Question: Beatles "Bigger Than Jesus" FAQ - Public outrage
What was the public's response?
Answer: WAQY-AM in Birmingham, AL was the first to announce an on-air ban of Beatles records, followed closely by Memphis' WREB. Texas was especially indignant, with KMIL, KZEE, and KTEO all announcing lifetime no-forgiveness bans. All told, approximately three dozen stations across the country banned the Beatles, leading to bans in other nations with pronounced Christian heritages like Mexico, Italy, and South Africa. Public bonfires of Beatles records became popular in the South, and listeners were encouraged to boycott all stops on the band's upcoming fall 1966 tour. The Memphis city council itself attempted to ban the Beatles' scheduled appearance, while a South Carolina chapter of the KKK nailed a Beatles album to a wooden cross in protest and burned it.
The Vatican was quick to denounce the group for John's comments; its paper of record, L'Osservatore Romano, noted "some subjects must not be dealt with profanely, even in the world of beatniks." One Baptist preacher in Cleveland threatened anyone who went to the next Beatle concert with excommunication.
