I was in 8th grade and like everyone got swept up in the Beatlemania wave. My first bands we didn't play Beatles, really wasn't dance music for the teen dances we played, we did James Brown and lots of R&B.
At first the music seemed simplistic but as they went on the variety and complexity of the music grew. I now look at them as the biggest influence in pop music in history. And don't forget the huge contributions of their producer George Martin.
Their music has lasted better than any other pop artists and still influences younger generations. My Nephew, who I gave all my original Beatles vinyl to, has the coolest tattoo I've ever seen. The Beatles crossing Abbey Road on his forearm