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<\/figure>The concept was simple: a crowd of people the Beatles<\/strong> admired (or loathed). But as the lists started coming in from John<\/strong>, Paul<\/strong>, and George<\/strong>, the lawyers at EMI got nervous. McCartney wanted high-brow literati and Hollywood starlets; George Harrison wanted a mountain of Indian gurus to prove his spiritual street-cred; and Lennon, ever the professional provocateur, wanted to see if he could sneak in history\u2019s most famous dictator and the world\u2019s most famous Christian. Both were vetoed by the record company, among others. 🚩<\/p> Pop artist Peter Blake and Jann Haworth were tasked with turning this chaotic wishlist into a life-sized collage of cardboard cutouts. It was a logistical nightmare involving telegrams sent to movie stars asking for permission to use their likenesses\u2014most of whom said \u201cyes.\u201d But not everyone was a fan of the idea, leading to a frantic, last-minute game of musical chairs with history\u2019s most famous faces. ✂️<\/p> So, behind the vibrant colors and the famous \u201cBeatles\u201d drum skin, a silent war of airbrushing was taking place. As the cameras prepared to click, the record label\u2019s suits intervened, physically hiding the most controversial figures behind the band members or scrubbing them from the negatives entirely. It was the first time a rock album cover had been treated like a state secret, subject to censorship that would make a MI6 agent blush. 🕵️♂️<\/p> What remains is a vibrant lie\u2014a masterpiece of editing that tells us as much about what the world wasn\u2019t ready to see as what it was. From the \u201cghost\u201d of Leo Gorcey<\/strong> to the coverup of Mahatma Gandhi<\/strong>, the album photo is a map of the era\u2019s shifting taboos and the band\u2019s refusal to play by the old rules of celebrity. 🎨 By looking at who they included\u2014and who the censors forced them to remove\u2014we see a band caught between their working-class Liverpool roots, their Hollywood dreams, and a new, radical desire to challenge every boundary in sight.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The dictator of Nazi Germany. Why:<\/strong> Believe it or not, John Lennon requested him. John\u2019s goal was to be as provocative as possible, but the idea was immediately vetoed. A cardboard cutout of Hitler was actually made and brought to the studio\u2014he is visible in several \u201cbehind the scenes\u201d outtake photos\u2014but he was carefully positioned so that he was completely obscured by the Beatles themselves in the final shot.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The leader of the Indian independence movement. Why:<\/strong> He was originally in the lineup (right next to Lewis Carroll). However, Sir Joseph Lockwood, the head of EMI, became terrified that including Gandhi would cause a riot in India or lead to a ban on the album in the Far East. To protect international sales, Gandhi was painted over with a palm tree at the last minute.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The central figure of Christianity. Why:<\/strong> This was another provocative request from John Lennon. However, this was less than a year after John\u2019s \u201cmore popular than Jesus\u201d comment had caused Beatles records to be burned in the American South. The record label put their foot down immediately, fearing that putting Jesus on a pop cover would be the final nail in the band\u2019s coffin in the United States.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> One of the \u201cBowery Boys\u201d comedy team. Why:<\/strong> He made the cut for the photo but was airbrushed out later. He was the only person who demanded a fee ($400) for using his likeness. In a legendary show of Beatles \u201cfrugality\u201d (or perhaps just principle), they chose to erase him entirely rather than pay the fee.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An anonymous soldier figure. Why:<\/strong> During the shoot, a waxwork of a soldier was placed near the back, but he was shifted around so much during the lighting setup that he effectively vanished behind other taller figures. He exists in the \u201cset,\u201d but he is a ghost on the finished cover.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The iconic Italian actress. Why:<\/strong> A longtime favorite of the Beatles, she was originally requested and a cutout was prepared, but like Mae West, there were initial concerns about permissions. Unlike Mae West (who was persuaded by a personal letter from the band), Loren\u2019s placement was eventually swapped out for other figures during the chaotic assembly of the set.