In 1967, The Beatles unveiled the cover for their album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. It featured the four Beatles in colorful uniforms, surrounded by a group of historical and contemporary figures. It has gone down in history as one of the most iconic album covers of all time. Before the band released it, though, their lawyers worried it would land them in a heap of legal trouble.
The Beatles’ lawyers worried about one of their album covers
The cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band features musicians, movie stars, artists, and philosophers. Among the people on the cover are Bob Dylan, Mae West, former Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe, Karl Marx, and Fred Astaire. The collage of all these figures is what has made this cover famous. It is also what worried the band’s lawyers.
“When the cover was finished, [Emi chairman] Sir Joseph Lockwood had a meeting with Paul,...
The Beatles’ lawyers worried about one of their album covers
The cover of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band features musicians, movie stars, artists, and philosophers. Among the people on the cover are Bob Dylan, Mae West, former Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe, Karl Marx, and Fred Astaire. The collage of all these figures is what has made this cover famous. It is also what worried the band’s lawyers.
“When the cover was finished, [Emi chairman] Sir Joseph Lockwood had a meeting with Paul,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Mahatma Gandhi was arguably the most famous political activist who preached nonviolence and John Lennon was the most famous rock star who preached nonviolence. John still didn’t understand something about the Indian independence leader. Yoko Ono questioned whether people should follow in Gandhi’s footsteps.
What John Lennon said about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In the interview, John discussed his views on politics. He endorsed the message of The Beatles’ “Revolution,” saying that he wanted to see the plan for any possible revolutions. John revealed that he would only show up to a barricade if he was handing out flowers, referencing Flower Power, a famous photograph of a protestor putting a flower in the barrel of a soldier’s gun.
He also discussed two of the most...
What John Lennon said about Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King
The book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono features an interview from 1980. In the interview, John discussed his views on politics. He endorsed the message of The Beatles’ “Revolution,” saying that he wanted to see the plan for any possible revolutions. John revealed that he would only show up to a barricade if he was handing out flowers, referencing Flower Power, a famous photograph of a protestor putting a flower in the barrel of a soldier’s gun.
He also discussed two of the most...
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles were still together as a band when John Lennon released his Two Virgins album with Yoko Ono. The album was experimental, so it was a tough sell to even the most dedicated Beatles fans. It didn’t help that Lennon and Ono posed fully nude on the cover. While Paul McCartney wrote album notes for Two Virgins, he reportedly was not a fan of the cover photo. Neither were George Harrison and Ringo Starr. Here’s why the band was so concerned about the controversial album cover.
The Beatles did not like John Lennon’s album cover for ‘Two Virgins’
In 1968, Lennon and Ono released Two Virgins, the first of three experimental albums. While many listeners didn’t like the album’s contents, the bigger source of controversy, by far, was the cover. It features full frontal nudity from both Lennon and Ono. Many record stores refused to sell it altogether,...
The Beatles did not like John Lennon’s album cover for ‘Two Virgins’
In 1968, Lennon and Ono released Two Virgins, the first of three experimental albums. While many listeners didn’t like the album’s contents, the bigger source of controversy, by far, was the cover. It features full frontal nudity from both Lennon and Ono. Many record stores refused to sell it altogether,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It’s hardly a stretch to say The Beatles dominated the 1960s, especially from 1963 onward. Their energetic debut album, Please Please Me, bowled over young English music fans. The United States finally caught up nearly a year later with the Fab Four’s historic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. The fact that The Beatles had 71 songs land in the top 100 of the Billboard singles chart is as impressive as their 20 No. 1 hits.
(l-r) Joseph Lockwood, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Beatles landed in the Billboard top 100 an astonishing 71 times
Step back a bit and wonder at The Beatles’ success.
The Fab Four existed as a recording band for eight years, but their impact and success stretched well beyond that timeline. Need proof? Three of those top 100 songs came in the 1990s, and two of those were demos (“Free as...
(l-r) Joseph Lockwood, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, John Lennon, and Paul McCartney | Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Beatles landed in the Billboard top 100 an astonishing 71 times
Step back a bit and wonder at The Beatles’ success.
The Fab Four existed as a recording band for eight years, but their impact and success stretched well beyond that timeline. Need proof? Three of those top 100 songs came in the 1990s, and two of those were demos (“Free as...
- 4/24/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The BBC banned a Paul McCartney song, but that didn’t stop it from becoming a hit in Ireland. The former Beatle’s record company tried to warn him that the BBC would ban “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” but he felt morally obligated to release it.
