The Beatles appeal to the eternal teen-ager. They are whimsical and fun sometimes.
Great earthshaking influences in music? Nah! Louis Armstrong changed the face of music.
The Fab Four entertained for a while and were diversionary from a Vietnam war.

I am surprised that so many folkies liked 'em that much. I thought they were pop talents and that their music held little lasting appeal for me. They made a lot of money, I'll give them that. They also appeal to the child in all of us.