 The release coincided with a period of public relations challenges for the band, the combination of which led to their decision to retire from touring following the end of their North American tour, on 29 August.In the US, the album's release was a secondary event to the controversy surrounding the recent publication there of Cleave's interview with Lennon, in which he had remarked that the Beatles had become "more popular than Jesus".This episode followed the unfavourable reaction to the "Yesterday and Today" butcher sleeve, from the press, radio stations and retail outlets.