I completely agree with your first statement here (and the same could be said for nearly every musical era), but as far as the Beatles being the single largest modern rock influence, I'm not buying it. Not because I dont' think they were hugely influetial, but that I have a hard time giving them so much credit when guys like Elvis and Chuck Berry paved the way for them in the 50's. There were others before Elvis that did the same for him. Progression can not be taken lightly. It just seems like such a Rolling Stone cookie cutter answer to a very complex question.
BTW, good band list in the other post. I've got a few more bands to add to that list.