Archives: A KTTV reporter asks John Lennon about his “more popular than Jesus” comment
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- During the Beatles trip to Los Angeles in 1966, they were at a news conference at the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. A KTTV reporter asks John Lennon about his "more popular than Jesus" comment.
When the interview was printed in the UK in March 1966...the Brits looked at Lennon's comments and said:"Yeah,...he probably right!". In the US....total madness!!!
I'm sure the always fair US media and their deceptive framing of headlines and their addiction to taking stories out of context had nothing to do with the controversy.
; )
The US is a mad country. Too many different types of people under one government. Now the Uk, is catching up fast to the madness.
John was SO pretty here.
He also was better than McCartney at this point right?
Apollo Justice John was not pretty,he was HOT!
George be chill & Ringo be adorable!
Yeah.💖
@@tangalangayt7238 No !!!
12:20 "these songs will go down as standards" ha! there's an understatement. Beatles music will go on forever! Like Mozart, Beethoven...
Dudes backing each other up, all the way, down the line. It's a guy thing - genuine camaraderie, real friendship.
Yeah it's great when your true pal is being wrongly rounded on.
Not sure about your one size fits guy thing
Toward the end that's my wife's uncle doing the interview! Larry (Lawrence) Berrill. Changed the spelling of his last name when he went into TV from Radio- was a DJ before that.
‘In my life’ the lyrics. I Don’t know anybody that couldn’t relate to the lyrics. Young or old. Greatest song of all time
My favorite Beatles song. I've lost many friends at a young age and life has different seasons. Never know when our time on earth is through. Important to tell those close to us we love them every chance we get.
1966 Lennon was the coolest for me
ANY year he was the coolest.
This was a warning of things to come, people getting “offended “ and using it as an excuse to carry out death threats and blasphemy charges to censor freedom of speech.
Also to be careful what you say and how you say it, lennon said it himself
6:05 such a pretty voice
These days he wouldn’t of had to be more careful. He spoke more truth than mos do now. I will carry on believing in him. I’m 28, my children love the Beatles/Elvis and Motown. They love it. They can listen to what they want to when they’re older but for now they will hear real
My oldest is called Cassius and youngest Sonny. We named him Sonny as a respect for Liston being used and never knowing the cause of death. Another chess piece in their game🐻rip 2 legends ❤
According to john , he was talking to maureen cleave , it wasn't an official interview that was filmed or he has been told that it is an interview for a newspaper.
He was free to say anything he wants as long as he is just TALKING to her.
she caused all this , she was supposed to be blamed.
Anyway , she was smart to know how to get famous.
Yeah but there is a limits & conditions of the freedom of speech,do you think saying the n-word is okay to black people and kill all of Iranians out loud in public is okay.
@@juangabriellopez4475 pls read my comment again, you misunderstood me.
@@juangabriellopez4475 Saying the n-word is something that reminds some people of the atrocities faced by them. Saying god does not exist is akin to saying pigs can't fly. I don't understand why all rules of free speech die off when a mythical creature xyz believes in is involved.
@@juangabriellopez4475 the freedom of speech my friend has some limitations. You don’t know the law. The freedom of speech refers to the reason that it was intended. Not to abuse it or to be offensive. Always we find people who don’t agree with all issues. You can believe what you want but you can not go against to others who don’t agree with you. This is America,
Your she was a jerk.. he was trying to be glib it was taken out of context
John was so handsome, beautiful and sexy here, his sweet voice and his smile was so cute...😍♥️🔥
Agreed.💚 💚 💜
Until Yoko got her hooks in to him.
That image would drastically change within a few months..
@@duffbaker9554 i think thats why the beatles changed their look, because of fans like lizzylennon.they didnt want people to like them because of their looks.
This news conference at the Capitol Records building was held on August 27, 1966, one day before their Dodger Stadium concert.
At the end of the clip, John had a coke and a smile
That was Ringo, to the left, correct?
I feel that the Beatles are honest as much as possible in the the eye of a hurricane and retain a good sense of humour.
