Madam, - I am writing in response to David Adams's article (June 22nd) in which he referred to the Beatles as "a hyped novelty act". He compares them unfavourably to bands such as the Rolling Stones, who "sounded and acted more like the real thing".
This claim illustrates Mr Adams's lack of knowledge of the history of both bands. While it may be true that the earliest incarnations of the Beatles were "about as threatening as choirboys", the Stones themselves were hardly averse to corporate pandering.
They too frequently wore suits and their first album was hilariously entitled "England's Newest Hitmakers".
Therefore I would assume their later "rebellious" image was simply another canny strategy dreamt up by clever marketing executives. Furthermore, the Beatles went on to shed their clean-cut image.
They embraced multicultural values e.g. Indian musical influences, attacked political policies (Taxman etc) and also produced a number of "dark classics" such as Happiness is a Warm Gun, Eleanor Rigby and You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.
Although the Stones' musical talent is undeniable, what have Mick Jagger and co ever achieved outside the musical world, aside from taking large amounts of illegal substances and sleeping with a vast array of supermodels?
Mr Adams's mocking of the fact that Beatles received MBEs conveniently forgets to mention that Mick Jagger has been given a knighthood, as well as John Lennon's decision to return his medal in light of his growing disillusionment with the Vietnam War.
In addition, Queen Elizabeth herself was unhappy with the activities of the Fab Four around the time of Sergeant Pepper, memorably commenting how they had grown "awfully weird lately".
His criticisms of the aforementioned album are similarly misguided. Granted it contains a few weak tracks, but to suggest that the remainder of the album is merely decent is far wide of the mark.
I suggest Mr Adams reacquaint himself with the searingly beautiful melancholic pop of She's Leaving Home and the kaleidoscopic wonder of Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds.
Sergeant Pepper also includes A Day in the Life, a song that is universally acknowledged to be one one of the greatest ever written.
How anyone can dismiss the band who wrote this, along with many other iconic, soulful and yes, innovative songs that have brought joy to millions, as "saccharine" and "bland" beggars belief. - Yours, etc,
PAUL FENNESSY, Taney Rise, Goatstown, Dublin 14.