The answer to this question may seem obvious but back when I recorded this in 1989 and was interviewing Graham Nash (Crosby Stills Nash & Young) for my television series on the 1960s called Making Sense Of The Sixties, it was not an easy question to answer. Graham Nash is an incredible thinker and I loved his comment - what he said and the way he said it.
I find that people from younger generations don't really understand The Beatles or The Rolling Stones and they the either still relate to the music or can't understand why they were ever popular. For me personally, The Rolling Stones are my favorite rock 'n' roll band, even today. But that probably dates me as I am from the silent generation, the generation before the baby boomers.
The Rolling Stones and The Beatles captured different audiences due to their distinct styles, personas, and cultural messages.
The Beatles' Audience had broad mainstream appeal. They were seen as more polished, charming, and universally accessible, appealing to a wide range of listeners. Early in their career, they attracted teenagers, particularly teenage girls, with their infectious pop melodies and "boy-next-door" personas.
The Beatles' image resonated with middle-class families who appreciated their relatively clean-cut and wholesome appearance, especially in their early years. They were often favored by parents over "grittier" rock bands.
During their psychedelic phase (e.g., Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band), they attracted intellectuals, hippies, and countercultural audiences interested in spirituality, social change, and artistic experimentation.
The Beatles' universal themes and melodious music made them highly popular in non-English-speaking countries, widening their appeal globally.
The Rolling Stones' Audience - Rebellious Youth. The Rolling Stones appealed to those who saw themselves as rebels or outsiders. Their grittier, raw sound and "bad boy" image contrasted sharply with the Beatles' clean-cut charm.
Their bluesy, hard-edged rock resonated with working-class youth, particularly those who were disillusioned with societal norms.
While The Beatles had their own countercultural following, The Rolling Stones drew a harder-edged, less idealistic audience interested in raw, visceral expressions of rebellion and sexuality.
Fans of blues and rock 'n' roll appreciated The Rolling Stones' adherence to and reinterpretation of classic blues traditions, which gave their music a raw, authentic feel.
The Beatles were initially seen as cultural unifiers, appealing across generations and classes.
The Rolling Stones positioned themselves as provocateurs, appealing to those wanting to challenge societal norms.
While The Beatles had a massive female following during their early years, The Rolling Stones cultivated a more gender-diverse audience, with men often drawn to their machismo and swagger.
The Beatles attracted listeners interested in musical experimentation and lyrical storytelling.
The Rolling Stones appealed to fans who preferred raw energy, blues-inspired guitar riffs, and edgy lyrics.
If this interview interests you, search Graham Nash on my YouTube channel to hear more from him or search the words "making sense of" to see other interviews conducted by my team and I about the 1950s, the 1960s, the baby boom, hippies, Vietnam, and so much more.