"More popular than Jesus" is part of a remark made by John Lennon of the Beatles in a March 1966 interview in which he argued that the public were more infatuated with the band than with Jesus, and that Christianity was declining to the extent that it might be outlasted by rock music. His opinions drew little controversy when originally published in the London newspaper The Evening Standard, but drew angry reactions from Evangelical Christian communities when republished in the United States that July.
Evangelical Christians in Waycross, Georgia burning Beatles records in August 1966 after John Lennon's famous claim that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus"
John Lennon speaking to reporters in September 1964
The September 1966 "Shout-Out" issue of Datebook magazine that sparked the controversy
The Beatles with disc jockey Jim Stagg of the Chicago station WCFL in August 1966
John Winston Ono Lennon was an English singer, songwriter and musician. He gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. His work included music, writing, drawings and film. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.
Lennon in 1974
Lennon's home at 251 Menlove Avenue
Ringo Starr, George Harrison, Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1963
Lennon in 1964