Pet Sounds vs. Sgt. Pepper

Sixteen Months That Changed Music.

The summer after The Beach Boys released their album Pet Sounds, the Beatles were in L.A.. The band was on their last tour and were looking forward to a break.

“Bruce Johnson on a trip to London played it to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Keith Moon and Mick Jagger’s girlfriend Marianne Faithfull, all of whom were struck dumb by what they heard. And soon the cream of British musicians–including Graham Nash, Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham and, well, Eric Clapton’s Cream–were in thrall to Wilson’s meisterwerk.” Paul Lester

By the time the Beatles get to L.A., they’re obsessed with the album. George tells Brian Wilson they listen to the album again and again. Paul said Pet Sounds inspired him to write Sgt. Pepper.

I live in London when Pet Sounds drops. I never connected to the record. Listened maybe twice and moved on. The music around me was more vital and edgy than this wandering exploration of sounds and songs. I simply didn’t get it.