The Story Behind Sgt. Pepper's in the words of The Beatles | In Their Own Words

The Beatles‘ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, which Rolling Stone named the best album of all time, turns 57 this year. In honor of the anniversary, we have presented a video with interviews of the members of the Beatles talking about this masterpiece that explore the background of this revolutionary and beloved record.

[@colinwilliams553]

I will NEVER get tired of watching documentaries about the greatest,influential rock and roll band of all time discussing how the concept of recording the most influential album in the history of music EVER made.I could listen and watch this all day.God bless JOHN LENNON,PAUL MCCARTNEY, GEORGE HARRISON, RINGO STARR and of course,the "fifth" beatle,GEORGE MARTIN.

[@SmokeyTreats]

Totally agree! I'm so grateful for this KZbin platform & what it has enabled. Practically any subject, it's here. And it's so f'ing wonderful that we get to go over our past with just a click. Much gratitude for all involved in making the great vids here, particularly about The Beatles, of course. Cheers.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

I gave your comment its hundredth like! I deserve credit for this!

[@38bass]

I was born in 1969. Upon “discovering” the album as an 8 year old adolescent, Sgt. Pepper’s became absolutely everything for me. ❤️‍🔥💖❤️‍🔥

[@alisterfolson]

Same age. 1st record I bought with paper route money!

[@SST4SSG]

That was my exact age when I got into the Beatles in 1981. I really got into playing guitar and everything changed in a great way. (and I was already a happy kid before then)

[@kerrywsmyth]

My dad was 16 when this came out. For the next 20 years he insisted that this was the greatest album ever made. He played it all most every single day of my childhood. Sometimes he played Magical Mystery Tour but mostly Sgt Pepper.

[@robertewalt7789]

Your father was right!

[@user-lj2my3vb3u]

Revolver is their best

[@manny4552]

A wise man

[@johnpick8336]

Your father was right!

[@andrewpoules9109]

Your dad had exquisite taste and so do you and many people ❤

[@markkuskin5453]

Absolutely astounding! There is, and never will be, the likes of them again ❤

[@JimMcilhenny-hn5ft]

…yeah…

[@willswalkingwest7267]

When I got my first copy the LP cover opened up and it came with a cardboard mustache and badges. I got a second copy so I could cut out the inner picture of them and hang it on my wall. I actually went to school with one of the badges pinned to my shirt, no one knew what it was. I was such a geek.

[@alrivers8458]

👍👏👏👏👏🤜🤛

[@Heene1028]

Young folks admonish us for not keeping our memorabilia pristine… we had no idea what memorabilia was…. They have no idea what a thrill is was to play with one’s toys…. Yes! I cut out the mustache, too!!❤😂🎉

[@descampbell7851]

A COOL GEEK Thu My Man - With A Cool Story & No Doubt Ya Were More Popular When Ye Had Your Vinyl Collection Eh - 👍 😎 -🎸🎶 - ✌ From 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@manny4552]

Nice

[@michaelthomas366]

I'm 65 and I bought Sgt, Pepper's when I was nine. To this day, I'll listen to it and it still sounds as fresh and interesting and profound as it did back then.

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

I'm 59 and I bought Sgt, Pepper's when I was 3 years old. This makes me a bigger fan than you

[@JimMcilhenny-hn5ft]

You were too young to get what was going on back then with this album and you still probably don’t get it today…

[@JimMcilhenny-hn5ft]

Not trying to be condescending just making an important relevant assertion herein

[@JimMcilhenny-hn5ft]

Both of you

[@JohnSmith-su3ze]

@@JimMcilhenny-hn5ft How old were you when Sgt Pepper came out?

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

Im 65..I my house I grew up hearing the BEATLES...I have 1960s records of them...For me SGT. PEPPERS is #1 record in quality, sound, innovation, etc......By the way #2 is ABBEY ROAD.....Saludos from Costa Rica

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

¡Saludos de Ohio, compadre!

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

What I loved about SGT.PEPPERS is that the complete lyrics are in the album...I know them BY HEART.....

[@DannoFromMpls]

It was the first album to include the lyrics.

[@SergioGonzalez-ew2po]

@@DannoFromMpls REALLY....I didnt know that...Thanks

[@tracymears8230]

Record company did not like putting lyrics on it cuz there was money to be made selling sheet music; I used to buy single sheet of one song and books with complete album lyrics, notes, etc! Beatles insisted on putting words on album; thanks boys!

