Pray For Surf Interviewed Rock Author Steve Turner: The Gospel According to the Beatles

Pray For Surf interviewed Steve Turner, author of the recently released

The Gospel According to the Beatles
Westminster John Knox Press $19.95 hardcover 256 pages • 6" x 9" • 35 b&w white photos
===>Click headline to access more information about the book . . .

PFS ~ Steve, books about the Beatles could fill several library shelves, one of them written by you!. Why were you motivated to write another and why this book in particular?

I love spending more time with the Beatles and writing a book about them is a good way. I'm aware of most of the books that are out there and so have a good idea of what hasn't been adequately covered. I thought that what you might call their search for meaning was something that had never been dealt with and it was something that I had given a lot of thought to over the years.


PFS ~ You conclude the Beatles had one consistent message from beginning to end. What was the gospel according to the Beatles and how did it evolve over the years?

Their message was basically that we lack understanding - 'misunderstanding all you see' - and that we need to open our minds and expand our consciousnesses. Almost everything they advocated post 1965 was a technique of mind expansion, be that drugs, love or meditation. Pre-1965 I think their live concerts - the force of the music that led girls into hysteria - was a form of consciousness altering. As John said, in Revolution, they weren't prescribing a new manifesto - they were urging us to 'free your mind instead'.


PFS ~ You "survey the Beatles' religious, spiritual and philosophical ideas—including Christianity, existentialism, Transcendental Meditation and Krishna Consciousness — that influenced the music and lives of the Beatles, and through them, their fans and succeeding generations." Did they accept their role as spiritual leaders and, when it was over, did they believe they had succeeded?

I think that they began to accept it although it wasn't their original intention. John said that around 1965 he began to write conscious 'message songs' and in 1967 they were aware enough of their power to want to promote TM. Did they succeed? In 1970 John was interviewed by Rolling Stone and said that nothing had changed but that people had grown their hair. On his first solo album he referred to the whole period as having been a 'dream' ie. a delusion. When the Anthology book was published George, Paul and Ringo were much more positive about their effect. They believed that they had been instrumental in changing attitiudes and were proud of having done so.


PFS ~ I was surprised at the degree of religious upbringing they had, especially John. When did their reactions to their "church" experience begin to influence their music?

The first song to indirectly criticise the church was 'The Word' in 1966 when John says 'Did she really think that pain would lead to pleasure.' He later said that this was his comment on his perception of a Christian emphasis on suffering.'Eleanor Rigby', 1966, was Paul's more direct comment on the moribund state of the English church.


PFS ~ Though John was not a believer in Jesus at the time, his "bigger than Jesus" statement was actually not meant to be derogatory ... What did he really mean?

He meant that in 1966 it seemed that the world was crazier about the Beatles that it was about Jesus. He would have been comparing the enthusiasm of the younger generation that he witnessed at Beatles concerts with the rather staid and boring atmosphere in church. In England, the church was losing young people at a fast rate. Unfortunately we don't know what look he had on his face as he made the comment. Was he saying it with regret or delight?


PFS ~ At several points, the experiences of the Beatles were paralleled by their closest competition, the Beach Boys:

• Brian Wilson also used LSD as a creative writing force
• Mike Love was present when the Beatles met with the Maharishi 
• Both Paul and Brian anticipating more humor in their music as their music evolved
• Both groups created production companies: The Beatles created Apple and the Beach Boys Brother Records
• Rubber Soul challenging Brian to produce Pet Sounds, motivating Sgt. Pepper ... 
• Both groups returning to basic rock & roll after a period of creative experimentation (Magical Mystery Tour to Get Back; SMiLE to Wild Honey)

...coincidental?

Good music inspires good music. The Beatles had great competition - Beach Boys, Dylan, Stones - and they provoked each other to greater heights.


PFS ~ Both Paul (God Only Knows) and John (Little Girl I Once Knew) praised the Beach Boys. Was this an indication they saw (heard) beyond the beach and car song image and respected Brian and the Boys for their songs and singing?

I think that they appreciated the intricacies of the sound, the beauty of the harmonies and the purity of the melody. They sensed a kindred spirit and there was obviously great music respect.


PFS ~ You comment on every Beatles tune in your book A Hard Days Write.
Tell us the true story of Beach Boy Mike Love's role in the composing of Back in the USSR ...

They were together at the Maharishi ashram in Rishikesh, India, where there would be spontaneous jam sessions. and Mike Love commented to Paul one day that it would be fun to do a version of Chuck Berry's 'Back In The USA' that praised the Soviet Union. The Beach Boys had of course leant on Berry's influence for 'California Girls' and 'Surfin' USA'. Maybe as a tribute to Love for coming up with the idea used Beach Boys style vocals when it was recorded.

PFS ~ Any other Beatles songs reflect a Beach Boys/Brian Wilson lyrical or technical influence?

I don't know whether 'Wild Honey Pie' borrowed from 'Wild Honey', title-wise. 'Here, There and Everywhere' was written under the influence of Pet Sounds.'Girl' used backing vocals of Girl (tit tit tit) were inspired by the backing vocals of 'You're So Good To Me' (la la la).


PFS ~ In her review of your book in Christianity Today ((January 2007, p. 62), LaTonya Taylor observes "Turner wisely avoids the temptation to force the Beatles' hope for freedom, unity, and peace into a Christian mold... Still Turner thoughtfully demonstrates ways the Beatles search reflects the continuing influence of Christianity." Is she correct? And if so, how did this influence impact their message?

It probably affected them in a very basic way. For example, the very idea that the human race is 'fallen' and needs 'redeeming' is behind much of their thinking although for them falleness was no more than 'misunderstanding' or 'blindness' and the cure was no more than opening up your mind. The fact that they would promote love as the supreme virtue (it's even the title of the Las Vegas show that uses their music) reflects the impact (in their case) of Christianity. So, although they denied the fundamentals of the faith they were still shaped by the world view.(PS I haven't seen the review you mention so now I'll look it up!!)


PFS ~ Steve, after reading your book, I'll never listen to the Beatles songs the same way again. Give us a one sentence insight into the Beatles' gospel in each of these songs:

Help! ... Very likely the first post LSD song by John that says I've had my mind opened ('opened up the door') and now I'm completely disorientated because I still have to live in the world ('help me get my feet back on the ground').

The Word ... The first message song by the Beatles which, in effect, uses the words 'The Word' to mean 'The Gospel' (as in 'preach the word, brother') and tells us that the word is 'love'.

All You Need Is Love ... When you take LSD you feel overwhelmed with feelings of love towards humanity and so, for a time in 1967, it seemed that a colorless, odourless drug could drive hate out of the world and introduce the kingdom of heaven to earth.

Nowhere Man ... This is the problem - we don't have a point of view, we're blind, we misunderstand and the problem is all in the head - therefore, we need our heads changed.

In My Life ... John presented himself as the ultimate toughie but he was full of sentiment and nostalgia.

Penny Lane ... This is the world as seen through the eyes of someone whose mind has been opened. It may be raining in Penny Lane but the skies are still blue. The world is re-enchanted.


PFS ~ Steve, your writing demonstrates an intimate knowledge of both the Beatles' lives and the Christian faith they seemingly rejected. What is the Gospel according to Steve Turner?

Hopefully the same as the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.


PFS ~ Finally, any "If only"s" that come to your mind for John, Paul, George or Ringo as it relates to the influence for truth, love, peace, transcendence they might have had?

If only there had been good, cool believers in the business who understood the Bible and the culture in 1965.

===>Click here to read Steve's in depth interview with InFuze . . .

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