The Church was absolutely IN ERROR when she accused John Lennon of saying that the Beatles, particularly John Lennon, were better than and were more popular than JESUS CHRIST. John Lennon did not mean that at all. He meant that people, especially the adolescents, were more excited about the Beatles than Christians were about Christ! He said it was so in both America and England, but, mostly in England. He was not demeaning JESUS CHRIST, nor was he putting the Beatles on a pedestal. THE FANS WERE DOING THAT! It's true that Lennon was skeptical about Christ in the ensuing years. Possibly disillusioned by the Church's poor representation of GOD and HIS Values. But, the Church is accountable for taking things out of context. Yes, the Church should call out the evils of the World. But, they should do so in truth, and not twist the truths to make a point!
How you knew that?
@@lslsanglian5528 , How do I know what?
theyse evil everywhere but not in them, in fact they take these kind of events to brainwash their adepts.
Listen guys, I am a musician. I know all the tricks of the business. Being a complete musician can be a very powerful tool. Even more than money itself because it brings you money, power and success. Among all the evil things that money along can bring. I am a musician and I could have been very rich and popular but I gave up all of that because I wanted instead the happiness of my soul not of this world. I realized that God does exist. In God’s plan, we must pass tru all of these tests and temptations to assure that we are really worthy. Only the ones that see the truth will reach to HIM.
Music is like an item that can be well wrapped and look very attractive even before you can open it up and that can play a trick in your mind because you don’t have the time to analyze the meaning of it. People dance and sing and they don’t even know what they are saying. They are just reacting as an impulse to the beat. Watch out don’t be victim of these evil ways. ¿Am I saying a title of another song? You see.,.. be aware.
He never said they were bigger than God, he said they were 'bigger than Rod'. And, that's fair enough, as Rod Stewert, at the time, would not be 'big' for another couple of years 'Nasty' rumors.
Idk why people got mad he was just speaking truth
They got a little offended by it that Beatles stuff was just tossed away to be destroyed, while I still believe some both did not and refused to let go of any of their Beatles related stuff and continued to enjoy the Beatles and more stuff by them, this was just an absolute waste of Beatles stuff and it wouldn’t of happened if John just didn’t say that,
That is not true John Lennon should of never said thar
Sweaxy
He was speaking his opinion you absolute idiot. It’s not wrong to say something about religion. Obviously, it’s wrong to say that all Christians need to die but that’s not what John said at all. I don’t really care that you’re offended. What he said was not wrong, just because you disagree, it doesn’t mean that it was wrong. Christianity is not real, no proof and none of it makes sense. Since John saying his opinion on religion is wrong, that means that people who preach religion to others are also wrong. John was in the right and he is allowed to say his opinion. So, please tell me, why do you think he’s wrong?
@@owenklein1917 totally agree with you!! i think its awful to get cancelled for having your own opinion and being confident about it, if think its a very good quality that john had and i’ll stand my that cause thats my opinion and idc what other people think😌
when you reach the top of the mountain, there is always people trying to knock you off.
Yep, back then the Right freaked because John said the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Now you get death threats by the Left when you say that DNA determines whether you're male or female and it's actually NOT how you "feel" which determines your gender. Political Correctness is fucked up no matter what era you happen to be around in.
Hit the nail on the head there dude, its come full circle now.
Funny how one side was just as intolerant as the other and they each represent opposite extremes of the ideological spectrum.
@HAL 9000 and you really cleared it up for them
Moist-Mike There is a thing called gender dysphoria which makes it impossible for someone to live in their body. In order to relieve the dysphoria, people transition. It doesn’t have to do with feelings, it’s a medical condition and transitioning is the way to better their lives. I’m not attacking you, I respect your opinion but she/he pronouns were used before people knew about chromosomes. Anyway, John Lennon is amazing.
It's like conservative is the new alternative, the new 'punk rock'. Who would have ever thought?
It was so unfortunate this happened. I think perhaps things would’ve worked out differently for the band if it didn’t happen.
John came out of this with his head held high. The fanatical Christians in the US are the ones who should be ashamed of themselves. Giving him death threats and burning Beatles records is an act of lunacy. Free speech my ass!
@@oyra-rp4ge very true.. only the more I studied the Beatles I got to know this.. what a crazy time.. all over a small figure of speech..
