Before the Beatles, rock was a simple dance music. Any time you hear a chord in a major key rock song beyond a basic I IV V progression, the Beatles did it first (See Help! and Rubber Soul). Anytime you hear a rock song modulate to a new key, the Beatles did it first (Day Tripper). Anytime you hear a time signature change in a rock song, the Beatles did it first (Rain). Anytime you hear a drummer have compositional input in a song as more than just a time keeper, the Beatles did it first (Rubber Soul). Anytime you hear most forms of studio wizardry, the Beatles did it first (Sgt. Pepper's, Rain, others). Proto-Metal? The Beatles did it first (Helter Skelter), with some help from Hendrix. Psychadelic rock? The Beatles did it first (Revolver). Noise rock? The Beatles did it first (Tomorrow Never Knows). Symphonic pop? The Beatles did it first (Eleanor Rigby). Electronic music? The Beatles did it first (Revolution 9). Ambient music? The Beatles did it first (Revolution 9). Anytime you hear distortion play a key role in music, the Beatles did it first (I feel Fine). Anytime you hear a drummer play in matched grip or mic a bass drum, Ringo did it first. Anytime you hear strange instrumentation in a pop or rock song, the Beatles did it first (Norwegian Wood). Anytime you hear sophisticated lyrics in rock music, you can thank the Beatles (Help!, Rubber Soul), with some help from Dylan. Anytime you hear themes or concept albums, you can thank the Beatles (Sgt. Pepper's), with some help from the Beach Boys. The Beatles paved the way for EVERYONE, from the Kinks to Zappa.
Listen to pop music in 1963 and 1967. The difference is unbelievable, and the band that spearheaded all of that was the Beatles. You don't need to read about it; you can actually HEAR it.