The man who lived in the Beatles' flat and designed their masterpiece

Music · Published 20 October 2026 · Updated 21 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Klaus Voormann wasn't just a session musician; he was the ultimate insider. He lived in the Beatles' London flat, designed the iconic cover for Revolver, and was the first choice to join them as a bassist after they split. He is the bridge between the band's history and their legacy.

Voormann's connection to the Beatles began in the early 1960s in Hamburg. While the band was performing at the Kaiserkeller club, Voormann—along with Astrid Kirchherr and Jürgen Vollmer—became captivated by the music. This trio, whom the Beatles dubbed 'the Exies' due to their interest in existentialism, stood out as 'real bohemians' in a district dominated by the leather-clad Teddy boy subculture. Voormann even attempted to hand a record sleeve he had designed to John Lennon during a club break. After moving to London, Voormann became a core fixture of the Beatles' inner circle. He lived in the Green Street flat with George Harrison and Ringo Starr after Lennon and McCartney moved out. His artistic contribution was pivotal: he designed the 'scrapbook collage' cover for the 1966 album Revolver, which won a Grammy Award.

His influence was so profound that even after the band's dissolution, Lennon stated that if the remaining three members had wanted to play live shows, Voormann would have been their man. Throughout the 1970s, Voormann served as the preferred bassist for Lennon, Harrison, and Starr on numerous solo projects, including 'Imagine' and 'All Things Must Pass.' While rumors persisted of a reunion group called 'The Ladders' featuring Voormann as a replacement for Paul McCartney, the group never formed. Despite these rumors, Voormann remained a constant collaborator, eventually releasing his own solo album in 2009, 'A Sideman's Journey,' which featured McCartney and Starr performing alongside him.

Voormann's career is a masterclass in versatility, spanning graphic design, production, and performance. He designed artwork for diverse acts like the Bee Gees, Harry Nilsson, and Turbonegro, and produced the worldwide hit 'Da Da Da' for the band Trio. His autobiography, published in 2003, provides a deep dive into his close friendships with the Beatles and his private life, documenting a career that transitioned from the dangerous streets of Hamburg to the heights of international music production.

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