7 Times Bands Were Marketed as “The Next Beatles”

Since The Beatles rose to fame in the 1960s, many bands have been compared to them. Some were promoted as the next big thing, hoping to match the success of the Fab Four. Here are eight bands that were marketed as “The Next Beatles,” but none quite reached the same level of influence.​

1. The Bee Gees

In 1967, the Bee Gees released their first U.S. single, “New York Mining Disaster 1941.” To generate buzz, Atco Records sent out copies with blank labels, leading some to think it was a new Beatles song. Manager Robert Stigwood promoted them as the “next Beatles.”​

Barry Gibb recalled, “If you sounded like the Beatles and also could write a hit single, then the hype of the machine would go into action.” While the Bee Gees found success, especially during the disco era, they never matched The Beatles’ global impact. ​

2. Bay City Rollers

The Bay City Rollers, a Scottish pop band, gained popularity in the mid-1970s. When they debuted on U.S. television in 1975, host Howard Cosell introduced them as the “new Beatles.” Their manager, Tam Paton, hoped they would be remembered like The Beatles.​

Despite a few hits, their fame was short-lived. By the late 1970s, their popularity had declined, and they faded from the spotlight. ​

3. Badfinger

Badfinger, signed to The Beatles’ Apple Records, had a close connection to the band. Their song “Come and Get It” was written and produced by Paul McCartney. They also played on solo projects by John Lennon and George Harrison.​

Guitarist Joey Molland said, “A lot of people actually thought it was the Beatles playing under different names.” Despite their talent, internal issues and management problems hindered their success. ​

4. The Knack

In 1979, The Knack released “My Sharona,” which became a massive hit. Their label, Capitol Records, used marketing strategies reminiscent of The Beatles’ early days. The album cover for “Get the Knack” even mimicked “Meet the Beatles!”​

Lead singer Doug Fieger admitted, “It was a joke. It was a tongue-in-cheek joke.” However, the band couldn’t replicate their initial success, and they disbanded a few years later. ​

5. Terence Trent D’Arby

Terence Trent D’Arby burst onto the scene in 1987 with his debut album. He boldly claimed, “My album is better than ‘Sgt. Pepper.’” Such statements drew immediate comparisons to The Beatles.​

While his first album did well, subsequent releases didn’t match its success. He later changed his name to Sananda Maitreya and continued making music, but never reached the heights he once predicted. ​

6. Oasis

Oasis, a British band from the 1990s, often expressed their admiration for The Beatles. Liam Gallagher once said, “It’s really important to be bigger than the Beatles.” Their music contained clear Beatles influences, both lyrically and musically.​

Despite their success, including hits like “Wonderwall,” they couldn’t surpass The Beatles’ legacy. Paul McCartney commented, “Listen, lads, you can’t say that. And don’t say that because it’s probably the kiss of death!” ​

7. One Direction

Formed on the British TV show “The X Factor” in 2010, One Direction quickly rose to fame. Their rapid success led to comparisons with The Beatles. Paul McCartney advised, “So many bands, they all get called the next Beatles. It puts an awful lot of pressure on them.”​
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Harry Styles noted, “Fame-wise, it’s probably even bigger.” However, the band members acknowledged they weren’t in the same league musically. ​