Once Upon A Summer 2026 Archives

Summer Of 1966 – July 29th – THE BEATLES Bigger Than JESUS

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

29 July 2026

On 29 July 1966, today 60 years ago, the US teen magazine Datebook
published an interview with John Lennon, who controversially said of
The Beatles, “We’re bigger than Jesus now.”

His comment caused a media firestorm in the US, where many Christians were
outraged. Protesters condemned the Fab Four and publicly burnt their records.
The interview, conducted by Maureen Cleave, had first appeared in the English
newspaper the Evening Standard to little fanfare earlier that year.

The controversy grew so intense that by the time the band arrived in Chicago in August 1966, a visibly shaken Lennon was forced to hold a press conference to clarify his stance. He explained that he had been misunderstood and was simply remarking on how people seemed to follow the band more fervently than they followed religion at that time.

“If I had said television was more popular than Jesus, I might have got away with it. I wasn’t saying we’re better or greater, or comparing us with Jesus Christ as a person or God as a thing or whatever it is.”

Summer Of 1973 – July 28th – WATKINS GLEN SUMMER JAM FESTIVAL In Walking Gen, New York Attracted 600,000 People

Posted on 23 Days Ago by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

28 July 2026

The WATKINS GLEN SUMMER JAM was held on 28 July 1973, outside of Watkins, New York, with The Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, and The Band as the headliners.

Over 600,000 rock fans attended.

Many historians claimed the event was the largest
gathering of people in the history of the United States.

150,000 tickets were sold for $10 each, but for all the other people
it was a free concert. The crowd was so huge that a large part of the
audience was not able to see the stage.

An impression below.

Summer Of 1969 – July 25th – First Day Of SEATTLE POP FESTIVAL

Posted on 26 Days Ago by JL

25 July 2026

25 July 1969 was the first day of the massive 3-day SEATTLE POP FESTIVAL
at Gold Creek Park, Woodinville, Washington. It was the first and only edition.

Acts who appeared over three days included: Chuck Berry, Tim Buckley, The Byrds,
Chicago Transit Authority, Albert Collins, Bo Diddley, The Doors, The Flock, The Flying
Burrito Brothers, Guess Who, It’s A Beautiful Day, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Spirit, Ten
Years After, Ike and Tina Turner, Vanilla Fudge, Alice Cooper, The Youngbloods
and more.

Summer Of 1967 – July 24th – THE BEATLES Promote The Legalisation of Marijuana In Newspaper Ad

Posted on 27 Days Ago by JL

24 July 2026

In a full-page advertisement on 24 July 1967, today 58 years ago, in The Times
(renowned British newspaper) The Beatles, their manager Brian Epstein and 64
of the most prominent members of British society called for the legalization of
marijuana (without success).

It was Bob Dylan who introduced The Beatles
to marijuana when he met them in a hotel during
his tour in the UK that year.

“I would not feel so all alone
Everybody must get stoned”

Summer Of 2003 – July 21th COLDPLAY’S Frontman CHRIS MARTIN Was A Bad Boy Once

Posted on 30 Days Ago by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

21 July 2026

Credit: Coldplay FB

Good boy CHRIS MARTIN, frontman of English pop giants Coldplay was a bad boy
once upon a time – on 21 July 2003 – when he was charged with malicious damage
in Australia after he allegedly attacked a photographer’s car after he had taken
pictures of him surfing at Seven Mile Beach.

Martin admitted he had lost his temper due to the constant harassment by
that journalist, and consequently smashed his windscreen and let the air out
of his tyres.

Fix it, Chris.

Summer Of 1986 – July 20th – Dramatic Punk Movie ‘SID & NANCY’ Premiered In London Today 40 Years Ago

Posted on July 20 by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

20 July 2026

The dramatic film SID & NANCY portrays the destructive romance of the infamous
punk couple, Sid Vicious, bassist with the Sex Pistols, and his American Nancy Spungen, that ended in both their deaths.

Gary Oldman and Chloe Webb played the fateful couple.

The movie premiered in London on 20 July 1986, forty years ago today.

Summer Of 1988 – July 19th BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Plays Historic Concert Behind The Iron Curtain In East Berlin

Posted on July 19 by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

19 July 2026

On 19 July 1988, 36 years ago, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN played a historic concert. It was his first ever in East Berlin behind the Iron Curtain in front of 180,000 people. The show was broadcast on East German TV.

Full show.

Summer Of 1982 – 14 July PINK FLOYD’s Movie THE WALL Premiere In London

Posted on July 14 by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

14 July 2026

PINK FLOYD‘s mentally dramatic movie, about a troubled rock star who descends
into madness in the midst of his physical and social isolation from everyone, named
THE WALL premiered in London on 14 July 1982.

Bob Geldof, frontman of The Boomtown Rats‘ and
later co-organiser of Live Aid 1985 had the lead role.

The film blended live action with animation and was based on the prog-rock supremos’ 1979 album of the same name. It was a commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic, and earned two BAFTA Awards and remains a cult favorite among the band’s fans.

David Gilmour, Roger Waters, and Nick Mason of the band all attended the event,
alongside Pete Townshend, Sting, and Queen’s Roger Taylor, among other stars.

The movie’s trailer.

Summer Of 1969 – July 13th THE BEATLES Single Banned In The USA

Posted on July 13 by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

13 July 2026

On the day, 13 July 1969, that THE BEATLES released their UK No.1 single THE BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO, which tells the story of the eventful days of the marriage of John and his muse Yoko Ono, over 100 US radio stations instanly banned it because of its lyrics.

Christ, you know it ain’t easy
You know how hard it can be
The way things are going
They’re gonna crucify me

Summer Of 1954 – July 12th 19-Year-Old ELVIS Signs His First Label Contract

Posted on July 12 by JL

Every day of this summer we go back to the same summer day somewhere in history

12 July 2026

On 12 July 1954, a 19-year-old singer named ELVIS AARON PRESLEY signed
a contract with the legendary Memphis-based record label Sun Records (also
the first label for giants like Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins,
and Johnny Cash).

He also gave in his notice at his day
job at The Crown Electric Company.

Sun Records‘ boss Sam Phillips originally wanted to use the young
man to make demos of songs meant for other artists, but he soon
realized that the 19-year-old could bridge the gap between white
and black performances.

That’s Alright was Elvis debut single with Sun Records.

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Once Upon A Summer 2026

Summer Of 1966 – July 29th – THE BEATLES Bigger Than JESUS

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Summer Of 1973 – July 28th – WATKINS GLEN SUMMER JAM FESTIVAL In Walking Gen, New York Attracted 600,000 People

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Summer Of 1969 – July 25th – First Day Of SEATTLE POP FESTIVAL

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Summer Of 1967 – July 24th – THE BEATLES Promote The Legalisation of Marijuana In Newspaper Ad

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Summer Of 2003 – July 21th COLDPLAY’S Frontman CHRIS MARTIN Was A Bad Boy Once

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