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Sgt Pepper Album Cover Gets 2012 Makeover

Sgt Pepper Album Cover Gets 2012 Makeover

Sir Peter Blake has recreated his famous cover of The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album with modern icons such as Amy Winehouse and Noel Gallagher.

The famous 1967 piece featured the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan, Marlon Brando and James Dean.

But now Blake has brought it up-to-date and added modern cultural icons such as JK Rowling, Paul Weller, Elton John , Helen Mirren and Damien Hirst.

As part of his 80th birthday celebrations, the artist, often referred to as the godfather of the British pop art scene, chose people who have inspired his creative career over the past six decades.

Blake said: "I've chosen people I admire, great people and some who are dear friends. I had a very long-list of people who I wanted to go in but couldn't fit everyone in - I think that shows how strong British culture and its legacy of the last six decades is."

Sir Paul McCartney keeps his place in the artwork surrounded by the likes of TV cook Delia Smith, Vivienne Westwood and the Beatle's two daughters, photographer Mary and designer Stella.

The artwork will go on display at the Vintage Festival at Boughton House in Northamptonshire in July.

The event has been organised by Blake's friend, Sir Wayne Hemingway.

The designer told Sky News: "He's taken the genius of his 1967 album cover and he's brought it up to date.

"He looked at the old icons and he's kept some of them in, like Alfred Hitchcock, but he's put in all the modern ones."

Although a big sports fan, Blake decided not to include them in the artwork.

Sir Wayne told Sky News: "Sir Peter Blake started to have a load of sports stars but then he changed it and decided to stick to the creative industries."

The designer said it was tough for Blake to decide who to include.

"When he started to look back, and we were sat with him, and he was saying all these names, you start to think about creativity. We are really cool," Sir Wayne said.

"You think, 'Could you do this about America, could you do this about Australia?' and you couldn't quite do it with the same gravitas that you can do it with British culture."

Those who have been included have spoken of their honour at being part of the project.

JK Rowling said: "Given that I've devoted quite a lot of time to gazing at the original Sgt Pepper album cover, you can perhaps imagine what it means to me to be featured. What an honour."