The Beatles' jacket photo explanation: Looking back at more than 20 works with the comments of members and stakeholders
In the first place, the visual element has been one of The Beatles's great attractions.Mike Evans, the author of The Art of the Beatles, explains in his book:
"Their images were always unique. Unlike other artists in the music scene, the Beatles have always been on the side of the times that reflect the times."
Before gaining fame, they had their own unique looks.When the band first appeared, the media was fascinated by their mushroom cut hairstyles, Cuban heel boots and collar -free jackets.How they showed them was important to show that they were different from other artists.
And their album jackets were most consistently reflected.Photos, illustrations, graphic design ... The Beatles' album jackets have made a major change in each of them.
The album jacket before the Beatles was designed to sell records, such as the glittering image of the artist, the song title and messages for sales.But in just a few years, the Beatles' album jacket has become a fine art.
"With the Beatles", which illuminates only half of the members of the members, "SGT" full of psychedelic nostalgia.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band ", and" Abbey Road "simply crossing the road.Such album jackets are the most influential and still rated art of the 20th century art, and many, including The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Pink Floyds.The artists have become a streak for creating more art jackets.
Let's introduce the story about the Beatles of the Beatles.
"PLEASE PLEASE ME"
(1963, photographed by Angus McBean)
George Martin was taken by Angus McBean, which was taken by Angus McBean, which was taken for the album jacket of the 1963 debut album "PLEASE PLEASE ME", which was introduced by The Beatles.
At that time, Martin was a producer of their record, and at the same time, the president of their label, Palo Phon Records, and then Martin and McBean were already working together in some comedy record jackets.。
Initially, photography was planned outside the insect hall in the London Zoo, but because the zoo refused to take a picture, the EMI office in Manchester Square, London, was selected as a location shooting on March 5, 1963.It was.Just the same day, they were recording "from me to you".
"I was in a hurry to shoot, just like recording music," said Martin.In the jacket, the Balcony on the ground is shown from the balcony on the ground several floors from the ground.
"On that day, I only prepared a normal portrait lens, so I had to lie down on my back at the entrance of the building. I took some photos."I can use this." "
If you listen to "PLEASE PLEASE ME"
"With the Beatles"
1963 shooting Robert Freeman
Their first album was released in a hurry, but they were released on the second album "with the Beatles" November 22, 1963 (President Kennedy, an important day in the United States, in a completely different sense.It was already clear that the Beatles would not be a foam star that would soon disappear when the Beatles were released.
Robert Freeman, a friend of their friends, taken by Astrid Kircher, Robert Freeman, in the southern Bournemas in the southern British, in the United Kingdom, instead of the Studio of this album jacket.・ I shot in the hotel corridor.
Paul McCartney says about shooting on August 22, 1963.
"It took an hour at the hotel. At the end of the corridor, there was a small window and the natural light from there was inserted from the angle of 11 o'clock. He said," You sitting in front of you.Yes ... "
The result is that four young people have a matching hairstyle and turtleneck, half of the face is illuminated in black and white two -tone, and they are not flickering (it was quite unusual for the pop star at the time).It was a symbolic image.George Harrison later said:
"That jacket was the first to be actively involved in the Beatles' artwork."
If you want to listen to "with the Beatles"
"A Hard Day's Night"
1964 shooting Robert Freeman
Like their previous LP, the album jacket of the 1964 "A Hard Day's Night" (Beatles' first starring movie soundtrack board), a black -and -white portrait photo of the Beatles members with a matching turtleneck and hairstyle.It was composed of.However, this time, each of them is a photo of each of them has a variety of expressions with a playful score towards the camera.It was Robert Freeman, who took 20 portrait photos (one of which was taken by George's head from behind), but this time he was in his London studio.
By this time, the four were familiar with Freeman, and he lived in the same apartment in the same apartment as John.Freeman commented while remembering that time.
"I was with the Beatles guys in the middle of a crazy situation like the center of a typhoon. It was a very lively and fun time."
The album jacket with a design imitating the film in the photo was intended to be a scene where each member was blamed for reporters' questions or a photographer flashed.
