Rare Picture from The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ Shoot Up for Auction

Beatles fans, get ready to try to own a piece of history. A rare photo taken in 1969 of the Beatles for their famous "Abbey Road" album cover is being auctioned May 22. Estimates are that the picture could generate a bid as high as $17,000, even though this is not the photo that was ultimately chosen for the cover.

An infamous urban legend claimed that Paul McCartney was dead and had been replaced by a look-alike in the photograph. The picture up for auction dispels this myth. In this rare photo, McCartney is seen crossing Abbey Road in sandals, but on the album cover he is not wearing any shoes.

Apparently, during the 10-minute shoot, McCartney got hot and kicked off his sandals. In addition, the Beatles are walking from right to left instead of left to right. Photographer Iain Macmillan stood on a ladder and took only six pictures as a cop held up traffic. Another difference: In the newly surfaced photo, McCartney is holding a cigarette.

McCartney drew a sketch depicting his idea for the cover, and Macmillan brought it to life. The eventual image beat out the others because it was the only one in which all of the bandmembers' feet formed a V formation, and they looked in sync.

Last year, the album became the top-selling vinyl record for the third consecutive year—43 years after it was released. Abbey Road in London is still a tourist destination as fans of the Beatles flock to the zebra crossing to re-create their own shots.

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A new weight-loss program in Brazil has figured out a unique way to help people shed pounds: It tells your friends every time you raid the refrigerator. The Virtual Fridge Lock app, created by Meta Real, uses a magnetic device attached to the side of the fridge. Every time the door is opened, the app sends a message to various social media sites announcing, "This person just raided the fridge."

Friends who see the status update can respond with words of encouragement or scorn. Meta Real said it created the alarm, or what it calls "an eating reeducation program," to keep in touch with clients at nighttime, one of the most difficult times to ignore food cravings.

On social media, people are generally appalled, saying the app is a tool to humiliate dieters. But a few people say they are looking forward to downloading it to help them lose weight.

To get the Virtual Fridge Lock app, you have to sign up for a weight-loss plan with Meta Real.