August 8th, 1969
Photographer Iain MacMillan shoots the cover for what would be the Beatles’ last recorded album, Abbey Road, just outside the studios of the same name where the band recorded most of its classic songs. The photo, which merely shows the band crossing the street while walking away from the studio, has become iconic in its own right, and provides “Paul Is Dead” enthusiasts with several erroneous “clues” to his “death,” including the fact that Paul is barefoot.
(Supposedly this represents a corpse, but McCartney has stated that it was simply a hot day.) The shoot, which lasts ten minutes, produces six shots, from which Paul picks the cover.
Releases
1966:The Beatles, Revolver
1966:The Beatles, “Eleanor Rigby” b/w “Yellow Submarine”
1970:Creedence Clearwater Revival, “Looking Out My Back Door”
Recording
1934:Bing Crosby, “I Love You Truly”
1941:Les Brown and his Band of Renown, “Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio”
1960:Roy Orbison, “Blue Angel”
1969:The Beatles: “I Want You (She’s So Heavy),” “The End”
Charts
1953:Les Paul and Mary Ford’s “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be With You)” hits #1
1960:Brian Hyland’s “Itsy Bitsy, Teenie Weenie, Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” hits #1
1970:Blood, Sweat & Tears’ Blood Sweat & Tears 3 LP hits #1