From here to listen to "A Hard Day's Night"
"Beatles for Sale"
1964 shooting Robert Freeman
In the album jacket photo of "Beatles for Sale" taken by Robert Freeman at Hyde Park, London in October 1964, most of the tired expression rock and roll bands that are not licked.It looks like a matching style.Paul McCartney looks back.
"The photographer just needs to say" Please come a little, "because we always wore the same clothes. It's easy. We're just Hyde Park Albert Memories.I wish I had gathered in. I felt like I was killed by George's hairstyle at that time.
This album was the first spread jacket, with another portrait photo of Freeman inside, which were Hollywood and music theaters, such as the Hollywood actress Jane Mansfield and the movie star Victor Mature.In front of the collage photo, the Beatles were posing.This concept is "SGT" three years later..Pepper's Loney Hearts Club Band].Be
The Beatles' spokeswoman and journalist Derek Taylor wrote on the liner notes:
"Even if the children in the year 2000 listen to this music, they will feel the same happiness and warmth as what we are now feeling."
If you listen to "Beatles for Sale"
"Help!"
1965 shooting Robert Freeman
The 1965's "Help!" Album jacket, released in line with their second starring movie, shows the Beatles of The Beatles, hardened in a snow suit worn in the movie.It looks as if you are sending a sad signal at the hand flag signal.
Robert Freeman, who shot this, initially wanted them to have a flag with "H", "E", "L", and "P", but the poses of these four people worked well.The plan was better because it was better.The signs that the members have issued in the final album jacket can be read as "N-U-J-V (or C)".
By the time 1965, Freeman was taking pictures of their 5 album jackets and taking numerous photos loved by fans of the Beatle Manian era, and in effect the Beatles' official photographer.It was.When he died in November 2019, Paul McCartney said:
"He was our favorite photographer in the Beatles era. He also took pictures of our most symbolic album jackets. He was great as a professional photographer, but his imagination was rich.It was a realistic original thinker with a true meaning. "
If you listen to "Help!"
"Rubber Soul"
1965 shooting Robert Freeman
The Beatles' second album, released in 1965, contains songs such as "Nowere Man" and "Norwegian Wood", and is a work that has made the most musical leap to this day.The album jacket represented the experimental spirit.
First, the names of the band are not written on the jacket, and their four distorted faces are looking at the listener of this album from under the title.John Lennon once said:
"That's the title that Paul came up with. Probably the same as" Yer Blues "," Rubber Soul "is the meaning of the British soul. A little word play."
The font of the album title was designed to preempt the times, as well as the Beatles.In less than a year, the font became indispensable for psychedelic poster art.
The effects of photos that were stretched vertically were completely accidental products.Paul McCartney explained:
"The photographer Robert Freeman has already taken some photos at John's house in a Wabridge on the outskirts of London."
Returning to London, Freeman showed a photo taken on an album jacket size card.
"When I chose the photo I used, the card with the photo was a little backward, and the photo was stretched vertically and shown. So we said," That's it! It feels like rubber soul.He said, "Oh, you can print that way."
From here to listen to "Rubber Soul"
"Revolver"
In 1966, Illustration by Kraus Forman
Robert Freeman, who designed the five LP record jackets so far, made a collage design in the photo for the 1966 album Revolver.However, the proposal was rejected, and the illustration drawn by his old friend, Kraus Fourman, from the Hamburg era.
Orburi Biazley, an illustrator, which was packed with many crowds in the exhibition of line drawing held at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London in 1966..Perhaps the work of Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was probably inspired, and the album jacket was drawn to the Beatles members and cut and paste.
Foreaman tells Martin Ogoman of MOJO magazine.
"Anyway, they were avant -garde, so I thought I had to do the same for jackets. I wanted to make it much different than ordinary designs."
The first reaction was silent when the foraman was designed to four jackets, the producer George Martin, and the manager Brian Epstein.But it was clear that they immediately liked the design.Epstein told the foraman:
"Klaus, this is the design that we need. I was worried that this project would not work, but now this jacket and this album will go well. Thank you."
