In August 1966, Beatlemania was in full swing. The Fab Four were in the midst of a popular decade, selling millions of records and drawing thousands of people to concert venues across the United States.
They were more popular than any other rock group in the world.
But a statement about John, Paul, George and Ringo being more popular than Jesus Christ drew the ire of people as the group arrived in Memphis to play two shows, a matinee and an evening performance, at the Mid-South Coliseum on Aug. 19, 1966.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.