John and Yoko Bed-in in 1970

 

What's new Pussycats?

 

Tug of War

 Paul thinks we don't notice that he is wearing the same green tie that he wore all the time in the early 1980s (including to his brother's wedding) -- but I see it!  

London '73

This story really highlights how kind and patient Paul and Linda could be with the fans.   The fan telling this story here, Jan is quite immature at the time of the story and overstepped her bounds a few times.   I do not know Jan, but if she reads this, I hope she understands that I am not making fun of her or putting her down.   I think she is very cute and sweet but did not seem to comprehend at that time just how famous Paul and Linda really were.    However -- Paul and Linda both went out of their way to show her such kindness and that kindness is something that she never forgot. (By the way -- she "dies" at least 4 times during this story!  haha!)

 London ‘73

Jan Combs

McCartney Ltd

March/April 1975

 

Hi!  Jan Combs here.  As most of you know I went to London on November 19, 1973, and met Paul and Linda on November 22, 1973, which is a day I will never forget.

Anyway, this is what happened.  I decided to try and find Paul’s house so I took a bus to St. John’s Wood.  Which is very near to Abbey Road and E.M.I. Studios.  I couldn’t get over the fact I was actually there.  Well, as I walked down Circus Road.  I found Cavendish Avenue.  Die!  I turned right and there was Paul’s house a few steps away.  Oh God.  I couldn’t help but stare at his enormous house.  So beautiful and colorful.  I noticed some men were working next door to Paul’s, so I asked if they know Paul was home. One man said, “Oh, Paul is in the backyard.”  I about panicked but then he told me Paul was gone but would be back around half-past four.  I got there at 2:00 so I figured heck, I’d wait forever to see Paul.  I rang his bell on the gate to see if anyone would answer.  Sure enough, someone did.  She replied, “Yes?”  I said, “Is Paul home?”  She answered, “No sorry no one is home.” Click.  I thought, "Could that have been Linda?"  I waited a while and rang again.  This time I said, “Is his Linda?”  She replied, “Yes, speaking. “I was totally stunned at that moment.  (Note:  It really wasn’t Linda.  It was their maid.  I think she likes to fool a lot of their fans.)

I said, “Do you know when Paul will be home?”  She said, “Oh ‘they’ should be here very shortly.”  I had to say I traveled 3,000 miles to see Paul and she said, “Oh really?  How nice.”  And hung up.

Well, I stood by his gate hoping he would show up.  Man, I about froze.  A cop drove up and rang Paul’s bell.  The maid had called the cops.  He went in for a few moments and came back out to the car.  I walked up to the policeman and said “Is it alright if I wait for Paul?”  He said, “Well, it’s ok as long as you don’t climb over the wall.  Actually, they don’t like to be bothered.  I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if he told you to get lost.”  I said, “Oh, that would break my heart.”  He told me it was ok and drove off.  I gave him the peace sign and he smiled.

 

At about 4:40PM a yellow car drove up.  I didn’t look to see who it was until I noticed a tall handsome dude come out behind the car.  I looked at him – once was enough.  It was Paul!  Oh God.  I about died.  Here was our conversation:

Jan:  Oh Paul?

Paul:  Yes? (He came right over to me)

Jan:  I have something for you.

Paul:  Really?

Jan:  This picture was taken by my friend Brenda from your special.

Paul:  Ah yes!

Right then Linda came by my side.

Jan:  Oh Paul, can I have your autograph?

Paul:  Sure.

AS he signed my book I couldn’t help but cry.  When I did, Linda patted my shoulder and said,

Linda: “Oh, it’s alright.”

Jan:  Oh God, I can’t believe this.  

Paul looked at me so sad.  Linda said to Paul, “Ah, everybody is happy because it’s almost Christmas, ya know?”

Paul:  Yeah.

Linda:  Are you from America?

I shook my head yes.

Linda:  What part?

Jan:  Washington

Linda:  you mean, Washington D.C.?

Jan:  No, the state of Washington.

Linda:  Where are you staying?

Jan:  In Hampstead.

Linda:  How long will you stay?

Jan:  A month

Paul got done signing his autograph and handed my book to Linda.  Paul then picked Stella up into his arms.  I had to kiss her on the cheek.  Paul said, “Uh—lots of kisses.”  Mary ran back to the car and Paul halfway yelled, “Mary, you little runt!”  I started to cry again and I said, “Oh I love you both.”  Paul and Linda put their arms around me.  I died.

Paul took hold of my left hand and said, “Ooo you’ve got cold hands!”

Jan:  God, I’m so cold.  I’m about ready to die.

Paul:  Well, now you can get out of the cold. 

This meant they were going in.

Jan:  Paul, can I come inside?

Paul:  Oh, no.  We’ve been gone all day and the kids need to be taken care of.

