The Beatles' Abbey Road album cover history and myths

The iconic Abbey Road album cover by The Beatles, captured on August 8, 1969, originated from a brief ten-minute session by photographer Iain Macmillan in front of the EMI studios. The shoot was facilitated by local police who briefly halted traffic to allow the band to cross the zebra crossing.

Originally, the album was considered for the title 'Everest,' inspired by a brand of cigarettes used by sound engineer Geoff Emerick. While a trip to the Himalayas was initially discussed, the band ultimately opted for the simplicity of the street outside their studio.

The photograph has since become the subject of various urban legends, most notably the 'Paul is Dead' conspiracy theory. Proponents of this theory interpreted the members' attire and Paul McCartney's bare feet—which he reportedly removed due to the summer heat—as symbolic clues of a funeral procession.