Excellent. 👍 The machine is correct!

[@johndrx165]

It is what it is! Entertaining video.

[@zootallures6470]

Loved the calibration on this one. Brand X vs Bruford?

[@BizarrePudding]

Prog vs Punk in the Super-i-Ometer... Would you consider doing a video on the band Traffic? - The band that a musician friend of mine once described as being "just prog enough". Great vid Andy!!!!!

[@PaulBergen]

Still listen to HIgh Heeled Spark and John Barleycorn every few months. Brilliant albums. Feel like they went down a path that no one else really followed.

[@BizarrePudding]

@@PaulBergen 2 of my perennial favorite albums...I also love a lot of their 60s stuff too, when Dave Mason was in and out of the band...Heaven Is In Your Mind, Paper Sun, Hole In My Shoe, Dear Mr Fantasy, Means To An End, Shanghai Noodle Factory, Medicated Goo, Who Knows What Tomorrow Will Bring, Don't Be Sad...so many incredible songs and performances

[@charlesberton2581]

Cream would be the band between the Beatles and Led Zeppelin. ELO???

[@grooveyerbouti]

And all i could think was qhat Thin Lizzy album is that?

[@Dan-zq5wt]

It’s true that Zep 1 and 2 are blues based but it’s hard to argue that Zep 1 isn’t one of the most innovative debut records - in terms of sound, style and production - of all time. Those 2 albums blew minds, but I agree that Zep really didn’t become more original as songwriters until the 70s.

[@jackxavier3915]

Listen to physical graffiti

[@luigitrotti6023]

I can see how hard it was for you to have the beatles to win ...i too adore both of the bands and of course beatles were the 60s...zeppelin the 70s and that also has to be taken into account ..and in fact just like footballers and athletes of other eras are impossible to really compare with with our days athletes...so are different eras of music ..i too choose beatles but can relate to whoever chose led zeppelin ..and with a lot of good reasons to do so ....they both are the best at what they did and that is what i can add to the debate

[@davidlee6720]

Let alone Paul and George's solo work. Plant tried some solitary stuff- but not that original- and vocal chords had gone by then anyway.

[@bernardjharmsen304]

The Residents. ❤️🙏

[@CBCDs]

nice - great categories

[@davidfielding7007]

Another good video with some very valid comments. One thing though, if 'you either get the point or you don't', how can you give half points? Fun either way and i look forward to the next contest.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Good point!

[@robertwheatley2471]

Purely objective standpoint it would be Beatles based on legacy, status, influence even though they're not my favorite group -- not even by a by a longshot but do like many of their songs. Even though Beatles were a "rock" band I always viewed them as more of a pop band. 60 years ago that might have been "rock' but not today. Zeppelin IMO is totally different and will always be the definitive rock band. All-time favorite for the past 40 years, even their album covers are iconic. Zeppelin vs. Stones, The Who or Pink Floyd would be a good comparison even though LZ IMO would win.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Now that’s settled

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

It was never in doubt !

[@cazgerald9471]

Let's be real, calibrating with ELO slanted your Super-i-ometer toward the Beatles.

[@markspooner1224]

I love them both but it's easier to sing Beatles songs.

[@thrak9]

I want to see this device. You can add up pluses w/o a device.

[@Pwecko]

The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band v Weird Al Yankovic.

[@andrewwilson711]

Ulttravox v Magazine

[@albertoramirez6388]

To be fair, any band would fall short against the Beatles... I love both about equally, but for different reasons... like you, I generally prefer the mighty Zep.

[@davidheylen3532]

A totally out-of-the-box Super-i-ometer suggestion for Americans 'of a certain age': Munsters vs Addams Family (look it up).

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Munsters would win obviously

[@davidheylen3532]

You sir, have thrown down the gauntlet!! I herebye CHALLENGE the Super-i-ometer to resolve this issue in an unimpeachably scientific manner. (I will honourably concede however, that the Munster-Mobile and Grandpa's coffin dragster were the bomb. Also, there was just this thing about Lilly, you know...)

[@jackpearson1110]

@@davidheylen3532 really.....Morticia, Lurch, It, Thing and of course Uncle fester...a great cast of iconic roles.

[@styrmugnsell4560]

The Super-i-ometer is the future... When AI has died off....

[@steevenfrost]

The greatest? It's a matter of personal opinion. This superiority meter topic fun. My view, is that the Beatles progressed noticeably, album to album, they used studio in novel ways to achieve the sound they wanted(ok George Martin had the knowledge) Other bands didn't progress so much. Each appealed to their fan base. i agree each individual Beatle wasn't the best in their field, but together they were an influential band and their songwriting will stand the test of time. Wasn't Ringo's style of drumming so unique, maybe because he played left handed? I could be wrong on that though. p.s. The Beatles stopped at the right time as Probably they might not have been able to progress as a heavy band such as Zeppelin. p.p.s. beatles v Custard Creams which is better?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I had some nice custard cremes today but I did not listen to The Beatles...what does that tell you...

[@steevenfrost]

Custard Creams have won on the Super-i-ometer!?

[@geoffccrow2333]

The running time for the movie 200 motels is 1h38m. And its exactly 1h38m too long. Also its a totally unique creation that also inflicts on the viewer a totally unique feeling of pain and nausea.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

The biggest let down ever was when I got 200 Motels on VHS. Put me off the Flo and Eddie band

[@lupcokotevski2907]

Andy, have you considered a PayPal 'tip jar' as well as patreon, which may suit some people better.

[@narosgmbh5916]

Have you seen the w. marsalis interview in australian tv?

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

I did and I thought it was brilliant

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Thats a great idea!

[@lupcokotevski2907]

@@narosgmbh5916 No, I haven't spotted it to date.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

@@AndyEdwardsDrummer Cool. Tom Bukovac uses the tip jar on his Homeschoolin channel. Don't know if you are familiar with that channel. Tom is Nashville's first call session guitarist and has toured with Joe Walsh and others. Aka Uncle Larry. Huge Genesis fan. He records his videos on his phone in his kitchen.

[@DanielMcGrath1969]

It's like comparing King Crimson to Iron Maiden. Very interesting. My point. I think.

[@joelake7986]

Somehow I expect the Superiometer would have selected the Beatles over any other band. Let's face it, there's the Beatles, and then there's everybody else.

[@andrewwilson711]

Stones v Beatles Kinks v The Who

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Easy. Berry wins!

[@narosgmbh5916]

I love but prefer

[@andrewwilson711]

Your hair looks a bit different Andy Another great video

[@michaeljozwiak25]

The hairstyle is kind of Beatlesque.

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

nice rug

[@caramanico1]

Also IMHO, I agree tiwith Jerlwayne just before me here. I've thought that The Beatles are in a category completely separate, distinct and many miles apart from and ahead of everybody else. They weren't a rock band, they were The Beatles. Therefore Zeppelin is the greatest rock band of all time. Easy.

[@finylvinyl66]

Zep certainly would win in the plagiarism category. And John Bonham learned his style from Carmine Appice.