The Beatles - Abbey Road

Unlike previous album covers from the Beatles, Abbey Road didn't contain the band’s name or the album title on the front cover. It just featured the iconic and recognisable photograph taken on a zebra crossing in London. The idea of the band crossing the zebra crossing was based on sketched ideas by McCartney and was taken on the 8th August 1969 outside EMI studios on Abbey Road. In the photo graph the group walk across the street in single file with Lennon leading, followed by Starr, McCartney and Harrison. McCartney stands out as he is the only one bare foot. 

This photo of the Beatles on the zebra crossing went on to become one of the most famous and imitated images ever. As expected, the Abbey Roads crossing is a popular destination for Beatles fans and this attention has made the pedestrian crossing abnormally busy. Many tourists and fans brave busy traffic, speeding cars and drivers scowls to recreate the image. There is even a webcam dedicated to looking at the road crossing on a daily basis. 

I was interested in this webcam observing Abbey Road, so took a look at the website. Looking at live footage I saw that people where just walking back and forth on the crossing with a friend trying to take a picture of them posing as a member of the Beatles. A local resident has commented saying “Its always like that. They just walk back and forth on that zebra crossing all day long”. 

Here is a picture I print screened of someone holding up traffic to replicate the iconic image. 

From this research I've learnt how popular an album cover can become. The Beatles have created a beloved photograph that has shown to be popular through generations with young fans still keeping alive the image today. This research has also surprised in that people are still excited by the Abbey Road cover and are still posing it today. In years to come I believe the Beatles will still be as famous as they are today, because their sound is timeless and are still attracting new audiences. I've also learnt how simplistic an album cover can be and yet still attractive to consumers. The Beatles used only one image that was taken within 10 minutes for this cover and it has become one the most famous images of all time.