Paul McCartney and his wife Linda | Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney can trace his roots back to Ireland, so Bloody Sunday struck a chord
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that both his maternal and paternal grandfathers came from Ireland. His mother’s father, Owen Mohan, was from Tullynamalra in County Monaghan. Eventually, he moved to Liverpool and started work as a coalman. The family was Catholic.
Paul isn’t sure where his paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, but he does know that that side of his family was Protestant.
When Paul and his brother Michael were born,...
Paul McCartney and his wife Linda | Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney can trace his roots back to Ireland, so Bloody Sunday struck a chord
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that both his maternal and paternal grandfathers came from Ireland. His mother’s father, Owen Mohan, was from Tullynamalra in County Monaghan. Eventually, he moved to Liverpool and started work as a coalman. The family was Catholic.
Paul isn’t sure where his paternal grandfather was born in Ireland, but he does know that that side of his family was Protestant.
When Paul and his brother Michael were born,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Fifty years ago, the Beatles walked across a street in London for a photo shoot that would become the cover of their next album, Abbey Road — an anniversary that was commemorated on Thursday with crowds and news crews. But for John Kosh, the Apple Records art director who had to turn those shots into an album cover, that was only step one in creating one of rock’s most recognizable covers.
In 1969, Kosh was what he calls the “creative art director” for Apple Records, the Beatles’ label, and had an...
In 1969, Kosh was what he calls the “creative art director” for Apple Records, the Beatles’ label, and had an...
- 8/9/2019
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
This article originally appeared on NME.com.
Paul McCartney has revealed who was cut from the iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles‘ eighth full-length album and acts as one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The album cover featured a wide range of famous faces, including Fred Astaire, Edgar Allan Poe, Bob Dylan, Oscar Wilde, Shirley Temple and Marlon Brando.
While most of these celebrities were happy to appear on the cover for free, McCartney says that there was one actor who wanted a fee.
“We all had a list of favourites.
Paul McCartney has revealed who was cut from the iconic Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.
2017 marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles‘ eighth full-length album and acts as one of the best-selling albums of all time.
The album cover featured a wide range of famous faces, including Fred Astaire, Edgar Allan Poe, Bob Dylan, Oscar Wilde, Shirley Temple and Marlon Brando.
While most of these celebrities were happy to appear on the cover for free, McCartney says that there was one actor who wanted a fee.
“We all had a list of favourites.
- 6/1/2017
- by Samantha Maine
- PEOPLE.com
These days, it’s difficult to appreciate just how important album covers were to the music industry. Though still significant, the massive digitalization of music has reduced album art to merely a thumbnail on iTunes or Spotify.
Back when sales were dominated by vinyl records and CDs, album covers were a major part of what drew people to certain music on the shelves in-store. A great album cover might drastically increase the potential for sales, whereas an offensive one might seriously alienate consumers.
Much like songs have demos and books have first drafts, album covers have previous iterations, versions that are selected then critiqued and often changed for various reasons. Often, the band’s vision doesn’t align with the record label’s, which causes clashing and compromise.
This same process extends for all album art – even some of the most iconic covers in the history of music very nearly,...
Back when sales were dominated by vinyl records and CDs, album covers were a major part of what drew people to certain music on the shelves in-store. A great album cover might drastically increase the potential for sales, whereas an offensive one might seriously alienate consumers.
Much like songs have demos and books have first drafts, album covers have previous iterations, versions that are selected then critiqued and often changed for various reasons. Often, the band’s vision doesn’t align with the record label’s, which causes clashing and compromise.
This same process extends for all album art – even some of the most iconic covers in the history of music very nearly,...
- 12/8/2015
- by Brian Wilson
- Obsessed with Film
Cliff Richard and the Shadows were Pathé's perfect poster boys for pop when it decided to boost its coverage in the early 60s
In the early 60s, Pathé ramped up its pop coverage. Once the Age of the Teenager had been established, youth became worthy of coverage and even traditional news sources followed suit. As we've seen, Pathé had some youth culture reportage during the second half of the 50s but from 1961 on, the trickle turned to a flood. And who better to represent this shift than the biggest homegrown star of the period?
Cliff Richard and the Shadows ruled British pop from spring 1959 to spring 1963. During that period they had, separately and together, 27 top 10 singles – including 12 No 1s. There were also two massively successful films, The Young Ones and Summer Holiday, with their associated soundtracks: in both cases the lead-off singles and the albums went to No 1.
Broadcast in...