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A renowned Hindu guru and the author of The Holy Science<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> He was one of the four Indian gurus suggested by George Harrison, reflecting George\u2019s burgeoning obsession with Eastern philosophy and meditation.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A notorious English occultist, ceremonial magician, and novelist. Why:<\/strong> Suggested by John Lennon. John was fascinated by \u201coutsider\u201d figures and rebels, and Crowley\u2019s \u201cDo what thou wilt\u201d philosophy appealed to the counter-culture spirit of 1967.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A legendary American actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Why:<\/strong> Initially, she refused to appear, famously asking, \u201cWhat would I be doing in a Lonely Hearts Club?\u201d The Beatles wrote to her, and she changed her mind.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A provocative American stand-up comedian known for his trial regarding obscenity charges. Why:<\/strong> Bruce had died only a year earlier in 1966. The Beatles (especially John) admired his \u201ctruth-telling\u201d comedy and his status as a free-speech martyr.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A German avant-garde composer. Why:<\/strong> Suggested by Paul McCartney. At the time, Paul was deeply into electronic \u201cmusique concr\u00e8te,\u201d which influenced the sound collage of \u201cA Day in the Life.\u201d<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An American comedian known for his \u201ccurmudgeonly\u201d persona. Why:<\/strong> A group favorite. The Beatles loved his sharp, cynical wit, which matched the dry humor they often used in interviews.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A high-ranking officer in the Chinese military during the early 20th century. Why:<\/strong> He was another choice by Lennon, who was browsing through books of historical figures. His inclusion adds to the diverse, global \u201ccrowd\u201d feeling of the cover.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The famous American writer and poet known for his macabre and mystery stories. Why:<\/strong> Suggested by John Lennon. The Beatles often cited Poe as an influence on their more surreal lyrics; John even mentioned him by name later that year in the song \u201cI Am the Walrus.\u201d<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The legendary American dancer, singer, and actor. Why:<\/strong> He was a personal favorite of the band. Astaire was reportedly \u201cdelighted\u201d to be included on the cover, which wasn\u2019t always the case with the Hollywood stars they asked.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An American painter and illustrator. Why:<\/strong> Merkin was a friend of the cover\u2019s designer, Peter Blake. His inclusion was a \u201cnod\u201d to the contemporary art scene that Blake was a part of in London during the mid-60s.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> One of the \u201cBowery Boys\u201d actors. Why:<\/strong> Gorcey was originally in the lineup, but he was the only person to demand a payment ($400) for the use of his likeness. The Beatles refused to pay, so he was airbrushed out, leaving a distinct, slightly discolored blue gap in the crowd next to Huntz Hall.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> Another member of the \u201cBowery Boys\u201d comedy team. Why:<\/strong> Unlike his co-star Leo Gorcey, Hall was happy to appear for free. He remains on the cover, standing right at the edge of the gap where Gorcey used to be.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The Italian-American artist who spent 33 years building the Watts Towers in Los Angeles. Why:<\/strong> He was a symbol of \u201coutsider art\u201d and individual perseverance\u2014themes that resonated with the Beatles\u2019 desire to break away from traditional pop music constraints.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The folk-rock icon and a massive influence on the Beatles\u2019 transition to \u201cserious\u201d songwriting. Why:<\/strong> By 1967, Dylan was a peer and a friend. His inclusion was mandatory; without Dylan\u2019s influence, the Beatles likely wouldn\u2019t have felt empowered to create an album as experimental as Sgt. Pepper<\/em>.