Robert Freeman, the man behind the iconic Help! and Rubber Soul album cover is dead aged 82. The photographer was also responsible for the photos on With The Beatles and Beatles For Sale. He played a vital role in creating the Beatles image.
Paul McCartney has paid his tribute to the photographer in a blog post where he says Robert Freeman was “one of our favourite photographers who came up with some of our most iconic album covers.”
He went on to add “Dear Robert Freeman has passed away. He was one of our favourite photographers during the Beatles years who came up with some of our most iconic album covers.
“Besides being a great professional he was imaginative and a true original thinker.
“People often think that the cover shot for Meet The Beatles of our foreheads in half shadow was a carefully arranged studio shot.
“In fact it was taken quite quickly by Robert in the corridor of a hotel we were staying in where natural light came from the windows at the end of the corridor. I think it took no more than half an hour to accomplish.”
McCartney also described the thought process behind Freeman’s ideas for the Rubber Soul album.
“Bob also took the Rubber Soul cover; his normal practice was to use a slide projector and project the photos he’d taken onto a piece of white cardboard which was exactly album sized, thus giving us an accurate idea of how the finished product would look.
“During his viewing session the card which had been propped up on a small table fell backwards giving the photograph a ‘stretched’ look. Instead of simply putting the card upright again we became excited at the idea of this new version of his photograph.
“He assured us that it was possible to print it this way and because the album was titled Rubber Soul we felt that the image fitted perfectly.”
Paul McCartney’s emotional tributed closed with: “I will miss this wonderful man but will always cherish the fond memories I have of him.
“Thanks Bob.
“Love Paul”
Ringo Starr also took to Twitter to express his sentiments.
Robert Freeman’s death was confirmed by the official Beatles Twitter page.
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