The Rock N' Roll GOAT
What is the greatest band of all time? Is it The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? And yes, we understand that we are already courting controversy by narrowing it down to just these two bands. So, feel free to leave a comment about what band you would put in the all-time GOAT spot ahead of these two titans of rock n' roll. But for us (and many others), it comes down to The Beatles versus The Rolling Stones. Let the battle begin...
Longevity
Beatles: The Beatles were formed in 1960 and broke up in 1970.
Stones: The Stones formed in 1962 and are still going pretty strong over 60 years later.
Eric Koch for Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
Longevity: The Rolling Stones
While longevity could matter in the way that a short-lived band could be seen as a flash in the pan—that is obviously not the case with The Beatles. But regardless, if we're talking longevity... it's The Rolling Stones.
Jim Pietryga, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Prolificity (Albums)
Beatles: The Fab Four's core catalogue consists of 13 studio albums.
Stones: Mick Jagger and the gang have released 31 studio albums—including 2023's Hackney Diamonds.
Prolificity (Albums): The Rolling Stones
While The Beatles producing all 13 of their core catalogue albums in just seven years (1963-70) is impressive, if the sheer amount of music produced matters, The Rolling Stones have the definite advantage on that front.
Albums Sold
Beatles: 600 Million
Stones: 250 Million
Albums Sold: The Beatles
While some reports put The Beatles closer to 500 million sold, and there are those who estimate the number to be closer to 1 billion, the indisputable fact is that they have sold a whole lot more albums than The Rolling Stones (and anyone else for that matter).
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Number 1 Albums (USA)
Beatles: The Beatles had 19 albums reach number one on the Billboard Hot 200.
Stones: The Rolling Stones have seen nine of their albums hit the top spot.
Number 1 Albums (USA): The Beatles
Not only do The Beatles win this round against the Stones–they would win it against any other musical act in history. And for those wondering: Taylor Swift is in second place with 14.
Iberia Airlines, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Number 1 Studio Albums (UK)
Beatles: 11
Stones: 11
Number 1 Studio Albums (UK): Tie
When it comes to their homeland, the Stones and Beatles can both claim 11 number one studio albums. Although if you add in compilation and live albums, The Beatles take the win at 16 to 14.
Prolificity (Songs)
Beatles: About 213 songs
Stones: About 422 songs
Prolificity (Songs): The Rolling Stones
While exact numbers are hard to determine, there's no doubt that the Stones have recorded way more songs than The Beatles did (not that anyone is surprised by that).
Number 1 Songs (USA)
Beatles: Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, and Star recorded 20 songs that hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Stones: The Stones have had eight songs reach the top of the charts.
Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
Number 1 Songs (USA): The Beatles
And again, The Beatles did it more times than anyone else ever has. Although, Mariah Carey is hot on their heels with 19 number-one songs to her name.
United Press International, Wikimedia Commons
Number 1 Songs (UK)
Beatles: 18 Beatles songs reached the top of the UK singles chart.
Stones: Eight Rolling Stones songs have accomplished the feat.
Mondadori Portfolio, Getty Images
Number 1 Songs (UK): The Beatles
Although The Beatles easily outpace The Stones in this category, The Fab Four still lag behind the all-time leader on the UK singles chart... Elvis Presley (21).
Song With Most Weeks At Number One
Beatles: "Hey Jude" (nine weeks)
Stones: "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction and Jumpin’ Jack Flash" (four weeks)
Song With Most Weeks At Number One: The Beatles
In 1968, "Hey Jude's" nine-week stay atop the Billboard Hot 100 tied an all-time record.
Grammy Nominations
Beatles: The Beatles have been nominated for 25 Grammys.
Stones: The Rolling Stones have been nominated for 13 Grammys.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Grammy Nominations: The Beatles
Both lag far behind Beyonce's 99, but 25 is more than 13.
Grammy Wins
Beatles: The band has taken home seven Grammys.
Stones: They've heard their name called three times.
Grammy Wins: The Beatles
One of the Grammys for each band was a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Top 15 Grossing Tours
Beatles: 0
Stones: 2
Mikael J. Nordström, Wikimedia Commons
Top 15 Grossing Tours: The Rolling Stones
Given that The Beatles stopped touring in 1966 and broke up in 1970, the fact that they don't have a tour amongst the top 15 highest grossers of all time is not going to surprise anyone. But that doesn't diminish the Stones' accomplishment of having two tours on that list.
And if you're adjusting the gross into 2023 dollars, their 2005-07 A Bigger Bang Tour actually moves up the list from #12 to #6.
Most Covered Song Ever
Beatles: "Yesterday"
Stones: "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction"
Fairchild Archive, Getty Images
Most Covered Song Ever: The Beatles
This is another one that is probably hard to quantify exactly, but most sources credit "Yesterday" as the most covered song of all time—with numbers ranging from 1,500 to over 2,200 covers out there. Some sources put "(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction" as the second most covered track of all time.
However, you'll also often find multiple other Beatles songs among the top 10 as well—just in case the number-one spot wasn't enough.
Rolling Stone Magazine's 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time
Beatles: #1
Stones: #4
Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time: The Beatles
The magazine had Bob Dylan and Elvis in between The Beatles and The Stones.
Billboard "Greatest Of All Time"
Beatles: #1
Stones: #2
ingen uppgift, Wikimedia Commons
Billboard "Greatest Of All Time": The Beatles
Different publication, but same number one.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Beatles: Yes
Stones: Yes
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: Tie
Both bands have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as the UK Music Hall of Fame.
Final Score: The Beatles
Beatles: 12
Stones: 6
Well, there you have it. The debate can finally be put to rest. The Beatles are the greatest band of all time. Right?
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