Schaffner likens the Beatles ' 1966 recordings to the moment of transformation in the film '' Wizard of Oz '' , " where , when Dorothy discovers herself transported from Kansas to Oz , the film dramatically changes from black-and-white to glorious technicolor " . The album was the source of confusion for the group 's more conservative fans ; a female fan later complained in '' Beatles Monthly '' that 1966 represented the end of " The Beatles we used to know before they went stark , raving mad " . The release coincided with a period of public relations challenges for the band , the combination of which led to their decision to retire from touring following the end of their North American tour , on 29 August . In the US , the album 's release was a secondary event to the controversy surrounding the recent publication there of Cleave 's interview with Lennon , in which he had remarked that the Beatles had become " more popular than Jesus " . This episode followed the unfavourable reaction to the '' Yesterday and Today '' butcher sleeve , from the press , radio stations and retail outlets . As a result , at press conferences during the tour , questions were typically focused on religious matters rather than the band 's new music . In addition , the group were vocal in their opposition to the Vietnam War , a stand that further redefined their public image in the US
North American tour
The Beatles' 1966 US tour
Revolver (Beatles album)