More Popular Than Jesus: The Prophetic Messages of Bob Dylan and The Beatles

The Beatles and Bob Dylan can be found in every music genre, from hip hop to country. Because their influence is everywhere, albeit indirectly at times, no person in western society is unaffected by their words, lives, actions, and cultural inspirations. John Lennon recognized this in 1966 when he infamously stated, “We’re more popular than Jesus Christ.” Arousing evangelical backlash in the United States, the burning of Beatles’ records seems ridiculous and somewhat comical 50 years later; however, it also speaks to a recognition that The Beatles were something more than four lads from Liverpool. A year before, Dylan toured England with his band (The Band) and, upon breaking away from his folk identity into an electrically charged sound, was met with a concertgoer’s shout, “Judas!” Comparing the five to Jesus’ betrayer and seeing them as a threat to the status quo, masses wished for the idols’ demise. Yet, many stood behind their icons. The fervor unleashed in these moments raises the questions: Was there anything religious about these reactions? How has the reality been morphed into legend? And above all, can we equate celebrity transfixion with devout worship? This thesis will present answers to these questions and more in tracing the trajectory of the five from aspiring teens to questioning young men, who became cultural icons as well as prophets for a generation.