Photo Abbey Road Individuality

As music has evolved over the years, the most notorious of bands comes from the combined genius of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison. These rock icons, known to everyone as the British rock band, The Beatles, fought to introduce the world to a new genre of music that was hard to accept. The photo Abbey Road depicts the most important aspect of the Beatles’ fight to bring rock and roll the respect it currently has, which is the fight to express one’s individuality.

For starters, fighting for one’s individuality today seems like it is an easy feat to accomplish, however not so long ago there was a time when this would have been virtually impossible. This time was in the twentieth century, around the eras of the 1950s and the 1960s. It was taboo to talk or do much else besides conform, which is why so many chose to conform. However, the Beatles were not types of men to conform to standards, especially in the music industry. During this time, Rock was seen as a sacrilegious entity that needed to be eradicated as soon as possible by conformists and religious leaders. So by the time the Beatles began to create

their iconic music, the rock industry seemed itself to be a frightening one to enter. However, this did not stop them from succeeding. They eventually made it big with fans everywhere, and they took what was once considered a taboo and turned it into a modern necessity, and they did so with not just their music, but by the iconic image of Abbey Road.
Firstly, when glancing at the photo, most people would just see four men walking across a crosswalk. However, when it comes to focusing in on the image, it is seen that one of the Beatles is completely barefoot and another is wearing jeans and a jean jacket while others are wearing suit coats. Even though this photo was professionally taken as an album cover, the Beatles still remained true to their personalities which was seen in the way they were dressed. They did this in order to show that they were able to relate to their fans, which is a big part of the image’s symbolism.
In addition to remaining true to who they were, The Beatles were a band that depicted harmony and happiness in a world that sometimes forgot about such things, making people understand the importance of acceptance when aiming to be different. In the image, John, Ringo, Paul, and George are posed as if they are regular men who are feeling content with their day. This is seen by how they are just casually walking across a crosswalk in the photo. To the audience looking at the photograph, it appears to one as if they are going about their everyday lives, just like many of their fans, which is what makes this image so iconic and so appealing to audiences.
Lastly, when the Beatles portrayed themselves as regular people in this photo, they were appealing to the emotions of their fans who were struggling to accept individuality in a world that rejected it. Their faces showed an aura of comfort as they were walking across the crosswalk. People who see this photo generally feel proud of who they are, and feel confident in their unique qualities just because The Beatles were feeling confident as well. When people feel confident in who they are and proud of what they do, people will be brave enough to go against what society tells them is right. The Beatles were advocates for this, and the image above proves that just by how their faces make them look absolutely comfortable in the situation they are in, which gives viewers a sense of empathy.
Abbey Road is an image that needs to be publicized everywhere, especially in an upcoming edition of Owen’s magazine.

This is one image that is often mistaken as just another album cover, and it is just a famous one at that. However, the image’s importance is deeper than just a famous album cover. This image shows the importance of individuality in a world that sometimes is cruel to those who are different, and by executing bravery and courage in the image, it will make people feel comfortable and happy to be the way they are as well despite what society is thinking. If shown in an edition of Owen’s magazine, one would not be advertising an acclaimed album, but they would be advertising individuality, which will show to people that sometimes being a bit different is more than just okay. Sometimes being different can make you a

legend.