ON April 10, 1970, the music world shifted on its axis with the news that the Beatles had split. The revelation came after Paul McCartney announced he was officially breaking the bonds of brotherhood he shared with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Millions of fans went into an emotional tailspin. The band’s Apple offices in London were under siege from thousands of weeping fans. And the man from CBS news adopted the sombre tone normally reserved for a death in the Royal Family by heralding it as “an event so momentous that historians may one day view it as a landmark in the decline of the British Empire". Yet, 50 years on from that tremulous day, the Beatles still retain a foothold in the public psyche. Last year, a rebooted version of their final album, Abbey Road, was Britain’s biggest selling vinyl record. Ken McNab, author of the best-selling And In The End, The Last Days Of The Beatles, asked seven well-known Scots why the Beatles remain shining stars in rock’s firmament.

BARBARA DICKSON

Singer and actress who released an album of Beatles covers

Why do you think the music and popularity of the Beatles has endured?

I think it’s the freshness and clarity of the playing and singing. It’s a simple concept, but their energy and melodic sense was fundamental. They looked good but the directness of their performances spoke to the young audience of the day.

How do they rank as influencers for a subsequent generation of artists across music and popular culture?

The sophisticated melodies of Paul McCartney’s compositions hold the key, as they are tunes folks can whistle up ladders. Without them, I don’t believe that the Beatles would be as enduring. Teamed with Lennon’s words, the songs latterly had loads of meaning. He was a much better wordsmith than Paul.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

Across the Universe is my favourite Beatles song. I love Lennon’s tumbling lyrics and the transcendental quality of the piece. I deem George to be much underrated as a writer. There’s a richness in the songs as they developed and Revolver is fantastic.

Would you have liked to see them reform had John Lennon not been murdered?

I think they got to the end of their tether as a group. The phenomenal success they had was part of the problem. They would still have been interesting and intriguing if they’d reformed, but the universal love they have is due to their calling it a day in 1970 and then John’s brutal murder. I was in a play with songs called ‘John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert’ about just such a concert, bringing them back to Liverpool, in the imagination of Willy Russell. The show concluded that it couldn’t be done. It was set in 1974.

Do you think people will be talking about their legacy 50 years down the line?

Yes. Like Elvis Presley, their fame amongst musicians and aficionados will keep the flame alive. It’s good music and well constructed with imaginative arrangements. It doesn’t seem to date.

KIRSTY WARK

Journalist and broadcaster and presenter of BBC2’s Newsnight current affairs programme

Why do you think the music and popularity of the Beatles has endured?

I think both the song-writing and melodies are irresistible – I can hear their songs in my head perfectly. Also the album designs are iconic.

How do they rank as influencers for a subsequent generation of artists?

Without a doubt they were a major influence, as I think The Kinks were too. The manner of their break up and John’s subsequent death are seared into the consciousness of 60-somethings.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance?

One of my favourites is And Your Bird Can Sing, from Revolver. I remember sneaking my older cousin’s pristine copy and playing that song over and over. I’m surprised I didn’t wear it out. I was 11-years-old and felt I had entered a different universe. The guitars were amazing. Also, While My Guitar Gently Weeps from The White Album was very melancholic – perfect for a young teenager.

Would you have liked to see them reform?

I think they went their own way at the right time when they still had so much creativity. John Lennon’s Imagine still makes me cry, and I know people were sniffy about Wings and ridiculously critical of Linda McCartney but I loved Band on the Run – especially the title track and of course Glasgow’s Jimmy McCulloch was in Wings.

RICKY ROSS

Lead singer with Deacon Blue, whose new album City Of Love is out now

Why do you think the popularity of the Beatles has endured?

As a kid growing up in the 60s they overshadowed everything culturally. What I loved then is what I love now. I still love She Loves You as much as I did when we kidded on we were them in my house in Dundee with tennis rackets for guitars, and I still get sad when The End comes on side two of Abbey Road. It’s not hard to imagine why they are such a big influence. I still believe pop music is a vital because it is, well, popular. Accessibility, ubiquity, is a central component in the genre. The very fact everyone could sing you Beatles songs then and now is tribute enough. As a songwriter I have to say that it’s the songs which have endured. So many hit songs by a band which contained three great songwriters and one who wouldn’t claim to be a songwriter but still managed to get two into the catalogue. One of which, could be hummed by a fair percentage of any bus you want to hop on today.

How do they rank as influencers for a subsequent generation of artists?

I go to Nashville a lot. It’s the centre of the songwriting universe. I am always amazed how there is still so much Beatles adoration among the songwriting community. The fact the Beatles changed the face of American pop music and culture is living testimony of their influence.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

I’m not certain there is one song. But there is a side: Side 2 of Abbey Road. I loved it so much we learned it and performed it on tour.

Would you have liked to see them reform had John Lennon not been murdered?

I’m never sure. Almost every band splits up then reforms in some kind of way. They are one of the few who never did. I like that about them. In musical terms they defined ‘live fast, die young and leave a beautiful corpse.'

Do you think people will still be talking about their legacy in 50 years?

I think they will. I think people will be singing their songs too. It’s now well over 100 years since the great songwriters of The American Songbook were born. (Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, The Gershwins) and nearly 75 years since Hank Williams died. We’ve not lost any appetite for these songs, so why would we for the greatest band of all time?

SANJAY MAJHU

Glasgow restaurateur, entrepreneur and founder/singer of the Bhangra Beatles

Why do you think the popularity of the Beatles has endured?

Simple, it's brilliant music with singing that people believe. You can imagine Lennon sitting in a girl’s flat on the floor with his glass of wine, loving her Norwegian Wood. People could see they were having fun when they performed live. They were four cool-looking boys with a great sense of humour. They didn't take themselves too seriously in the early years at least. Everyone could relate to them.

