There was a time when both Look and Life magazine were the large format magazines that allowed photography and photo-journalism to take hold in the magazine marketplace. However, the digital age has greatly reduced this type of magazine.
The Beatles (or a Beatle) or a mention of the group on the cover of Look or Life Magazine – not in chronological order.
There are many issues of Life and Look that have articles on the Beatles in addition to those mentioned here. This post only deals with those issues where a photo appears or a mention of a group member appears on the cover. If you are aware of a Life/Look magazine that may have been missed in this series whereby the Beatles or a Beatle appears on the cover or where a Beatles name appears on the cover, please bring the issue to the attention of administrator David Bedford and he will add it to the post! Thank you!
LOOK MAGAZINE MARCH 18, 1969-written by Yoko’s former classmate at Sarah Lawrence, Betty Rollin. John gave some sarcastic remarks about the author of this piece intended to introduce the new couple to the world. The sarcastic remarks appeared on John and Yoko’s first appearance on the Dick Cavett show. John was disappointed in Betty because he expected a more positive portrayal of Yoko by her former college associate.
Look Magazine December 29, 1964-an early piece about the Beatles impact on hair styles:
A piece about the Yellow Submarine movie was featured in this issue
Look Magazine July 23 1968
A feature on Ringo- Look Magazine–Feb 10, 1970
LOOK Magazine-Jan. 9, 1968- the Richard Avedon photos:
Look Magazine-Dec. 1966-John’s acting break from the Beatles in “How I Won the War.”:
SPECIAL EDITION DECEMBER 1969
A special issue of the magazine intending to summarize the tumultuous decade of the sixties:
Part 2:
There are many issues of Life and Look that have articles on the Beatles in addition to the magazines mentioned here. This post only deals with those issues where a photo appears or a mention of a group member appears on the cover.
If you are aware of a Life and/ or Look magazine that may have been missed in this series whereby the Beatles or a Beatle appears on the cover or where a Beatles name appears on the cover, please bring the issue to the attention of administrator David Bedford, and he will add it to the post!
Thank you! Please also be aware that these magazines are not appearing chronologically:
LIFE MAGAZINE July 24, 1967
Only appeared as the cover in Australia, New Zealand and as this magazine indicates, Asia. One has to wonder why this cover did not appear in the USA or the UK. This cover is very costly to obtain/find now in collector’s circles. The late Henry Grossman took the wonderful Sgt. Pepper era cover photo.
Life- September 13, 1968-cover photo from the Mad Day Out:
LIFE Magazine 2011 – Remembering George Harrison 10 Years Later. An issue celebrating the life of George Harrison:
Life Magazine – April 16, 1971-Paul tells his story about the Beatles breakup:
| Life magazine presents: With The Beatles-inside Beatlemania by their official photographer Robert Whitaker |
2012
LIFE Magazine THE BEATLES From Yesterday to Today- 2001 Collector’s Edition:
Life Magazine – November 7, 1969-Ironically, about the Paul is Dead rumor and the Beatles as a group were soon to be no more:
LIFE Magazine Paul McCartney At 75 – 2017
Published 2022 Paul at 80
Life Magazine The Beatles- Then Now Forever- Oct 2021:
Life Reunion Special: The Beatles from Yesterday to Today- 12/11/95:
Life Magazine, Aug. 28, 1964:
LIFE Magazine- Remembering John Lennon 25 Years Later 2005:
LIFE- Feb 1984:
Life Magazine February 1981-Photos of John at home at the Dakota. This issue appeared in the year following his tragic death.
2 Special issues of Life dealing with the 60s:
A special double issue of Life dealing with the 60s:
Life Magazine-October 28, 1968:
Notice the reference to Yoko on the cover. I am sure this did not go over well with the parties concerned:
Life Atlantic Magazine 16 Sept 1968
June 1981 Issue of Life Magazine: Ringo Gets Married
QUESTION:
Do you have any of the Look or Life magazines featuring the Beatles or a solo Beatle on the cover? If so, which ones are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
BUZZ
John Lennon
Books about John Lennon
I am fairly certain that the July 1967 Sgt Pepper-cover Life magazine was also published here in the US. I think I have a copy somewhere in my “archives.”
Hello Karen- I would be amazed if that were the case as I have NEVER seen any reports or physical evidence of that being so. If you locate a US Life magazine cover with that Grossman photo, you would have something very special as I have never seen a report that a US version exists! Would love to see a photo of your copy when you find it. Thank you!
In the 60s and 70s these magazines were not available in Germany, or only with great difficulty and at very high prices. That’s why i don’t have an issue in my collection. My favourite is Life- September 13, 1968-cover photo from the Mad Day Out.