Traffic chaos as fans mark 50th anniversary of Beatles' Abbey Road in London

Fans from the US, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden explain why they had to visit Abbey Road in London for the 50th anniversary of the iconic photo of the Beatles on the 1969 album cover of the same name.
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[@Sarlat6]

“I’ve come all the way from New Zealand.” “How big of a fan are you?” He came all the way from New Zealand!

[@joysmadness]

Canada and Sweden also!!

[@jamesguy1030]

Sarlat6 ~ Yeah, Good Man Yourself, Check Out The Amazing Documentary Called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Broken Band.

[@marcovalois5419]

I am from Brazil and am joyful for the date. My country is very far from New Zealand and England too. I was visiting Abbey Road in 2012. It seems as if it were today.

[@twomindz79]

Plus, he has a sgt pepper tat on his shoulder.

[@rmaiaribeiro5008]

Hahaha

[@beatlejim64]

It's The Beatles....what did they expect???

[@jamesguy1030]

Jim Cushman ~ Yeah, Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about the Beatles to date and is must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles. ENJOY 🇬🇧

[@joshjames1879]

Go on-- big picture project . net-- and read “The Present” for the truth about life and death, which can change the world from page one. Nothing is more important than reading it.

[@lionheartroar3104]

The Beatles...still making waves in 2019....amazing!

[@-xxxuchihacion-3318]

And this is just for walking on a crosswalk 50 years later crazy

[@mattsmiddy40]

Why don't they just close the road and make other arrangements on certain anniversaries, the authorities know it's going to happen.

[@williamsterben]

You can't expect common sense to reign in today's Smoke.

[@flyboy747uk]

I don’t think the authorities did know it was going to happen

[@sentino68]

Agreed

[@mattsmiddy40]

flyboy747 uk .well I knew it would, and I’m in Glasgow miles away.

[@FreedomFighter-cr5xg]

I had just completed 6 months of Military training when this Album was released .. I was on my way home to enjoy 30 days leave .. Here Comes the Sun was the first song I heard .. after 6 months of intense military training , this song summed up my joy of going home for 30 days to visit family ,reuniting with friends , and the satisfaction of accomplishing my goal ..I was single , 18 years old , with a great Military career ahead of me .. ..

[@magneto7930]

Thank you for your service, sir!

[@6rooroo]

Haha that’s me running across the road in the beginning

[@jamesguy1030]

6rooroo ~ Yeah, Looks like Good fun ! Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles. ENJOY 🇬🇧

[@marcovalois5419]

From Brazil: "Congratulations Abbey Road for it's 50th Anniversary". Cheers for the Beatles and theirs fans all over the world!!!!!!

[@jamesguy1030]

Marco Valois ~ Yeah, Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles ENJOY

[@poodlenme]

I came all the way from America to walk across the road! Love BEATLES!

[@jamesguy1030]

SJ SMITH ~ Yeah, Good Man Yourself ! Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles ENJOY

[@dougritzema4778]

How much did it cost you?

[@utub1473]

2:30 lmao this guy runs past the gate and into abbey road studios

[@kjthekunoichi]

Videobombing😅😅😅

[@ivanr3107]

did that too... thought the studios would have a cantine or some sort of shop in the front and just strolled right in there :D :D how stupid of me, heh

[@jetsamperes5762]

Mister city policemen sitting pretty little policemen in a row...

[@rmaiaribeiro5008]

Cool!!!

[@magneto7930]

I wonder if they ever would have imagined that 50 years into the future their music is still alive and kicking! Thank you guys. I was proud to be a young fan in the 60's and I'm still with you!

[@stevarino1989]

Ha, my dad's older sister was a teenager at the height of Beatlemania and now she has a room in the house with Beatles memorabilia. I can't imagine what it was like being a teenager in the 60s when the Beatles were inescapable. I bet it drove my grandmother nuts having to hear their records every minute lol. When Paul McCartney came here on his One on One tour in 2017, we got tickets and my aunt came with us. It was the most awesome concert I ever went to.

[@nelyx5491]

I was a teenager in 1996 i was a big fan and i lived the beatlemania with my twin sister we bought everything with the beatles in it!! Like it was the 60's

[@hubertlettenbauer7894]

The Beatles at any time had this wonderful gift to make people from all over the world happy - and isn‘t it this the most beautiful thing you can do? 🤗

[@jamesguy1030]

Hubert L. ~ Yeah, Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles ENJOY

[@MrYogipee]

The world needed the Beatles back in 1964, and they've made an everlasting, happy impression on millions of people all over the world. Their music is timeless and just as exciting as ever. So Happy Anniversary to Abbey Road, and to John, Paul, George and Ringo, the greatest band on earth!

