A Texas Celebrity Can be Seen on The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Album

"I read the news today" & oh boy was I surprised to find that there's a little bit of Texas featured on one of the most iconic album covers in music history. If you're a fan of The Beatles, you know what the Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover looks like & you're familiar with some of the faces ON the cover. Names like Marilyn Monroe, Edgar Allen Poe & Bob Dylan are just some of the biggest ones. However, one name from Texas IS on the album cover as well.

Which Texas celebrity is on the Sgt. Peppers album cover?

If we look at the 2nd row, we will see a black white photo of a man with shades. According to the liner notes for Sgt. Peppers, that man is the #20th face on the cover. And that man is the famous novelist Terry Southern from Alvarado, Texas.

Who was Terry Southern & why was he chosen on Sgt. Peppers album cover?

Terry Southern was born on May 1, 1924. He's known for his novels written during the Beat Movement after World War II; some of his famous works include Flash & Filigree & Candy. Terry also had a hand by being a screenplay writer for such famous films like Dr. Strangelove, The Loved One, & Easy Rider. He also had a brief run writing for Saturday Night Live in 80s.

When Terry moved to London in 1966, he met The Beatles in the Greenwich Village & became close friends with the band. Terry even had Ringo Starr...STAR in one of his movies: the 1969 film "The Magic Christian". There's also an iconic photo of Terry with The Beatles from Popfoto in 1969, which you can find here.

The Beatles would have another famous Texan to impact their lives & music

Of course we can't forget about Billy Preston from Houston, Texas; not many people can be considered "The Fifth Beatle". But Billy was. Just like Terry Southern, Billy Preston became a good friend with The Beatles by appearing on songs like "Don't Let Me Down" & "Get Back".

Even decades after the Sgt. Peppers album came out, it's nice to know that not 1, but 2 people from Texas are so important to The Beatles' history. If you want to see more Beatles related stories, you can see the only times The Fab Four have played Texas HERE.

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