Linda gave me hug and kissed my cheek.  She wished me a Merry Christmas and went inside the house.  Paul then gave me a hug and kissed my neck!  Oh – I cried all the way back to Hampstead!

Paul went to the gate and called the kids to come with him.  I waved and said, “Bye Paul!”  He said “Bye!”

Well, that’s what happened. I still can’t believe it.  Paul and Linda are such beautiful people.  You have to love them both.  Really!  My dream finally came true.  I am so very happy it did. 

Bikers

 

Three people that were on the rooftop

 John and Yoko with Ethan Russell  - 

Back to the studio

 May 15, 1967

Chester

 May 15, 1963 -  backstage in Chester

Howdy from Europe

 

A Big Howdy from Europe!

By Patti from Texas

McCartney Ltd

January/February 1974

 

We arrived on Christmas Day (1973).  I was the instigator to find Paul as Sandy was after the chap who hides in Henley.  As it was Christmas Day we decided to definitely respect that and not go to St. John’s Wood.  So much for that!  We went with the idea of just seeing the colors of the house.  I took the presents along all the same.  After watching the colors.  I rang the bell.  It was about 4:30pm and getting dusk.

“Hello!?”  It was such a funny voice that answered that I thought it was Rosie.  As I was explaining that we were from Texas and had presents to leave I realized it was not Rosie.  “Wait just a minute!”  The door opened and feet stomped out at a run.  The gates opened and I was expecting to see one of his cousins or someone.  Wrong!  It was Paul standing in front of us, all smiles and huge eyes with an ‘ok, where’s my presents?’  I checked twice at his face because   I wasn’t sure it was him!  He smiled and said, “Where are you from?”  I said “Texas” again and said I was really sorry to bother him at Christmas.  Paul said, “You’re not bothering me.  Well, it’s Christmas Day!”  He then asked us how we got there.  I wasn’t sure which he meant – to England or to Cavendish Avenue.  “How’d you get here?  By car?”  He looked up the street.  I answered no and Sandy answered, “walked.”  That must have been jumbled as we said it together.  I handed him the presents and said “Now you’ve got to be sure to give them to the right people.”  I found myself saying this in a tone – sort of joking.  “Ok!” said Paul.  I was disappointed Linda didn’t come out.  I read in the English paper that her family from New York was there for Christmas so I assumed they were all inside.  I asked him if Linda was there inside and he said “Yes, we’re all home.”  I explained the Horseman’s Bible was for Heather and he began flipping through the pages.  I gave him Why Kill To Eat (a vegetarian cookbook) for Linda.  “Good, she’ll like that.”  That made me feel good.  I must say here that I thought then I didn’t see how he took it all really and remains so happy and sincere.  He was so warm.  It was calming.  I was quite nervous but wanted to show him the respect he deserved.  I gave him the Christmas stockings of candy for the babies.  I didn’t know if they could have candy.  “Sure they can!”  That was another very warm statement.  Then we handed him the black western hat with a few feathers in the band.  “Oh, a Stetson!”  Clever lad.  I said, “No, not quite,” as it was slightly less expensive.  He put it on to model. 

I asked him if I could take a photo.  “Sure you can!”   I asked if he thought they would come out as it was getting darker.  “Yes of course!”  Quite confident.  I don’t know what I was expecting – like him to say “would you rather come inside and take them?”  I also said, “Do you know what we did today?”  Why I said that only shows nervousness.  I Was rather proud of our walking 4 miles to Buckingham Palace from our hotel at Kensington Gardens.  Paul said, “No, what?”  I noticed the dogs pouring out of the front door.  I said, “Oh! You’ve got more than Martha!”  Anything for conversation.  He said, “I’ve got four!” He was very proud.  He then introduced a few.  “This is Martha and this is her husband Lucky!”  I asked if I could photograph Martha and he said something about being careful.  I didn’t understand.  I asked him if she was afraid.  He said “No.”  I reached down to pet her and he began rubbing his arms with both hands.  He was cold.  He said, “Okay, one more now because it’s cold.”  So he posed again.  He still looks about 21.  By coincidence, he had on a silk western shirt that was really fantastic!  Huge flowers and black.

I told him to tell Linda hello.  He said he would.  “Ok then, it’s Howdy from Europe!”  The typical McCartney!  We laughed.  He told us “tarrah” and closed the gate and we heard him run back to the door.  He was marvelous.  I talked to Linda later on the intercome as Poppy (the Lab) followed us one day.  She was very nice and thanked us for returning her.  I talked to Heather on her birthday and gave her daffodils.  She said she remembered me from last year so that made me feel great.  That day Sandy and I were with two pals from San Diego.  We met by chance, Cindy and Maryann.  We were quite relieved to meet two friends and not two who were going to have to debate with.  Paul and Linda are loved and respected in England.  They seem to be everywhere!  And so on that note, it’s a big “Howdy from Europe!”  

Polka dots with Paul