Abbey Road runs through Camden and Westminster districts of London and is simply named after the abbey that once was there. A footpath led to that Abbey and a city villa was build next to this footpath. This villa with 9 rooms was later changed into an appartment building. In 1929 it was bought by the Gramophone Company and was extended with recording studios. By 1939 Gramophone fused with Columbia Graphophone to become E.M.I. Records and the studio's were officially opened.

Entrance of the Abbey Road Studios

Many legendary albums were recorded there for example "The Dark Side Of The Moon" by Pink Floyd, “Oddessey And Oracle” by the Zombies, “Stormcock” by Roy Harper and “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan.

Abbey Road Church

Near the studios the Abbey Road Baptist Church is located (which is not the abbey!) and the legendary pedestrian crossing where the Beatles crossed the road which resulted in the album cover for the album Abbey Road. Many people imitated the album cover after this. A white Volkswagen (Beetle) is displayed on the left of the cover with number plate "LMW 281F". The number plate of this car was frequently stolen from the car after the release of the album.

The Beatles in front of the Abbey Road Studios

The album was the last album they recorded. Although "Let It Be" was the last album released it was recorded earlier. "Abbey Road" was released on the 26th of September in 1969. In the US it was released on the 1st of October 1969. George Harrison was already preparing his solo Album "All Things Must Pass" and John Lennon his album untitled album with the Plastic Ono Band. John did not perform on some of the tracks and left the band by that time (although not publicly announced until McCartney also quit the following year). George's songs for the album "Something" and "Here Comes The Sun" are considered the best he ever wrote for the Beatles. Sadly tentions within the band grew that already started during the Get Back sessions (which were used for the album "Let It Be"). Maxwell's Silver Hammer" and "Oh! Darling" were songs McCartney already wrote during the Get Back sessions.  "Octopus's Garden" was Ringo's second song with the band on which he sang (The first one was of course "Yellow Submarine"). The last song on the album is "Her Majesty" which was originally a hidden track.

Something / Come Together - single cover

A double A side single "Something" / "Come Together" was released and charted at #2 in the Netherlands, #4 in the UK and #1 in the US. The album was almost everywhere in the world a #1.

During the sessions George Harrison's "All Things Must Pass" was recorded but was not used and shelved for his solo album with the same title. See my review for that album here. Other songs from these sessions were "Old Brown Shoe" (That was released as the B-Side of "The Ballad Of John & Yoko". 

Abbey Road - street sign

The album was a huge success all over the world although the band hardly did any promotion for the album themselves.

Original album cover

Abbey Road (1969)
Come Together / Something / Maxwell's Silver Hammer / Oh! Darling / Octopus's Garden / I Want You (She's So Heavy) / Here Comes the Sun / Because / You Never Give Me Your Money / Sun King / Mean Mr. Mustard / Polythene Pam /She Came In Through the Bathroom Window / Golden Slumbers / Carry That Weight / The End / Her Majesty


Here Comes The Sun

I Want You (She's So Heav)

Come Together