PBS TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEATLES’
SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
– SGT. PEPPER’S MUSICAL REVOLUTION Premieres June 3, 2017 –
PBS will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
groundbreaking Beatles album with a new
documentary, SGT. PEPPER’S MUSICAL
REVOLUTION, a look back at the creation
and ongoing influence of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely
Hearts Club Band, released on June 1, 1967.
Hailed as a landmark achievement by critics
worldwide, the album won four Grammy
Awards, including Album of the Year, and
ranks #1 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest
Albums of All Time as “the most important
rock & roll album ever made.” This new
documentary, from Huge Films and directed by
Abbey Road Studios, London, January 1967.
Francis Hanly, conjures up the psychedelic,
Credit: © Apple Corps Ltd.
phantasmagorical world of Sgt. Pepper,
provides context for the culture of the day, and
shows how the album, which featured classic songs including “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “She’s
Leaving Home” and “A Day in the Life,” became a driving force within that culture. Hosted by awardwinning British composer, author, music historian and broadcaster Howard Goodall, SGT. PEPPER’S
MUSICAL REVOLUTION premieres Saturday, June 3, 2017, 8:00-9:00 pm ET (check local listings)
on PBS.
When The Beatles made the decision to stop playing live in August 1966, most of the world’s press
concluded that they were finished. But far from finished, the band suddenly had the time to pour all of
their energy into writing and recording, creating an album that broke ground in countless ways. Released
in June 1967, after almost a year of secrecy, the album was an immediate sensation.
SGT. PEPPER’S MUSICAL REVOLUTION features material never before accessible outside of
Abbey Road Studios, including recordings of studio chat between band members and isolated instrumental
and vocal tracks. It reveals the nuts and bolts of how the album came together, and provides insights into
the choices made by The Beatles and George Martin. With wit, clarity and accessibility, host Howard
Goodall explores the back-story of some of the major songs, including the personal stories and
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biographical connections behind the music. In addition he explicates the revolutionary musical concepts of
the album and demonstrates how they were achieved.
As part of the global celebration of the 50th anniversary, the PBS broadcast coincides with The Beatles’
worldwide release of ‘Sgt. Pepper’ anniversary edition packages on May 26 via Apple Corps
Ltd./Capitol/UMe. Newly mixed, the album is expanded with early takes from the studio sessions,
including 34 previously unreleased recordings.
PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public
affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer
contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public
television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and
new worlds through television and online content.
An Apple Corps Ltd. production, SGT. PEPPER’S MUSICAL REVOLUTION is directed by Francis
Hanly and produced by Jonathan Clyde and Martin Smith.
–
CONTACT:
PBS –
Mary Lugo, CaraMar, Inc.; 770-623-8190; [email protected]
Cara White, CaraMar, Inc.; 843-881-1480; [email protected]
For images and additional up-to-date information on this and other PBS programs, visit PBS PressRoom
at pbs.org/pressroom.
www.pbs.org
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