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Yesterday And Today LP cover The Beatles highly controversial
original "butcher" cover for The Beatles' 1966 US album Yesterday and Today. This artwork was immediately recalled by Capitol Records after public outrage and is now a sought-after collector's item.
Album History
Controversy: The cover, taken by photographer Robert Whitaker, depicted the band in white butcher smocks draped with raw meat and dismembered baby dolls. It was considered grotesque and tasteless by many fans and retailers upon release in June 1966.
Meaning: While the band members claimed it was a protest against the Vietnam War, or a commentary on the public's adulation, many interpreted it as the Beatles protesting Capitol's practice of "butchering" their UK albums for the American market by altering track lists.
Recall and Replacement: Facing significant backlash, Capitol Records recalled around 750,000 copies of the album. They then hastily pasted a new, inoffensive photo of the band around a steamer trunk over the original "butcher" image on many existing copies. |
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