How do they rank as influences for a subsequent generation of artists?

Along with Elvis, The Beatles are ground zero for rock 'n' roll. They took what Chuck Berry gave, along with Little Richard and Elvis and extrapolated the 12 bar blues to a new level. Around the time they recorded Rubber Soul they moved music into a new genre, which to this day sounds only like the Beatles. Amazing riffs, beautiful lyrics, chord changes which gave them their unique sound. Only the Stones came close.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

Help! Lennon’s cry for help was very evident and as a 12-year-old child growing up in the south side of Glasgow, the amazing words, the harmonies and overall melody would always cheer me up. This guy was vulnerable, needed help, and he appreciated his friend being around. Magic

Would you have liked to see them reform had John Lennon not been murdered?

Yes and no. They made the right decision to stop touring and concentrate on the studio, hence we now have access to 13 albums. But I believe they went on and matched their work with solo projects, Harrison with All Things Must Pass, McCartney with his Wings project and Lennon with Imagine, arguably the greatest song ever written (along with Bohemian Rhapsody.) Lennon’s death was a significant event in my life. I was 12 years old and couldn't understand why adults were crying in the streets, who was this band that everyone loved? I bought a compilation tape and by the next week I had the biggest poster on my bunk bed wall.

Do you think people will still be talking about their legacy in fifty years?

Yes. Their music is timeless. I don't know if anyone can come up with Strawberry Fields, A Day in the Life, Yesterday.

My favourite of the moment? Something – simple and easy. Harrison at his best. I started Bhangra Beatles as a celebration of their music with an Indian twist. I love the Punjabi folk music my mum brought me up on from Glasgow Art Centre late 70s.

I have always said that if there was a heaven, I picture Lennon and Harrison looking down at me playing and loving the masala twist we have added. I’ve sat on my own playing their songs on my Epiphone Casino (Lennon’s favourite guitar), and found myself talking to Lennon and McCartney sitting in Lennon’s childhood house at Menlove Avenue in Liverpool and asking how to play Roll Over Beethoven.

ANDI LOTHIAN

Dundee entrepreneur and former promoter, accredited in the 1960s as the source of the word Beatlemania

Why do you think the music and popularity of the Beatles has endured?

The lyrics speak to every generation, and during their short time together, they wrote almost three hundred originals, most of which they recorded themselves. Not only were they one of the first ‘boy’ bands, but their quick rise to stardom led to an acceleration of British talent emerging in the international ‘pop’ market.

How do they rank as influencers for a subsequent generation of artists?

Their music paved the way for pop music of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and the noughties….every kid that ever picked up a guitar and strummed a few chords has been influenced by the sound that the Beatles created.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

I promoted them live in Scotland with Albert Bonici of Elgin two months before they released their first three hits. They are my favourites of course! Until recently that is. Now it is George Harrison’s haunting While My Guitar Gently Weeps conveying his sadness at the world’s lack of peace. As relevant as it was half a century ago.

Do you think people will still be talking about their legacy in 50 years?

Absolutely. They are timeless ambassadors of the ‘new’ pop music era and will likely not be toppled for a few decades yet.

HUNTER DAVIES

Renfrew-born journalist and author of the only authorised Beatles biography

Why do you think the popularity of the Beatles has endured?

It seems the further we get from them, the bigger they become in popularity, in depth, imagination, innovation – and the cost of their memorabilia. I could see the cracks, back in 1967, when I was with them for my book, but I did not think they would part. However, I did think, in the nature of things, that other groups would come along and do better but no group since the Beatles has been anything like as creative and productive. I can’t ever see them being equalled.

How do they rank as influencers?

No one has had a bigger influence on popular culture. They wrote over 100 songs that will be sung for as long as humanity has the breath to hum the tunes.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

Strawberry Fields Forever. It was played to me as an acetate by Brian Epstein when I first met him to discuss the book in l966. I was overwhelmed. No idea what it all meant, but I thought this is it, they are going forward and will go forward for ever.

Would you have liked to see them reform had John Lennon not been murdered?

I would have liked another five years from them. All those unfinished songs on Abbey Road, if only they had stayed together to polish them up.

Do you think people will still be talking about them in 50 years?

Correction – 500 years, 5000 years…

EDDI READER

Singer-songwriter. Details of her latest tour can be found on www.eddireader.com

Why do you think the Beatles have endured?

The words coupled with melody, both crafted with clear joy and instinct, unhindered by the opinions of others. This is fertile ingredients for any channel of genius to flow. Call it alignment with the source of creative energy, some humans can free themselves enough to do that. Many don’t.

How do they rank as influencers?

It seems to me that when things settle into a formulaic structure some bozo comes along to show us something better, God bless them and I hope they keep coming. They shifted the cultural landscape musically from a quite rigid set of expectations. Perhaps before them it was all a bit pretentious or still caught up in a Hollywood star machine with fake personas. Elvis did the same by shifting the range in his time, but he was chewed up by it. The four lads from Liverpool pushed it forward, along with many of their generation, expanding the palette for all of us.

Is there a particular Beatles song that holds a special significance for you?

I’m very fond of Across the Universe, which was John's song. But McCartney gets me often. I was only two or three when their music came to my awareness. My young auntie Marion had all their singles, precious and amazing to hear through the small speaker of her teenage record player. The photos of the band on her bedroom wall in Ruchill from 1961-1968, accompanied by her sighing when the needle scratched out I Wanna Hold Your Hand, turned the my world musical. That and Love Me Do soundtrack those memories for me.