If you listen to "Revolver"
"SGT.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]
In 1967, designed by Peter Break and Jean Having, Michael Cooper photographed
Released in 1967 "SGT.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band] members of The Beatles dressed in full -dressed, more than 60 friends, heroes and icons, and the montage of the full -body photographs of their friends and the mushroom cut in front of their own wax.The design of standing in was probably nostalgic rather than psychedelic.Paul McCartney explained:
"We wanted to make it tired of looking at the front jacket for many years in making the entire album, and asked them to find out who they were there and drew them on the back jacket.I wanted you to read everything. "
The Beatles members have requested artist Peter Break and Jean Hawerth to put them together.The most famous album jacket in history is a revolutionary work in the design, and its package itself has reached one art, especially pop art.The apple star recalls:
"" SGT."Pepper" is a special album, and when we were shooting jackets, we wanted to be a "pepper", which was dressed up and had photos on the jacket.At that time, flower power was at its peak in the world, full of love and peace, it was a wonderful time for me and the world. "
"SGT.If you listen to "Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band"
"Magical Mystery Tour"
Design by John Van Hammers Verd in 1967
Originally, LP was not released in the UK, but instead a set of two -disc EP and booklet for TV movies was released in 1967's "Magical MyStery Tour" albums that make up their catalogs.Only the only American work was released.
In the jacket, the Beatles members are dressed in the "I am the Walrus" scene (the opposite of John Lennon wrote in the "Glass Onion" lyrics, and walrus in John., Paul looks like a hippopotamus).This was the Beatles' album jacket, the first work that their faces appeared at all.
John said in a Playboy magazine interview in 1980 that John was inspired by Lewis Carrorn's poem THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER in writing the song "I am the Walrus".
"I didn't think Lewis Carroll had commented on capitalists and social systems. When I read it back later, I realized that walrus was actually a bad guy and a carpenter.I thought I chose the wrong guy. "In that song, I should have sang" I'm a carpenter ", but if I do so, the situation will change? (While singing) ♪I am the carpenter ... (I'm a carpenter ...) ♪ "
From here to listen to "Magical MyStery Tour"
"THE BEATLES (The White Album)"
1968, design by Richard Hamilton
誰もが『The White Album』という名前で知っているアルバム『The Beatles』のジャケットのアートは"SGT.Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band]とは全く逆のシンプルなものになった。"SGT. Pepper’s…』のアートはいろんなイメージがギッシリあって活気に溢れているが、『White Album』は、真っ白だ。しかし"SGT.At the time of Pepper's ... ", they asked an artist who had already had a reputation at the time and linked that idea to the results.
It appeared by Richard Hamilton, one of Pop Art Pioneer.Hamilton recalls the time and says:
「ポール・マッカートニーのリクエストは、デザインを"SGT.Pepper's ...] I wanted it to be as clear as possible and as clearly as possible.That's exactly this. "
The package of the album was enclosed with a portrait taken by John Kelly and a collage design poster created by Hamilton with Paul as an assistant.Paul says:
"For me, it was an opportunity to gain a lot of learning from people like Richard Hamilton. I was so immersed in his thoughts for a week. He was the best teacher!"
Focusing on the theme of the art, the originally released album was shaken individual numbers, reminiscent of limited edition art works and poetry collections.The 0000001 album, which was owned by Apple Star in 2015, was awarded $ 790,000 (about 90 million yen), making it a world -rich record.
From here to listen to "The Beatles (the White Album)"
"Yellow Submarine"
In 1969, Illustration by George Danning and Heinz Edelman
The soundtrack album of the 1968 animated movie "Yellow Submarin" is a unique among their albums in the sense that the music of The Beatles is recorded only on one side of the record, and the album B side is on the album.The orchestra music for this movie is included.The Beatles' new songs are included only four songs on the entire LP.
In January 1969, when "THE WHITE ALBUM" was still ranked first on the chart and they were about to take the Get Back project, the anime version of each member made by Illustrator Heinz Edelman.Psychedelic characters were quite far from their appearance at the time, taking into account a nostalgic atmosphere throughout the movie.
