The Beatles Abbey Road shoot made music legend in just 15 minutes
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr walked out of their studio and into one of pop music’s most recognised images
The four band members met on the morning of August 8, 1969, 50 years ago. Although the concept of the photo they wanted for the cover of their new album was simple — them strolling out of their studio on London’s Abbey Road — there were some complications.
As The Beatles John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were the most famous rock band in the world, as soon as they stepped outside they could expect to be mobbed by crowds of fans and autograph hunters would start to gather. Time was of the essence if the difficult shoot was to succeed.
Their management had requested help from the local police, who obligingly held up the traffic as the four men walked back and forth across Abbey Road’s pedestrian crossing several times. Perched atop a stepladder photographer Iain Macmillan snapped six shots, all he had time for in the 15 minutes they were allowed to access the road.
Some images show The Beatles straggling, out of step or with a London bus in the background. But there was one perfect shot, in which all four were walking in synch, with the traffic far in the distance.
It would become perhaps the most famous image of the band and one of the all-time great album covers. It has been imitated time and time again by fans, actors, politicians, tribute bands and even other pop artists, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Kanye West.
The picture graced the cover of what would be The Beatles’ last studio album recorded together and was meant to represent the band leaving the Abbey Road studio for good. It also launched conspiracy theories about McCartney being dead.
In 1969 tensions in the band had been simmering as they filmed rehearsals that were supposed to end with a live show, but which ended up with George walking out, saying he was quitting the band. Although he was coaxed back, the live show never happened and the material recorded was shelved, later cobbled together for the Let It Be album which was released after the band broke up. The live appearance was reduced to an impromptu concert on the roof the Apple building in January 1969.
After taking a couple of weeks’ break, McCartney convinced his bandmates to make another record. They returned to the studio in February, bringing some of the new songs they had been rehearsing for the live performance as well others, including Something, Come Together and Here Comes
The Sun. The band continued recording, on and off up until August, Lennon and McCartney both running off to get married during a break in March and taking a long break through May and June.
The album would include some of their most ambitious music making, using synthesisers and lush orchestrations. By the beginning of August they had most of the album recorded but creative differences, and the constant presence of Lennon’s wife Yoko Ono, were driving a wedge between Lennon and McCartney.
As they neared the end of the production the band discussed possible ideas for the name and cover of the album. One of the suggested titles was Everest, inspired by a brand of cigarettes smoked by engineer Geoff Emerick. The Beatles thought it
would be cool to have their silhouettes against the backdrop of the mountain on the cover.
But the record company EMI was eager to get its product and nobody had time to take a trip to the Himalayas. Instead McCartney sketched out an idea of the cover showing the band leaving the studio at Abbey Road.
A few days later they assembled to take the photo. As police held back traffic Macmillan tried to frame the shot in the limited time available. He asked that a Volkswagen parked near the crossing be moved but the owner had gone away on holidays.
It was a warm morning and as he stood waiting on the side of the road, McCartney removed his pair of sandals. Fortunately the road wasn’t too hot because he left them off for
two of the street crossings but as the only band member who was barefoot this gave rise to the rumour he was actually dead.
Apple Records art director John Kosh chose number five of the six pictures, matching McCartney’s concept. He also decided not to
put the title of the album or the name of the band on it, because, he later said “this is the biggest band in the world — why would you need to do that”.
Released in September 1969 the album went straight to No.1.
Originally published as The Beatles Abbey Road shoot made music legend in just 15 minutes
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