Not only that. But, the statement got Lennon killed because Chapman got outrageous from it and led to his years of planning to kill him.
Well, the band made out just fine after all this. What could have turned out differently?
@@benthomas8765 maybe less media hate at the time. Leading them to loads of stress and giving up playing live concerts.
It’s just a thought really. What if..
His song "Imagine" shows his true feelings! Now John believes......
In imagine he was not knocking god only all religions because he realized millions of people have been murdered in the name of religion... And he was killed by another moronic Bible thumper
okay no entiendo lo que dice xdxd pero lo que si sé es que John sale muy hermoso aquí 😍😍😍❤❤
This section of Los Angeles still looks exactly the same!!
Mitch Harrelson cars we're different though, they were bigger then. And had all those fancy embellishments on them. One of them looks like my father’s car.
Mitch Harrelson: I recognized the Capitol Records building in an instant. Hollywood and Vine.
This probably played into John's decision to leave the Beatles, at least with his withdrawal from being the head of the band. It definitely lead to his reactions and musical output in the 1970s.
It also keeps me wondering about when Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band was released how well did it sell speaking of John having said this, like people who threw away Beatles stuff, did end up getting this new record and the others that eventually came out and enjoyed it or of course didn’t buy it.
While the encouragement had been made for all your Beatles related stuff be destroyed I do believe some didn’t, some refused to throw it away and continued to enjoy the Beatles and collect more Beatles stuff,
But If John just didn’t say that this would never of happened
@@christopherrodmell1694 Americans probably looked at the cover, seeing Poe, Marx, and Crowley, and accused them of being Communist warlocks, which would've validated their fears of Lennon refusing Christ. I lived in a Beatle-friendly household but had grandparents that remembered the controversy clear as day. They said his remark might attributed to his early death because God strikes down upon those who speak ill of his name, blah, blah, blah.
My father especially didn't give a shit, being a reformed Conservative once marrying and having children. I was living with a blowtorch. He was an alcoholic who'd frequently espouse conspiratorial bullshit, he's just as coherent sober. He believed his song "Imagine" was wispy, hippie, utopian garbage on good days and "The Proclamation of the New World Order" on drunk days, and the drunk days were many.
Lennon wanted Christ on the Sgt. Pepper cover but was vetoed by the others
@@christopherrodmell1694 of course Sargent peppers did sell very well when it was released... Exactly which fans bought it is open to debate.. did some of the record burners buy it.. yeah some maybe
@@tt-du6vc that's true and nowadays you could put him on an LP cover and no one would care but people were pretty uptight back then
Been inside the lobby and all around the building many times. Far out. 👍 A major misunderstood statement. Sadly it cost him his life. Some simply refuse to see the bigger picture on anything. Then and now.
It didn't cost him his life. The guy who killed him had a hit list which included Jackie Onassis and Johnny Carson.
John wasn't mocking it he was deploring it there were more people attending Beatles concerts than there were churches he was like the church should up its game
That is exactly what I got out of it but leave it to the American media to stir up controversy where there shouldn't be.
Your right
John is higher than it gets. I love his eyes, in the end/last interview. His squinty eyes, that grin: he got some 'dro. 😆
maybe its the harsh lighting too haha
And the fact that he was blind as a bat without his glasses
Yeah. The "grins" give it away. They smoked, I'm sure, before the interview.
John was so handsome!!
This makes me so angry! He put his life on the line to be honest and gave the world so much only to be cut down like this. He was all of 23-24yo! Poor baby! John, you will always be my hero no doubt! 🩶
What Lennon meant by his quote was to the youth of that time, the Beatles were more popular than going to church.
After All You Need Is Love, summer of love free love and substance misuse, and when Lennon entered the peace campaign era proper, I think he said the media takes an idea, simplifies and amplifies
It's true that John said that as an expresión maybe popular in Enlgland. But in America was taken out context. However, his repeated messages later on in the song IMAGINE it certainly give us the impression that he really meant what he said "Not he'll, not heaven and not religion too". That song reflects reflect the fact that he was a very deep thinker and like many of those people they fall in the same mistaken reflection. " If god love us so much why we must suffer in hell for eternity." If God is our father and love us too and knows everything why would He even allow the devil to tempt us when we were the new kids with no experience what so ever we easy to fail" . Those ideas could make a non believer out of a believer. But there is something John Lennon forgot and that is faith . because we must have faith. We don't know everything because we are not supposed to know it . We are not ready for that. That's when faith play a very important part.
