I haven't listed to Sargent Pepper's for many years, I still have the album and will have to get it out soon. This was such an inspired concept album with amazing orchestration and stories. I miss concept albums. There's one that doesn't seem to be mentioned these days and that's Thick as a Brick, but that's a different story. I can't upload a pic here, but I came across a red Sargent Pepper's outfit once, and often wore it while out riding on my Triumph. It's hard to conceive why I did that. Maybe it was my homage :)
Awesome read, Robert! 1967 was such a massive year. These two albums make a good microcosm of many of the themes of that time, including the UK/US cross-talk between rock bands.
This was one hell of an article. Extremely well done! I was sixteen at the time. Sgt. Pepper was a wonder, I loved the Byrds, especially Crosby. As I always say, yes, he was an ass, but he was OUR ass.
Actually, my favorite album of that remarkable year was Surrealistic Pillow by The Jefferson Airplane. Still in my all time top ten.
Thanks, Floyd. David Crosby was one of a kind - a great man! 'Surrealistic Pillow' is way up there for me too. I bought a used copy on mono for $3 when I was in San Francisco at the Amoeba location in the Haight in 2009 (visiting the district was the closest I have ever felt to actually living in the sixties).
I haven't listed to Sargent Pepper's for many years, I still have the album and will have to get it out soon. This was such an inspired concept album with amazing orchestration and stories. I miss concept albums. There's one that doesn't seem to be mentioned these days and that's Thick as a Brick, but that's a different story. I can't upload a pic here, but I came across a red Sargent Pepper's outfit once, and often wore it while out riding on my Triumph. It's hard to conceive why I did that. Maybe it was my homage :)
Mine was to pick the French horn - what Lennon is holding on the album cover - when picking an instrument for band class in elementary school.
It would have been awesome if he actually played one :)
Awesome read, Robert! 1967 was such a massive year. These two albums make a good microcosm of many of the themes of that time, including the UK/US cross-talk between rock bands.
Thanks, Jeremy. So many good albums from 1967 you could build a whole Substack just about them.
Two albums I love, treated pretty fairly. Wish the Byrds could have a revival. So many versions of the band, and almost all so good.
Thanks, Greg!
This was one hell of an article. Extremely well done! I was sixteen at the time. Sgt. Pepper was a wonder, I loved the Byrds, especially Crosby. As I always say, yes, he was an ass, but he was OUR ass.
Actually, my favorite album of that remarkable year was Surrealistic Pillow by The Jefferson Airplane. Still in my all time top ten.
Really enjoyed the info on Hendrix.
Thanks, Floyd. David Crosby was one of a kind - a great man! 'Surrealistic Pillow' is way up there for me too. I bought a used copy on mono for $3 when I was in San Francisco at the Amoeba location in the Haight in 2009 (visiting the district was the closest I have ever felt to actually living in the sixties).