Fact: The Beatles released their two-record album The Beatles (aka the “White Album”) on Nov. 22, 1968, in Britain. (America had to wait three more days.)
Fact: The Beatles released their acclaimed Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album on June 1, 1967, in the U.K. (U.S. audiences got it on June 2.)
Fact: Apple Records Ltd., in conjunction with Capitol Records and Universal Music, commemorated the 50th anniversary of Sgt. Pepper with an elaborate reissue campaign – with remixing overseen by Giles Martin, son of George – in a variety of formats. A Super Deluxe Edition of 4-CDs/1-DVD included a mono mix, a stereo mix and a slew of outtakes and other goodies. These releases proved to be massively successful in terms of sales and well received by fans and critics.
Related: Our review of the Sgt. Pepper Super Deluxe Edition
So, with 2018 being the 50th anniversary of the White Album‘s release, it would seem a fairly safe bet that Apple Records has plans to do for the double album – that gave fans such favorites as “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “Blackbird” and “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” – what it did last year for Sgt. Pepper.
Related: On September 24, 2018, Apple Corps Ltd. announced the 50th anniversary editions of The White Album
One interesting twist: The Beatles have already announced plans for a July release to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Yellow Submarine, with the film returning to theaters in “glorious surround sound” and “stunningly remastered” 4k. There’s also a special “Yellow Submarine” b/w “Eleanor Rigby” 7-inch picture disc single.
So why, then, would Paul McCartney choose today (June 9) to change the profile photo and cover photo of his Facebook page to all-white, while the attention of Beatles fans has been on the Submarine re-release? As of 6 p.m. ET, none of the other Beatles or the Beatles page itself had followed suit. Nothing on McCartney’s website either, although he did change his Twitter pic to the all-white image as well.
Among the several hundred comments on Macca’s Facebook page:
“I thought I had a bad internet connection but it wasn’t the case!”
“If this is because of the White Album with demos sign me up.”
“He does not promote Beatles albums here.”
[Update: June 13… McCartney continues to update the graphic on his social media accounts and teasing his upcoming studio album.]
Related: McCartney confirms an appearance with James Corden on ‘Carpool Karaoke’; teases new album
After a busy schedule of his One on One tour, McCartney has thus far only announced one concert for 2018. He’ll be appearing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.
Also, today, McCartney was seen visiting his boyhood home at 20 Forthlin Road in Liverpool, with TV host James Corden. The pair reportedly visited other Beatles-related sites while there.
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