In 1969, the cover of the Beatles' recently released album Abbey Road started a rumor that quickly spread through America. "Paul is dead." The theory was that on November 9, 1966, Paul McCartney stormed out of the recording studio, got into his car, and drove off. Soon after, he got into a car accident and died. Not wanting to make a big fuss, the remaining Beatles replaced him with the winner of a Paul McCartney look-alike contest, who, with a little plastic surgery, looked so much like Paul that nobody noticed.
Coincidentally, Paul's double can also talk and sing exactly like him. They were so much alike that nobody noticed that the real Paul was dead until three years later, when the Beatles released Abbey Road.
The Evidence:
Some of the most substantial "evidence" was on the cover of Abbey Road.
This scene was interpreted by some fans to be a funeral procession. In front, John is dressed in white, like a religious person. Next, Ringo is dressed in black, representing a mortician or a mourner. Paul, barefoot with a suit, would of course be the corpse. Lastly, George is wearing simple jeans, representing the grave digger. In addition, Paul is out of step. The license plate of the yellow VW bug is 28IF. This was interpreted to mean that Paul would be in his 28 year of life IF he were still alive.
Since Paul had died earlier than the release of Abbey Road, previous albums also had clues, claimed the believers of this rumor.
The Magical Mystery Tour came with a 24-page pamphlet full of pictures, many of which also have hidden "clues."
In many of the pictures published with later albums, there is something about Paul that makes him stand out from the others, be it a black carnation, a different angle, no shoes, etc. Fans took these as "clues" telling them about his death. The list of evidence goes on and on. In addition, "deeper meanings" were found in some of the songs telling fans more about the death of Paul.
The Beatles denied accusations of having planted these clues either as a joke or to promote sales, so whether or not they did it purposely will remain a mystery.
If you would like to read more about the "Paul is dead" theory and the evidence, visit:
http://www.ispauldead.com/501.html
http://www.turnmeondeadman.com/index.php
John's comment of Paul and the rumours:
ReplyDeleteSo Sgt. Pepper took you by surprise
You better see right through that mother's eyes
Those freaks was right when they said you was dead
(John Lennon, How do you sleep?) ep.
I really liked the way you wrote this article. It is almost like a case trial. And anyone who would start reading it might start to believe the rumor itself. ;) But I would actually like to say that I think the Beatles purposefully added those little quirks to their pictures and albums as a joke. And I cant get over how much Paul McCartney actually looks like his look-a-like! It is kinda scary! But this is a very interesting and fun article you did on them. I think you did a very good job! :) so.
ReplyDeleteWell, lots of people believe that the Beatles did it on purpose, but of course, they denied it. It got them great publicity of course, and made them more interesting. The other 3 Beatles were a little unhappy about it because it drew most of the attention to Paul. It's possible that there are just random differences between Paul and the other 3 in pictures because during this time, they were already having problems, and Paul didn't want to be like the other 3, he wanted to be different. So, for example, when they all had red carnations, he wanted a black one. Its very possible that the rumor started accidentally, without the Beatles planting the clues. Over time, however, they were quite amused at how millions of people were freaking out about it, so they might have started doing it on purpose. -AW
ReplyDeleteI have read some of the comments of this article. They PURPOSELY did this. I know people will say," wheres your proof?" well I dont have any. But i KNOW that the man known as "PAUL MCcartney," is in fact William Campbell. He is what the three remaining Beatles called him Faul(False Paul, or Faux Paul) please listen Me and others know that Campbell only did this for fame. I've seen Paul McCartney is really dead George Harrison last Testimony. It All makes sense. why would they make Paul so out of sync with the group when they were all so close together. Paul would have dressed the same as the group. I understand if they were ALL wearing different color carnations but why is Paul wearing a BLACK one? Did anyone ever notice that Paul is left handed and FAUL is right? he would play right handed bass guitar so nobody would be the wiser. Although they are denying it, they were forced to be silenced by Mi5. IF they did ever reveal the truth about Paul they would be Killed. Now why did Jhon lennon die of a Crazy man? Mi5. Why was George also killed by a mad man? Mi5. The only reason why Faul isnt dead is because he stayed with Mi5 and was not Killed. They say that John only told Faul and George about going public. But shortly after 8 days after telling George and faul that he was going to go public he was DEAD. I believe in that conspiracy. I want people to hate William, for what he has done. he got to live a great life why couldnt he at LEAST tell the truth? i want people to know this before Faul dies, FAUL DENIES EVERYTHING! PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT FAUL BEFORE ITS TOO LATE!!!
ReplyDelete