A controversial remark made by John Lennon of the popular band “The Beatles” in 1966 actually brought misfortune to the band. Lennon said that Christianity was in decline and that the Beatles had become more popular than Jesus Christ. The comment drew no controversy when originally published in the United Kingdom, but angry reactions flared up in Christian communities when it was republished in the United States five months later. In an interview with Maureen Cleave of the London Evening Standard in March 1966, Lennon made the remark which did not draw any public reaction but when Datebook, a US publication quoted Lennons comments in August, five months later, extensive protests broke out in the Southern United States. Some radio stations stopped playing Beatles songs, their records were publicly burned, press conferences were cancelled, and threats were made. The controversy coincided with the groups US tour in August 1966, and Lennon and Brian Epstein attempted to quell the dispute at a series of press conferences. Some tour events experienced disruption and intimidation, including a picketing by the Ku Klux Klan. Hmmm, even the Ku Klux Klan! The controversy hit them they never had the opportunity to go on any other tour again. I hope Doyin Okupe learns from this mistake.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 09:24:43 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015