Some rumours just never die.
Shortly after the Beatles' Abbey Road album came out in 1969, a rumour, which had begun in Britain in 1967, began to take flight in North America that Paul McCartney was dead and had been replaced by a look-alike in 1966/7. The evidence for this rumour was a number of supposed "clues" that the remaining Beatles had placed in songs, album cover art and photos included with the albums.
The cover of Abbey Road, which supposedly renewed interest in the rumour, showed the Beatles crossing the street in a kind of "funeral procession". Leading the procession is John wearing white, symbolizing the clergy. Ringo, dressed in black, is the undertaker. Paul, the corpse, is out of step with the other Beatles, he is barefoot and his eyes are closed. George, dressed in work clothes, is the gravedigger. Also, Paul is smoking a cigarette, also known as a "coffin nail". He is holding the cigarette in his right hand, even though the real Paul McCartney was left handed.
Fans started looking for other clues, focusing first on the Sgt Pepper album cover, the first one released after his supposed death, which looks like a funeral for "the Beatles". I remember well the whole "Paul Is Dead" phenomenon. And while the rumour had been continually denied by Paul, John, George and Ringo, there were MANY clues.
Here 's one site that has a comprehensive list of them: http://www.turnmeondeadman.net/IBP/Intro.php
And another with "undeniable" proof: http://digilander.libero.it/jamespaul/fc1.html
What do you think?