Imagine had nothing to do with the statements he made in 1966 about Jesus.
John's message in Imagine is that the concepts mentioned in the song are the cause of most if not all wars in the world.
John was all about peace at this time in his life.
I am guessing he was influenced greatly by Yoko.
Interestingly, John's opinions drew no controversy when originally published in the London newspaper The Evening Standard, but drew angry reactions from Christian communities when republished in the United States that July.
American media sucks.
@@neilmartin99 I don’t understand why you are so hard to understand something so obvious. Let me explain you.
If you open your mind into several possibilities, you will see.
Let me start by saying that I know the law so you will see several indirect points to prove this case. Once is not a prove. Twice is a maybe. Three is must look closer. Fourth and fifth there seems to be not doubt.
First, there was a gossip going around that the Beatles broke up because of a possible satanic and God confrontation. Otherwise; why they left such a lucrative group to continue independently making little money compare to the billions they could have had,
John Lennon reflected some resentment because of what happened. Instead He went to take some revenge by planting the seed in our minds that there could be the possibility of not God, not heavens, not hell.
Third, that don’t need God. We could just live in peace without needs, enjoying it day by day.
Fourth, he wanted to think and FOLLOW him as he was Jesus.
And finally we didn’t need God and Jesus because we could do it in our own.
It’s true a song is a song. But you should know that there are several subliminal satanic song to attract your mind with a good tune and philosophical words but underneath it’s a reprogram scam..
John died in the hand of his killer. I am a son of God and God would never allow anybody to harm me. Just think about it. I also believe George Harrison was the only who could see the truth and he went on to write my sweet Lord. Just think about it. Too much coincidence ? I don’t think so.
This is such BS. There is no god. It is a myth being perpetrated to keep the people ignorant, to keep them in the proverbial pen of ignorance and violence, and then the people passing it onto their offsprings, in the false hope that it would keep them "faithful".
If you feel there is a god, good, keep it to yourself, don't try to convince others if you have no proof.
@@ronbali3429 that’s right too. If you don’t believe in God also keep it to yourself. Everyone has the right speak what we believe. We are here in America.
@@neilmartin99 how do you know that to defend him? I am showing you the facts but you go showing me only excuses. That proves nothing. Show me facts such as statements showing that he actually was a believer. You have nothing because there is nothing to back you up,
lord forgive me but john was actually pretty attractive in this interview LMFAOO
At the :40 mark...what does John think he's picked up on his finger when he brushes his forehead?
To C Synch: I know what you mean.
Most likely a drop of perspiration due to the lighting, clothes, hair..
We lost audio
There is another footage of this press conference in color
Where?
ua-cam.com/video/Ob6sEFyfEn8/v-deo.html&app=desktop
@@enrimt Thanks, different network coverage but interesting.
Why do people always stretch 4 by 3 videos to widescreen? It looks terrible. (thanks for the upload anyway)
i have the regular 4 by 3 version
1:18 He had green or hazel eyes, he never had brown eyes as some say.
'Tomorrow Never Knows'
It Revolves
@@niggato23 That's what She Said (She said).
Paul blew it here at 9 min in. He SHOULD be concerned that people burned his records but he mocks them and then he says like they would be violent towards him. Lennon is not as arrogant
Isn’t that David Brinkley interviewing him?
This reporter gets it. A lot of men couldn't stand to see their daughters, wives, girlfriends, exes, crushes, etc. fawning over these guys so of course they were going to do whatever they could to tear them down. The Jesus comment was the most convenient excuse they were able to latch onto.
is the ratio distorted? John looks very strange here
I'm a christian but he's telling the truth that not only him but more celebrity are popular than Jesus because most people don't want accept Christ ,They praises their idol more than Jesus! That's the bitter truth! And Jesus also tells that by himself in the bible that most people will hate and ignore him
stop
It’s because he wasn’t a messiah.