In the early 60s, Pathé ramped up its pop coverage. Once the Age of the Teenager had been established, youth became worthy of coverage and even traditional news sources followed suit. As we've seen, Pathé had some youth culture reportage during the second half of the 50s but from 1961 on, the trickle turned to a flood. And who better to represent this shift than the biggest homegrown star of the period?
Cliff Richard and the Shadows ruled British pop from spring 1959 to spring 1963. During that period they had, separately and together, 27 top 10 singles – including 12 No 1s. There were also two massively successful films, The Young Ones and Summer Holiday, with their associated soundtracks: in both cases the lead-off singles and the albums went to No 1.
Broadcast in...
- 8/23/2012
- by Jon Savage
- The Guardian - Film News
Tiffany Rose/Wireimage
It’s a boy for Lisa Leslie and husband Michael Lockwood, her rep confirms to People.
Although the retired pro basketball star wasn’t due to deliver until May, Michael Joseph Lockwood II weighed in at 7 lbs., 13 oz. and 21.5 inches long upon his birth at 3:21 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6th.
Baby Mj, as he will be called, joins big sister Lauren Jolie, 2½, as well as Mikaela, 15, and Gabrielle, 18, Lockwood’s daughters from his previous marriage.
Former La Sparks star Leslie, 37, announced the pregnancy in December.
It’s a boy for Lisa Leslie and husband Michael Lockwood, her rep confirms to People.
Although the retired pro basketball star wasn’t due to deliver until May, Michael Joseph Lockwood II weighed in at 7 lbs., 13 oz. and 21.5 inches long upon his birth at 3:21 a.m. on Tuesday, April 6th.
Baby Mj, as he will be called, joins big sister Lauren Jolie, 2½, as well as Mikaela, 15, and Gabrielle, 18, Lockwood’s daughters from his previous marriage.
Former La Sparks star Leslie, 37, announced the pregnancy in December.
- 4/9/2010
- by Sarah
- People - CelebrityBabies
Tiffany Rose/WireImage
Baby’s on his way!
Lisa Leslie — sporting a “baby under manufacturing process” tee — cradles her belly on Friday at the Gbk and HealthyTrim.com Luxury Gift Lounge, held at the W Hollywood in California.
The former basketball star, 37, expects a son in May.
She and her husband plan to name their baby boy Michael Joseph Lockwood, Jr., but will call him by the nickname M.J.
Filed under: Main, Moms-to-be...
Baby’s on his way!
Lisa Leslie — sporting a “baby under manufacturing process” tee — cradles her belly on Friday at the Gbk and HealthyTrim.com Luxury Gift Lounge, held at the W Hollywood in California.
The former basketball star, 37, expects a son in May.
She and her husband plan to name their baby boy Michael Joseph Lockwood, Jr., but will call him by the nickname M.J.
Filed under: Main, Moms-to-be...
- 3/9/2010
- by Sarah
- People - CelebrityBabies
David Livingston/Getty
Tally up the score: Lisa Leslie is pregnant again.
The retired pro basketball star and husband Michael Lockwood are expecting their second child — a boy — in May, she tells People exclusively.
“We are excited,” says Leslie, 37, who became pregnant in September during her last month as a player with the Los Angeles Sparks.
“When we found out he was a boy, Michael shouted, “Yes, thank you Jesus!” jokes the former forward, who received the news the day before Thanksgiving.
The couple plan to name their son Michael Joseph Lockwood, Jr., but will call him by the nickname M.
Tally up the score: Lisa Leslie is pregnant again.
The retired pro basketball star and husband Michael Lockwood are expecting their second child — a boy — in May, she tells People exclusively.
“We are excited,” says Leslie, 37, who became pregnant in September during her last month as a player with the Los Angeles Sparks.
“When we found out he was a boy, Michael shouted, “Yes, thank you Jesus!” jokes the former forward, who received the news the day before Thanksgiving.
The couple plan to name their son Michael Joseph Lockwood, Jr., but will call him by the nickname M.
- 12/9/2009
- by Sarah
- People - CelebrityBabies
Tally up the score: Lisa Leslie is pregnant again. The retired pro basketball star and husband Michael Lockwood are expecting their second child - a boy - in May, she tells People exclusively. "We are excited," says Leslie, 37, who became pregnant in September during her last month as a player with the Los Angeles Sparks. "When we found out he was a boy, Michael shouted, 'Yes, thank you Jesus!' " jokes the former forward, who received the news the day before Thanksgiving. The couple plan to name their son Michael Joseph Lockwood, Jr., but will call him by the nickname M.
- 12/9/2009
- by Lorenzo Benet
- PEOPLE.com
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