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A famous 19th-century illustrator known for his provocative, black-and-white ink drawings. Why:<\/strong> His \u201cArt Nouveau\u201d style was a major influence on the psychedelic aesthetic of the 1960s. Beardsley\u2019s influence had already appeared on the Beatles\u2019 previous album, Revolver<\/em>, which featured Klaus Voormann\u2019s Beardsley-inspired line art.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A 19th-century British Prime Minister and the founder of the modern Metropolitan Police. Why:<\/strong> British police officers are still called \u201cBobbies\u201d because of him. His inclusion was likely a playful, quintessential British reference\u2014a \u201cnod\u201d to authority figureheads in a decidedly counter-culture collage.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The English author famous for the dystopian novel Brave New World<\/em> and his essay The Doors of Perception<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> The Doors of Perception<\/em>, which detailed his experiences with mescaline, was \u201crequired reading\u201d for the 1967 hippie movement. The band The Doors even took their name from his book.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A legendary Welsh poet known for his booming voice and poems like Do not go gentle into that good night<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> All the Beatles were fans of his work, but Robert Zimmerman (Bob Dylan) famously took his stage name from this poet. By including both Dylans on the same row, the Beatles were acknowledging the lineage of their own inspirations.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An American satirical novelist and screenwriter who wrote Dr. Strangelove<\/em> and Easy Rider<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> He was a friend of the band and a key figure in the \u201cBeat\u201d generation. He actually gave a copy of his book Candy<\/em> to the Beatles, and his presence on the cover represented the \u201chip\u201d literary circle they were now a part of.<\/p> The second row begins just below and to the left of the top row. These figures are generally seated or positioned slightly lower.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The American singer and frontman of Dion and the Belmonts, famous for hits like \u201cRunaround Sue.\u201d Why:<\/strong> Suggested by artist Peter Blake. Blake was a huge fan of early rock and roll, and he felt Dion represented the cool, \u201cstreet\u201d energy of the 1950s that paved the way for the British Invasion.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A massive Hollywood movie star, known for Some Like It Hot<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> He was a symbol of the \u201cOld Hollywood\u201d glamour that the Beatles were simultaneously mocking and celebrating. Curtis was apparently very proud to be included and was one of the many stars who signed off on their likeness immediately.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An American artist and a crucial figure in the \u201cAssemblage\u201d art movement. Why:<\/strong> He was a friend of the cover\u2019s designer, Robert Fraser. Berman\u2019s art was built on collages of photos and objects, making his inclusion on the world\u2019s most famous collage a meta-tribute to his own style.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A beloved British radio comedian, famous for the WWII-era show ITMA<\/em> (It\u2019s That Man Again). Why:<\/strong> The Beatles grew up listening to him. Handley\u2019s surreal, fast-paced wordplay was a direct ancestor to the Beatles\u2019 own \u201cLennon-esque\u201d humor and their zany personas in A Hard Day\u2019s Night<\/em>.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The ultimate 20th-century screen icon. Why:<\/strong> You can\u2019t have a gathering of \u201cthe people we like\u201d without Marilyn. Her presence anchored the cover in pop culture history, though she is tucked slightly toward the middle, partially obscured by the figures in front.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The American \u201cBeat\u201d novelist famous for Naked Lunch<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> He was a counter-culture icon. Paul McCartney had actually met Burroughs in London and even helped him set up a small experimental recording studio; his presence represented the band\u2019s avant-garde leanings.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An ancient Hindu yogi. Why:<\/strong> The second of the four gurus requested by George Harrison. His inclusion highlights the spiritual \u201ccenter\u201d of the album\u2019s concept.