Road Rules! Abbey Cover Turns 40

If Abbey Road isn't already the most famous street in rock 'n' roll, it certainly was this past weekend.

On Saturday, fans gathered at the fabled Beatles location to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cover shot to the band's 1969 classic. The event was organized by Richard Porter, a Beatles tour guide, who had Fab Four impersonators stroll across the intersection as fans looked on. The event naturally caused a bit of a traffic stir, though Brits aren't likely to complain much about any activity honoring their favorite sons.

Though the album came out a month later, the original photograph was taken on Aug. 8 of that year by photographer Iain Macmillian, who was only given about 10 to 15 minutes near midday to get the shot. Results of the limited camera time can be seen in Paul McCartney's stride (he's bare foot and out of step with the others) and with the presence of an American tourist, Paul Cole, who is included in the shot unawares. The cover itself, one of the most imitated and iconic in rock history, was designed by Apple Records' creative director Kosh.

The band's former tour manager, Tony Bramwell, showed up at the zebra crossing and told the crowd, "Other than Paul and Ringo [Starr], I'm the only person alive who was here on that day. It's great to see that the whole thing carries on. Through the musical genres and revolutions of the last 40 years, the Beatles are still number one."

Abbey Road, one of the band's bestselling and most acclaimed works, was the last album the Beatles recorded together.

Photos courtesy of Edopix via Flickr.