Thoroughly bored with the road and frustrated at being unable to play their increasingly complex music in a live setting, the Beatles made the very risky move to stop touring altogether. This marked the beginning of a bold new direction; the song that summed up this pivotal moment was John Lennon's nostalgic "Strawberry Fields Forever. " During a hiatus, Lennon was lonely and missing his bandmates while shooting a film. With a title inspired by Lennon's memories of an orphanage near his boyhood home in Liverpool, his initial lyrics reflected his struggle, feeling disconnected from his mates. Producer George Martin was captivated by the song's spellbinding nature, and driven by Lennon's dissatisfaction, arranged, recorded and seamlessly integrated a collection of disparate elements, resulting in a song showcasing the band's exciting new direction.

Saturday, July 19 at 10:30pm on MPT - A Stroll Down Penny Lane
After their decision to quit touring in 1966, The Beatles took a hiatus. John Lennon penned "Strawberry Fields Forever"; Paul McCartney aimed to write a song that could stand alongside it. The result was "Penny Lane." Originally intended for a Liverpool-themed album, "Penny Lane" captures the daily essence of Liverpool. Based on a Liverpool roundabout named Smithdown Place that was a transit point for young John Lennon, George Harrison, and Paul McCartney, Scott explores how "Penny Lane" was inspired by characters and places of the area that actually existed. In addition, he explores McCartney's musical brilliance, highlighting unexpected chord changes and intricate arrangements, including the incorporation of an iconic piccolo trumpet solo.

While the craze known as "Beatlemania" had taken over the UK, in the fall of 1963, the Beatles were practically unknown in America. Through the efforts of band manager Brian Epstein, TV host Ed Sullivan, and a teenage fan from Silver Spring, MD, all of that would change by February 1964. By the time The Beatles arrived at JFK Airport on February 7, 1964, "Beatlemania" was a full-blown phenomenon in America. Their first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show garnered 73 million viewers, making it one of the most watched shows in television history.