How John Lennon's 'More Popular Than Jesus' Remark Upended the Beatles

In March 1966 John Lennon set off one of rock’s most shocking controversies with his remark, “We're more popular than Jesus now,” made during an interview Maureen Cleave wrote for the Evening Standard. The piece, published on March 4, 1966, carried the title "On a hill in Surrey ...

A young man, famous, loaded, and waiting for something." The quote barely registered in the UK, but in the United States—particularly the Bible Belt—it provoked a fierce backlash. Over 30 radio stations banned The Beatles' music, the interview was reprinted and circulated, and public bonfires destroyed Beatles records and memorabilia.

Lennon later appeared on television to apologize, saying the comment had been taken “in the wrong way,” that he wasn’t “knocking” religion, and pointing to cultural differences between Britain and America. The hostility and growing threats made touring increasingly dangerous; compounded by the band’s inability to hear themselves over screaming crowds, The Beatles decided to stop performing live.

United Kingdom, Surrey

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