Beatles Abbey Road cigarette airbrushed after Harrison's death by smoking

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

I realize this is old news, but I just read it:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2681219.stm

The original copy shows a barefoot McCartney third in line on the famous road crossing holding a cigarette. But politically correct US poster companies have airbrushed out the offending cigarette, to the delight of anti-smoking campaigners. The move comes 14 months after guitarist George Harrison died from cancer, which he blamed on smoking. All of the Beatles were heavy smokers during the 1960s and 70s.

...

A myth suggesting that Paul McCartney had died in a car crash and been replaced by a look-a-like grew up around the picture soon after it was released. Clues could supposedly be found in the image. The white-suited John Lennon symbolised the preacher heading the funeral procession, while the bare-footed McCartney was the corpse. According to the rumours, proof positive of the impostor theory was the fact that Paul was holding a cigarette in his right hand, despite being left-handed.

...

I was always taught that barefoot Paul was the corpse, John was the angel in white, Ringo was the preacher in the black suit, and George was the gravedigger. Doesn't this count as heresey to many people?

Oh, and airbrushing out cigarettes out is kind of creepy, even if well intentioned.

[Intelsucks]

1. I've walked across that cross-walk before...

The person taking the photo is standing on a small round-about. The front gate to Abbey Road studios is just above Paul's head where those people are standing. The Beatles are actually walking AWAY from Abbey Road studios in the picture.

[wtmusic]

2. Removing the cigarette is ass-backward

WTF? The guy smoked; he died from it. Better that people know he smoked.

Just what the world needs--another lie.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

3. well I agree

but it was Paul was holding the cigarette (signifing his death) on the album cover.

George died from lung cancer recently, Paul is still alive as far as I know and no longer smokes, in fact, is sort of a healthy living vegan type.

[Skittles]

4. his wife Linda was vegan too

and she died of breast cancer

[Eric J in MN]

5. Linda McCartney was vegetarian, but not vegan.

Most of Linda McCartney's frozen dinners contain eggs or dairy.

Vegans don't eat beef, pork, fish, fowl, eggs, or dairy.

[Skittles]

10. just curious

WTF *DO* they eat? Do they live on veggies alone? :puke:

[Capn Sunshine]

9. George died of brain cancer

helluva way to go

[liberalmuse]

6. Assinine...

but just another instance that proves that the U.S. is probably the most heavily propagandized nation in the world and has been for a very long time now. I've heard some want to ban cigarettes from the movies.

It really doesn't make sense to demonize cigarettes, while ignoring the fact that our country's 'leader' is now working to release the same toxic ingredients found in cigarettes into the air and water on a much larger scale.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

7. no kidding about the propaganda

The corporate media spent years advertizing cigarettes, and now that they can't, even old album covers have to be censored? That's ridiculous.

[Breezy du Nord]

8. It makes sense that it's in his right hand

Otherwise it wouldn't show in the picture, would it?

Anyway, the airbrushed cigarette is pure BS.

[DrWeird]

11. What would George have wanted?

hmm?

[moof]

12. Also it's telling a lie by deletion

no respect for the truth yet again.

What's next retouch all of Bogy's films & start arresting people that

say " Don't Bogard that .... " aaa nevermind

[MrSlayer]

13. Stupid. Leave art alone.

What a ridiculous thing to do.

[Norbert]

14. What next, banning the movie A Hard Days Night

because they smoked in the movie. They had an unhealthy habit once. I don't like it but it is no reason to tamper with art, our pop culture and history.

Leave Abbey Road alone.

[BigDaddyLove]

15. Agreed...............

:thumbsup:

[Rabrrrrrr]

16. Just like the buttmunches who didn't want FDR's statue to have a cigarette

even though just about every picture I've seen of him, he's smoking.

Cripes, people used to smoke a lot - cigars, pipes, cigarettes. It was part of the culture, and it was acceptable. It's a fact of life and it was the way it was, and to whitewash it, in the name of "protecting our children" is pure BS.