I had the most spectacular afternoon today. I spent it with a man named KOSH who
has designed some of the most famous record album covers including The Eagles'
Hotel California, Linda Ronstadt's Lush Life and the most famous album cover in
LP history, The Beatles' Abbey Road.
Q: That blue sky was very prominent. Was that real?
A: No. It was a typical London grey day. The blue was added.
Q: Were the cars featured on the street intentionally positioned?
A: No. They were there sitting exactly like that on a random basis.
Q: Were the Beatles told what to wear for that photo session?
A: No. They showed up as they pleased that day.
Q: Why is Paul the only one barefoot?
A: The sandals he was wearing were too tight and he just flung them off.
Q: Was there anything planned for a "Paul Is Dead" hoax on that cover?
A: Absolutely not. People made it up and the word spread worldwide.
The record company realizing it would sell more copies of the album,
refused to confirm or deny the rumors.
Q: This was the first record album cover without the name The Beatles
on the cover or album title. Whose idea was that?
A: It was mine. The record company went ballistic at first.
I assured them that everybody in the world already knew who they were.
Q: Did you get the street closed down officially?
A: No. One of the Beatles key people actually stood in the street
holding up traffic.
I asked him what he knew about the Let It Be album cover.
He knew everything, because he designed that as well.
He explained to me that the selection of the group members
in the squares was done purely on a "looks best" basis.
I learned a great deal more including what it was like standing on the rooftop
of the Apple building when the Beatles performed live. The ultimate Beatles afternoon!
He let me hold his actual hand-drawn art work for "Lush Life."
