| History of the Beatles |
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"More popular than Jesus"[nb 1] is part of a remark made by John Lennon of the Beatles in a March 1966 interview, in which he argued that the public were more infatuated with the band than with Jesus, and that Christian faith was declining to the extent that it might be outlasted by rock music. His opinions drew no controversy when originally published in the London newspaper The Evening Standard, but drew angry reactions from Christian communities when republished in the United States that July.
Lennon's comments incited protests and threats, particularly throughout the Bible Belt in the Southern United States. Some radio stations stopped playing Beatles songs, records were publicly burned, press conferences were cancelled, and the Ku Klux Klan picketed concerts. The controversy coincided with the band's 1966 US tour and overshadowed press coverage of their newest album Revolver. Lennon apologised at a series of press conferences and explained that he was not comparing himself to Christ.
The controversy exacerbated the band's unhappiness with touring, which they never undertook again; Lennon also refrained from touring in his solo career. In 1980, he was murdered by a Christian fan of the Beatles, Mark David Chapman, who later stated that Lennon's quote was a motivating factor in the killing.
- ^ Sullivan 1987, p. 313.
- ^ "Beatles Still Supported in Columbus". The Columbus Enquirer. 6 August 1966. p. 9.
Radio station WAYX in Waycross announced it would hold a 'Beatle burning' Monday night and invited the public to join in.
- ^ Womack & Davis 2012, p. 103.
- ^ Gould 2008, pp. 308–309.
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