Tommy Charles
"More popular than Jesus" is a phrase taken from a 1966 interview in which John Lennon of the Beatles claimed that the public's infatuation with the band surpassed that of Jesus Christ, and that Christian faith was declining to the point where it might be outlasted by rock music. His opinions drew no controversy when published in the Evening Standard in London, but ignited angry reactions from Christian communities when republished in the United States.
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, clarifying that he was not comparing himself to Christ.
The controversy deeply impacted the band, contributing significantly to their decision to cease touring entirely. In 1980, Lennon was murdered by a Christian fan of the Beatles, Mark David Chapman, who stated that Lennon's comment was a motivating factor in the killing, though he has since refuted this claim.
La Voix 2019
- 2019-04-12T00:00:00.000000Z
Love Train
- 2025-02-21T00:00:00.000000Z
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