I've always wanted a list of things the Beatles clearly innovated or pioneered to use when people call them overrated. I've seen bits and pieces about their influence here and there, but nothing comprehensive. I figured with all the Beatles knowledge around here it would be a good place to start. Things like were they the fist to use backwards singing on a song? What's the whole flanging thing? How about the feedback thing? And their direct influences on other bands? Just a few questions to get started.

rain was the first song ever to have backwards singing and backwards music on it hope that helps a bit

I Feel Fine has the first feedback ever recorded -the sound at the very beginning, created by an electric guitar coming too close to the amplifier-.

The Beatles were the first with a lot of things
- a band writing its own material for a great part
- the line up from a band hasn't changed much basically in forty years, since the Beatles
- they invented playing in a stadium
- they were the first British artists to be successfull in the States
- their influence on other groups was enormous. For instance, the Rolling Stones and the Hollies copied almost everything the Beatles did musically, but also with things like clothing, haircuts,styles in general
- they had a great influence on both sexes and worldwide
- the English language became the standard in pop music (the Beatles recorded two singles in German, because the Germans would not listen to English music before the Beatles)
- rock and roll was lifted to a higher level and respected by a greater audience then ever before
- press conferences became funny meetings instead of giving standard answers to standard question.
- they were a group that made it, before that, it was merely single artists with a backing group. These were four members, each with their own quality and each unreplacable.
- in order to give their fans value for their money, they hardly put any singles on their albums. Well, in the USA it happened, much to the disagreement of the Beatles themselves.

O, there's a lot more, specially when it comes to recording. But there's more knowledge about that topic than in my head.

Well they pretty much invented music videos
They made boy bands.
They changed music.
First band to have a cartoon
First band to have so much unreleased stuff
hope that helps

Quite a nice article to sift through. Goes into lyrical innovations aswell.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4026/is_200304/ai_n9202278

First Rock and Roll Stadium show. Largest TV audience for 'All You Need..." First Mellotron, I believe. Longest (timewise) #1 single with 'Hey Jude' clocking in at 7:11.

Quoted from Mercuryworks

They made boy bands

Screw that. The Beatles were NOT a boy band in any respects.

Boy band = a manufactured group of young males usually in their late teens, who can only do vocal arrangements and dance. They don't play instruments or write their own songs. Their lasting power is 1 to 3 years, tops. They always have some lame pop princess as their opening act, and one of them is usually gay.

New Kids on the Block was the first "boy band". Well, maybe the Monkees, but they were for a TV show so that's different.

First band to show how the breakup of a rock group works.

Thanks! You guys are so cool. Apple, GREAT article! Interesting stuff. I want to get those books the guys talking about.

The Beatles were the first band that had plans to buy a Greek island.  

The first band to put the lyrics printed on the sleeve (Sgt. Pepper).

sgt pepper was the first rock gatefold i think and first concept album...
but how firsts for ringo?first to elevate the drummer.first bass drum in liverpool...there are others too someone must know...

What about the whole long hair thing? It may seem insignifcant to some but to me it's a symbol of teenage rebellion.

jerry lee lewis had longer hair..............

I still think they invented the 'Bonus Track'. Its common these days on Greatest Hits albums or compilations to add an unreleased song or two, but they were possibly the first to do that on the UK 'Collection of Oldies but Goldies'. It was a compilation except for 'Bad Boy' which was previously unreleased in the UK.