In June 1967 there was an electric atmosphere in the Sixth Form common room.
The Beatles had just released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Who would be the first to get a copy, bring it in and play it?
Half a century later it is still seen as perhaps the most influential rock album ever made. During the coming year there will be many column inches written and documentaries broadcast celebrating the anniversary. But, while standing in awe of the power and artistry of the fab four plus their genius producer George Martin, the underlying themes of the songs bring a certain sadness. Hailed as the first ‘concept album’, George Martin rejected the idea. ‘The songs, if you listen to them, have no connection at all’, he said.* But, though there may be no conscious connection, the songwriters could not help but convey the spirit of their times.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …