Getting Better: Beatles’ ‘Sgt. Pepper’ Named Top Album In UK

In this Oct. 26, 1965 file photo The Beatles, from left: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison smile as they display the Member of The Order of The British Empire medals presented to them by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in London, England. The Beatles' psychedelic masterwork "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" has been named the most popular British album in history. (AP Photo, File)

LONDON (AP) — The Beatles’ psychedelic masterwork “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” has been named the most popular British album in history.

The Official Charts Company said Saturday that the band’s 1967 classic is Britain’s favorite album based on physical sales, downloads and streams in the U.K.

The album found the four mates from Liverpool at their most experimental and inventive and includes favorites like “With a Little Help from My Friends” and “A Day in the Life.”

The band by then had stopped touring and was focusing its effort on studio work under the guidance of producer George Martin.

The album came ahead of Adele’s “21,” which finished second, and the 1995 Oasis album ”(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?”

U2 Drops Surprise Album At Apple Unveiling

Apple CEO Tim Cook, left, greets Bono from the band U2 after they preformed at the end of the Apple event on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014, in Cupertino, Calif. Apple unveiled a new Apple Watch, the iPhone 6 and Apple Pay.

CUPERTINO, CALIF. (AP) — Surprise! U2 just put out a new album, and the renowned rock band is giving it away for free to iTunes users.

U2 made the unexpected announcement Tuesday at Apple's unveiling event in Cupertino, California. All customers with iTunes accounts could download the 11-song "Songs of Innocence" for free Tuesday afternoon.

There was much speculation over whether the band would release an album earlier this year when news leaked about the band potentially postponing the highly anticipated new LP's release to 2015. The Irish band played at Apple's event and CEO Tim Cook announced the new album would be given to the company's 500 million iTunes users. A news release says the album will be released to everyone else Oct. 14.

Surprise albums are unusual and free albums even more so, but there are recent examples of both. Beyonce dropped her self-titled LP as a surprise on iTunes in December and it became one of the top-selling albums of 2014. Others, like Kid Cudi and Wolfmother, released surprise albums this year to little notice. Tom Petty gave away his new album with the Heartbreakers for free with purchase of a concert ticket.

A news release says "Songs of Innocence" is an exploration of U2's influences from the 1970s and '80s with themes of "home and family, relationships and discovery." The album is produced by Danger Mouse with Paul Epworth, Ryan Tedder, Declan Gaffney and Flood.

The Beatles 50th Anniversary

The Ed Sullivan Show: The Beatles with Ed Sullivan during the taping of their New York Debut Show February 9, 1964 in Manhattan, New York City. Image: Bettmann Collection

The Beatles arrive at London Airport on their return from America February 22, 1964. They wave at the many fans who have come to the airport to greet them.  

Screaming fans welcome the return of the Beatles at London Airport, in England, on Sept. 21, 1964. Some of the youngsters had waited 36 hours after hitch hiking across England to welcome their heroes from their most successful overseas tour. Image: Victor Boyton/AP

Police restrain excited teenagers who tried to overrun barriers when they could not get tickets for the Beatles show in Essen, Germany on June 25, 1966. Image: Schroer/AP

Some of the winners of the 1963 "Melody Maker" poll awards give a high kick for their success. Susan Maugham was voted top female singer, on the far left is Billy J. Kramer (Best Hope for 1964). They are photographed with the Beatles, who were voted top vocal group.Image: Hulton-Deutsch Collection