The world-famous zebra crossing in London which features on the cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road sleeve has been given “listed” status by the Government.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are seen crossing the road in Ian Macmillan’s cover shot, later emulated by dozens of other bands. The crossing – just outside the renowned Abbey Road studios, where the Beatles recorded much of their output – has been given Grade II listing by heritage minister John Penrose.
Sir Paul welcomed the news, saying: “It’s been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake.” It is the first such listing of its kind – such status is normally afforded only to buildings – and follows advice from English Heritage. The nearby studios were listed in February.
Mr Penrose said: “It is a fantastic testimony to the international fame of the Beatles that – more than 40 years on – this crossing continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, trying to mimic their iconic Abbey Road album cover.”
The 1969 album was the last to be completed by The Beatles, although the earlier recorded Let It Be was actually the last to be issued. Its cover contributed to conspiracy theories that Sir Paul had been killed and his place in the group had been taken by a doppelganger. The appearance of the four bandmates was said to resemble a funeral procession.
Sir Paul is barefoot in the photo – as a corpse would be – and a number plate on a VW Beatle includes the configuration “28IF”. Conspiracists said this referred to Sir Paul being 28 if he had lived until the release of the album – even though he would actually have been 27.
Fans flock to the crossing from all over the world and for the 40th anniversary of the photoshoot on August 8 last year hundreds of people relived the moment, causing traffic chaos in the area. Other groups who have copied the pose include Red Hot Chili Peppers, who staged the shot naked except for strategically placed sports socks.
English Heritage admitted during its assessment of the merits of listing the crossing that it is not entirely sure that the crossing depicted on the cover is the same as the one which is to be preserved. The report says it has not been possible to show whether the crossing may have actually moved location.
English Heritage said: “It has been suggested that the crossing was slightly moved to the south east in the 1970s, closer to the junction with Grove Road.
“However, comparison between the cover photograph and its present position suggests that it may have been moved a little to the north, closer to the studio gates, but it has not been possible to confirm this. Whether or not it is the same crossing depicted on the album cover or one very close to the original site, it remains a place of pilgrimage, with the studios, for Beatles fans from all over the world.”
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