So What’s the Big Deal About Sgt Pepper Anyway?
In a couple of days, Bo will start the Sgt Peppers tour. I know some of his fans are not huge Beatles fans and that makes a lot of sense. The Beatles don’t have a lot to do with southern rock, so it’s not surprising if some of you are not too keen. But as a genuine Beatles nut, I thought I’d try to convert some of you ;-)
The Beatles had broken up before I was old enough to be a fan, but an older friend of the family loved them and I loved him (first unrequited crush at age 11!) so I listened to his Beatles albums. My favorite was never Sgt Pepper - I loved Revolver and The White Album, but as I learned more about the band, I came to appreciate just why Sgt Pepper has always been so revered.
It’s hard to appreciate now just how much changed with that record. It’s hard to imagine all the artists whose music would have been different (or never happened) if it hadn’t been for that album. There are so many truly revolutionary things about the way it was recorded.
It was originally intended to be a concept album. Tired of touring and playing music to screaming girls who didn’t even want to listen, the Beatles decided to create a stand-in band to promote the album via videos and give up touring for good (they never did go out on the road again). This is where the title track and the song ‘With a Little Help from my Friends’ came from. But John Lennon refused to play along because he thought the idea was hokey. He wouldn’t budge, so Paul McCartney gave in and they dropped the concept for the rest of the album.
The album used many new recording techniques and, combined with the imagination of the band and the genius of their producer George Martin, they broke one boundary after another, often finding ways to do thing that had never been done:
Another example of the album’s unusual production is John Lennon’s song “Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!”, which closes side 1 of the album. The lyrics were adapted almost word for word from an old circus poster which Lennon had bought at an antique shop in Kent the day the Beatles had been filming the promotional clip for Strawberry Fields Forever there. The flowing sound collage that gives the song its distinctive character was created by Martin and his engineers, who collected recordings of calliopes and fairground organs, which were then cut into strips of various lengths, thrown into a box, mixed up and edited together in random order, creating a long loop which was mixed in during final production.
I guess there was no Protools back then ;-)
The album was not only innovative but controversial. Concerns about drug references caused the BBC to ban it, although the Beatles denied these references (while never denying their copious drug use.) For example, many people felt the song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, with its trippy lyrics, was a reference to LSD. But Lennon always insisted the title and lyrics came from a painting by his young his son Julian.
The album cover was just as innovative as the music and caused untold headaches for EMI, who had to gain permission from every person featured. My very favorite Sgt Pepper anecdote is this one, from Wikipedia:
Mae West initially refused — famously asking “What would I be doing in a lonely hearts club?” — but she relented after the Beatles sent her a personal letter.
Upon release, the album was almost universally adored. As I posted last week, Jimi Hendrix paid tribute and reviewers fell over themselves to lavish praise on the album. One notable hold out was Frank Zappa, who accused the Beatles of co-opting flower power for monetary gain. Frank notwithstanding, the album stayed at #1 in the UK for 23 weeks.
Famed UK theater Kenneth Tynan declared that Sgt Pepper represented “a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization”.
That may be pushing things a little too far, but it is a bloody good album.
btw - My own favorite is Within You Without You - what about you? If you like the album, what track is your favorite? And what songs would you like to see Bo sing?
August 12th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Well, I’m a Beatles fan and I can’t wait for this show! The back story of the album is so interesting - thanks lulu.
I would like to hear Bo sing, “A Day In The Life” (ironically the title of his video on the TRT dual disc). I’ve always loved this song (especially the bridge) and I think that it suits Bo’s lower register. Plus I want to hear him sing “I love to turn you on”. ;-)
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds would be a cool one, too. The lyrics might be tricky, though. ;-)
August 12th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
DeeFender, get out of my head!
“A Day in the Life” for the same reasons as above.
Especially the turning on part.
Heh.
August 12th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
You two are BAD!!
August 12th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
I really like Sgt. Pepper’s always have. I have always been a Beatles fan. So I am very excited about this show. I actually can picture Bo singing any of these songs and sounding cool even though it is a very different style of music for him. I do think the words to Getting Better might be a pretty good fit for him though:
It’s getting better all the time
I used to get mad at my school
The teachers who taught me weren’t cool
You’re holding me down,turning me round
Filling me up with your rules.
I’ve got to admit its getting better
A little better all the time
I have to admit it’s getting better
It’s getting better since you’ve been mine.
Me used to be angry young man
Me hiding me head in the sand
You gave me the word
I finally heard
I’m doing the best that I can…
August 12th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I’m old enough to remember all the excitement when the Beatles were coming to America to be on the Ed Sullivan with their long hair. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
They sure did contribute to the history of music. I saw “LOVE” in Las Vegas and would go see it again in a heartbeat. I can’t wait to see Bo in this show, whatever he does it will be awesome. Go get em, Bo!
August 12th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Bo can sing the entire album for me and I wouldn’t complain at all. I was not a Beatles fan until Let It Be. Long-hair? Cool. Facial hair? Cool. Black and white album cover? Real cool.
But I was also the li’l tyke who hated listening to “She loves you yeah yeah yeah..” all day long as my mom sat me on my grandmother’s little drugstore counter top. It was all I heard from the radio on repeat as well as the other yeah-yeah songs of the Beatles as how I called it then. I wanted to kick the radio. Bwah. However I did like some of their songs during that era. Fool on the Hill was I think my first favorite because I liked the lyrics and it was easy to sing for a kid.
