Beatles fans have long been posing for pics on Abbey Road’s zebra crosswalk, but few have ever seen the interior of the legendary studio, until now.
Earlier this week, Google launched Inside Abbey Road, a virtual tour of the famed music space. With an interface that resembles Google Streetview, the experience allows users to “walk” around studio, read up on the bevy of artists—everyone from Jay Z to Pink Floyd—who’ve recorded there, and even try their hand at mixing a four-track tape in the control booth.
Videos, historic photos, a guided tour from producer Giles Martin, and interactive exhibits—like an in-depth look at the evolution of the microphone—only add to the behind-the-scenes experience. Rumor has it there’s even a hidden Echo Chamber in the platform. (We’re still on the hunt.)
The media giant is tight-lipped about whether or not this is the first in a series of virtual tourism experiences.
“Google has a long history in creating tools that make it easier for people to see and experience things, culture and places that they might not be able to otherwise, whether it's visiting the Pyramids of Giza in Google Maps Street View, or getting up close to the brushstrokes of Van Gogh in Google Cultural Institute,” a Google spokesperson told Travel + Leisure.
“Abbey Road Studios also has a long history of reinventing recording and using technology to create sounds the world hasn’t heard before. But until now the famous crossing was as close as most of us could get.”
Explore Inside Abbey Road for yourself, here.
