Paul McCartney Recreates the Iconic Abbey Road Crossing Photo with His Dog Arrow for the ‘Paul Is Live’ Album Cover in 1993

In 1993, Paul McCartney returned to the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing in London to recreate the iconic Beatles album cover from 1969 for his live album ‘Paul Is Live.’ The original 1969 photograph, taken by Iain Macmillan, showed the Beatles walking across the street and later sparked the ‘Paul Is Dead’ conspiracy theory due to elements like Paul’s barefoot appearance and the Volkswagen Beetle’s license plate. For the 1993 shoot, McCartney was joined by his Old English sheepdog Arrow, the offspring of his earlier dog Martha. Unlike the original where he was barefoot on a hot day, McCartney wore shoes this time. The new image was digitally combined with the 1969 photo, and the Beetle’s license plate was changed to ’51 IS,’ referencing McCartney’s age at the time. McCartney addressed the old rumors, explaining the barefoot detail was simply due to comfort in warm weather and dismissing conspiracy interpretations. The ‘Paul Is Live’ album featured live recordings from tours in Australia and the United States. It followed his previous live release ‘Tripping the Live Fantastic’ by three years but became his lowest-selling live album, reaching number 34 in the UK and number 78 in the US. The project served as a playful response to the longstanding ‘Paul Is Dead’ myth while celebrating his continued career. The photoshoot highlighted continuity in McCartney’s artistic journey and his love for animals, connecting his Beatles past with his solo work in the 1990s.