On topic, I still hope he gets to sing With a Little Help and Lucy. I can just imagine Bo slowly mouthing the words of the first line of Lucy while his eyes wander on the audience. Gah. I hope there is video.
August 13th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I was born in 1959 and loved The Beatles since they 1st came to the US. I remember being only 4 yrs old and when-ever I’d get in the car I’d ask “Play the station that has The Beatles, daddy!” He would too. I had all of their US vinyl albums - then later sold some to get the UK Box Set. I kept some like “Magical Mystery Tour” that has the booklet though.
To me, no other band can ever compare to The Beatles! They were truly revolutionary.
Hummm, which songs for Bo from Stg. Pepper? Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds, Getting Better, She’s Leaving Home, St. Pepper, A Day In The Life - that one more than the rest - looooove that song soooo much!
Of course, John was my fav. too and so that has some influence on me as well. Even before they broke up and I decided I liked John the best when he put out “Imagine,” I later went back and realized I really liked the songs that John did over-all more than the others. Even though, I think Paul & George were also excellent.
So - which songs does Bo do? Anyone know yet? Wish soooo much I could go to Vegas for this show! But it’s the SAME day I have to go back to work. UGH! Just ONE day later and it would’ve been a Saturday and I could’ve been there. Of course, I’m still dying to see “LOVE” in Vegas too. Oh man, it’d be sooo great to see Bo in this and then “Love” the following day. It’d be like going to pure HEAVEN for me. SIGH!
Oh well, maybe they’ll eventually play some place and time when I can see them.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:55 am
I can’t imagine why there would be a contradiction. It is possible to love more than one genre of music… and of course the Beatles have to do with southern rock. They have to do with all types of rock - and this is part of their greatness. I think this tours sound absolutely wonderful and I plan on taking a show in!
Lulu, sorry to approach you like this, I couldn’t find an email for you - I would appreciate it if you could contact me via my email.
Thanks.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:45 am
I love the Beatles - even the “yeah yeah” stage. I would love to be going to one of these shows, but cannot make any so far. My favourite would be like everyone else “A Day In the Life” - that is hubby’s favourite song and I love it, too.
Enjoy all who can see these shows - I am jealous.
August 13th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Hi Judith - just register for the forum and then you can send me a PM.
I love lots of genres of music, but I am a little lost as to the Beatles link with southern rock. I guess both came partly out of American Blues, but I think they diverged wildly at that point.
August 13th, 2008 at 8:17 am
I think the Beatles opened the door for many more types of music and they could really change with the times which is why they have lasted so very long. My vote would be for my favorite, A Day In The Life but would really just love it if Bo sang every song and the other singers just backed him up. Guess that’s not gonna happen?
August 13th, 2008 at 9:44 am
It was the heyday of my hippiedom when this album came out & I still have the vinyl to this day. It accompanied me on many a *trip*! I’d love to hear Bo do “Lucy in the Sky” & “A Day In the Life”. I feel sure he’ll have everyone swooning on their knees if he does “You Are So Beautiful”. But honestly I’m thrilled to hear whatever he does. It’s a little piece of history afterall & our little hippie dude loves his music history.
I can’t make any of these shows so I’m really looking forward to the cellcerts to hear it. It’s gonna knock our flipflops off (tm Nancy).
August 13th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I remember the first time I heard “I Want to Hold Your Hand”. I had never heard anything like it before, but I knew it was going to be something big. I also remember the day Sgt. Pepper was released. I begged my mother to buy it for me. I spent many hours studying the album cover, memorizing each face. I didn’t fully appreciate Sgt. Pepper or The White Album until years later.
I would love to hear Bo sing “Lovely Rita” and “She’s Leaving Home”… two of my favorites.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Uh oh. I think lulu is talking about me. I don’t know much about the Beatles and I had to buy the Sgt. Pepper album a couple of weeks ago to find out what I would be in for at this show! I only made it through the album once. Don’t care to listen again! But I’m sure I will enjoy Bo singing any of these songs live. Sorry, lulu. You didn’t convert me, but I still luv ya.
August 13th, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Don’t worry talli. I know you have horrible music taste ;-)
August 13th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
Oh my gosh talli, not even “A Day In the Life???” I’m in SHOCK!
I have to admit I do love “The White Album” and “Abbey Road” more than “Pepper.”
Lulu, you have the UK “Revolver” with “I’m Only Sleeping” and “Your Bird Can Sing,” right? In the US they left those two - my favorites off. The US label was so cheap they took 2 off every LP until the made “Then & Now.” So that’s when The Beatles made the infamous “Butcher Cover.” The Beatles spent a lot of time deciding what songs would go on an LP and the order. Only to see the greedy record company “butcher” them to make more money in the US. That’s why I went ahead and sold some of my US LP’s to get the UK Boxed Set. Now I’ve finally got most of them on CD’s.
Oh, you know I thought about Joe Cocker’s “A Little Help With My Friends,” and how Bo could also use his southern soul to rip that song up on stage!
Any other places or dates set for this tour yet? Just wondering.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:04 am
heh, daidycat. The depths of my ignorance about the Beatles knows no bounds. I only listened to the album once, so I have no idea which song was “A Day In the Life”. You can bet I’ll know them all after going to this show! I really am looking forward to seeing Bo in this different environment.