[@KL-mt9yk]

billions actually :-)

[@rcpsammy7186]

A once in a lifetime band that has touched so many lives, young and old.

[@chrisfox2890]

Love it - Beatlemania causing problems like it was 1964 again!

[@kjthekunoichi]

Means the beatlemania is still happening!!!😅😅😅😅

[@ramblingsadrift6477]

Great observation..and so true

[@nige-g]

Well done that police man, stayed calm and engaging. Perhaps the authorities short have seen this coming and closed the road for the day. British humour at its best with the woman traffic warden, nice one.🎸🎸🎸🥁

[@rainblaze.]

Nige G yeah they really should have blocked of the road for the day, it's not as if they couldn't have seen this comming

[@alicedell8595]

Her name is Rita(!)

[@lejoe48]

I agree,,,London is a very special place.

[@JenDoe1]

I walked across on 8/8/2000. It’s great to see so many people still loving the Beatles!! I can’t wait for the 50th Anniversary Remastered Version of Abbey Road to come out. Giles has done an incredible job, and there’s going to be so many outtakes!! 🎶💃🏼

[@angelomisterioso]

Yep, cops doing just like the cops who put an end to the last ever Beatles concert on the rooftop. Full circle.

[@anAeijingBuffoon]

angelomisterioso I wonder if they are the sons of the cops who shut them up on the rooftop?

[@sarahpriddle2190]

I wish I could’ve been there I love the Beatles

[@byronsprophet]

was there 4 years ago i had a 60's style wedding in Gibraltar biggg Beatles fan!

[@kyp1969]

Oh wow. I'm in love with Lovely Rita! 😍

[@jamesguy1030]

Kyp1969 ~ Yeah, Amazing, Check Out The fascinating documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles ENJOY

[@davidbowman4259]

Loved how her whole talk was full of Beatle song titles ...

[@ringo1805]

@@jamesguy1030 Dude.... i saw in the other twelve comments that you want us to see that documentary, stop with that

[@BleedBNG]

I was at the Washington Coliseum the same night The Beatles played their first concert in the US 20 years earlier ("It was 20 years ago today..."). No one was there.

[@braudabo]

This is a MAGIC zebra crossing. A kind of holy ground. The aura of this little place in England is outstanding.

[@astrosjer822]

Amazing I would have loved to have been there. Bobbies need to chill...geez! They should have expected this! The next day Beatles author Bruce Spizer was at Beatlefest Chicago doing panel discussions. Just amazing!

[@cherylbean521]

Would live to have been there. The fun and fiz had gone from the Beatles but the greatness they found in each other would create this awesome gem, Abvey Road!!!

[@georgeemil3618]

Why don't they do it in the road?

[@inmylifeivelovedthemall]

Cause everybody was watching them😂

[@rmaiaribeiro5008]

Hahaha

[@rmaiaribeiro5008]

So cool!!!

[@frankcastle5294]

Never ceases to amaze me how polite and accomodating the Brits are, as a culture. God bless the UK.

[@sagetheowl316]

In any other country they would have closed the road, made it an "event", probably sold tickets. In Britain, total chaos and a lone policeman telling tourists "can you move please, you're causing an obstruction!"

[@Ariel-T-Friesner]

The London police learned nothing from ending The Beatles' rooftop concert! In the United States, an organization gets a city permit for an event and the police close the street.

[@raccuia1]

The Beatles were and are still an unstoppable force. Rooftop, mid 60's Lennon Jesus comment, this. Nothing could or will stop them. Their magic and genius will always surge.

[@TLMuse]

Very fun to see all the excitement on behalf of one of my favorite albums! Was the pedestrian traffic really unanticipated? Could they not close the block for the day?

[@donna25871]

TLMuse well first of all there is a bus route which wouldn’t be easy to divert.

[@rajarams5988]

Day after day year after year....2 members less...but still the group lives on in the hearts nd minds of countless people across the universe wherever they follow the sun. What is this magic they have woven ? Even kids whose parents were not born in the 60s...are huge worshippers of the most iconic group of all time. May their music ring through generations of music lovers.

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

~ As usual, London Parliament screws up by not closing the street down! 🙄🇨🇦

[@ksfoo5915]

They should all be singing Beatles songs....

[@susiesalter5290]

I loveeed this.....Beatles are LOVE xxxxx

[@kman24]

And people said they wouldn't last

[@lisadc4681]

I know! And Decca Records turned them down saying they weren't good and only a passing fad!! Oops! The poor guy who made that decision has never lived it down...

[@Alanbell1978]

Absolutely amazing ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@poodlenme]

Theres a live web cam of this crossing

[@Bob12369]

I wish we could watch it on KZbin.

[@kennethgerber8363]

Why didn’t they reroute on Aug 9, 2019 ? Even on a normal day people take “ The Walk “

[@Robutube1]

This was so predictable. I pity the poor copper trying to clear a way (and props to him for doing a great job). Surely a planned road closure would have been the right thing to do in order to allow all of these good spirited people, some of whom had flown across the world to be there, to enjoy their day?

[@TheChrisleekay]

Why didn't they just close the road for the day!!??

[@bazza5699]

can't believe they didn't close the road down.. Rita was ace! :)

[@tjvanpopta]

2:48 lovely Rita meter maid !

[@Shitsthebed]

As someone who lived nearby once, I remember the chaos for the 25th anniversary.😱😆

[@rachaeljefferson2565]

A 3:21 minute video of a policeman saying ‘obstruction’

[@kenlee1416]

What's all this then??! btw - A remix of the album will be released next month (Sept 27th I believe). There will be a box set that includes outtakes and demos too... ;)

[@kjthekunoichi]

Remix?? Hmmm... w what sort of genre?? Sure is interesting😅😅👍👍

[@curioussoftware]

I do believe according to my son that lives around the corner is that that's not the original crossing, they put another further down the road which is the current one and the original is supposed to have been removed

[@futurez12]

They should remove this one too. I'd hate to think I had to drive this road regularly with a bunch of deluded people stuck in the 60s who think a zebra crossing is something to pay homage to.

[@santaklaus8115]

beatlemania never die !

[@Alanbell1978]

WOW big love goingout to all the fans ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thetriumphofthethrill2457]

:-) Glad to see old timers commemorating the moment. 50 years from now I doubt it will be the same.

[@simonArmenia1]

Wonderful

[@panchovilla7235]

The police should have closed off the streets when they realized it was a major Beatles event.

[@el.blanco8961]

This is great

[@dynjarren7523]

It looks like they’re building something across the street. They better not mess with the Abbey Road Studios! That is where All the Beatles legendary songs were recorded. They better preserve that studio like a goddamn museum or I’ll come down there and kick their heads in! Got that? Good!

[@peka7776]

Been there! 🚶🏾‍♂️🚶‍♂️🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏽‍♀️🤟🏽

[@octaviomoramelendez6003]

El mejor álbum de toda la música.... nunca habrá otro igual

[@romanbellic2291]

just saw one of the blondes at INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF THE STOCKHOLM REGION (represent!)

[@Camphouse21]

Come together 2019

I walked across a zebra crossing in Cambodia. Nearly got run over.

[@kjthekunoichi]

I literally tot of a zebra who is crossing and then it got ran over😅😅😅😅

[@LeeRenthlei]

I will visit this place someday

[@brianmcc50]

Back in 1973, my friend and I went to London on a school trip. On our last night in London, we took a cab to Abbey Road and knocked on the door. The night watchman opened the door and we asked if we could come inside, and take a tour. He thought for a second and said, "Well I shouldn't. but OK." What a treat that was! We went everywhere. Even that famous room with the staircase leading up to the control booth!"

[@uphollandlatic]

Brilliant. I was lucky enough to have tour of Abbey Rd Studios on the Sunday after this. Great atmosphere.

[@clintharrington9524]

One small step for 4 men one giant leap for mankind

[@Blackforrest_samurai]

I’m sooooo jelly

[@terrythekittie]

That copper trying to clear the road (0:32)...very reminiscent of the copper going up to the Saville Row rooftop to clear away the Beatles from their final performance....they would let the fucking queen pass through but fans paying homage to true British rock royalty, let's ruin their day.

[@espenBredessenJones]

how many people know that the current location of the painted cross walk is not the exact same location as it was in 1969. ?

[@braudabo]

It's a mystery, according to a well-known tour-guide, who has been running Abbey Road Tours there for years. He says, the stripes are in the same place, as they were in 1969. There's also a video, where he explains how to spot it.

[@471mauricio]

The police should have closed the street very early in the morning. They should have known that day would be a very special day and there wouldn`t be a change for anyone to drive there

[@johsnail1039]

wait i thought the anniversary was september 26th

[@AndrewDixonMusic]

26th September is the 50th anniversary of the album release. Today is the 50th anniversary of the cover photo being taken.

[@johsnail1039]

Andrew Dixon oh thanks

[@beatlejim64]

@@AndrewDixonMusic October 1, 1969 here in the US.....I got it for my birthday in '69

[@sarahpriddle2190]

September 26th is the album release date in the uk but August 8th was 50 years since the actual abbey road picture was taken

[@Naughtybaz]

Why don't we do in the road

[@jamesguy1030]

Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about the Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Broken Band.

