“Sgt. Pepper” Turns 57

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was the eighth studio album by English rock band the Beatles. Released on 1 June 1967, it was an immediate commercial and critical success, spending 27 weeks at the top of the albums chart in the United Kingdom and 15 weeks at number one in the United States. The album was recognized for its innovations in music production, songwriting and graphic design.

It was 57 years ago today that The Beatles officially released their landmark LP Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band in the U.K., though their label rushed copies into some stores six days early on May 26, 1967. (It went on sale in the U.S. on schedule on June 2.) Whenever you want to mark that anniversary, the record has been a point of reference for popular music ever since.

Sunday 4th June 1967, guitarist Jimi Hendrix paid the ultimate compliment to The Beatles by performing the title track from their ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ album live just three days after its release.

Paul McCartney and George Harrison were in the audience that day as The Jimi Hendrix Experience headlined the bill at London’s Saville Theatre. Paul was a particular admirer, and accompanied by Ringo.

Jimi opened, the curtains flew back and he came walking forward, playing ‘Sgt. Pepper’, and it had only been released on the Thursday so that was like the ultimate compliment.

If you are a fan of The Beatles you might enjoy these videos by Morgan Rees:

The Beatles “Beginning to the End” factoids:

The Beatles “White Album”factoids:

The making of “YELLOW SUBMARINE” movie: 

The Beatles “Rubber Soul”factoids: