Last Updated on 25 January 2026 by Massimo M.

The cover of Abbey Road is one of the most famous

and cited in the history of music and probably one of the most famous of the entire production of the Beatles.

The famous image used to illustrate the cover of the tenth album by the Liverpool four depicts the Beatles intent on crossing the pedestrian crossing of Abbey Road, the street in London overlooked by the Abbey Road Studios, which the Beatles recorded all their albums

Of the six poses taken by photographer Ian McMillan, who was standing on a ladder in the middle of the street, the choice fell on the fifth: firstly because it was the only one in which the four were well aligned , and then, it seems, because it gave the impression that the Fab Four were leaving the EMI recording studios, whose entrance is on the left-hand sidewalk.

During the first two shots McCartney wore sandals, for the next two he took them off and walked barefoot. This action has become one of the most cited ‘hints’ in the theory that supports the death of Paul McCartney and which began in September 1969.

After the publication of Abbey Road the plate of the white beetle seen on the left of the image and which belonged to an inhabitant of the area was stolen several times.

In 1986 the Beetle itself was auctioned for over £2,000 and is now on display at the Volkswagen museum in Wolfsburg, Germany.