[@irem-zw7dh]

The fans are still same

[@jamesguy1030]

Check out the amazing documentary footage called = “The Winged Beatle” It’s one of the best films about The Beatles to date and is a must see for everyone that is a true fan of the Beatles ENJOY

[@kevster1007]

The car owners must be very patient.

[@___Steinn___]

People come from overseas to cross the street. Now i'm feeling less crazy, planning a roadtrip from germany to england to see a concert in october.

[@kjthekunoichi]

Wish i was there😊😊😊😊

[@royfablooo2810]

They should've closed the road considering it's a The Beatles.

[@porfiriodias1796]

Jajaja...!!!!🙌😜😂😅😁😀😄😅😵😰🙋🙌😘 Vivan, por siempre, Los Beatles...!!!! Aún, en el 2019, siguen causando sensación...!

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Who else was in there, mingling, lingering, loitering and secret?

[@Daberney]

I wish Boston cops were as patient as the one in the video.

[@daggerlane]

Total and stupid lack of planning by the traffic and other authorities here!

[@johnsain]

I was there on a day in June, 1980....I was the only one there.....

[@officeware1804]

"Uh huh yeah sure"~Randall Boggs.

[@johnsain]

@@officeware1804 ....was there almost an hour on a beautiful day....not one person taking a photo crossing the street. Not one stopping to look at the studio,...I felt like a weirdo. Same with the Apple office on Savile Row.

[@WakaWaka2468]

Vince Gilligan 1:39

[@alanwalker359]

that cop could have had a field day - dishing out fines 4 j walking....

[@futurez12]

That's not illegal in England, but these nutters should be fined anyway.

[@stephenm.1988]

2:46 lovely rita. There she is

[@catalinacurio]

COOL! Lurex and hot pants! 💙💙💙💙

[@KebabMusicLtd]

Mister City Policeman, why don't we do it in the road? I don't know London that well, so I cannot comment on whether it would have been practical for the local council to re-route traffic away from that end of Abbey Road on this day in particular. Apparently, I hear that they have an ongoing daily problem with peoples posing on this crossing... so I don't think it takes much imagination to realise that they would be there in droves on this, the 50th anniversary. Didn't they learn anything from the 40th anniversary in 2009?

[@duanedibbley258]

Wow Swedish girls are beautiful

[@ArmandoGarcia-lc1zl]

What is The Beatles?

[@PreacherAtArrakeen]

Been there, done that. 7/9/07

[@paulmccartneystoenail4897]

I was there last week ❤️

[@mckayman24]

2:49 lmao that was so cringey but great

[@humbertopino5353]

2:46 I understood that references

[@jeanclaudejaffry94]

50 ans après ! La légende

[@noahhenson1669]

Very few of these people seem like the kind of people who listen to the music of Abbey Road. But maybe I'm making assumptions again.

[@Arizoli1000]

☘️ Banda Devassa - Rio de Janeiro. (Cultura, Esportr e Lazer). 📌 08 de Agosto de 1969 (há 5️⃣0️⃣ anos). 🎥 O fotógrafo "Ian Macmillan" tirou a foto da capa dos "Beatles" para o disco "Abbey Road" na rua londrina do mesmo nome, na frente dos estúdios da "EMI" no dia 08 de Agosto de 1969... (Há 50 anos). 🍀(Homenagem... Banda Devassa-Rio - 08 de Agosto de 2019).

[@bobf.5538]

They knew this was coming ..I mean c'mon...detour the traffic ..close the street to all vehicles..let them take all their pictures..heaven forbid an ambulance or police have to get through...

[@johnbryngelsson]

Poor cop just tryna do his job

[@alejandromartinezpedreno3138]

¿Y cortar el tráfico y dejarlo como zona turistica?

[@kjthekunoichi]

Btw, while i was commenting to others' replies here, there would be that british accent that would come up in my brain😅

[@harithhakeem6004]

I read that it was mc cartney idea (the album cover). John said mccartney is the best PR man. (Thats no complinent)

[@Robutube1]

McCartney's original idea was for them to be photographed at the base of Mt Everest of course ("Everest" being the original name for the album) but one of the others, I THINK it was Ringo, didn't want to travel so they stepped out of the door of the studios and walked across the road, thereby creating one of THE iconic album covers of all time.

[@lolahu3449]

Let’s see if anyone will remember Drake in 50 years...

[@Romchikthelemon]

Хотел бы я быть там!