Important to know
- Address: 1A Abbey Road, London, England
- Getting here: St John's Wood Underground Station (600 m)
Abbey Road is a street in London, renowned not only for housing one of the world’s most famous recording studios but also for being the site of the iconic photograph of the Beatles crossing its zebra crossing.
The idea for the cover photo came from Paul McCartney and was executed by photographer Iain Macmillan. With only ten minutes to capture the perfect shot due to traffic, Macmillan quickly snapped several film photos, resulting in six different images.
The chosen image for the album cover shows the Beatles crossing the street from left to right, with Paul McCartney barefoot and out of step with the others, adding an element of mystery that has fueled conspiracy theories over the years.
The “Abbey Road” cover is also notable for its lack of the band’s name and album title, a bold choice at the time that underscored the power of the Beatles’ image. This decision only served to enhance the iconic status of the photo and the album.
Today, the Abbey Road zebra crossing is a must-see tourist attraction not just for Beatles fans but for rock history enthusiasts from around the globe. Thousands visit annually to recreate the famous photo, soaking up the atmosphere and paying tribute to the lasting legacy of this landmark.
Check out the Abbey Road live cam.
