1967
The Beatles Story - 1967
Free of the demands of touring, The Beatles' creative energy goes into the recording studio. The period August 1966 to August 1967 is perhaps their most productive. Revolver (1966) is followed by Penny Lane/Strawberry Fields and the musically revolutionary ‘Sergeant Pepper’.
Summer of Love
In 1967, The Beatles radically change their image. Their suits disappear. They grow their hair much longer. Moustaches appear for Sergeant Pepper. The influence of Indian mysticism and music is becoming increasingly apparent.
The Beatles are both leaders and followers of the newly emerging alternative culture. They help popularise ‘hippy’ clothes and attitudes. But their ‘summer of love’ begins unravelling in August.
Black August
On August 7, George Harrison visits the famed Haight Ashbury 'hippy heaven'. He is shocked by the drug-fuelled debauchery he encounters.
Later in the month, all four Beatles travel to Bangor, North Wales. They are there to study transcendental meditation with an Indian mystic, the Maharshi Yogi.
This is brought to an abrupt end on Sunday, August 27, when terrible news arrives from London.
Brian
Throughout 1967, Brian Epstein had been struggling with The Beatles' new direction. Without touring, he has little to do. He increasingly relies on medication to relieve depression and insomnia.
On August 27, 1967, Brian died of an accidental prescription overdose.
The news comes while The Beatles are in Bangor, North Wales. He is preparing to study transcendental meditation with an Indian mystic, the Maharshi Yogi. They came out to talk to reporters, still clearly in a state of shock.
After Brian
‘When Brian died,’ John later said, ‘we knew we were in trouble.’
Paul tries to organise the band. He creates a new project, the TV film, Magical Mystery Tour. The others resent his leadership.
Magical Mystery Tour is broadcast on Boxing Day, 1967. The critics hate it. For the first time in five years, a Beatles project is not a complete success. But the soundtrack album still contains several classic tracks, including The Fool on the Hill, Magical Mystery Tour, I am the Walrus, Baby You're a Rich Man
