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From: showard@udenva.UUCP (showard)
Newsgroups: net.music
Subject: Re: IS SGT. PEPPER REALLY A CONCEPT ALBUM?
Message-ID: <866@udenva.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-Sep-85 21:55:02 EDT
Article-I.D.: udenva.866
Posted: Wed Sep 25 21:55:02 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 29-Sep-85 08:08:27 EDT
References: <1198@daemen.UUCP>
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Organization: U of Denver
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> All my life, I have been informed that the Beatles' SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY
> HEART CLUB BAND is the first real concept album.  My question is: WHAT'S 
> THE CONCEPT?  I could never figure it out (if there was one).  If anyone
> can help me please reply via the net.   
> 
>                                    Adopt, adapt, improve,
> 
>                                    Bill Pitzonka
  Not agreeing or disagreeing with the thesis (Sgt. Pepper is a concept album)
let me give one idea that I've read:
    The concept (which wasn't really used) was to have the album be a concert
by a band called, well you know.  They would be sort of a carnival-festival
band--hence the songs:  SP's LHCB (and reprise), A Little Help from my Friends,
When I'm 64, and Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!.  George Harrison's Within
You Without You might fit in as sort of the Indian mystic at the carnival.  
Then the abrupt return from the carnival/circus and back to the real world
with A Day in the Life.
     I think Paul McCartney has said that the original concept was to do an
album about the Beatles' respective childhoods.  They recorded Penny Lane,
Strawberry Fields Forever, and When I'm 64 (for Paul's dad).  BUT, EMI records
wanted a single right away, so the first two songs were released (with videos).
Then, Paul saw an old circus poster of John's which had essentially the lyrics
of "...Mr. Kite" and the Sgt. Pepper idea was born.

    --Mr. Blore, the DJ who would not die!
    -- udenva!showard
     "A splendid time is guaranteed for all"


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