Despite the fact that the Beatles itself is not created, the artwork of "Yellow Submarine" is still symbolically used in all things such as notebooks, tote bags, playing cards and socks.・ There is a version of the monopoly game.The apple star recalls:
"I loved the movie of" Yellow Submarin ". I thought the animation was the best and very advanced. The sea full of holes, the blue demon syndrome ... I think it's still wonderful, and we can be involved in that movie.I was happy. "
If you listen to "Yellow Submarine"
"Abbey Road"
1969 shooting Ian McMilan
"Abbey Road" completed in the summer of 1969 is the last album recorded by the Beatles, and the tentative title under "Everest" (engineer Jeff Emerick, which was smoked, was sucked by the cigarette brand.) So, in front of the world's highest peak Everest, in some cases, there were members at the top.However, when the idea came out, they almost jumped out of the entrance of the studio with the opposite of, and named the album "Abbey Road" after the name of the EMI studio.
Thanks to this photo taken on August 8, 1969, the pedestrian crossing became the world's most famous crosswalk.At that time, Paul McCartney had already died, and there were rumors that Sokkuri was playing a substitute, so fans asked for the clues to the artwork of the new album.Some thought that Paul was shown barefoot.John Lennon later cut off his idea.
"Paul was walking on the road barefoot. Paul's" different things "is almost straight, but it's a bit subtle, which is a bit straight, but it's a bit subtle. So Paul crosses the road on that day.I decided to do that. "
If you listen to "Abbey Road"
"Let it be"
1970, Ethan Russell shooting
It was not the last album recorded by The Beatles, but when the Let It Be was finally edited and released in 1970, The Beatles had already become part of history.The early edition released in some areas was released as part of a luxurious box set, including a luxurious photo book by Ethan Russell.On the album jacket, a photo of the four Beatles members in a black background was simply arranged in an individual box.
But the design was not planned from the beginning.The first idea of this record was named "Get Back", and a jacket that imitated their debut album "PLEASE PLEASE ME" would be used.The photographer, Angus McBean, was asked to copy what he shot in 1963 at a large cost.However, the reason why this idea eventually became lost was lost in the flowing years.
In fact, John Lennon asks in the public questionnaire to Paul McCartney, published in the melody maker in 1971.
"Speaking of which, what happened to my idea of using a parody of our first album for" Let It Be "jacket?"
If you listen to "Let It Be", from here
"THE BEATLES 1962-1966" "THE BEATLES 1967-1970"
1963 and 1969, filmed by Angus McBean
The Beatles' jacket in the 1969 album "Get Back" was an idea of imitating their 1963 debut album "PLEASE PLEASE ME".However, in fact, there are two sets of albums that will later be known as red and blue in order to compare the dramatic differences between the members taken in the exact same place in the same place just six years.I had to wait until it was released a year.
Angus McBean was in charge of shooting both at the headquarters of Manchester Square in EMI.However, the second shooting was more troublesome than the first time.A new pouch was built in six years, and the first shoot had to be stopped because McBean's first shot was in the way of shooting from the place where he did the first shot.Eventually, one week later, they were able to complete the shooting by removing the pouch.
『Yesterday & Today』
1966 shooting Robert Whitaker
The biggest collector item among The Beatles' album jackets is "Butcher (butcher) cover" of LP, "Yesterday and toDay" released in the United States in July 1966.This conceptual art was shot by British photographer Robert Whitaker.
The Beatles four wearing a butcher jacket and being surrounded by the dolls of a baby who broke apart.John Lennon claims:
"My original jacket idea was better. The idea of Paul was holding my neck, but he didn't agree."
However, when the first version of the US version was shipped, the Capitol Record had to collect the album because the Butcher cover was shocked.The Capitol Record solution was to paste new photos on the original jacket.In the Beatles' official autobiography, the Beatles Anthology, a apple star is remembering the time.
"That jacket is the best idea for us, who is outstanding, and said," Let's do this!"I was amazed. The jacket was banned, and the record company put paper on it, so everyone came to peel off with steam."
