Backpackers Guide to London
Abbey Road Studios
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3 Abbey Road, London NW8. Who would have thought that a 19th-century building nestled in the St. John Woods section of Northwest London would skyrocket to fame and become one of the most important landmarks of all time? You see, this structure set the stage for one of the greatest breakthroughs in musical history. Here, four bespectacled gentlemen who called themselves The Beatles recorded hits such as “Help”, “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “She Loves You”, among others. The Beatles went on to create a cult following and continues to be one of the finest bands of all time. The building was originally a residential home. Then in 1931, The Gramophone Company Ltd. (now known as EMI Records) transformed the building into a recording studio. The studios were used by top orchestras, whose music was very popular at that time. Then on June 6, 1962, the studios (and the worldwide music scene) made a turning point.
The morning started out like any other, and seemed destined to be one of those ordinary and utterly forgettable days—until a group arrived in an old white van, wearing black leather jackets and carrying battered sound equipment. They had a four-song demo session. The practices became more frequent as the group steadily rose to fame.
The studios became witness to the production of the Beatles’ blockbuster hits “Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, and of course, “Abbey Road”, which performed so well at the charts that the name of the album was adopted by the studios. The fact that Paul McCartney’s house was just around the corner made Abbey Road a favorite Beatles’ hangout.
The pedestrian walkway known to Londoners as a zebra crossing was just an ordinary road until The Beatles used it for the cover of their “Abbey Road” album. It has become so famous that Belisha beacons (lighted globes on posts) were installed to warn drivers that they were approaching a tourist hotspot. It is no longer surprising to see visitors having their picture taken in the area, mimicking the famous Beatles' pose.
Introduction
History
The Famous Zebra Crossing
Ashlee House, 261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8QT, England
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 9400 Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9677
