Seven ages of rock - a history of rock music over the past 50 years

Hendrix covers Sgt Pepper two days after its release

1 June 1967

The album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' redefined the way records were made. Using two 4-track recorders, The Beatles painstakingly pieced together a stunningly original and inventive masterpiece in pop production. Its psychedelic style helped it become the perfect expression of the 1967 'Summer of Love'.

Jimi Hendrix, who was already a great fan of the band, bought the album on the day of its release and two days later performed an audacious cover of the title track at the Saville Theatre. He didn't know at the time that some of The Beatles were in the audience. Paul McCartney said later he was honoured by the tribute; "simply incredible, perhaps the best I have ever seen him play."