Monmouth University to host symposium on The Beatles’ ‘White Album’

by JAY LUSTIG
White Album symposium

These photos of, from left, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were included in the 1968 double album “The Beatles.”

It won’t generate the same amount of publicity as the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band did, last year. But this year marks the 50th anniversary of the double album The Beatles — commonly referred to as The White Album, because of its cover. And Monmouth University in West Long Branch will host an academic symposium on the album, Nov. 8-11.

Beatles historian Mark Lewisohn will be the keynote speaker, and the symposium will have the theme of “Producing an Enigma for the Ages.”

Abstracts and panel suggested can be submitted, through July 9, at cmt3.research.microsoft.com/BWAIS2018. Information is also available a monmouth.edu/MCA/WhiteAlbum.aspx. Potential subjects suggested on the university’s website include “The Beatles and 1960s History,” “The Beatles and Politics,” “The Beatles and the Music Business,” “The Beatles’ Musical Influences” and “The Beatles’ Musical Legacy.”

Released on Nov. 22, 1968, The Beatles was the band’s longest and most musically eclectic album, ranging from the gentle ballads “Julia” and “I Will” to the wildly experimental “Revolution 9.” Some of its best known songs include “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Blackbird,” “Dear Prudence,” “Happiness Is a Warm Gun” and “Birthday.”

Explore more articles:

6 comments

davy jones April 19, 2018 - 4:21 pm

half of the white album is utter garbage, just dreadfully bad

and it is just a twist of fate it had its name changed from a dolls house, and theres old john strung out on heroin and his hag from hell telling him to break up the band, yeah good times

Reply
Eddie Miles April 19, 2018 - 5:46 pm

The White Album or given it’s correct title ‘The Beatles’ is a masterpiece. It’s organic roots are stamped all over music released in the last 50 years.
Although not the happiest of times in the Beatles camp, through adversity and India came this outstanding collection of songs from John Lennon’s Yer Blues, Paul McCartney’s blistering Helter Skelter, George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps and yes, Ringo Starr’s ‘Good Night’ to name but four.
I love the Beatles ‘White Album’ and look forward to it’s 50th anniversary release along with Apple Records first single release Hey Jude/Revolution.

Reply
Fred Stein April 20, 2018 - 9:01 am

It’s those unbeatable Beatles again. Songs such as Happiness is warm gun, Piggies, Julia, Revolution, Martha my dear. So different so great.

Reply
Fred Stein April 20, 2018 - 9:03 am

It’s those unbeatable Beatles again. Songs such as Happiness is warm gun, Piggies, Julia, Revolution, Martha my dear. So different so astonishing

Reply
Billy Shears April 20, 2018 - 1:08 pm

The White Album is a musical masterpiece with its musical diversity reflected by the brilliant execution of straight rock n roll, blues, country, a touch of acid rock, 1920s era, Avant-garde, crooner style singing, and finally their own Beatles rock that some tried (never completely successfully) to mimic.

Reply
Kevin April 20, 2018 - 1:46 pm

The white album is the greatest most eclectic diverse compilation of music ever produced the album is so great they had to make a double album they we’re at there creative peak and only a tone deaf conservative couldn’t recognize the brilliance of enlightened creativity, it will stand the test of time like only the greatest artists throughout time bask in the glory of time transcending brilliance so do your mind and heart a favor and listen to 30 of the greatest songs created by one group on one album

Reply

Leave a Comment

Sign up for our Newsletter