A lot of things are. Cell phones. The internet. Television.
while The Beatles were in LA at this time word got out that they had been spotted clubbing in the sunset strip. that's when the kids started hanging out there.
He was so much better looking than Paul. Never understood why the girls all loved Paul with his droopy dog eyes and chubby cheeks. Paul was a queef. Lennon was way better looking.
Paul was cherubic cute, but sure, Lennon was a good looking guy in a different way, and much better looking in person by all accounts. Sandy hair, quite delicate skin (Yoko said it), manly chin, intelligent eyes...And around this time, summer 66, he was probably at his best looking ever. A handsome 25 year old young man.
Lmao queef
yeah,,so queef...my grandpappy always said so.
I always thought that John was very handsome and attractive and did not understand the fame of "handsome" that Paul had, for me it is not anything attractive, instead John was perfect. I guess it's a question of opinion...
Fer Abra it was only too bad I was just only 18 months old at the time. Then he goes and gets killed at age 40. Not too much sense. What a waste.
I hate the f'ing media.
Constantly trying to stir up controversy and don't give a crap whose life they f up when doing so.
Your right
I think no one should make a remark that makes crazy people even crazier
"Mocked for my theory of Christendom" Warm gun reversed
During that 1966, John Lennon was accurately correct. During those times 400 million Chinese citizens, 400 million India citizens, the entire Asia, ( not including Philippines) know almighty Gautama Buddha only. The entire Russia know only almighty Lenin and pres Josef stalin. The entire middle East know only almighty Allah. Even after 1966, the India citizens know George Harrison. Period. Emiliano.
8:52 - Reference to Jimmy Savile's abuse of children?
One exception, John Lennon did state that "Christianity will vanish and shrink". Though it's not 100% accurate, it is CLOSE to the truth, especially in 2019. Evil is more rampant than ever. GOD's people is always a remnant amount.
Every false thing have an end, just like the flat earth theory that this religion promote
@@stickyricky7089 Isaiah in the Bible was the first one to say the earth was spherical do your research
And that’s how it was predicted to be.
He is more popular than Jesus. What's wrong with freedom of speech?
Jesus is dead
@@stickyricky7089 to you but not us christians.
Saying the n-word to black people is alright and okay,this is why should never abuse the freedom of speech,besides racism is also has freedom of speech but it has limits on it
@@juangabriellopez4475 Nigga
@@juangabriellopez4475 Your invisible sky daddy doesn’t exist.
Beatles were issued stocks? What??!!!
"The Beatles are more popular than Jesus!"
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
jx14aby who are the Beatles ?
Milca Aguilera who is Jesus?
This video’s audio is annoying to listen to.
The Beatles made more money than Jesus.
Michael Webb are you kidding? Do you know how much money the catholic church has?
@@TheJayson8899 r/wooooosssshhhh
Jesus doesn’t need money
'God never had a hit record'.
If Jesús had wanted he could have all the money.
1:27 i love him shjbsjxa
And they still are more popular than Christ
On dirait qu'ils sont venus d'1 autre planete.c le plus grand phenomene du show businsee
The Beatles You Tube channel has 4.45 million subscribers
The Jesus Christ channel has 1.18 million subscribers.
John was right!
I listen to beatles but that's blasphemy.
Deal with it, at the time the Beatles were bigger than Ken Dodd
Paul and Ringo are both vegans.
Paul is vegetarian
Green eyes?
RINGO IS THE OLDEST. And he is many years older than lennon.
What I love about John’s remark is that it’s absolutely true, The Beatles ARE more popular than Jesus Christ or god or whatever . . .
You're living in deception. Jesus Christ is alive today but John Lennon is dead and in Hell if he didn't repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ before taking his last breath.
Maybe in your little mind
Difference between Christ, religion, churchiosity, Sgt Pepper etc
all this commotion and where are they now?
lol, two have passed away, the other two still sell out stadiums around the world
Eric Cashew Harding Just because they are in their late seventies now, doesn't mean that they have to get old. John would be close to 80 now too. Yet I picture him at that age as still being quite youthful like Paul & Ringo, if he were still alive. Ringo will be 80 in just a few more months.
of course only americans (conservatives too; not surprised) got offended for no reason...embarrassing. the fact that the uk didn’t even care-jesus christ. making us look dumb asl. it wasn’t even that serious. 🤨 and people still do this today with cancel culture.
