Beatles fly flag in hall of fame


The Beatles had a lasting influence on the UK music scene
The Beatles are the only British act among the founding inductees into the UK Music Hall of Fame, alongside Elvis Presley, Madonna, U2 and Bob Marley.
The hall, launched on Thursday ahead of a Channel 4 series this autumn, is for artists who have made the greatest contribution to "UK music culture".

Producers say it is "nothing to do with the geography or the moment in time".

The artists were chosen by a panel including Sir George Martin, Trevor Nelson and Paul Gambaccini.

Malcolm Gerrie, head of production company Initial, told BBC News Online: "It's to do with fantastic music that will be there forever and the impact and resonance they've had."

Outside the US, it's Britain that's dominated pop music for the last 40 years

Paul Gambaccini


Have your say on the Hall of Fame
Gambaccini said some people would inevitably be unhappy with the final list.

"There will be one or two names conspicuous by their absence, but that's the nature of the beast," he said.

He added the UK was one of the few countries to "punch above its weight" in music.

"Outside the US, it's Britain that's dominated pop music for the last 40 years," he said. "It's something this country doesn't properly celebrate."

They inspire me more now than they did when I was a kid and are still the greatest

Noel Gallagher on The Beatles
Oasis star Noel Gallagher championed The Beatles, saying: "I was playing guitar before I heard The Beatles, but as I got older and listened to their tunes I realised they were amazing.

"They inspire me more now than they did when I was a kid and are still the greatest."

The panel also included Blur bassist Alex James, former Eurythmics star Dave Stewart, Manchester legend Tony Wilson and Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis.

Five two-hour Channel 4 shows will give viewers the chance to vote for further inductees.

Each programme will focus on one decade, with fans given the choice of 10 acts from that decade to vote for.

BBC