Currently, this original jacket album is traded for at least hundreds of thousands of yen.
"Hey Jude"
1970, Ethan Russell shooting
This would have been the last time the Beatles gathered for a photo session.But no one thought so, as the apple star explained in The Beatles Anthology.
"It was just a photo session. I didn't even think" this will be the last photo session "."
One of the finished photos was displayed with the jacket of the best album "Hey Jude" released in the United States in 1970.The photo taken by Ethan Russell was held on August 22, 1969 at the Titen Hurst Park residence in Sally, a suburb of Ascott, Berkshire, just bought by John and Yoko.
アルバムジャケットの肖像写真は、敷地内のヴィクトリア調の集会場の前で撮影され、ザ・ビートルズの4人は"SGT.I was wearing clothes with a little color seen in the jacket of Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.At that time, the situation surrounding the band was dark, but this photo has plenty of bright places.For example, George's hat is on the Victorian -style beside the beside Victorian -style boss, and George and Paul's expression can easily understand that they were both sarcastic.
"Anthology Vols.1-3]
Photo by Kraus Foreaman in 1995
The artwork used in the album "ANTHOLOGY" series, where members of The Beatles talk about their stories in 1995, are illustrated by Kraus Fourman, a friend from the Hamburg era before they became famous. Thing.
He has participated as a bassist in many of the solo works of members, including John Lennon's Imagine and George Harrisun's ALL THINGS Must Pass, and he used to be in the 1966 LP "Revolver".He was also in charge of the jacket illustration.The three works of "ANTHOLOGY" are lined up side by side, making it a long collage work.
In the foraman illustration, there are several "hidden items" so that fans can enjoy it.For example, the first artwork used the artwork of their unofficial album "The Savage Young Beatles", but the original drummer, Pete Vest's head, was torn off, and he left him.It seems that the apple star's face is placed and looking into it.
As if you agree with this joke, Pete Vest used the later broken part for your 2008 album Haymans Green jacket.In addition, as an inconspicuous hidden item related to the foraman's "Revolver" jacket, he sneaked into the 1966 "Revolver" jacket of his 28 -year -old, but in 1995.In the artwork of "Anthology", there is a hiding of his 57 -year -old photos in the Revolver jacket.
Album released by Capitol Records in the United States
The Beatles' albums in the United States are very different from those released in the UK.The Beatles fans in the United States until the CD recurrence of the CD in the 1980s, such as the early mix recorded on the US edition, the rough editing version, and the version of the echo in the 1980s, is replaced by the British version.I heard something very different from the music that The Beatles actually made.
また、1966年のアメリカ版コンピレーション『Yesterday & Today』が明確な例外だった以外は、セカンド・アルバム"With the Beatles"を模したアメリカ版『Meet The Beatles!』などのアルバムのデザインには、ザ・ビートルズのメンバーは殆ど関与していなかった。
In fact, the US board jacket often wrote messages for sales promotion.For example, in the jacket of The Beatles Second Album, the following characters were jumping.
"Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Apple Star performing from the UK!"
Beatles' 65 proudly stated that "Great New Hits by John Paul George Ringo!"
Written by Paul McGuinness
The Beatles "LET IT BE" (Special Edition) Released on October 15, 2021 5cd+1blu-ray / 2CD / 1CD / 4LP+EP / 1LP / 1LP Picture Disc
The latest documentary "The Beatles: Get Back"
On November 25 (Thursday), 26th (Fri), 27 (Sat) Disney Plus all three episodes in a row.
Director: Peter Jackson ("Lord of the Rings" series, "" "They were alive) appeared: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Star
The legendary rock band, The Beatles, has been exclusively distributed in Disney Plus, with a 6 -hour space -time of the Beatles for three consecutive days.The gathered "GET BACK" by the master Peter Jackson, and the historical moment to create many famous songs recorded in the famous "Let It Be", and the last live 42The fractional "roof top concert" will be revived as a complete uncut complete version in history.What is the truth of the shock that will be revealed over half a century after the dissolution?
Distribution: Walt Disney Japan © 2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc.All Rights Reserved.Official site
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