The History of The Beatles Butcher Cover | Vinyl Rewind

On today’s program, we explore the history of how the infamous Beatles Butcher Cover came to be.
#TheBeatles #butchercover #vinyl
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[santos]

On August 12, 2007, I found one at Groover's Paradise in Austin, Texas for $9.99. I could see Ringo's turtleneck so I knew I had a "butcher cover"! I have it framed.

[bobnelson]

It's astonishing that the butcher cover ever made it that far to begin with. I can see it as a side project, but not as an album cover. I think its biggest fault is that it tries way too hard to have a "message". It's a pretty funny story though.

[LeeCDylan]

As someone who recently discovered your channel, binge watched, and is now subscribed, i really enjoy your content. You present such rich information in such a casual, digestible way that it's like sitting in your awesome lounge and drinking a cocktail and chatting music. Keep up the awesome work!

[MetalJesusRocks]

Really excellent job on this video. I’ve always wondered about the infamous cover photo!!

[amb]

Capitol Records president Allan Livingston wasn't a fool regarding the Butcher Covers. Despite the fact that Capitol recalled the covers to destroy or paste over them. Allan kept a box of the Butcher Cover albums for himself. He had 20 albums total, most were mono, with about 5-6 stereo copies (rarest of the Butcher Covers). Before Allan passed away, he gave them to his son to do with however he wanted with them. His son would take a couple of butchers to Beatlefests in Los Angeles to sell. These "Livingston Butchers" are of the utmost pristine quality, and command the six figures they do today.

[oscartigwell]

Props for saying "Melbourne" the true Aussie way!

[theneonchimpchannel]

The photos of George and John with the nails are some of my favourites. I don't know why they really appeal to me. That whole photo session, while bonkers, was so interesting.

Also, thanks for correctly pronouncing Melbourne.

[FTMSAFC]

I have the butcher cover of yesterday and today great album

[fireproofline]

I always love your Beatles videos. Can’t wait for your review of the 50th anniversary White Album mix.

[pattoncockrum]

And look at John and Yoko's 2 Virgin's cover!

[j.r.]

Hey Eric, (aka Vinyl Geek)... as always, great episode, man! I'm also an avid Beatles fan and I inherited a copy of the butcher album from my late father who, back in the day, used a hair blow dryer to heat up and somewhat soften the glue of the trunk picture, thus doing a pretty good job of uncovering the real one. Btw, I also grew up playing drums with his Ringo style Ludwig, which I still have to this day... very cool stuff! -Now, as a side note, I did hear John once on an interview saying that his/their take on using the butcher shot was also because they were tired of record companies, (Capitol), butchering their babies, (meaning their records), to create these random collages of songs, like Yesterday and Today was; and so they went with it to use this as a kind of protest against this, etc. Just thought you'd enjoy that factoid. -Keep up the good work! :-)

[andrewharvey]

I've been a Beatle fan for a long time and knew the basics of the Butcher album. This video is a well researched, concise retelling of the events leading up to Capitol deciding to go with the cover and the aftermath. I learned new things from this video and say, "well done!"

[booklover]

You should get an award for this absolutely superb mini-doc. It is crammed full of fascinating details and the overall story. Amazing work!

[jordanfuzul]

Well i have a nm 1st state. My grandma worked at capitol and she was one of the people who needet to place the new cover on the old ones. She took one copy home and after she past avay i found it on her attic.

[theHAL]

Have had before now most of the background regarding the cover, however this video really ties all the elements of the mystery together in such an informative way. Excellent!
Even today I'm surprised that the photo made it through to the album cover and that the Beatle's didn't ultimately override their initial fondness for the photo and ultimately just think "too much" before they allowed it to go forward. Interesting story and terrific video.

[dixielandfarm]

I have heard many stories about the cover - NEVER this one and as in-depth. Great video, Eric.

[tsabrendan]

This is one of the most authoritative and entertaining channels, on any subject, on YouTube. Brilliant presentation too.

[monaural.]

EXCELLENT! This story has never been explained on camera in depth like this before. I have long stated that the cover should have been given a reissue long ago, but EMI, Apple, Capitol & the Beatles seem to not care for money.

[TheCamaroguy]

I have my grandpas old copy and I’ve always Known about the butcher cover but I just thought I had a normal reprint of the less controversial one, but after I watched this video, I checked my vinyl just for Fun and sure enough I saw Ringo’s turtle neck! Also a little of the edge was peeling up, I’m surprised I never noticed it before!

[mysongs]

This is a very interesting video. The research it required is thorough and well-documented. As always, it is nicely explained by its great host. Thank you.