VMP Magazine

I don’t think I need to talk about who the Beatles were or what they meant to popular music; about how they helped revolutionize the industry by writing their own songs and added import to the album rather than just singles; about how it’s hard to imagine a rock and roll band bigger than the Beatles. Even at the time of their breakup John, Paul, George, and Ringo had already achieved mythic status. People still love discussing who their favorite Beatle is and why he’s the greatest. I progressed like most any other fan from Paul in high school, John in college, and a love for George and Ringo in adulthood. But really, I love them all. Together they formed the biggest band in the world and apart their talent shone even more.

After the break-up in 1970 each of the four men struggled to shake off the Beatles, to show that they were more than the band and prove to themselves and naysayers that they could do it on their own. This pressure actually proved fruitful in the early 1970s and explains why most of the albums on this list are from that time period. From endearing pop to bitter vitriol, from themes of tearing down false idols to just trying to put out enjoyable music, these 10 albums not only give us a better idea of their individual contributions to the Beatles but they also help provide insight into their state of mind. It wasn’t until one of these post-Beatles efforts that you could actually understand George’s disillusionment, John’s anger, Paul’s ambition, and Ringo’s desire to collaborate with those who take his contributions seriously. Fanatics will refuse to believe it but some of these albums sit up there with the best Beatles albums. Don’t believe me? Read on and then go listen for yourselves.