It was 40 years ago today.....

Wow! What great memories! I remember my brothers and I listening to Sgt. Pepper all the time that summer; and just being thrilled with what appeared to be (and, actually, was) such creative, exciting, strange, and different music (I think *some* of the appeal is how varied the music is, and *yet* how it "held together" so well). I have memories of how my parents even liked it!! That seemed new and strange to me too - and, truthfully, it was probably primarily "When I'm 64" and "Rita" that they really noticed a lot. Anyway, I was 19, and my brothers were 16 and 14. I'd had my mind blown out in '64 (but not in a car), of course, hearing the first record and seeing them on Ed Sullivan. Even so, this was something entirely new and mysterious.

Thanks for starting this thread.

I must be in the minority. I like the LP, alot, but don't consider it the greatest LP of all time. I don't even think it the best Beatles LP. When playing the Beatles I will always go for Rubber Soul, Revolver and Abbey Road before SPLHCB. I do understand the cultural and artistic significance of the record and how it changed the concept of using the studio as an artistic tool.

the newer emi uk or japanese pressings are fine....i can remember kids in my hometown record store discussing the signifigance of each and every person on the album's cover....a pop culture history lesson had by thousands at the same time....and lyrics on an album sleeve, and a custom label and cut outs....the lp as an 'official' feature length experience!

@Jeffrey: I am running the original Capitol Record which I bought that very day here in Germany. Other than that I have the Japanese CD - God knows how these technicians did what they did: an absolutely thrilling hearing experience is the result! I'd love to see George Martin ans his son continuing the work they started with LOVE which is a similar high end experience.
@ Narrod: no problem! I consider Rubber Soul, Revolver, Sgt.Pepper, parts of the White Album and parts of Abbey Road being the Opus Magnum "in total" of the Beatles' work. In a way some songs on Rubber Soul are the best what they ever did, but I tend to see the context - and there is quite some of it in SP. And imagine Strawberry, Penny Lane and Walrus would have been included in Sgt. Pepper - that would have been too much, right?

Greatest Band of All Time. Yes, that was a special release, talk about "word of mouth" spreading the gospel.

I usually spin them most weekends but tonight I will break out the UHQR Pepper and have all the justification I ever needed for spending coin on stereo equipment.

Have Fun!