Are the Beatles or Led Zeppelin the greatest band ever?

1. 56

   Mr. Phantasmposted 17 years ago

   I think they're the two greatest bands in history, but only one can be the best. 
   
   In my opinion, the Beatles were better.  They evolved so far in such a short amount of time, and so much of their music paved the way for bands that came years after them.  Everyone from Lynyrd Skynyrd to Foo Fighters has claimed they were an inspiration to them. 
   
   Besides, did Led Zeppelin ever do an album as perfect as The White Album, or Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?
   
   Let the fireworks begin...

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   1. 54

      PUMP THA FLAVAposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      the best groups? must we forget, how fast must
      we forget! who was the highest paid rock entertainer
      in the sixties? his music career was very short! he's
      been dead for about 38 yrs now! his estate is still
      raking in multi-million dollars every year from record
      tv...etc sales! when the beatles were hot, they never
      got paid like this guy! the beatles loved this guy!
      i got my facts from many books, his friends and the public
      broadcasting station! i loved the beatles and i really
      loved led zepplin! but you forgot about JIMI HENDRIX!
      
      "PUMP THA FLAVA"
      RUBIN RILEY
      
      <snipped promotional link>

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   2. 0

      eer2eternityposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I would really have to rack my brain if the question was who is the second best band of all time. Probably, in my mind, The Stones, but, no question the best has always been and always will be The Beatles.

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2. 85

   Zsuzsy Beeposted 17 years ago

   I love Led Zeppelin but the Beatles are #1. No other band has left such a change on Pop Music as the Beatles. zs

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3. 0

   sandra rinckposted 17 years ago

   I like both Zeplin and the Beattles, but my fav. is Floyd.  I can never get enough of Floyd.

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   1. 60

      DR ZOIDBURG !posted 15 years agoin reply to this

      There is no disputing that PINK FLOYD THE BEST EVER BAND IN THE WORLD FACT!!!
      
      seen them 2 times they even stayed in same hotel as me when i went to see them ..best money i ever,ever spent !! rather go see floyd live than win the lottery!!
      
      enough said !!!

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4. 64

   Hope Alexanderposted 17 years ago

   I think the Wriggles have always been under appreciated. That Jeff, always asleep... genius!

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5. 80

   SweetiePieposted 17 years ago

   The Beatles and Led Zeplin are great.  My favorite song by the Beatles is "All Together Now."  However,   my favorite all time band is the Moody Blues because of love their lyrics, melodies, and long track record as gentlemen.  The Moodies use to open for the Beatles in the early days and Mike Pinder introduced them to the Mellotron, which was used in Strawberry Fields Forever.  The Moody Blues are one of the few bands who have been playing for over forty years and who have not been admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is very shameful because this band has contributed quite a bit to modern music.

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6. 56

   Mr. Phantasmposted 17 years ago

   I agree about the Moody Blues, SweetiePie.  If they can put Madonna in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, for crying out loud, they can put the Moody Blues in.

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7. 72

   Shirley Andersonposted 17 years ago

   BEATLES!  BEATLES!  BEATLES!

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8. 60

   Originplusposted 17 years ago

   i think zep had the greatest song ...stairway to heaven, but beattles r a better band .

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9. 65

   Mishaposted 17 years ago

   Pink Floyd is hands down first for me in English singing bands. There are other languages, though, and this is where things get really complicated

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10. 67

    DJ Funktualposted 17 years ago

    The Beatles are the Best Band ever because of the the prolific songwriting they did at Rock-n-Roll's inception.  They wrote most of the great songs before anyone else could so people just decided to rip them off. 
    
    Led Zeppelin is the greatest Rock band though.   the Beatles were pop for most of their career.
    Rock-n-Roll is the primal urge of rebellion that you can feel down to your very soul.  Something you HAVE TO DO because you are driven by forces you barely understand.  They was Zeppelin.
    
    Verdict:  The Beatles were better but they didn't rock half as hard as Led Zeppelin.

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11. 67

    DJ Funktualposted 16 years ago

    ?????  The subject is which band is better?   
    Jimi is the man but you are acting like we forgot to include him.  Off-topic ~ Minus 5 points

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    1. 71

       Kangaroo_Jaseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       lol, good call

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12. 60

    angelampposted 16 years ago

    THE BEATLES!!! I love them!  I grew up listening to my parents' old Beatles records... believe me their songs have this certain effect on me.  Sort of gave me freedom and refuge during my younger years.
    
