Among other Beatle covers in which the "perfect" photo was chosen (With The Beatles which has a couple of outtake shots comes to mind), I wonder who ultimately decided which photo would be chosen for the respective cover. As the years went on, I'm sure they got to have much closer to the final say (if not THE final say) but what of their earlier covers like PPM and WTB? Was it totally up to them or a combination of them and the corresponding photographer...did EMI have a say in those early days..? What of the Let It Be cover design?
The covers of Pepper and Revolver are more so iconic as album-cover works of art. But as an album cover whose image is replicated by tourists to this very day, I wouldn't think it gets more iconic than that.
George went with Mal, and some others whose names escape me, to Regent's Park Zoo where they meditated?! If I were Mal, I know where I'd have been - having lunch with John, Paul, Ringo and the girls!
Many interpretations. Walking away from it all in lockstep, standing on one’s own feet, why on earth are the others following me? The list goes on & on….
They were literally sitting around thinking of ideas for the album cover and one of them, supposedly Ringo, suggested they cross the street.
The humdrum idea of crossing the road has led to a work of art in itself. The cover is as visually interesting as the music inside. This was even clear to me as a young boy of 11, when I first managed to be loaned a copy from a friend's dad. There is a puzzle here. I am sure it was probably just a lucky break that that particular photograph stands out from the others that were taken. Nevertheless, the art itself has generated much discussion and esoteric meaning. The symbolism may be unintentional.....or not, but what is clear is that it is loaded with symbolism.
As posted way back near the start of this thread: Rough sketch drawn by Paul. (The photographer Iain Macmillan drew that little cover image in the upper right corner of Paul's sketch).
Trust Paul! lol. Remember at school when the teacher would make you work in a group? I reckon Paul would have been the group member who takes the activity seriously and does all the writing, while the rest of the group contributes like, one lame idea, and watches the clock till the end of the lesson.
One main thing the photographer was looking for was symmetry in their step...he wanted all four of them to form the "v" with their legs.
It does make the photograph more aesthetically pleasing. It made me think about Paul and George standing next to each other when The Beatles performed with their guitars facing opposite directions (forming a V). This is also more aesthetically pleasing than the guitars facing the same way.
Paul's sketch proves the crossing hasn't moved over the years as it is still in the same relative position by that junction.
My guess is that they wanted to avoid the oft-repeated order: John, Paul, George & Ringo, as in a ranking, but made sure John was out in front. What they were wearing may have had some bearing on the visual too.
