The False Beatles Image of 1967?
Is it just me, or does anyone else think the Beatles played up their drug use and drug image in the 1967?
Everyone knows that the Beatles were dabbling in drugs, and Lennon was definitely doing more than just dabbling, but I don’t think they were quite as immersed in the drug scene as some of the other bands releasing albums in 1967, which is fine. It’s not a contest to see who could do the most drugs, but I think that The Beatles wanted to convey the image that they were more into the drug scene than they actually were, and I consider that a flaw. I don’t think it’s a flaw because I am for or against drugs, I think it’s a flaw because The Beatles were pretending to be something that they weren’t.
As evidence of this, just look at what they were wearing. For “Sgt. Pepper’s,” they were wearing neon, day-glow band uniforms, and it got worse for the "Magical Mystery Tour," where they donned stuffed animal costumes. To me, they just looked ridiculous.
Plus, if you compare their image to the other bands of 1967, they just look even more absurd. The other bands from that era wouldn't be caught dead in bright, neon band uniforms or stuffed animal costumes. Can you imagine the Doors wearing stuffed animal costumes... not even in the realm of possibility.
My point here is simple. The music on “Sgt. Pepper’s” and "TMMT" is phenomenal (and easily two of the greatest albums of all time), but they should have scaled back the whole “look at us, we’re on drugs” thing. If you’re going to dabble with drugs, fine. If it improves your music, even better, but dress and act like rock stars, not circus clowns. If they were really that drugged out, they would have been passing out on stage along with Jim Morrison, Grace Slick, and Jimi Hendrix, not making cartoon movies for kids.
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