Why did The Beatles cross the road?
Story behind that photo
‘Geoff Emerick, always used to smoke cigarettes called ‘Everest,’ so the album was going to be called ‘Everest’. We never really liked that, but we couldn’t think of anything else to call it.’ - Paul McCartney
In August 1969 The Beatles resumed work on their still untitled final album, which had the provisional title Everest. Still unable to face editing the chaotic jumble of tape from the Get Back sessions they were determined to produce a more fitting swan-song.
With the release looming EMI management suddenly needed a cover — fast. An initial discussion came up with some fabulously impractical proposals loosely linked to the title. One was to fly the band Mount Everest. Why? Because the biggest band in the world could then be photographed on the biggest mountain.
Thankfully that received a collective thumbs down — as did other half-baked suggestions. It was also recognised that any further tie-in with a cigarette band was also out. That left the ideas cupboard bare.
Then Ringo had a ‘why don’t we do it right here?’ epiphany to a collective sigh of relief. Where was ‘here’, though? With no barn available in Maida Vale they settled on the road outside the studio.
That Crossing
According to photographer, Ian Macmillan, Paul McCartney then came up with the visual concept of crossing at the crossing. There was a practice run through with young Abbey Road staffers standing in on the prior Sunday. Then on the morning of Friday August 8 The Beatles all arrived at the studio on time — early in fact. And the collective mood was, like the weather, surprisingly sunny.
MacMillan arrived with a step ladder and rapidly set up. He was aware that The Beatles liked to work fast and that they were not accustomed to working at 10 in the morning. In his favour was that they usually enjoyed any novelty. That said they were no likely to stay cheerful for long.
Their comically mismatching outfits were perhaps an unconscious rejection of their earlier image. Now they were a reverse boy band, with at least two members — John and George — seeming to have aged decades since their initial success.
Lennon, as ever at this time (see wedding) was dressed in a white suit, with Ringo in black Tommy Nutter one. Paul was also wearing a more casual Nutter ensemble, sans tie and — in this shot- shoes.
According to some this is because he was actually dead — no shoes being coded message meaning no Paul. An alternative explanation is that it was a very hot day and he was a Beatle. In short he went barefoot for two of the seven shots because that felt more comfortable.
FAQ
- Were the Beatles signalling that their bass player had kicked the bucket in January 1967 — or November 66 according to some versions? No. They were unaware that John’s white suit might interpreted as a symbol of death. Ditto for the shoes. Paul was/is left handed but also capable of holding a cigarette in his right hand. And as for the number 28 in the VW number plate — that did not indicate the late Mr McCartney’s age. He was — or would have been in conspiracy world — twenty-seven 27 years, 1 month and 21 days
2. Were photos initially intended for a cover specifically? There is some disagreement over this. Some say it was a more general publicity shoot but what is clear that EMI were happy with the plan to use the photo for the cover.
3. Why did the the EMI chairman subject the young cover designer to a foul-mouthed three-in-the morning phone call? Because he was furious that the name of the band was not included. (‘This will lose us -f — — millions’). Amazingly a few customers managed to recognise Abbey Road when thumbing through the selections offered by their record store. With The Beatles name on the cover — ten billion sales guaranteed.
4. Was this the last time The Beatles were at Abbey Road together? No, they were back that evening and on more occasions before the end of the month. But the clock was running down.
5. What did they do after walking across the road a few times? John and Yoko went to Paul and Linda’s nearby house for lunch. So much to chat about — their recent marriages, current pregnancies, suggestions for who should now manage the Fab Four. Perhaps skip that last one, especially during the nut roast course.
George went with Mal Evans to the Regents Park Zoo. Ringo, as ever the last the last rocker standing, went to a club.
A couple of weeks later they did all walk out of Abbey Road Studio for the last time, though not, alas, as a single unit. That would never happen again.
