Annus mirabilis

“When Sgt. Pepper was released in June, it was a major cultural event,” Ian MacDonald wrote in Revolution in the Head. “Young and old alike were entranced.”

Attending a party with a group of rich older women, EMI boss Sir Joseph Lockwood found them so ‘thrilled’ by the album that they sat on the floor after dinner singing extracts from it. In America normal radio-play was virtually suspended for several days, only tracks from Sgt. Pepper being played. An almost religious awe surrounded the LP. Pa...