Modern rockers to record Sgt. Pepper tribute

LONDON - Oasis, The Killers and Kaiser Chiefs are to record their own versions of tracks from The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" to mark the legendary album's 40th anniversary.

Liam Gallagher of the British rock group Oasis gestures
during the group's concert in Norway in 2000. [AFP]

The rock bands, alongside The Fratellis, Travis, Razorlight and James Morrison, are making cover versions for a special two-hour BBC radio programme.

The famous album by the Fab Four includes such songs as "A Day in the Life", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "When I'm Sixty-Four" and "With a Little Help from My Friends".

Geoff Emerick, the audio engineer who recorded the original album at Abbey Road studios in north London, will record the new versions using the very same four-track equipment.

"This will be not only a unique radio event, but a very special musical moment," said Lesley Douglas, controller of the BBC Radio 2 channel.

"The range and quality of artists involved ensure that this will be a fitting tribute to one of the great albums of all time."

"Sgt. Pepper" was The Beatles' eighth album and was released on June 1, 1967.

The BBC anniversary broadcast airs on June 2.