Kaisers Exclusive

Speaking on Macca's massive influence

02 June 2008 - Paul McCartney filled the Anfield stadium in Liverpool on 1 June for the Liverpool Sound Concert and 6 Music caught up exclusively with the Kaiser Chiefs to talk about the ex-Beatles' influence.

Having played to the 35,000 full Elland Road stadium in their hometown of Leeds on 24 May, Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix spoke about The Beatles' contribution.

He said:  "I've said this before that I think Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr are up there, if not the most influential people who are still alive.

"I don't know who is more influential than those two really, because I think that the influence of The Beatles, the impact that they had on everything at the time, not just music, you know your shoes and clothes and your hair and moustaches, everything, furniture - if The Beatles had never happened then we'd be living in a parallel universe."

To which the Kaiser Chiefs' keyboardist , Nick 'Peanut' Baines, added: 

"I thought as well this afternoon when we were watching Paul McCartney's sound check , I was thinking since every band that I like, he's been in the biggest band ever.

He went on:  "So like when The Clash came out Paul McCartney was still massive and every band you can name will at least respect him and he would have been massive, he would have been much bigger than any band you can name."

"If The Beatles had never happened then we'd be living in a parallel universe."
Kaiser Chiefs' Simon Rix

Although the boys were excited about playing it seems nothing would compare to their headline homecoming gig in Leeds the previous weekend.

Simon said:  "We had the big stage and we were filling the stadium and it was really a moment, whereas this is like Paul McCartney's gig so we're just here to entertain."

Also playing on the night, as part of this Capital Of Culture showpiece were The Zutons plus Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl joined Paul McCartney on stage to play Band on the Run and Back in the USSR.

Georgie Rogers