[@sammonaco5400]

I was 18 when this album came out I still have it it is a classic and Noone will ever make another like it they were genius. 1967 was a glorious time and being 18 years old then was fantastic 😎🤟

[@campbellarmstrong2134]

The most influential album of ALL TIME IMHO. I grew up with the Beatles (my teen years). Ringo has aklways been my hero, and the reason I learnt drums and played semi-proffessionally for 17 years.

[@jamesdrynan]

As it is today, the media was always looking for a negative spin to put on the Beatles. Sgt. Pepper's left them scratching their collective heads. The album was released in June of 1967 before the Summer of Love. So many firsts were achieved. First album with printed lyrics was only one example. An entire generation was mesmerized by the content.

[@josephr.lejeune4539]

Exceptional!!! Thank you!

[@stevevitulli683]

Will never forget listening to it when it was released

[@thomashopper8616]

I got Revolver when I was 8 and Sgt Peppers when they was 11. I’m over 60 now and I have never tired of those two albums. They are my two favorite Beatles albums

[@johnadams5489]

I remember when the Beatles said they were not going to Tour anymore, and their last show was at Candle Stick Park in San Francisco. Shortly there after the record stores put all their existing Beatles albums on close out sale prices. Many people thought that was the end of the Beatles.Paul was interviewed by a guy in the press and he torched Paul because he thought the Beatles were finished. They were working on Sgt Pepper, and were not finished with it yet, but Paul thought "Won't they be surprised" 😀

[@mnbv990]

Excellent film, as always.

[@jesserussell7242]

I love hearing how the Beatles tell their own stories of what happened when they were recording all their albums and their music in their lives it’s great stuff. sergeant Pepper is definitely one of the greatest albums ever one of all the Beatles albums I think every Beatles album is fantastic.

[@arlen1630]

Did you know that Billy Pepper was the man that filled in for Paul. He had a band called Billy Pepper and the Pepper Pots.....I'll bet anyone 50,000 dollars that Paul was not in the band

[@jeffreythaw3333]

@@arlen1630 ...idiotic!

[@abw48]

Dropped a rather few Acid Trips to this Album way back when it first came out.

[@glennhopkins2643]

Beatles music will live forever.

[@chrishooker7727]

"A Day in the Life" is one of the best songs ever written!

[@woodlakesound]

The production values tied all the music together beautifully.

[@ProfessorKenneth]

My favourite band of all, the Beatles. 👍🏻💯

[@AllTheBestCO]

Such a ground breaking record. It will stand the test of time for eons in time. It can't be compared to any other to this day! Well done, boys!

[@tdworak]

I was 58 years young when Pepper came out. Here I am now, inbetween pandemic Lockdowns and enjoying it just as much.

[@WireWeHere]

Very well played... if my birthday arithmetic works out... 114 is incredible.

[@richardwarren449]

What!? That makes you over 110.

[@DoubleMrE]

I was 9 yrs. old when Pepper came out. To be honest, I had no idea for years that it was a concept album. Like John said, except for the Billy Shears intro thing, and the reprise, the rest of the songs were unrelated and could’ve been on any Beatles album. Of course, that’s not to say I didn’t think it was great. 😊

[@johnboylan3591]

That's because it's not.

[@user-dm1ki5mh3y]

It was supposed to be a concept album originally but that was quickly abandoned.

[@michaelhardin470]

Best album of all time.

[@manny4552]

Yes it is. ​@@michaelhardin470

[@petejones879]

I was 12

[@BeatlesFan1975]

5:49 I agree with George Martin, Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane should have been on SPLHCB

[@richardwarren449]

I remember being in Massachusetts when Pepper came out. Now I have two copies of the record: one British and the other from the states. Can’t wait to play them again. Fantastic stuff. Thanks for the video.

[@BeTheLight624]

Excellent! Thank you for this documentary that preserves the history behind this brilliant one-of-a-kind concept album by The Beatles. Brilliant how you can actually hear the concepts for the project and various stages of some songs take form. Thank you.

[@artysanmobile]

Pause a moment to think that their pool of compositions was so rich, so bubbling over with greatness that they would not overlap singles with albums. Who else did that? No one.

[@hugh-johnfleming289]

My parents were fans. Dad, an early audiophile, had 'Pepper' on 'reel to reel.' They took us to see them at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium, the latter being an exercise in futility. At the Bowl we could hear them a bit but only because we were in a Box way down front. I got it. I'd been to the philharmonic and knew the live music experience. Then my Dad took me to see Blood, Sweat and Tears. I was like nine or ten. What an extraordinary experience. And around that time we saw Ellington and his Orchestra. Now I was hooked on the live thing...

