On June 1st 1967 the Beatles released ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ in the UK.
Recorded over a 129-day period beginning in December 1966, the album is the band’s eighth studio album and was the first Beatles album where the track listings were exactly the same for the UK and US versions.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time Pepper’s release was a defining moment in 1960’s pop culture, heralding the Summer of Love.
Quite apart from the brilliance of the music, the cover has become part of pop history. It depicts the Beatles posing in front of a tableau of celebrities and historical figures, chosen by the band. It was created by pop artists Peter Blake and Jann Haworth.
It has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums in history.
