This Week In 1967 Sgt Pepper Was Released................
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onestepbackwards 1111 posts 2.9 years
The press all chimed in with articles about the fact England's beloved Beatles had run out of artistic ideas and were running on empty. The fact that they just sent these two films they had been working on over to be played on Ed Sullivan and did not appear in person only threw gas on the fire. Low and behold the first song was called Strawberry Fields Forever a totally different sounding song and strange film that accompanied it. They looked different older with their mustaches and unique clothes. Penny Lane brought back some reality with it's wandering visuals. Then on the heels of these two songs came Sgt. Pepper and it's totally intoxicating music. The blending of art and music. All was well again and the Beatles rose to the top of the charts once again.
I think Onestep that may have been one of the primary motives or objectives for their quitting touring and live performances, to concentrate and improve upon their songwriting and musical artistry ... and to enter a new phase and dimension with their music, which they certainly did.
I remember that day; I was 16 years old. The big albums out at this time were the: Doors 1st, Jefferson Airplanes' Surrelestic Pillow, Rolling Stones Flowers, The Beach Boy's totally "wiped-out" with that wasted "Smiley Smile". Procol Harum's Whiter Shade album was a real treat. The 1st "lp" by Grateful Dead was a real "Cream Puff War", can't forget Moby Grape, And some of the real classics like Love's Forever Changes, The Byrds Younger Than Yesterday. And, a little later: Their Satanic.......
I could really go on (that was a summer of the ressurection of the "lp" and the decline of the "45". Underground radio raised its' head and "album rock" FM radio stations emerged.
I hate to pop balloons; but, Sgt Pepper is my 2nd favorite album of all time. Guess the 1st?
Like you, Sgt. Pepper is not my favorite Beatles album either. It definitely has its watermark importance in R&R history and set new standards on many levels. But for me, Abbey Road is still my favorite with Rubber Soul and Revolver following in a tie for second.
Personally I'd put 'Abbey Road', 'The Beatles' and 'Revolver' ahead of 'Pepper' - which is not to knock 'Pepper' but to praise the others! The double album is my favourite, it's so rich and varied and I never get tired of it.
Eric, you mention 'Their Satanic Majesties' - I think '2,000 Light Years From Home' is a stunning piece of psychedelia but the rest of the album ranges from boring ('Sing This All Together') to almost unlistenable ('In Another Land'). Thank god the Stones woke up to themselves and said 'hey this isn't us...we're a blues band' and then went away and recorded 'Beggar's Banquet', the brilliant, powerful devil's answer to Pepper.
Glenn - I'm with you regarding Their Satanic Majesties' Request. That album was so out of character for the Stones. My favorite Stones' records comes from the period that includes Beggars' Banquest, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile On Main Street. I still can't decide which is my favorite...
To honestly understand the impact of Sgt. Pepper one must have been there upon the actual day of its release. First of all this was back when there was no internet net. No leaking of song or album covers. So one looks at this cover. This gloriously strange cover and the back with the Beatles out fitted in silk uniforms of bright colors! The music to be frank was distant in most cases from rock and roll and my God the Beatles had essentially matured and made music that was going to last a very long time. Abbey Road along with the White album and even Revolver did not have the same impact as this album. The band members had totally changed their looks with longer hair mustaches etc. They had chosen to put a picture of the old Beatles on their cover and then tranformed themselves into the new Beatles. In closing the entire album was a huge step no leap forward that they never topped again in my opinion.
Onestep, none of is disputing what you say regarding the importance and impact of Pepper - at least I am not. In fact, in my earlier comment I state that Pepper "has its watermark importance in R&R history and set new standards on many levels." I agree with everything you have said. I was there too, and I believe that Glenn was as well. Speaking for myself, now that we have the entire Beatles catalog and can evaluate them comparatively, there are several other Beatles albums that I prefer. Every one of the 13 (UK) albums, along with the Past Masters, gets regular rotation on the ol' turntable.
Originally Posted By John Bailes: Onestep, none of is disputing what you say regarding the importance and impact of Pepper - at least I am not. In fact, in my earlier comment I state that Pepper "has its watermark importance in R&R history and set new standards on many levels." I agree with everything you have said. I was there too, and I believe that Glenn was as well. Speaking for myself, now that we have the entire Beatles catalog and can evaluate them comparatively, there are several other Beatles albums that I prefer. Every one of the 13 (UK) albums, along with the Past Masters, gets regular rotation on the ol' turntable.
Yes, I was there (although quite young!) but whereas 'Pepper' was, and is, an important album, it is too easy to eulogise over June 1967 and portray it as some long-gone psychedelic wonderland. It was great music but that was about all. I don't remember the cover making that much of an impact at the time. The fact is that 90% of people were just getting on with their lives, going to work or school, and hearing the new Beatles album on the radio was just a minor distraction. It was innovative and interesting but it wasn't a real surprise - 'Revolver', and in particularly 'Tomorrow Never Knows' had already pointed the way. In fact, I remember 'Abbey Road' having more of an impact on public consciousness when it was released two years later.
Having said that, I agree with John - every one of the Fabs albums gets played regularly at my place too.
I have always thought Blossom Toe's LP " We are ever so clean" is a masterpiece, that I humbly offer as an equivalent to Sgt Pepper, if one had to select a non Beatles LP Blossom Toe would be it. So quintessentially English, and in their own way freshly unaffected, as opposed to the Beatles over played and interpreted player
You really sound like an interesting person (and you definitely know your' music).
Goin' back to the year 1967 (the last year that singles (45's) dominated the market. Some really great stuff came out that year: The Doors 1st & Strange Days, Jefferson Airplane's Surrelistic Pillow, Grateful Dead's 1st "lp", Blues Magoos' Psychedelic Lollipop, Buffalo Springfield's Again, Cream's Disrealli Gears, Vanilla Fudge's 1st "lp", The Yardbird's last attempt to score a hit with their Little Games "lp", The Zombies Odessy & Oracle (which they didn't release till '68), of course, Magical Mystery Tour, The Rolling Stones Flowers & Satanic Majesties Request, and (last but not least), John Mayall & Alexis Korner with their classic blues albums.
I totally remember waitin' in line for the record store to open the day Sgt Pepper was released. It was not only a new album, but, it wound up being a event.
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o, I forgot two other classic albums from that year: Dylan's John Wesley Harding & Donovan's Gift From The Flower To The Garden.
Have I boered you enough? I just love to talk music (especially the 60's).
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