Appearing on the Beatles record cover is like being part of the Group. That's what happened to this badass Beetle.
At the height of their glory, in 1969, the rock group from Liverpool and global star, the Beatles released their new vinyl album entitled Abbey Road (sold to date more than 31 million copies). On the cover, the 4 children in the wind, cross the street, a shot that has become legendary, so legendary that each detail of the photo is made iconic by the fans of the group. As luck would have it, during the photo, a white VW Beetle parked on the sidewalk also becomes iconic, this Beetle even almost becomes the 5th member of the Beatles Group for the photo.
The photo was taken on August 8, 1969, outside EMI Studios, at 11:35 a.m. by photographer Iain Macmillan, who had just 10 minutes to capture the perfect photo, and while a police officer blocked the traffic behind the cameras. He took six photos, from which McCartney chose the one showing Lennon leading the group, followed by Starr, McCartney himself and Harrison.
At first, fans thought that the car belonged to John Lennon, but in reality, the white Volkswagen belonged to one of the tenants of the building opposite the studio, but the rumor remains persistent especially as you will see below in the article, it is advertised as John Lennon's apartment.
A victim of its popularity, the license plate (LMW 281F) was stolen several times from the car after the album's release. Replicas are even sold commercially and on the internet.
After a few owners, this car was still for sale in 1986. Pete Gent, owner of the musical instrument store "The Music Department" in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, came across the very famous car parked on the forecourt of 'an automobile showroom. Pete quickly bought it, realizing that the car salesman had no idea of the car's history or license plate.
The ‘Lennon’ Beetle is currently on display in the VW Autostadt, Wolfsburg Museum.
The museum plaque reads: “Starting in 1962, John Lennon and Paul McCartney took the world by storm with the music of the Beatles. They unleashed an enthusiasm that has not waned to this day. In 1967, John Lennon ordered this Beetle 1300, registered LMW 281F, and used it for daily transportation. In 1969, this Beetle became famous around the world when it appeared on the cover of the Abbey Road album and gave rise to months of rumors that Paul McCartney had died because of the license number 281F. It was acquired by VW at an auction in the summer of 1999. - Something that has never been proven.
Une scène qui depuis a été revisité
Unusual fact:
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Abbey Road album and raise money for a children's charity in Sweden. Volkswagen Photoshops the Beatles from the Abbey Road cover and moves the VW Beetle. It is also about promoting Park Assist technology on new Volkswagens.
Cirque du Soleil even uses a replica of this Beetle in its show The Beatles - Love.
For your listening pleasure, here is the recording of the album;