ON THIS DAY IN 1968, THE BEATLES RELEASED ONE OF THEIR MOST RENOWNED ALBUMS AS A BAND, THE WHITE ALBUM

Also known as The Beatles, the bands ninth studio album features a blank white cover, embellished only with the groups name, in a conscious attempt to contrast with the vivid artwork of their last album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club.

The writing and recording of this double album were considered unusual for the band. The majority of the songs were written During a transcendental Meditation course in Rishikesh, India. This included long periods of meditation, which both Lennon and McCartney relishing in a newly clear-headed approach to songwriting. That said, the band were frequently at odds with one another. The recording took place on a new 8-track system, and was edited so the songs segued together, rather than the usual 3 second gap between tracks.

On release, The White Album had a mixed reaction, with some critics panning it, and others calling it a major success. To this day it is still a remarkably mixed bag of opinions for the band. Some hold it as their favourite Beatles album, while many others complain about it’s length, it’s eccentricity and self-indulgence. Regardless, The Beatles is the groups most certified album, at 19 times platinum.