However, there remains a very visible, simple way to calculate exactly when the Beatles officially "grew up," that is; became part of the counterculture and officially too slippery for the mainstream to categorize and file away. That moment occurred on July 29, 1966, when the teenybop magazine "DATEbook" published an excerpt of an earlier John interview where he stated that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." Maureen Cleave's original interview in the London Evening Standard had raised no eyebrows four months later, but in America, it exploded. It remains one of the biggest pop music scandals of all time, but even that dubious honor can't really convey the impact the statement had in those bygone days.
It's an infamous remark, and while unfairly taken out of context, it would be disingenuous to think that John was decrying the loss of religious faith or making a simple, cheeky comment about the nature of fame. The statement was indeed a direct attack on Christianity (although not on Jesus Christ himself), and what it mainly revealed was that John had a love-hate affair with the religion (and, if songs like "God" and "Imagine" are any indication, all religion). But John's entire life was a case study in contradiction; he had a love-hate affair with everything, up to and including himself. In any event, the Beatles could never be viewed as simple lovable moptops ever again. And as for Christianity? Well, John, if every one of his public statements are to be taken at face value, fully believed in your ability to decide for yourself.
Here are some links that will help explain the "bigger than Jesus" scandal, from its origin to its aftermath. If there's a site that's not here but should be, feel free to e-mail me!
- How Does A Beatle Live? A reprint of the entire Maureen Cleave piece on John from 1966; it contains the original "Jesus Christ" statement.
- John Lennon proclaims Beatles "More Popular Than Jesus" A solid general history of the remark and its repercussions, from News of the Odd.
- The Dark Side of Beatlemania Dave Haber's outstanding Internet Beatles Album features relevant audio clips not available anywhere else on the net.
- Chicago Press Conference 8/11/66 The full text of the Chicago press conference, wherein John (and the others) try and explain their views. From The Beatles Ultimate Experience.
- Apple Scruffs: Beatles American Tours 1966 A timeline of the year, detailing exactly how and when related events unfolded.
- Ticket To Ride A great book written by someone who was actually present for the Beatles' last tour; details how the scandal affected the tour, as well.
- More Popular Than Jesus
More Popular Than Etc. From the celebrated Saki at rec.music.beatles comes this Beatle fans dissection of John's remarks. - The Beatles, The Bible and The Bhagavad Gita The surprising point of view of one Unitarian minister on the subject and on the Fabs in general.
- McCartney: John's Christ comment was misunderstood Forty years later, Beatles are still apologizing.
- Ogling Google: "Jesus" is bigger than "The Beatles" Proof that Jesus is more popular than the Beatles - on Google, anyway. From Pressflex.