[@spacerockwizard]

It's a masterpiece. Some folks say it's overrated. Hogwash.

[@HarryTheron]

They were the best in my days plus don't forget the stones an then came ccr

[@Obloblorb]

Just a day in the life alone makes listening to the album a must

[@Trojanny]

Winning it in a ( radio) contest, I got it before the genqeral public, & told people " Beatles fell." Ended up loving it more than any other album, ever !!

[@francollins4036]

A masterpiece, so brilliant the upper class composers rated it as an outstanding album.

[@keep_walking_on_grass]

13:26 mindblowing story. No, I am dead serious. I am convinced, that The Beatles are a gift from God to humanity after the dark war years I always thought that and said it. Why? Because it can't be a coincidence what happened with the Beatles. I mean 200 Hits in a row or something, the greatest band ever. and their perfect message that infected the entire planet: love and peace. too much for being a bloody coincidence.

[@parabenstv]

Yep ! They stand in the line of Bach - Beethoven - Brahms - Bruckner - Berg - Beatles !

[@Spookycat689]

🎶☮️🩷

[@SmokeyTreats]

This was so wonderful! Much gratitude for you making this vid! Cheers!

[@hykeemholmes]

My Favorite Beatles Album!!!

[@themydnighthour]

Influential, 100%. Historical, absolutely. Does it hold up...I can't say yes. This album is their best.

[@MylesOFlahertyMusic]

It’s so entertaining to watch your incredible content!!! Loved this episode(adore anything about The Beatles), great to hear John, Paul, George and Ringo(also the wonderful George Martin) speak about one of the greatest albums ever produced. Thank you so very much💜🙏❤️

[@stephenfwadsworth9565]

There is nothing like hearing, things through the eyes of the artists involved. It is good, that they reaslised this and shared. :)

[@alrivers8458]

Anyone here, hears, when "Good Morning" is fading out and the "Reprise" about to start, Paul counting from 1 to 4 and a little voice from Lennon, way in the back mocking, saying "fiive"? That took me by surprise the first time I was listening the "Pepper", the Mono version, the very first time that album came out in Mexico, around 1968.

[@robphilpott43]

John actually says ‘bye’. I’ve heard that part of the song with John’s voice isolated from the rest of the track.

[@MoonStar-fq6oy]

✌️❤️RIP John and George

[@huhuhu557]

Don’t forgot. Mr Martian

[@danielgiraud1118]

Rest In Pieces Paul and Ringo.

[@sallykohorst8803]

It was nice for a while. I loved that time the tour years wonderful thanks for this interview i love St. Pepper.

[@parabenstv]

I'm so glad to know that it happend in the year that I was born. Great setup ! Renaissance and Great Liberation !

[@pennyloafer3358]

LOVE the photos!

[@BeatlesFan1975]

This is great.

[@re90652]

These guys, they were very underrated. Now Paul is such a sweet man with such an upbeat attitude. He’s the a sunshine man. And glad that Ringo is still with us. Big big influence. Thanks boys

[@strangebrew1231]

Beatles underrated? What are you talking about? They're the most popular band ever

[@ColKurtzknew]

The Beatles were never underrated. They are universally recognized as the best band ever from the early 1960's to 2024 and possibly till the Second Coming.

[@beemrdon52]

​@@strangebrew1231you beat me to it. There's always some clown that writes everyone and everything is underrated. The Beatles are underrated Lady Gaga is underrated God is underrated Ice cream is underrated Sex is underrated. Etc

[@davidevans3227]

he's in his grampa mccartney phase

[@grahamjarman]

​@@davidevans3227lololol

[@Anti_Bonez]

Great Beatles videos as always!

[@gettinhungrig2]

"It was pretty much co-written, John and I doing a work song for Ringo, a little craft job", was how Paul described 'A Little Help From My Friends', and "written out at John's house in Weybridge." Further note, George Martin was not there!

[@RobbyVenstad]

Great video… Thank you!

[@judikingsman6132]

I was 14 when this came out. I still know all the words. ❤ 😄

[@user-tu8lt1ke3h]

I was 14 as well..what an amazing time to be young and having the Beatles leading the way

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Revolver was the greatest album the Beatles ever made in my opinion. Sgt Pepper was Paul's project trying to match Brian Wilson's Pet Sounds. Paul never denied that album was an influence on Sgt Pepper.

[@joziahlongo9405]

Great! Thank you!

