Lennon 's comments incited protests and threats , particularly throughout the US Bible Belt . Some radio stations stopped playing Beatles songs , their records were publicly burned , press conferences were cancelled , and the Ku Klux Klan picketed concerts . The controversy coincided with the band 's 1966 US tour , and Lennon and Beatles manager Brian Epstein attempted to quell the dispute at a series of press conferences . Lennon apologised and explained that he was not comparing himself to Christ
1966 US tour
The Beatles' 1966 US tour
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