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A 19th-century yogi and disciple of Babaji. Why:<\/strong> The third of George\u2019s gurus. These spiritual figures were George\u2019s way of bringing his \u201cNew India\u201d discovery into the heart of the \u201cSwinging London\u201d scene.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The guru of Paramahansa Yogananda. Why:<\/strong> This was the fourth and final guru on George\u2019s list, ensuring that his spiritual mentors were as well-represented as John\u2019s literary heroes.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> One half of the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Why:<\/strong> A childhood favorite of all four Beatles. Their slapstick humor and \u201cinnocent\u201d chemistry were a major blueprint for the Beatles\u2019 own public personas.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> A German-American painter known for his erotic and \u201cmechanical\u201d human figures. Why:<\/strong> Suggested by Paul. Lindner\u2019s work was bold and colorful, fitting the \u201cPop Art\u201d explosion of the mid-60s.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The other half of Laurel and Hardy. Why:<\/strong> It was essential to have the duo. Their presence is a nostalgic nod to the pre-war comedy the Beatles grew up watching on BBC television.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The philosopher and author of The Communist Manifesto<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> Suggested by John Lennon. John wanted the cover to include \u201cheavy\u201d thinkers and controversial figures to challenge the audience\u2019s expectations of a pop album.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The English author and father of modern science fiction (The War of the Worlds<\/em>). Why:<\/strong> His imaginative \u201cfuture-thinking\u201d mirrored the Beatles\u2019 attempt to push music into a new, uncharted territory.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The author of Autobiography of a Yogi<\/em>. Why:<\/strong> He was the most famous of the gurus in the West. George was deeply moved by his book, which helped spark his lifelong spiritual journey.<\/p> These figures sit directly behind the Beatles and are often the most difficult to spot because they are partially blocked.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> An unidentified female wax figure. Why:<\/strong> Not everyone on the cover was a \u201ccelebrity.\u201d To fill out the crowd, the designers used several anonymous wax dummies from Madame Tussauds.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> The Beatles\u2019 original bassist who died in 1962. Why:<\/strong> This is one of the most poignant inclusions. John Lennon specifically requested Stu be included so his best friend could be part of the band\u2019s greatest triumph.<\/p> Who:<\/strong> Another unidentified wax figure. Why:<\/strong> Used to add depth and the feeling of a \u201creal\u201d crowd behind the stars.<\/p>The Ones Who Didn\u2019t Make It<\/strong><\/h2>
Adolf Hitler<\/strong><\/h3>
Mahatma Gandhi<\/strong><\/h3>
Jesus Christ<\/strong><\/h3>
Leo Gorcey<\/strong><\/h3>
The \u201cUnknown\u201d Soldier<\/strong><\/h3>
Sophia Loren<\/strong><\/h3>
The Ones Who Made It (Back Row)<\/strong><\/h2>
Sri Yukteswar Giri<\/strong><\/h3>
Aleister Crowley<\/strong><\/h3>
Mae West<\/strong><\/h3>
Lenny Bruce<\/strong><\/h3>
Karlheinz Stockhausen<\/strong><\/h3>
W.C. Fields<\/strong><\/h3>
Jung-u-Kuo<\/strong><\/h3>
Edgar Allan Poe<\/strong><\/h3>
Fred Astaire<\/strong><\/h3>
Richard Merkin<\/strong><\/h3>
The \u201cGhost\u201d of Leo Gorcey<\/strong><\/h3>
Huntz Hall<\/strong><\/h3>
Simon Rodia<\/strong><\/h3>
Bob Dylan<\/strong><\/h3>
Aubrey Beardsley<\/strong><\/h3>
Sir Robert Peel<\/strong><\/h3>
Aldous Huxley<\/strong><\/h3>
Dylan Thomas<\/strong><\/h3>
Terry Southern<\/strong><\/h3>
The Second Row<\/strong><\/h2>
Dion DiMucci<\/strong><\/h3>
Tony Curtis<\/strong><\/h3>
Wallace Berman<\/strong><\/h3>
Tommy Handley<\/strong><\/h3>
Marilyn Monroe<\/strong><\/h3>
William S. Burroughs<\/strong><\/h3>
Sri Mahavatar Babaji<\/strong><\/h3>
Sri Lahiri Mahasaya<\/strong><\/h3>
Sri Swami Yukteswar Giri<\/strong><\/h3>
Stan Laurel<\/strong><\/h3>
Richard Lindner<\/strong><\/h3>
Oliver Hardy<\/strong><\/h3>
Karl Marx<\/strong><\/h3>
H.G. Wells<\/strong><\/h3>
Paramahansa Yogananda<\/strong><\/h3>
The Third Row<\/strong><\/h2>
Anonymous (Wax Dummy)<\/strong><\/h3>
Stuart Sutcliffe<\/strong><\/h3>
Anonymous (Wax Dummy)<\/strong><\/h3>
Max Miller<\/strong><\/h3>