'It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper told the band to play...' - The Opening Post

This is the very first post.. obviously.

This blog is dedicated to the classic albums and bands that we all know and love, covering all types of music. Ranging from Marvin Gaye to Frank Sinatra. The Beatles to Metallica.

So let's kick the show off with the album that started The Beatles on their magical mystery tour, 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'.

During the early sixties a term was coined by Andi Lothian (a Scottish music promoter) that described the fan frenzy that would sweep the world and characterised the 'intense hysteria' that followed the Beatles where ever they went. It wasn't just evident at their live concerts, it also followed them in their travels, more often than not exiting a plane in front of hordes of screaming fans. This term, was 'Beatlemania'..

Beatlemania swept the world. Beginning in England, then stretching to the US after the first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. Eventually, this frenzy would spell the end for the Beatles' live concerts.

It was mid-1966 when Beatlemania finally had the band beat (no pun intended). They were tired, stressed and all four had had enough. Even Paul, who was the most infavour of the band playing to live audiences agreed that it was time for it to end. So, in August 1966, the Beatles officially became a studio-only band. They were set up by EMI at the Number 2 Studio at Abbey Road and granted access to the state of the art recording equipment of the time. After a small break, in which George travelled to India and began learning the sitar, the Beatles walked into Studio 2 and began work on what many regard as 'their Magnum Opus', Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Paul McCartney came up with the main concept for the album on a plane trip back to London's Heathrow Airport with Mal Evans. The idea was for the Beatles to shed their 'young english lads' image and become something new, thus introducing themselves as the fictional sgt. peppers band. To help them appear 'new and improved', they all grew moustaches to appear older, and grew their hair longer.

The album begins with the start of a show. The singers introduce the main act, a man named Billy Shears. (who turned out to be Ringo [or the man who became Paul McCartney, depending on which side of the fence you're on.]) Ringo sang 'With A Little Help From My Friends', then the concept of this being a live concert seemed to fade away, before coming back for 'Sgt. Peppers' (reprise)' and 'A Day In The Life'.

The Recording of the album began in late 1966 and would finish in the early months of 1967. The complete record features 13 tracks, although in the early days of recording there were two other songs that were recorded but were left out after Beatles manager Brian Epstein decided they would make better singles. These tracks were 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and 'Penny Lane'. However, they would both be featured on the US LP 'Magical Mystery Tour' (which in the UK was only released as a six track EP).

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is possibly the most recognised album cover of all time. It features the Beatles standing over a garden (or grave, again depending on which side of the fence you're on when it comes to the Paul Is Dead mess) surrounded by celebrities and other well known people. Among them are; Edgar Allan Poe, Bob Dylan, Marlon Brando, Aleister Crowley (satanist), Shirley Temple and wax models of the original Beatles in their black suits. This album cover was photographed by Peter Blake, but the liner notes of the album say that the cover was designed by a 'Joe Ephgrave'. The back cover of the album broke some boundaries as well. It was the first album to feature the complete lyrics for every song on the back cover. They were printed on a sheet and hung in front of the band, then photographed. Interesting methods, eh?

A classic album that set the Beatles in the right direction. It opened them up and set them on their way to write the songs that really established themselves as great musical collaborators.

TRACKLISTING:
1. 'sgt. peppers lonely hearts club band' - 2:02
2. 'with a little help from my friends' - 2:44
3. 'lucy in the sky with diamonds' - 3:28
4. 'getting better' - 2:47
5. 'fixing a hole' - 2:36
6. 'shes leaving home' - 3:35
7. 'being for the benefit of mr. kite' - 2:37
8. 'within you without you' - 5:05
9. ' when i'm sixty four' - 2:37
10. ' lovely rita' - 2:42
11. ' good morning good morning' - 2:41
12. ' sgt peppers lonely hearts club band (reprise)' - 1:18
13. 'a day in the life' - 5:33

Thats the first album down, with many more to go. Hope you enjoyed it and we'll see you again soon.

"I'd like to say thanks on behalf of the group - and i hope we passed the audition" - John Lennon