They Still Are

Looking back on the summer of 1966, when it appeared the Beatles were bigger than Jesus - or more popular - or something. Here's what John Lennon actually said. Sometimes it pays to read the quote in context - - sometimes is doesn't.

"Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that. I'm right and will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first, rock 'n' roll or Christianity. Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me.
- John Lennon, 1966 (This quote sparked quite a large controversy, as many of you might know)

"Look, I wasn't saying the Beatles are better than God or Jesus. I said 'Beatles' because it's easy for me to talk about Beatles. I could have said TV or the cinema, motor cars or anything popular and I would have gotten away with it."
- John Lennon, 1966

"No I wouldn't say that at all."
- John Lennon, 1966, in response to the question "Do you feel you are being cruicified?" Steve's Beatle Page

This day in Beatles history, Aug. 6, 1966:

Brian [Epstein - Beatles manager] leaves his holidays at the village of Portmeirion, North Wales, to fly to New York and give a televised press conference defending Lennon in the `Bigger than Jesus' controversy.