LIFE LESSONS FROM THE BEATLES IN 1966
The Beatles are known as the greatest band to ever exist – and many argue ever will exist. But the way in which we view this is in a limited way, we haven’t got the ability to time travel so our generation doesn’t know of the highs and lows the band had – Unless of course, we take the time to read about them.
For me, I regularly read about the Beatles and I can tell you – There wasn’t a stranger year for the Beatles than 1966. This time 50 years ago the worlds greatest ever band was experiencing their low point. The band had went to the Philippines and had accidentally snubbed a party invite from the first lady. Brian Epstein, the Beatles manager had simply declined a formal invite from what he seen as political PR and thought nothing of it. However the nation took this as a huge insult, and literally chased the Beatles out of the country. The police withdrew all help meaning the Beatles had to defend themselves from attacks from the locals who had suddenly began to hate them. Lennon got home and said that “He wouldn’t visit Manilla ever again unless it was with an H-Bomb.”
As we know from that comment, Lennon was prone to say comments that people may find offensive. None more so than a comment that had surfaced from an interview where John had said “To these kids we are bigger than Jesus” – It was then quoted in Dateline magazine with a sensationalist angle. Causing many radio stations to boycott the Beatles, some even arranging public burnings of Beatles albums – and then the KKK got involved, with comments of hate and threats of “surprises” at their upcoming tour.
By: Dale Roberts
Source: The Guide Liverpool
