The Beatles Sgt. Pepper outfits are iconic, and there is a Canadian connection. If you look closely at Paul's costume, you will see an Ontario Provincial Police crest on it. What is more, the real Sgt. Pepper may have been Canadian. Let's learn more :) 🧵1/11 - ThreadSky

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social • 108 days ago

The Beatles Sgt. Pepper outfits are iconic, and there is a Canadian connection. If you look closely at Paul's costume, you will see an Ontario Provincial Police crest on it.
What is more, the real Sgt. Pepper may have been Canadian.
Let's learn more :)

🧵1/11

Comments

cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

Before The Beatles ever became famous in the United States, they were loved in Canada.
In September 1963, She Loves You was released in Canada and sold 100,000 very quickly.
Beatlemania came to Canada six months before it ever reached the United States.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

When The Beatles exploded in popularity in the USA, All My Loving, Roll Over Beethoven and Twist and Shout were not available there. Capitol Records Canada had to manufacture 100,000 to 350,000 albums and ship them to the United States.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

According to The Beatles in Canada by Piers Hemmingsen, when The Beatles played in Toronto in either 1964 or 1965, they were presented with four OPP arm patches by an OPP Corporal at the airport. That is one possible origin of the badge.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

In that story, John, Paul and Ringo received the patches because George was not feeling well and was on the plane. What happened to the patches after that is unknown.
Another theory is that John was given the patch by an OPP officer in 1966.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

Those that believe the "Paul is Dead" conspiracy theory, stated that the patch says OPD, meaning Only Paul Dead.
Paul said in 1969 it was a patch he picked up in Canada, nothing more.
But there is another possible Canadian connection to Sgt. Pepper.

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cdnhistoryehx.bsky.social•108 days ago

In 1966, when The Beatles were in Toronto for 24 hours, they were given a security detail. One of the officers protecting the band was Sgt. Randall Pepper of the OPP.
Sgt. Pepper was no fan of The Beatles, believing they were hooligans.

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