"he's clicking"? what was that about?
what do u mean? peace
I think someone was clicking a camera to take a picture and John was trying to get the reporter to stop asking questions about the christ controversy
John is soooo sexy
that's why he was terminated by chapman
Nobody knows for sure.
The guy has changed his story about 10 times.
original john lennon had brown eyes. this one doesn't
This video is literally in black and white jfjfkdkl
John had honey eyes, you can see in many videos
Your right there were seven John lennons
Yes there were really six John Lennons.. don't tell anyone
Well done Mark Chapman.
Dont say that name
@@christdiazz Why John paid the price for making that statement.
You know to believe in Jesus is to believe in God, which means you love yourself and therefore other people. To say well done Mark Chapman is to say you wanted John to be shot dead. Can’t say you believe in Jesus and then say you wanted someone to be shot dead. It means you’re a liar and don’t actually believe in God.
@@isnoe1471 Its what he said about being bigger than Jesus, and he was a wife beater,he paid the price.
@@plymouthtoleedsonaxchst9537 wtf is wrong with you
Leur popularite a depasse les limites
John Lennon needed to read the gospel of John!
He is a believer now....
Google, the Northern Cross, by Aquilla Fleetwood, youtube!
Just worry about yourself
I don't get it, aren't you the "freedom of speech" people complaining about media censorship?
Complaints about censorship, in favour of groupthink instead
resentment of diverse culture for being barbaric because 'barbarism begins at home'.
Incoherence
Ne croyez pas les mensonges du diable qui veut vous faire tomber dans le péché d'idolatrie, en vous faisant désobéir au commandement de Dieu : "Tu n'auras pas d'autres dieux devant ma face". Si vous adorez une célébrité, vous tombez dans ce péché. Le seul que nous devons adorer, c'est Dieu.
I think defending God from an artist's interview is hubris.
They were always high..I mean..dope
gato d+++++
was John ( or the BEATLES) BIGGER then Jesus at the time? WELL LET'S BRING OUT THE MEASURING TAPE, & COMPARE? 🤓
Well, did Billy Graham sell out Shea Stadium?
Social engineering band with sticky sling and on sticky songs
The Beatles are gonna, but jesus it is
Just because Jesus is popular doesn't mean he's the real Messiah. The fact is no one wrote about any of his miracles at the time he lived. the gospels were all written 37-150 years after he died. Plus Jesus never fulfilled the the Prophets predictions when he would come. It was never predicted he would come twice. The Christian religion never caught on until 300 years after he died. Christian bible takes snippets of sentences of verses and takes them out of context instead of quoting the whole chapter, which is talking about Israel, not Jesus.
And because of this, we lost him.
I think the unfiltered peace campaigning was the threat.
Well he mocked God and got killed! Something to think about
Angel19619 he didn’t ‘mock’ God in the slightest. Don’t be ignorant. And what, that if anyone mocks God they’ll be killed? Wow, what a loving God. You’re an idiot and give Christians a bad name. What a shame you don’t have the love of Christ himself or follow his word.
No Chapman killed John for this comment
It says in the Bible, "I will not be mocked."
He was not 'mocking' God. Maybe, you should delve further into the original interview and his subsequent perspective on it. Geez!
@Angel19619
That was 14 years later, when John got murdered in 1980.
& your post is shallow far right BS.
Have you ever seen in the news of church’s in the south (or bible thumping heartland) getting hit (and/or destroyed) by a tornado.
(during church services)
(I have)
How come this happens?
Did that church’s reverend make a non-god-like comment 14 years earlier?
THE BEATLES WERE POPULAR THAN CHRIST BUT THAT WASNT WHAT THIS LENNON SAID IT WAS ALSO PART OF THE SAGA PHASES TO COME IN NEXT CHAPTERS OF TRENDS AND PETIN PLACE SOAP OPERA.OF THEIR CAREERS .