Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN special celebrates 50th anniversary of The Beatles' 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'
Posted 05 Jun 2017
The Arkansas Educational Television Network will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the groundbreaking Beatles album with a new documentary 'Sgt. Pepper's Musical Revolution,' a look back at the creation and ongoing influence of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' released June 1, 1967. Hosted by award-winning British composer, author, music historian and broadcaster Howard Goodall, the documentary premieres Saturday, June 3, at 7 p.m. and repeats Wednesday, June 7, at 8:30 p.m.
Hailed as a landmark achievement by critics worldwide, the album won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and ranks No. 1 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time as 'the most important rock & roll album ever made.' This new documentary, from Huge Films and directed by Francis Hanly, conjures up the psychedelic, phantasmagorical world of Sgt. Pepper, provides context for the culture of the day, and shows how the album, which featured classic songs including 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,' 'She's Leaving Home' and 'A Day in the Life,' became a driving force within that culture.
When The Beatles made the decision to stop playing live in August 1966, most of the world's press concluded that they were finished. But far from finished, the band suddenly had the time to pour all of their energy into writing and recording, creating an album that broke ground in countless ways. Released in June 1967, after almost a year of secrecy, the album was an immediate sensation.
'Sgt. Pepper's Musical Revolution' features material never before accessible outside of Abbey Road Studios, including recordings of studio chat between band members and isolated instrumental and vocal tracks. It reveals the nuts and bolts of how the album came together, and provides insights into the choices made by The Beatles and George Martin. With wit, clarity and accessibility, Goodall explores the back-story of some of the major songs, including the personal stories and biographical connections behind the music. In addition he explicates the revolutionary musical concepts of the album and demonstrates how they were achieved.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).