I find it bittersweet to admit that I remember well the summer of 1967 and the awesome influence on popular culture of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," which was released 40 years ago today.The Beatles' masterpiece, arguably the greatest album of all time, profoundly changed popular music.
"Sgt. Pepper" took rock well beyond the confines of the genre by employing a vast array of other musical influences, from classical to carnival to English music hall. And on each of the 13 tracks, the lyrics matched the music beautifully. The effort also involved by far the most sophisticated recording techniques to that time.
The overall effect was magical.
UPDATE: Rockford's own Cheap Trick will perform "Sgt. Pepper" in its entirety at the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 10-11.
2 comments:
I know this album changed rock 'n' roll for all time, but was it a change for the better? In my opinion, "Sgt. Pepper," for all its groundbreaking greatness, led to the overblown, pretentious music of the '60s and '70s and almost killed the genre as a music of rebellion and personal expression. It took a band like the Ramones -- channeling early rock music (including the early Beatles) -- to strip rock back to its roots and give it a much-needed kick in the ass. Post-Beatles, it's interesting that John Lennon focused on a stripped-down sound while Paul McCartney went the overblown route. It's a good album, no doubt, but personally, I'd rather hear the Beatles' early stuff. That's what still sounds good to me.
By the way, this is the summer I was born, so I grew up hearing these songs.
Overblow this!
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