Howard Stern once picked the “number one” album in the history of music
While he is not a musician himself, Howard Stern has emerged as an authority figure of the art form, especially in the realm of classic rock. His voice, might be n annoying one to some, but it is a trusted one when considering the sonic landscape of the 20th century.
Stern has used his position as one of the most listened to DJs of the last 100 years to become a force to be reckoned with when discussing music. His keen sense of debate is only marginally trumped by his appreciation for rock music. It makes him a fearsome competitor but also one of the most genuinely affectionate classic rock lovers around. But, for Stern, there will always be one.
His radio shows are filled with heated debates on the subject, and for Stern, no group has come close to emulating the brilliance of The Beatles, who have one album that he believes is unmatched in the field of music.
Over his years as a broadcaster, Stern has had the opportunity to welcome both Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr into his recording studio. During their illuminating conversations, the host always finds a way to open up their candid side and get the former Beatles members to share fascinating insights from their time in the band.
During a phone call with McCartney in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic prevented guests from entering the studio, Stern explained why The Beatles were the superior band to The Rolling Stones. Macca agreed with the statement, adding: “You know you’re going to persuade me to agree with that one.”
He continued: “They are rooted in the blues. When they are writing stuff, it has to do with the blues. We had a little more influences…there’s a lot of differences, and I love the Stones, but I’m with you. The Beatles were better.”
Stern then pressed McCartney to discuss Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and how it inspired The Rolling Stones, with the Liverpudlian stating: “We started to notice that whatever we did, the Stones sort of did it shortly thereafter. We went to America, and we had huge success. Then the Stones went to America. We did Sgt. Pepper, the Stones did a psychedelic album. There’s a lot of that.”
Unsurprisingly, Stern decided to bring up Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band during his conversation with McCartney, considering he once stated it was the greatest album ever made. During another broadcast, he told listeners: “If you were going to pick number one, it would have to be a Beatles album, I’d probably say it’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.”
If there was one album which signified the breadth of talent The Beatles had at their disposal, it was Sgt. Pepper. Released in 1967 as part of the band’s new move away from being the Fab Four and heading towards a more conceptualised piece, the record is widely, and quite rightly, seen as Paul McCartney’s best work.
Macca became the artistic drive of the band during this time as Lennon became distracted by fame, and the band’s manager, Brian Epstein, sadly passed away. With the new impetus to create, McCartney constructed one of the most resolute pieces of art the band ever composed. It might have fallen flat for almost any other band, but for The Beatles, it was just another reminder of the supreme thought that went into their releases. They were seemingly light years ahead of the rest.
Meanwhile, during another episode of his hit radio show on Sirius XM, Stern claimed that The Beatles were the first act that successfully impacted the world. Furthermore, he hailed them as the greatest band to ever live.
“And fuck all the bullshit with Buddy Holly and the Crickets all that crap, none of it matter until The Beatles, fuck Elvis, fuck Crickets, all that shit… I tell you, The Beatles are the number one band of all time,” he said in 2020.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band single-handedly shifted the perception of what an album could be. While the greatest record of all time is a subjective debate for the ages, the seismic impact of the LP is impossible to question.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Beatles Newsletter
All the latest stories about The Beatles from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.