    I have one very favorite Led Zeppelin song though... D'yer Ma'ker!!! Oh oh oh oh oh oh....

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13. 0

    Peter_Sobczakposted 16 years ago

    I think Pink Floyd is better than both. Beatles and Zep gets old to me, but I could listen to Floyd all day.

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    1. 0

       sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       I could listen to Floyd all day too!  Though I do have my days when Zep is all I wanna hear with a hole lotta love! 
       
       If Floyd was a christain band, maybe they would have said, Father should I trust the government.  LOL.  Kiddin, bad joke, bad joke.

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14. 67

    DJ Funktualposted 16 years ago

    LOL!  Good one Sandra.   
    
    Essential LED ~
    Moby Dick,
    Bring It On Home,
    Hey, Hey What Can I Do?
    Fool In The Rain.
    Misty Mountain Hop
    and
    RAMBLE ON!
    
    Essential BEATLES~
    Help!
    Paperback Writer
    Ballad of John and Yoko
    Penny Lane
    A Day In The Life
    Gettin Better
    I Am The Walrus
    
    and like 50 more!!

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    1. 0

       sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Led: Misty Mountain- for shizzle!
       Beattles: Blackbird and Strawberry Fields ( Rita!!!)
       Floyd: Comfortably Numb and Nobody Home

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       1. 0

          Peter_Sobczakposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          I agree with you about Strawberry Fields, and I think my favorite Floyd song is Coming Back to Life. In fact... *runs to his CD colection*

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          1. 0

             sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

             What do you think about Shine On?  LOve that song. 

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                Peter_Sobczakposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                Excellent song, excellent tribute to Syd.

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             2. 65

                Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                Don't know which is my favorite one - this or Money
                In fact I love all or almost all of what they ever made

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                1. 0

                   sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

                   Me too!  The first time me and my dad ever made a connection it was listening to Floyd. 

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15. 61

    knolyourselfposted 16 years ago

    Beatles, bands down.

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16. 38

    Passionatepurposeposted 16 years ago

    Any person who was old enough to appreciate the Beatles when they were performing could not pick any other band..

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    1. 0

       sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       You don't have to be old to appreciate the Beattles and you don't have to be a drug addict to love Floyd.  LOL. 

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    2. 65

       Mishaposted 16 years agoin reply to this

       Disagree

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       1. 0

          sandra rinckposted 16 years agoin reply to this

          me too, I disagree. 

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          1. 67

             DJ Funktualposted 16 years agoin reply to this

               Me three. 
             
             I also love Dirty Woman by Floyd.

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             1. 52

                Reverend Flashposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                I think you mean "Young Lust".

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    3. 69

       Peter Hogganposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thats the problem, nobody heard the Beatles perform live because of the screaming. That said I will still choose the beatles because of their songwriting. Floyd and Zep are both amazing but the Beatles were a way of life that even changed the way people dressed.

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17. 72

    Shirley Andersonposted 16 years ago

    THE BEATLES, THE BEATLES, THE BEATLES!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Now, always, forever!

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18. 61

    knolyourselfposted 16 years ago

    Shine On great. I like a great many Floyd songs particulary 'Us and Them'.

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19. 59

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    Yeah, but none of you are old enough to have seen the Beatles when they were "hot"
    
    Still - my vote goes to Pink Floyd - Wish you were here, the album. Hmmmmmmm

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    1. 60

       DR ZOIDBURG !posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       There is no disputing that PINK FLOYD THE BEST EVER BAND IN THE WORLD FACT!!!
       
       seen them 2 times they even stayed in same hotel as me when i went to see them ..best money i ever,ever spent !! rather go see floyd live than win the lottery!!
       
       enough said !!!
       
       
       dark side of the moon (as amatter of fact its all dark)
       
       live in pompa music video 1970s
       
       best old recording -granny takes a trip and
       reversion of revolization (old)

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20. 0

    Zarm Nefilinposted 16 years ago

    The greatest band ever?
    
    Sounds like the beatles to me.
    
    My favorite bands, personally, are foo fighters, pearl jam, ratm, tool, and disturbed.  Those are my top five from best to least best.
    
    The beatles are awesome though, highly talented and very very cool, even today.  I never really got floyd though, just not my type of music really.  They are not bad, I just don't "get" it.

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21. 59

    Mark Knowlesposted 16 years ago

    And just to prove everything is connected, here is proof that pink floyd is the greatest band ever.
    