[@careyrowland]

This documentary is a masterpiece of musico-cultural 20th-century history. Well-done. Cheerio! Hie.Hence, now gone away, for the benefit of the cultural kite there was indeed a show quite bright. Yes, quite right! Thanks for the memories, new improved version. Stay tuned,

[@BeatlesFan1975]

This is great😊 Have you watched the series "Understanding Lennon/McCartney" ?? If not, you HAVE to check it out 😊 I promise you will love them. They're the best documentaries on the Beatles ever, hands down.

[@careyrowland]

@@BeatlesFan1975 Thanks. I will take a look when I have a few minutes to do so.

[@jrpipik]

Later the others looked down on Paul's idea of the "other band," but I think they took advantage of the basic premise that this album didn't have to sound like a typical Beatles album. Even more than Rubber Soul or Revolver -- both experimental in their own rights -- Sgt Pepper is about a broad variety of songs. It was like there were ten different acts on the same show, just like the original conceit. They never seem to say, "All right, lads, that's enough of that. We'd better peel off a rocker or two here." They just followed their muse where it took them.

[@davidelliott3019]

LSD and me! 73 years old, took acid for the first time when this album was released. WOW

[@ericknapton9943]

Beatles forever

[@martinry0427]

George Martin simplifying WALHFMF was amzing

[@lotharhempel]

Very nice and well made video. Thank you.

[@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973]

I always thought it was funny that one of the most famous people in the history of my little hometown in Indiana was named Colonel Pepper. His actual name was Abel C. Pepper and he was the man in charge of relations with the Shawnee who still lived in this area when European people began to settle here around 1810 . Many of our businesses in town have been named for Colonel Pepper.

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

My first album. Good memories.

[@josuepon0318]

Love it

[@timr31908]

I'm glad we had the Beach boys to give the Beatles something to live up to... God only knows

[@JuanLopez-ef5pr]

😂😂😂😂....God only knows what would've happen to the beach boys if The Beatles hadn't exist.

[@neddegalan735]

@@JuanLopez-ef5prI couldn’t agree more.

[@mauriciovargas3913]

Rubber Soul inspired Pet Sounds which inspired Revolver which inspired Smile which inspired Pepper. Pepper came out first and Brian shelved his album for years.

[@joziahlongo9405]

Big influence on The Slambovia Circus of Dreams! Eternally grateful as we all are!

[@johnekerr]

Sgt. Pepper was a real person. He was an officer of the Ontario Provincial Police Department who was on the security detail when the Beatles came to Toronto. You can find this on or near the last page in Geroge Martin's book "With A Little Help From My Friends: The Making Of Sgt. Pepper". Paul is wearing an OPP patch on his uniform in the picture on the album sleeve.

[@dieseIboy]

This is insane. I’ve never heard this before and had to go look at Paul’s uniform on the album. Sure enough, an OPP badge on his left shoulder. Had no clue. But as a Canadian this is a really cool Easter egg. Thank you!!

[@anti-hyperv4797]

I was born in '59. Big Beatle guy. This is a great post/doc.

[@robertcavalier6133]

I fully understand what those 4 FAB LADS went through. We walked more than a mile in their shoes 'cuz we LOVED 'EM! Sir Paul & I share an 18th of June birthday! I send him a LOVE 'YA PACKET every year = London office! Their studio productions were terrific! Don't mind me -- I'll just be ......."sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun -- getting a tan sitting in the English rain!" Cheers from Cav in Fairfax, CA! P.S. Typed on D-Day, 2024. *

[@luskipherjones6528]

Well done!

[@johnharpdalton4092]

Paul's story of Jesus... at nearly every gig I went to in London at the Hammersmith Odeon, Rainbow, Marquee and other places, there was alwaye a long-haired wild dancing guy down at the front. I remember asking other music biz journalists who he was and they all said the same thing: 'That's Jesus.' He was everywhere at once!

[@spockboy]

Nice video : )

[@ronaldolaquidara64]

My first BeaTles album SGT.PEPPERS giving to me from my aunty.. miss you aunty Sharon...🙏🏼

[@Arris..]

Approved 👍

[@jackhays1194]

Nothing like them. Nor will be again

[@gailremp8389]

Very interesting.

[@davidcrincones8948]

Such remarkable, well documented contributions from George Martin. Probably one of the biggest and closest of Beatles fans. George Martin. George Martin. George Martin.

[@brooktu4249]

Paul's 'Jesus' story is both very sweet and a little scary. He treated that man very kindly and then he was gone.

