Abbey Road, 1969 album by The Beatles

In August 1969, Iain Macmillan shot the photo that would become the cover of Abbey Road, the Beatles‘ 11th (and last) studio album. Abbey Road was first album ever to omit the artist and title from the cover — a photographer’s dream: the cover consisted of the photo, the whole photo, and nothing but the photo. Macmillan had just 10 minutes to shoot the photograph — standing on a step ladder while a policeman stopped traffic.

Besides John, barefoot Paul, George, and Ringo, the photo included two notable features. The first was the white VW beetle on the left with license plate number LMW 281F. After Abbey Road’s September 1969 release, the car’s license plate was repeatedly stolen by souvenir seekers. The second notable feature was Paul Cole, the man standing in the mid-right-hand portion of the photo — an American tourist who had no idea he’d ended up in the shot until the album came out.

Morrison Hotel, photograph by Henry Diltz

In 1969, photographer Henry Diltz and The Doors showed up at The Morrison Hotel – 1246 S. Hope Street in L.A.’s skid row — figuring the proprietor would be more than happy to let them shoot some photos. When the hotel manager told them to hit the road, the group stood on the sidewalk trying to figure out a Plan B. Opportunity knocked when Diltz looked through the hotel’s front window and saw the desk clerk leave his post. He told the bandmates to run inside and assume various positions at the window.

Diltz was able to fire off just one roll of film during the session — but just about every shot turned out a classic. The crown jewel was, of course, the above photo that graced the cover of the 1970 album of the same name.

Morrison Hotel Redux

In 1969, photographer Henry Diltz and The Doors showed up at The Morrison Hotel — 1246 S. Hope Street in L.A.’s skid row — figuring the proprietor would be more than happy to let them shoot some photos. When the hotel manager told them to hit the road, the group stood on the sidewalk trying to figure out a Plan B. Opportunity knocked when Diltz looked through the hotel’s front window and saw the desk clerk leave his post. He told the bandmates to run inside and assume various positions at the window.

Diltz was able to fire off just one roll of film during the session — but just about every shot turned out a classic. The crown jewel was, of course, the above photo that graced the cover of the 1970 album of the same name. Dlitz’s photos are currently on display at the Standard Hotel in Hollywood as part of the Sunset Strip Music Festival taking place through August 18th.

Focusing on the Beatles & Abbey Road

On this day in 1969, Iain Macmillan shot the photo that would become the cover of Abbey Road, the Beatles‘ 11th (and last) studio album. Abbey Road was first album ever to omit the artist and title from the cover — a photographer’s dream: the cover consisted of the photo, the whole photo, and nothing but the photo. Macmillan had just 10 minutes to shoot the photograph — standing on a step ladder while a policeman stopped traffic.

Besides John, barefoot Paul, George, and Ringo, the photo included two notable features. The first was the white VW beetle on the left with license plate number LMW 281F. After Abbey Road’s September 1969 release, the car’s license plate was repeatedly stolen by souvenir seekers. The second notable feature was Paul Cole, the man standing in the mid-right-hand portion of the photo — an American tourist who had no idea he’d ended up in the shot until the album came out.

I know what I’ll be listening to today!