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In 1966, The Beatles never wanted to tour again. It took one concert to change John Lennon’s mind
The article says John Lennon had little desire to resume touring after The Beatles stopped performing live, despite rediscovering the thrill of the stage at a Plastic Ono Band concert. The show briefly changed how he felt about performing, but did not lead him to return to regular live appearances.
The piece describes the Beatles’ tours as exhausting and often difficult because audiences could barely hear the music, while the band also faced controversy over Lennon’s “bigger than Jesus” remark. At the Plastic Ono Band’s first show, Lennon performed with musicians including Eric Clapton and recalled feeling an intense buzz as the crowd joined in. He later played occasional gigs linked to political activism, while preferring to make music on his own terms.
In short
- A Plastic Ono Band show revived Lennon’s excitement about performing.
- The experience did not bring him back to regular touring.
- He preferred to perform only when the reasons felt right.
Explained simply
The Beatles stopped touring in 1966 after years of demanding performances, where screaming crowds often made it hard to hear the music. The band also faced public criticism, including over John Lennon’s remark that the Beatles were “bigger than Jesus”.
Lennon later performed with the Plastic Ono Band, a group he formed with Yoko Ono, alongside musicians including Eric Clapton. The excitement of that concert briefly renewed his interest in playing live, though he continued to make only occasional appearances.
Lennon’s choices reflect a wider change in how some musicians approached fame and touring: live performance could be thrilling, but it also brought pressure and public scrutiny. He tended to perform on his own terms, including at events connected to political causes.