Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Commemorative Christmas Album Sleeve (Capitol SMAS 2653)
If you are lucky enough to come across a rare 1967 Beatles, Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, commemorate Christmas album- which featured Capitol Record’s executive bosses on the front cover- You’ve discovered GOLD!!
To celebrate its success; a commemorate Christmas, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, LE album cover was produced to show forty faces of America’s head-honchos from Capitol Records, replacing the Beatles faces. Several celebrities’ images in the background were replaced as well. Approximately, 100 of these LE albums were produced, with only three known LPs being owned by collectors.
The commemorative Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band sleeve is currently worth over $115,000!
Key Collecting Tip: Album collectors not only collect vinyl records (including their original inserts) but the number on their sleeves are extremely important. Low-numbered Beatle cover sleeves are highly sought-after by collectors.
The first version of the iconic “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was released in June of 1967. This past June, the album celebrated its 50th– anniversary with a reissued deluxe version, which has remastered sound effects.
Sgt. Pepper’s, was the eighth album the Beatles had recorded and was produced by George Martin. The hours and days spent to record the album, along with its expensive (£3,000), modern, art sleeve; was worth it. The original concept for the cover was called “people we like.” Today it’s considered the greatest album of all time. The cardboard collage of famous celebrities and psychedelic art on the cover sleeve were designed by Jann Haworth and Sir Peter Blake; and in 1967, they won a Grammy Award for “Best Album Cover.”
Source: www.vimeo.com
Did you know there are over 58 definite influential people on the final sleeves artwork?
Can you guess who they are?
Source: https://www.udiscovermusic.com
John Lennon wanted to add Adolf Hitler, but his image was considered unsuitable for obvious reasons.
Remembering the “Paul McCartney Death Hoax Conspiracy” from the 1960s
Since we are discussing the Beatles “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” album; it’s befitting to mention the odd and mysterious “Paul is Dead” theory.
During the ‘60s, I was a young teen living in a working-class neighborhood in Hampton, Va.
Just down the street lived one of my best friends. She had two gorgeous brothers who spent their spare time listening to Beatles albums in front of their dad’s vintage German-made, Blaupunkt console stereo.
We would all huddle around the stereo relentlessly listening over and over again- for clues to verify the possible death of my favorite Beatle-Paul McCartney. Their stereo’s turntable had the capability to play records backward. (An important feature when listening to Revolution No 9- a composition or musical arrangement found on the Beatles White Album. When played in revere the words “Turn me on, dead man” could be heard in the background. Too cool!
The so-called myth started around 1966 with the release of The Beatles record album “Revolver.”
Did anyone notice Paul’s facial image on the cover is looking sideways with the other Beatles facing forward? When the album cover is turned sideways, Paul is now facing upwards, a similar position when placed in a coffin.
Oher clues could be found in songs and cover sleeves on the Beatle’s 1967 released albums- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; and Magical Mystery Tour -which featured Paul as the walrus on the cover. In 1969, the Beatles Abbey Road album features the Beatles’ dressed in attire symbolizing a funeral procession- John in white clothing as the religious preacher; Ringo the mourner; Paul the deceased-barefoot and out of step, and George as the grave-digger (Poor George!). Check out the registration plate on the Volkswagen Beadle car, it reads “28IF” (age Paul would be had he lived).
Clues such as these, had us young teens intrigued and wanting to find out more, and Beatles vinyl record sales soared. “Paul is dead’ conspiracy, or Brian Epstein’s brilliant Beatles marketing strategy?
Luckily, Life Magazine tracked down Sir Paul McCartney in Scotland which pictured him and Linda and his ‘wee ones’ on the front cover of the November 7, 1969, issue- along with the headline “Paul is still with us,” (Thank God!)
One way or another, we were all thrilled to try and figure out the mystery, but yet- spooked at the same time.
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