Here's a way to explain it. From 63'-66', they were everywhere on the charts with their pop songs. In 67', they started taking the success they had, and decided, thankfully for future great bands influenced by them, to use the massive/worldwide attention, and start putting out music that wasn't typical pop. Showing that it's music, and experimentation, as well as songwriting that can be anything you want it to be...that there are no rules really. You have to realize, even if you don't like them, they could have done what all pop bands did, and still do today....keep playing formulaic pop. When they started experimenting...then came Pink Floyd (their first name was Megadeath, no joke!!)and then other Psychadelic/prog bands, because they heard what the Beatles did...no boundaries, and there were actually people out there listening, that liked to expand thier musical interests. Ozzy Osbourne's fav is none other than the Beatles. They definitely got things started, thankfully. Without their decision to take their massive attention, and do something different, prog rock, metal, ambient, new age wouldn't have started so soon..probably for another 10 years, maybe more!!