I bumped this thread so that it would show up as a "Today" listing on the main page.
I think it is a significant discovery that the alternate cover depicts the Isle of Wight.
And you are correct, pauliedied, it wasn't officially called "the White Album", but perhaps when
it was released with just a white album jacket, whoever called the shots about such things knew,
or anticipated, that it would be referred to that way. Whoever made the decision may have felt
that a depiction of the Isle of Wight might not be recognized by many people, including most
Americans, but understood that the clue would be implicit in references to the album.
Of course, that raises the question of what the significance of the Isle of Wight is to the PID/PWR
mystery.
It seems to have some significance, as Paul is depicted on the alternate cover as being in a boat
(as in 'crossing the River Styx') and both flying past the cliffs, and waving from the top of the
hill as well! ('Fool on the Hill'). It is unfortunate the pictures in this thread that had shown that
are missing.
Grasping for meanings, we have the Isle of Wight being a vacation community (at the time)
and the lyrics from "When I'm 64" about renting a cottage at the Isle of Wight,
so at the very least, the message is that Paul was "on vacation",
but there seems to be more.
The alternate white album cover shows some Beatle faces, including Faul, but includes
a shattered child's face as well. This is a bit disturbing, and possibly why that cover wasn't used.
The Who were no strangers to putting PID/PWR clues in their songs.
Neither were Pink Floyd.
In the "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" album, the initial cut, "Signs of Life" tells the
story of wreckage found in water, through the use of sounds.
It appears that someone nearly dead was also found amidst the wreckage.
In this cut there are comments about someone becoming like a child. (1:16 - 1:35)
For whatever reason, they don't seem to be too clear in the video above.
As P(D)enny La(i)ne has pointed out in his Admiral Albert video,
In Quadrophenia, we have someone drive off a cliff with a motor scooter.
Paul is Dead at the end of the World - Pt 7www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajYzvpvAzBk"Hell on Wheels" was the tag line for the film version of Quadrophenia.
At the end of the "A" side of Abbey Road, we have the song "I Want You/She's So Heavy"
with it's watery overtones, which, as far as I am concerned, haven't been clearly explained.
In addition to all of that, we have David Gilmour's reminicenses in "On An Island" which may be clues.
It seems to me that the story line may be that Paul, despondent over the death of a lover, may
have attempted a suicidal plunge, but lived inspite of it, however with only a child-like capacity
to function. That may be the meaning, but I don't know if it is.
Dear Prudence....like a little child.
The alternate cover is peculiar at best.