The Beatles’ iconic album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” was released 50 years ago. It has inspired a whole host of other artists — both musically and artistically. In celebration of its landmark anniversary, here are five albums that derived inspiration from the “Sgt. Pepper’s” cover.
Rolling Stones: “Their Satanic Majesties Request”
The Stones released “Their Satanic Majesties Request” to coincide with their experimentally psychedelic style. Although the album received a lot of flack from critics for its blatant copying of Sgt. Pepper, it saw warmer reception in later years.
Frank Zappa/The Mothers of Invention: “We’re Only in It for the Money”
To avoid potential legal issues, the cover of this 1968 record was placed inside the album as interior artwork. Frank Zappa described his cover as a “direct negative” of Sgt. Pepper. While the Beatles’ album cover shows a pretty blue sky, the Zappa cover shows an ominous thunderstorm.
The Simpsons: “The Yellow Album”
This work is a 2-in-1 Beatles parody. Its name is a reference to The White Album, while its cover is a nod to Sgt. Pepper. A show known for its pop culture parodies, The Simpsons joked about a Donald Trump presidency 16 years before his election.
Chris Barker 2016 celebrity tribute
British art director Chris Barker used the Sgt. Pepper cover to commemorate notable celebrities who died in 2016. Among those featured are David Bowie, Prince, and Muhammad Ali.
Devendra Banhart: “Cripple Crow”
Although only a loose visual reference to Sgt. Pepper, Devendra Banhart’s fifth album captures a similar communal vibe. Pitchfork described the album as “one of the [freak-folk] scene’s most accessible and engaging records.”
