How about another "What if..." topic?

[shelter]

What if... The Beatles never existed. Would that have had much of an effect on the Beach Boys' carreer and if so, would they have been better off or not?

Obviously The Beatles inspired Brian and raised the bar for him. And I guess that "Pet Sounds" wouldn't have come out the way it did if it wasn't for "Rubber Soul".

But on the other hand, without the success of the Beatles, Brian maybe would've had less pressure on his shoulders and maybe a bit more self-confidence, because the Beach Boys probably would've had a few more #1 hits...

What do you think?

[The Heartical Don]

The Beatles never existed. It is a figment of our imagination, planted in our souls by the Devil, to make us believe that there is something like 'evolution' in pop music. Don't believe this hype. Popular music was created by a Divine Spirit, and this Spirit became manifest on Earth in the person of Brian Douglas Wilson. Wilson created pop music in seven days. What he needed was electricity, a Wollensak, a couple of hamburgers, and a couple of younger brothers, with whom his father bestowed him in due time. No clay needed to make Marilyn, and no rib of Brian's either. God is not that stupid. He sent Marilyn via the Rovell family.
Now, the Devil is a cunning fiend. He invented Mike Love, and the turban. He also invented Landy. And the Love Bros. a.k.a. the Surf Nazis.

But good triumphs in the end. So Brian revived his greatest achievement, which the Devil had almost successfully destroyed. And then Brian could perform SMiLE in the Royal Church of the True Believers, a.k.a. the Royal Festival Hall.

But remember kids: the Beatles never existed, and their records are from Satan. They must be destroyed.

[MBE]

Well I see Brian's music and perhaps some of the original rock and roll artists being more dominant. Still the Beach Boys and even Jan and Dean did better in 1964 then ever. Something new was happening and the Beatles were part of that like the Beach Boys, Dylan, the Rolling Stones etc. I doubt English rock would not have taken off here, but with Spector and Brian leading the way, as well as the Motown and Soul music scene I can't imagine that it would have been too different at least through 65 or so. Less men would have worn bangs that's for certain. I see the Beatles influence coming in strong on much of the music to follow but not all of it.

As far as Brian himself he was predisposed to having certain issues and they were manifesting as early as 1963. Still he was positively and negatively effected by the Beatles and it would have been different for him but I doubt it would have been that much better.

[Wrightfan]

Without the Beatles, I don't think Brian's advanced stuff is as good as Pet Sounds or SMiLE...

The Beatles really gave Brian that last swift kick in the ass. Good motivation. 

[Magic Transistor Radio]

How much was PS, GV or Smile really inspired the Beatles? They don't really sound very similar. I know Brian says that Rubber Soul challenged him a bit. But I'm sure he would've found something else if they weren't around. 'Freak Out' by the Mothers? JK

[Pretty Funky]

With no Beatles I think Brian would have followed the life style of the Stones and taken a sh*t-load of drugs, a teenage bride and eventually been fired from his own group... ehhh? 

[MBE]

With no Beatles I think Brian would have followed the life style of the Stones and taken a sh*t-load of drugs, a teenage bride and eventually been fired from his own group... ehhh? 

Never.......

[shelter]

How much was PS, GV or Smile really inspired the Beatles? They don't really sound very similar.

Even if they weren't actually inspired by each other's musical ideas, than they still inspired each other by raising the bar. Without the Beatles, Brian maybe wouldn't have tried as hard to be the best. And vice versa.

[The Heartical Don]

With no Beatles I think Brian would have followed the life style of the Stones and taken a sh*t-load of drugs, a teenage bride and eventually been fired from his own group... ehhh? 

Good theory. And we must count ourselves lucky that this never came true! There must be more moral conscience in the youth of today, or, indeed, the youth of all times! The Stones are evil! Let's go break their records!!!

[Magic Transistor Radio]

Perhaps if the Monkees were his inspiration, he would've made an album full of humor jokes and stuff.