    

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22. 58

    thebeatlesposted 15 years ago

    beatles are greatest of all time
    the beatles sre god of the universe
    
    dep zeppeline  fuck you

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    1. 52

       tazulike88posted 12 years agoin reply to this

       no .. no, i can't allow you ... led zep and the beatles are the greatest .. if you prefer one of them you can't go insulting zeppeling like this you friggin retarded asshole .... i love the beatles but you left me no chance ... Fuck You And Your Beatles you fuckin sick kid .... nuff' said

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23. 58

    thebeatlesposted 15 years ago

    the beatles, the beatles, the beatles

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24. 58

    thebeatlesposted 15 years ago

    pls watch the beatles live in  shea stadium......

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25. 78

    sunforgedposted 15 years ago

    beatles everyday!
    
    white album
    
    clapton on my guitar gently weeps
    
    Savoy Truffle
    
    dont pass me by
    
    rocky raccoon
    
    happiness is a warm gun
    
    when im 64!
    
    In my life
    
    all of sgt peppers
    
    
    your comparing them to who? no comparison possible
    
    and the beatles most definitely had a rock period - why dont we do it in the road - ia almost suggestive of punk
    
    beatles did everything first

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26. 78

    sunforgedposted 15 years ago

    i take all that back,
    
    everybody knows that only Oasis was bigger than Jesus

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27. 62

    hot writerposted 15 years ago

    to me the beatles rock and im a hip hop fan when i first got on to the beatles i was amazed at how modern the sound was they were a different kinda band alot of the other bands were influenced by them even rappers they were ahead of there time they did what most musicians dont do now a days be themselves,either the music or the paul is dead rumors gets alot of fans attention

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28. 76

    JamaGeneeposted 15 years ago

    Much as I love LedZep, for "best" of the two in the original question, it's definitely the Beatles!

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29. 59

    marisuewritesposted 15 years ago

    Beatles, Look how they changed the rock and roll forever!  loved Led Z too, tho.

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30. 68

    Research Analystposted 15 years ago

    I would say the Beatles, they changed the way music is represented today.

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31. 60

    ChrisSnilposted 15 years ago

    I'd have to say the Beatles, and that's not due to my location either (North West England)
    
    Saying that, I also like tracks by Led Zep -and- Floyd, I'm quite varied when it comes to music (well, unless it's cheesy pop )

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32. 0

    Janettaposted 15 years ago

    Beatles weregreat and all, but Zepplin for sure.
    And I, too am a Floyd fan, but you can't forget the Who, now

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33. 78

    bgpappaposted 15 years ago

    The Stones are the best ever.
    
    Out of your two choices, the Beatles.

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34. 72

    Shirley Andersonposted 15 years ago

    I haven't even read the postings in this thread, just saw the title and am jumping in the deep end of the pool:
    
    THE BEATLES ARE THE BEST BAND EVER, ALWAYS HAVE BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE!!!

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35. 60

    Pete Maidaposted 15 years ago

    I would put a lot of groups ahead of Led Zepplin.  They had a lot of great tunes but they lacked harmony.  A single singer gets old after a while.  The Beatles were the breakthrough band; they have to be credited with changing rock and roll.  For the reason I guess they should be number one, but my favorite was always The Who.

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36. 60

    Herald Dailyposted 15 years ago

    Beatles, hands down!

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37. 83

    compu-smartposted 15 years ago

    I can't stand either of them!!

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    1. 60

       Herald Dailyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       *gasp!*Oooooo, wait'll Shirley reads this!

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       1. 83

          compu-smartposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          lol,
          I WAS actually thinking of Shirley when i wrote that!!sowwy Shirley:D lol

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38. 59

    kephriraposted 15 years ago

    I've got a whole lotta luv 4 the Zeppelin

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39. 72

    AEvansposted 15 years ago

    I love the oldies Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

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40. 48

    guru825posted 14 years ago

    led zeppelin made more hard rock music.......
    so if this thread is purely on rock music then zepp beat beatles....
    led zepplin my fav will always be the best.........

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41. 74

    Richieb799posted 14 years ago

    They are both from different eras with different styles, I like to learn Zeppelin songs on the harmonica like 'bring it on home' and 'when the levee breaks'

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42. 86

    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    nice revived thread! they're both tops. I'm a huge fan of both bands and love how Robert Plant has continued to evolve and write some amazing music. it's hard to even pick my favorite albums, but the White album and Abbey Road, Rubber Soul are all amazing.
    
