From December 12, 1965 to April 1966, The Beatles played only one concert, and did not record anything. 20 weeks off was the longest break for them at the time.
In April ‘66, they began the ‘Revolver’ album sessions, which were completed on June 21.
On June 24 they started a tour of Germany, Japan, and The Philippines, where they had a very nasty experience on leaving.
5 weeks off, then a 18 day tour of the U.S.A. (14 concerts), where the ‘bigger than Jesus’ controversy blew up, forcing an apology from Lennon. The last date of this tour at Candlestick Park, was the band’s final concert.
After six weeks break, Lennon took up an offer to act in his friend Dick Lester’s film “How I Won the War” which was shooting in Spain. Lennon was on location for 6 weeks.
Soon after returning home he recorded “Strawberry Fields Forever” with the band, and they began the “Sgt. Pepper’s” recording sessions, which were completed by April ‘67, but not released till June: 10 months since ‘Revolver’ was released, which was 8 months after the last album.
So it looks like by 1965 they were getting sick of ‘Beatlemania’ and the two short tours in 1966 just made it obvious.
I hope this sheds some light…
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LittleHelen
What happened in 66?
davoid replied
Yes, it seems they slowed up a bit:
From December 12, 1965 to April 1966, The Beatles played only one concert, and did not record anything.
20 weeks off was the longest break for them at the time.
In April ‘66, they began the ‘Revolver’ album sessions, which were completed on June 21.
On June 24 they started a tour of Germany, Japan, and The Philippines, where they had a very nasty experience on leaving.
5 weeks off, then a 18 day tour of the U.S.A. (14 concerts), where the ‘bigger than Jesus’ controversy blew up, forcing an apology from Lennon.
The last date of this tour at Candlestick Park, was the band’s final concert.
After six weeks break, Lennon took up an offer to act in his friend Dick Lester’s film “How I Won the War” which was shooting in Spain. Lennon was on location for 6 weeks.
Soon after returning home he recorded “Strawberry Fields Forever” with the band, and they began the “Sgt. Pepper’s” recording sessions, which were completed by April ‘67, but not released till June: 10 months since ‘Revolver’ was released, which was 8 months after the last album.
So it looks like by 1965 they were getting sick of ‘Beatlemania’ and the two short tours in 1966 just made it obvious.
I hope this sheds some light…