In the annals of rock music history, few rivalries could compete with the legendary tension between The Rolling Stones and The Beatles- at least as per our mainstream narrative. While images of both acts embodying rebellious British youth alongside their wildly different musical styles often overshadowed other competitors, there’s a surprisingly deep pocket of rockumentaries and interviews revealing Paul McCartney’s belief that another group posed a serious challenge to the Fab Four – The Who.
McCartney rarely indulged public negativity towards rival bands. His sunny Liverpool boy personality, even amidst the growing global mania for “Beatlemania,” made him less prone towards engaging in bitter feuding. For instance, when asked about their relationship with The Stones in later interviews Macca tended toward amicable distance or subtle compliments tinged with acknowledgment of the competition – an approach largely absent when discussing those blueboys across the Mersey
While some historians credit The Who’s more hard-rock edge, coupled by their onstage prowess and explosive personality (frontman Roger Daltrey being a particularly charismatic rock god archetype) as factors fueling McCartney’s rivalry narrative, there seems to be something deeper at play. Looking objectively beyond mere musical styles, The Beatles and “Uncle Who,” as they were often known behind The curtain of mainstream media , shared striking similarities – the youthful energy, bludgeoning stadium audience connection – elements that made fans fiercely choose a ‘leader’ in their pantheon of rock idols.
Perhaps the “feeling” Paul spoke of was rooted not so much in animosity – but an unspoken understanding borne between musicians; aware they were walking along a tightrope where success often had to be battled, fought for inch by bloody inch on that stage of rock legend.
Furthermore, while later events like Beatlemanias’ demise and The Who’s ongoing touring juggernaut gave testament to their respective fates – back in the “battle years,” McCartney’s anxieties resonated more deeply than we perceive readily. His anxieties weren’t necessarily unfounded either.
Their debut albums “Please Please Me” and “My Generation” were within a few releases of each other. Both groups commanded attention from critics, producers and most importantly for the rock business game at stake – dedicated fanbases. Even the press couldn’t deny there was something brewing alongside The Who & The Stones in the 60s- their rivalry with another group of young Englishmen vying for control of an increasingly electric pop landscape could not stay under wraps for long, ultimately making history regardless.
The true legacy of McCartney’s belief lies, perhaps, in its poignancy. These boys – born out of post-war Liverpool, driven to music- weren’t content battling solo; there came a sense when they understood rock needed competition – friction sparks originality… even amongst your peers from across the pub next door, or the music hall upstage!
And even if it wasn’t always clear then (nor necessarily clear through McCartney’s later interviews) history has shown both The Fab Fours and those with ‘who-some’ voices made their mark. It was a glorious rock ‘n’ roll decade for it! Perhaps the truest measure of this “competition,” in the most nostalgic sense, wasn’t about winning or loss — but that both bands left behind legacies which still resonate today with every power chord strummed, and every chorus sung along by their fans to this day.