    Led Zeppelin's first, second and third are my favorites. their first definitely changed music at that time. I still listen to their music often. LZ were not exclusively hard rock.
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUlmZ2PdxiE   ahhh.... classic!

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43. 63

    Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

    'greatest' is a vague term... is it most influencial?  best to listen too?  most followed?
    
    the band i personally like better is Zeppelin

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44. 61

    J Kenwellposted 14 years ago

    I never fully respected the Beatles by simply hearing them on the radio, and thinking the White Album was cool is high school.  However, after taking a college level course on the Beatles, and giving their musical career a fair chronological assessment, there became no question that they are the greatest band ever. 
    
    They did it all, from romantic jingles, emotional ballads, harmonic vocals to fast paced rock thrillers with exemplifying instrumentals.  Some of their instrumentals were up front, but there are still so many subtle gems within their songs. As many of their songs were serious, they also inserted a sense of sarcasm and playful goofiness in a handful of their songs that is still relevant with bands today, especially any band that fancies themselves a jam band, Phish included.
    
    However, the most important aspect of the Beatles, is their correspondence with the American culture at the time of their rise.  They came to America and won the hearts of the people, and grew with them, and lost their innocence with America as a whole.  By the end of their career, if you listen the majority of lyrics on their final two albums, and have somewhat of an insight to their demise as a group and eventual breakup, it is clear that they were undoubtably a real life reflection of the literary theme "You can't go home again."  As for America's it hit a point where it could "not go home again" with the Countercultural movement, Civil Rights, loss of trust in the Government from Vietnam, etc.
    
    As for Led Zeppelin, they are good, but not the best.  They were perfectionists, which will a professionals work respectable in any field.  Most of their songs are enjoyable, and their instrumentals are nearly flawless.  However, they were not doing anything that truly put them over the edge, in terms of greatness.  In fact, if anything, I think that the biggest thing holding them back was the whininess in Robert Plants voice.  The repetitiveness of his oohs and ahhs, and "baby baby baby baaaaaaaaby" serves nothing more than filling a gap with a false sense of emotion. 
    
    The Beatles were groundbreaking and influential in both their songs and recording techniques, and were innovative in personal style, such as the Srg. Pepper persona/outfits and the spontaneous Let it Be rooftop performance.  While the Beatles are the best band ever, Led Zeppelin should not even be the other band in question.

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45. 56

    leebertteaposted 14 years ago

    Led Zeppelin without question!

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46. 86

    rebekahELLEposted 14 years ago

    I truly beg to differ. have you sat down and really listened to their music and lyrics?
    they were different from the Beatles in that they were not commercially made to start writing songs they didn't want to write. 
    
    as far as influence on the mass, the Beatles, yes. but I think many musicians would have a different opinion on who is best of the best.

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    1. 61

       thirdmilleniumposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Hey, the best of the best is THE ROLLING STONES

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    2. 61

       J Kenwellposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Are you saying the Beatles were commercially made to start writing songs that they didn't want to?  If so, that is far from true.

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       1. 86

          rebekahELLEposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          no, you misinterpreted me, or I didn't make myself clear enough. sorry.
          I am a huge fan of the Beatles. what I mean is some of their music towards the end was more about recording and getting an album released, their hearts weren't in the group anymore. there was a lot of friction between producers, manager, band members themselves. finally, it was time to stop and move on. I once read a book about them where Lennon was speaking. I wish I could remember the name of it. It is amazing. Any Beatle fan would love it.

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47. 61

    thirdmilleniumposted 14 years ago

    Well, I wish this question were not posed. But all said and done, I think, it is the Beatles that has to win the title.

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48. 63

    Greek Oneposted 14 years ago

    the TRUE number 1.....
    
    
    

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49. 66

    reaguposted 14 years ago

    It's the Beatles by a long shot.  And then everyone else. 
    
    Ask for the 2nd best band.  You should have a nice debate over that one.  To me, it's U2.  But back in the 80s when I was growing up, it was Van Halen.

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50. 68

    maheshpatwalposted 14 years ago

    Undoubtedly it is the Beatles........ During they heyday they were literally widely popular  all over world....... Even they had a huge fan following in non english speaking countries like Japan............ They Ruled The Seventies............

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    1. 61

       Sunny_Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       yup i agree with you on that one

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