[@ruggerobelloni4743]

He may have subconsciously recalled a Catholic story that teaches kids about charity. A monk is strictly prohibited to let anyone in from the storm as marauders were rampant. A beggar under a torn blanket touches his heart and breaking the rule he lets him in to warm up and gives him food and water. The beggar sheds the rag and Is revealed as Jesus. Paul is more like "Just in case".

[@lawrencetaylor4101]

Merci

[@ExtremeBeatlesArchive]

Paul forgets he used the 'turning on' idea a few years early in She's a Woman.

[@christopherbasile1205]

I really thought this was an outstanding video. As the title says, In their own words. The interviews attained through the years amongst the four and God Bless George Martin paint a perfect scenario for what that time was to the everyday man. The ideas are not dated although truly of the times… But every generation must experience this. And it just so happens the Beatles included us in their journey through the music. Why do you think we still discuss them…. Think

[@toddkurzbard]

I heard once that both Hitler and Jesus were supposed to be among the "crowd" on the cover, as a little bit of Beatles,' "cheeky humor" (probably John's idea), but that it was quickly cancelled, because the record company feared the incredible backlash that would come.

[@We_Seek_Truth]

I still have my original record of "Salt & Pepper" by the Grateful Airplane!

[@nvm9040]

So yellow submarine album video coming in the future I hope 😅

[@michaelcunningham2165]

the Greatest

[@TB-xi4mj]

“And dope to a certain extent”. Oh.

[@TheLoghouseTeacher]

Loved the video content, but there are WAY too many ad breaks.

[@bluntsafety]

The Spew Of Ads Ruined The Vibe,,, Man.

[@ej2333]

The story of Jesus comes from an MTV special where Paul talks about the song before he played it.....I remember thinking at the time, the Beatles were so good, even God had to see for himself.

[@robinsierra1029]

I am disappointed that they are not showing or acknowledging that they had many more musicians on this record in addition to the Beatles

[@chrisallen8250]

I like Paul's story about bringing in Jesus to watch one of the recording sessions and how when it was over he just left and was never heard from again. And I thought to myself, why couldn't that have happened with Yoko?

[@user-fu2mi1nd5l]

1:36 "It was a fake mustache"

[@minormajor11]

Wow, "In Their Own Words" is fascinating, hope White Album and Abbey Road got the same treatment

[@jimoncken6936]

This video is a great cure for insomnia!

[@BrucePruiksma]

I’m well, assuming you are writing to me! Thank you for the comments… I’m at a loss with my KZbin channel and any advice would be welcome.

[@caillinkelly2952]

George Martin reminds of a grand Lord not a rock producer and a brilliant one he was!!

[@lucyfuir6386]

I believe the story about Lucy in the sky with diamonds but where did Julian hear that phrase. Obviously from John talking about the liquid jar of LSD that was stashed in his closet

[@neddegalan735]

Or, perhaps it was just a child sharing his thoughts.

[@mariobenitez9673]

EXCELENT AS ALWAYS BEST REGARDS FROM MEXICO

[@DonRamiro1]

Arriba Jalisco!!

[@chrisremund9750]

Where is the clip of George Martin playing A Little Help From My Friends from?

[@petejones879]

As much as I love the beatles and I really do having been a fan since the early 60s.. The idea of doing an album where they were not the beatles but someone else was a ridiculous idea.. What us fans wanted was another great album by the beatles.. And it was... There was no point at any time that I was made to think that it was someone else... It was the beatles doing what they do best.. Writing and performing great songs.. And yet they pretty much did the same again in 69 with Yellow Submarine.. A movie about an alternative band

[@MARACUTAIA239]

Billy Pepper and the Pepperpots

[@user-fu2mi1nd5l]

All the clues are in Strawberry Fields video

[@susancoffey9632]

Julien was inspiration for Lucy in the sky with Diamonds and Hey Jude.

[@noelcastle3986]

I was 10 years old and watched the beatles cartoons on television and heard and liked their songs on the radio and TV. When Sgt Peppers came out I couldnt understand the concept I thought whats is going on this is weird , anyway I liked the songs in a immature childs mind kind of way.

[@bobyers3071]

Love the Beatles from rubber soul on KZbin And sergeant pepper's was an important listening experience to me for me spiritual growth my life changed at that time and that album played a pretty big part in it but I've always thought that this this notion fantasy of Sergio peppers lonely heart club band being a different band and not the Beatles it just another silly weird idea from Paul cause you know I 1st got the album all the time I ever listen to ITIT's the Beatles Anything about this sergeant pepper's But it's a great album that's for sure