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In 1970, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice ignited all sorts of controversy when they released their rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The album followed the story of Jesus Christ during the last week of His life up to--and including-- the Crucifixion. Much of it was told through the eyes of Judas Iscariot.
Both Christian and Jewish groups protested. Christians for the lack of a Resurrection song...and Jews because they felt it was antisemitic. Many in both groups felt the music itself was sacrilegious. ("Herod's Song," for example.)
At the time of its release, I was working at a Christian radio station, and felt the controversy deeply. I loved the concept and the music, but I was met with anger at almost every turn. Calm discussion was out of the question.
When the album turned into a Broadway musical in 1971, it fanned the flames even more--and yet--it ran for 711 performances and was nominated for 5 Tony Awards. It didn't win any of them, but Andrew Lloyd Webber won a Drama Desk Award for "Most Promising Composer."
Since then, the show has been performed almost constantly on stages worldwide--both professionally, and in countless amateur productions. Sometimes a Resurrection scene is added, and sometimes not. It usually depends on the creative vision of the individual director.
A film was made in 1973, and there was a recent live television production starring John Legend as Jesus and Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene.
Even after 50 years, the controversies will still pop up every so often. But I feel that now, people in general are more receptive to the message and the music.
So let's go back to 1971, when Today's "Great Song of the '70s" was released as a single. Some radio stations wouldn't play it...and yet, it was still a hit: #6 in Canada, and #14 in the US.
The title song was sung by Judas after his suicide and it directed several questions to Jesus about His life, death, and message...and whether He knew how famous He'd become after the fact.
Murray Head sang the part, and the chorus was listed as "The Trinidad Singers."
And the opening fanfare is about as iconic as it gets!
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