The Beatles, Paul McCartney, ‘Vale Studios, No.VII’

© Robert Whitaker
London, U.K. 1966

Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity

This shot was taken at Whitaker’s London studio in Chelsea, following an interview for ‘The Sound of the Stars’. ‘The Butcher Sleeve’ session is a series of surreal photographs that played on the band’s celebrity.

‘I wanted to do a real experiment. People will jump to the wrong conclusions about it being sick, but the whole thing is based on simplicity, linking four very real people with something real. I got George to knock some nails into John’s head and took some sausages along to get some other pictures. I dressed them up in white smocks as butchers, and this is the result. The use of the camera as a means to creating situations.’ Robert Whitaker

When Beatlemania exploded, Whitaker was along for the wild ride. He was backstage, he was in the studio, he went to the boys’ homes, he became their friend. Robert Whitaker devised many of the iconic Beatles images, and his pictures were taken during one of the most popular periods in the band's history.

Robert Whitaker created his most famous and enduring work with the Beatles, especially with John Lennon, who had become a close friend. He spent two years travelling with the band and shooting them at work, on their tours, in their homes, in the recording studios, in rare candid, private moments as well as in more formal photo-sessions.

National Portrait Gallery

The New York Times

Harper’s Bazaar

Independent

NME

Guardian

British Beatles Fan Club

BBC

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