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"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth album by the Beatles. It is often cited as the Beatles' magnum opus and the most influential album of all time by prominent critics and publications, ranking #1 on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Albums" list in 2003.[1] It was recorded by the Beatles over a 129-day period beginning on December 6, 1966.[2] The album was released on June 1, 1967 in the United Kingdom and on June 2, 1967 in the United States."

-- Wikipedia

When John Lennon was shot dead, it was one more nail in the assassination of hope that began with the killing of John F. Kennedy.

The Beatles began as the pop singers that every mother could love. But they never stayed put, constantly evolving.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is, perhaps, the best illustration of a band that never stopped experimenting, until artistic growth and tension resulted in their disbanding.

Today, some agent would be telling them, "Don't change your style! Clear Channel will stop playing you. You will lose your brand identity. Your audience will evaporate."

But a generation grew up and came of age with the Beatles.

They never stood still.

Like JFK's Camelot, the Beatles held out the hope of a life lived fully.

And then we lost the promise, the fun, the carefreeness, the peace.

Of course -- and don't send the DEA our way -- if ever there was an album that showed drugs can help produce creative excellence, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band would be the one.

But that seems oh so long ago.

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