How young they look! Dapper pink suits and stripey bell-bottom pants. Of course, in those days, ruffled-front shirts were de rigueur, particularly for rock-and-roll bands.
The magazine came in yesterday, ordered as part of a research project. It was ordered based on an article inside, but it was the cover that caught my attention.
It’s a time-capsule, all right. I looked the boys over and – seeing the youthful face of John Lennon – thought what a loss his death represented. The shame of it is, it took until later for me to remember that George was gone, too, the victim of a health bullet.
The LOOK magazine is dated September 13, 1968. Came in the mail almost exactly 45 years after its cover date. It was a big year for Beatle fans, which might have been translated as a big year for the Beatles, but even then it was the beginning of the end.
Here’s what was going on in that year: the release of the so-called “White Album.” The group was at what later turned out to be the peak of their popularity. They were coming off of the success of Sgt. Pepper’s. Critically acclaimed. Popular success. Hit songs followed from that white-jacketed double album titled only with embossed lettering of the band’s name.
That much, I’ve known for years. Here’s what the research project arrival turned up for me due to a curiosity that spurred a little (off-the-clock) investigating. (I do projects on the side to help pay the bills. So sue me.) Seeing the Fab Four and noting the coincidence of the cover date and today’s date bonked that gotta-find-out button. For years (okay, up until a few minutes ago) I thought the album cover was all-white because it was to replace the “Two Virgins” photograph in which John and Yoko posed naked. Not like Miley Cyrus Arty-Twerky naked. Just standing there, showing-your-business naked.
That is what my good friend Mike told me.
Ahhh, Mike. It wasn’t like that.
Just found out that the album you were talking about was an independent thing. Also released in 1968. It turns out the white album wasn’t a censor-thing at all. A guy named Richard Hamilton DESIGNED it that way. (Would have loved to have heard him sell that idea. Yeah, he says. Totally white. Name? Sure. It’ll say classy. Embossed. Turn it at an angle and you can read The Beatles.” You’ll love it.)
Ahhh, Mike. Come on. You’re a PHD now. Lennon fan then. Thought you would’a had that one figured out.
This one I’ll give you. As I recall, we both thought the later album Let It Be was the last Beatles album. It turns out – if not technically – in all other respects the White Album was the last hurrah. Maybe that was even beyond the finish line. Many of the White Album songs were recorded independently. The band members didn’t even see each other during the recording. Ringo wanted it to be released as two separate records. When he didn’t show a couple of times, Paul McCartney filled in on drums. Two songs worth.
That’s one you didn’t tell me about.
The White Album was released just weeks after this LIFE magazine profile. The band was on top of the world. The band was – internally – lost beneath the waves.
Retrospection is a heck-of-a thing. Especially when it is has never been easier to grab up and listen to older music.
Oh, and here they come. Those long, lost memories. White Album. Hey Jude. First slow dance. Ever. Becky – the most beautiful girl in the entire high school – and my hand is on her hip for one of the longest songs ever commercially released. And I can dance with her until it is finally over.
I’m telling you now… for me, that song never ended. Naaaaaah-na-na, Na-na-nah-nah, Hey Jude.
No dance floor here, but – Come visit!
McHuston
Booksellers & Irish Bistro
Rose District
122 South Main, Broken Arrow OK!
