The Beatles up close: inconspicuous as it may seem, the Jägerpassage is full of history, for one of the most famous record covers in music history was created in this St Pauli courtyard. The Jägerpassage is a real insider tip for all those looking to follow in the footsteps of the Beatles in Hamburg.
In 1961, when four talented musicians from Liverpool took their first steps towards an unparalleled global career, an iconic picture was taken in the heart of the St Pauli district. It depicts John Lennon leisurely leaning against the entrance of a building, while Paul McCartney’s and Stuart Sutcliffe’s blurred silhouettes can be seen walking by. The photo was taken at the Jägerpassage, a courtyard of 22 Wohlwillstrasse. The photographer, Jürgen Vollmer from Hamburg, got to know the lads during their time at the Top Ten Club. Yet the picture didn’t become famous until the 1970s, when John Lennon made it the cover picture for his LP album “Rock ’n’ Roll” in 1975. The entrance to the house has barely changed over the years, and the setting is almost the same as it was when John was leisurely leaning against that doorway. All those who would like to take a little detour to this secluded venue, while of course respecting the privacy of local residents, are more than welcome to re-enact the photo against this legendary backdrop.
