Kosh looks back on the analyses and conspiracy theories that followed with amusement, starting with the “Paul is dead” rumors that sprang from supposed clues in the photo. He recalls being in the office when an Apple executive called McCartney in France to make sure he was, in fact, alive; “Fuck off,” McCartney said, hanging up the phone.
Source: Beatles Art Director on Secrets of the ‘Abbey Road’ Cover – Rolling Stone