Much to my surprise, neither the studio itself nor the famed crosswalk is particularly well marked. We actually walked past it and had to double back after getting proper directions from a local. Aside from its historical significance, Abbey Road is a working recording studio in a relatively quite London neighborhood. There was a light but steady trickle of fans taking pictures walking across the street, but it was not the commercialized tourist-trap I expected. And that's absolutely the way I think it should be.
Of course I posed for the obligatory picture crossing the street with my fatmates (I'll have to post that later because it was on somebody else's camera). I also got a picture crossing by myself:
The idea is to go back three more times, dressed like a different Beatle from the album cover each time and compile them together in photoshop. We'll see if I can actually pull it off (I was George yesterday, I don't have a denim jacket so the one I'm wearing will have to do). As you can see, getting the straight-on angle like the album cover is difficult given that it is actually a pretty busy road and, not being The Beatles, we lacked the ability to block off traffic for our photo shoot.
We also took some pictures outside the studio itself, which is surrounded by a gated wall littered with the loving graffiti of fellow pilgrims to this Mecca of rock n' roll.
Emboldened by this experience, I ventured inside the gate and had one of my flatmates take a picture of me in the doorway.
I wasn't sure exactly how far people who aren't doing legitimate business in the studio are allowed to go, but I was soon to find out. After these pictures I looked into the window next to the door and saw someone sitting at a reception desk. For some reason I thought, "well hell, he looks like a nice fellow, I might as well see how far I can take this." I tried the outermost door, expecting it to be locked. It wasn't. I tried the inner door leading into the lobby, sure that it would be locked. It wasn't.
I now stood, officially within the walls of Abbey Road, facing the enormous marble reception desk with "Abbey Road Studios" in giant silver letters on the wall behind it and the slightly confused-looking but very polite Indian receptionist staring at me. At this point I was pretty much at a loss for something to say, not having expected to get nearly this far. So, already knowing fully well the answer, I sheepishly asked, "Excuse me, this is probably a silly question, but do you guys offer tours of the studio?" To which he replied in a very prim and proper British accent, "We do not. This is actually a working studio and we could not have visitors disturbing our sessions." (translation: "We do not. This is actually a working studio and we could not have visitors disturbing our sessions." - he spoke impeccable English, so all attempts I made to imitate his accent in type just did not do him justice).
He went on to explain that he was quite surprised that I had made it as far as I did. The front doors were supposed to be locked at all times (it was part of his job to buzz people in), and the general public was never allowed beyond the front steps. He said he probably would have had to call the police had I not been so polite in my trespassing. I apologized profusely, explaining that I worked in a recording studio in the states and that as far as I was concerned I had just wandered into the Pope's private chambers in the Vatican. He said it was a slow day and kindly let me gaze around in wonderment for a while longer, and I left before wearing out my welcome.
I leave you now with a few more pictures from my adventure, and for the "song of the day" the medley that ends The Beatles' iconic final album.
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