The Beatles.

[Cz]

The Beatles released a lot of fantastic music, and you'll find more classic songs on an album like Revolver than in most bands' entire discography. While they're not my personal favourite band, I've got no problem with those who claim that they're the greatest band ever, since by most standards of measurement they just are. They've sold more albums than anyone else, had more number one singles than anyone else, and had a huge impact, culturally and musically. That's about as close as you're ever going to get to definitively calling any group the "best ever".

[charliepanayi]

They were one of the finest bands around in their day (one of the best songwriting partnerships there was, and George Harrison wasn't too shabby either. Ringo may be mocked a lot but he was still a good drummer), and their influence has been unquestionable, whatever you think of their music. Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper, The White Album and Abbey Road are all pretty essential in my opinion anyway. The 'Long Medley' on the second half of Abbey Road is testament enough to how good they were.

[Necronopticous]

If I absolutely had to choose my favorite artist, it might very well be the Beatles.

[rubah]

I wouldn't want to only listen to them for the rest of my life.

[Big D]

I'm taking a class: History of American Pop and Rock Music

The Beatles.

lol wut?

Indeed... I'd say it's because The Beatles totally reshaped American pop, and world pop in general, because of the sheer enormity of their influence. While they're not American, they're an integral part of American pop music history.

The Beatles' early work was great. Accessible, catchy, original. Great live concerts.
I don't really care for their later work, though. When the suits got replaced with flowery kaftans, and hallucinogens became the main creative influence, they stopped producing stuff I can really care about.

[Breine]

I really like The Beatles and their influence on music throughout the years is undeniable, but I don't love them. There are many other artists/bands out there I'd rather listen to.

[theundeadhero]

I don't like many of their lovey dovey songs, but other songs they made are fantastic.