Paul is Dead – Hidden Clues in the Abbey Road Stamp

Almost any Beatles fan, be it the most devout adorer or one who simply enjoys singing along to "Come Together," has heard of the conspiracy that Paul McCartney, the lead singer, bassist, and most-loved pretty boy of The Beatles, is dead. The rumors began on October 12, 1969 when someone named "Tom" called into a radio station and announced that Paul was dead and requested that "Revolution 9" be played backwards. Upon doing this, the radio host claims to have heard the phrase "Turn me on, dead man."

According to legend, Paul, after having gotten into an argument, left the recording studio while the band was recording the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album on November 9, 1966, and, allegedly, ended up getting into a fatal car crash. In turn, he is said to have been replaced by William Shears Campbell, a sing- and look-alike. However, no actual proof that could back up this story has ever been found.

Since then, however, slaves to these rumors have been searching high and low through the music of The Beatles, hoping to find any sort of hidden message or hint that the supposedly dead Paul could be, in fact, lost to the world. For instance, "A Day in the Life," a song actually from the Sgt. Pepper’s album, is believed to be all about the death of Paul. One of the most major clues in the case of Paul is the cover of the Abbey Road album, which is riddled with hidden meaning. The cover depicts the four members of the band, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, and George Harrison, walking in a line across the crosswalk outside of Abbey Road Recording Studio. John, dressed in an all-white suit leads the line, representing God. Ringo follows in a black suit and white collar, symbolizing a preacher. Next is Paul, wearing a regular suit, but, if one looks closely, it can be seen that he is bare-footed. This is the truly odd part. In England, it is customary to bury the dead without shoes. Paul is the only one of the band members in the picture not wearing shoes. Lastly, following Paul is George, dressed in very casual clothing, symbolizing a gravedigger. No one can be certain that any of this really means that the British rock legend is, in fact, deceased, but it does leave the mind a great deal to wonder.

The Abbey Road album cover is included in the Beatles Commemorative set of six stamps, depicting six different Beatles album covers, including With the Beatles, HELP!, Revolver, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and Let It Be. This legendary collection can be purchased here.