I have been exchanging emails this week with a wonderful fan and reader of this blog, Richie, who had the amazing opportunity to hang around where Paul was staying in New Orleans in 1975. Here is the story that he sent me along with the wonderful photo that was taken of Richie (age 13) and younger brother outside of the hotel pool with Linda and Paul along with a scan of his autograph (drool). I think Richie had an AMAZING mother! (Although if it were for Ringo, I can imagine my own mother doing the same thing). Richie is a musician in New Orleans so check out his facebook page. You can also contact Richie through his email.
Hi Sara,
Thank you so much for the kind words! This is really an homage to my Mother with who I would not have the love of music and The Beatles...
My Mom was a young Beatles fan. She told me I used to sing the "Ooooo" part of She Loves You in my crib so I guess I have the honor of being the First Second Generation Beatles fan!
Although all of her friends went, My Dad did not take my Mom to the 1964 concert at City Park Stadium because the tickets costs too much ($5.00)! They eventually divorced. Being a single Mom, a divorcee, living in the 60's, she would "getaway" by listening to music after work. I remember we had a phonograph with one large speaker cabinet. When Sgt Pepper was released, she went out and bought it. Placing it on the phonograph, she noticed that the record was defective as she only heard music and no singing. It took her a few minutes to realize she bought a stereo record! Well, that's all she needed to justify buying a new stereo!
Flash-forward to January 1975, My grandmother clipped a small article in the local newspaper that Paul was coming to New Orleans and the Sea-Saint Studio in February to record an album. She gave it to my Mom. I believe she was so bold that we drove to the studio and she knocked on the door and asked if Paul was here. The man was nice enough to let us know when to come back. Seems like it was in early February.
THE FIRST TIME:
It was during Mardi Gras season, which lasts approximately 2 weeks. The season had just begun and we had gone to a few parades. Mom suggested that we give Paul a package of beads as a welcoming gift. So she put a few dozen beads into a clear plastic bag. We drove down to the studio after school and hung out in front. Just us. Me, My Mom and my little brother, Kelly.
Later in the evening only a few other fans showed up. It was always just a few folks hanging out outside until Paul contacting a local news station a few weeks later and had them come into the studio to film the band recording My Carnival.
We knew this would be the day to meet him as a brand new white convertible was already in the driveway!!! The studio was a one-story building nestled in a residential neighborhood. It must've been sonically built not to disturb the neighbors. Pressing our ears up against the building, you could hear the low-end bass, maybe some kick drum.
So there we are. Waiting. The music stops. We are still waiting. An unknown head peeks out of the door and retreats. Seconds later Paul emerges holding his Martin guitar (I think back of all the great songs he'd written on the thing! Yesterday, I Will, Blackbird. My eyes tear up now just thinking about it). My Mom is armed with her insta-matic camera, Kelly with the bead bag and me with my autograph book. There he was. Looking back, I remember thinking to myself I though he should be taller. He had a mean 5 o'clock shadow, almost green. And he looked tired (maybe he was a little stoned!). When Paul walked to the car, he always seemed to be listening to music in his head and he was kind of bouncing and humming. Kelly looked like he'd seen a ghost and we pushed him forward. All he could get out of his mouth was, "Here" while handing Paul the Mardi Gras gift bag. Paul replied, Oh, is that for me? Thank you!". I was able to get my autograph and Mom snapped a few photos. It happened within a minute or so. He drove off and we were very satisfied.
THE CROWD
Writing this to you brings back the fondest memories for me. I remember there was a core group that was ALWAYS out there. Not many people could wait 5, 6, 7 or 8 hours to catch a "glimpse" of Paul. It was me, Kelly, my Mom Kathy and a young adult girl and a high school guy (who looked remarkably like Mark David Chapman). One night nearing the end of the band's stay, the girl brought a greeting card for us to sign and we would present it to Paul. It had five birds following another bird. It reminded me of the Partridge Family cartoon intro. I remember the card reading, THIS CROWD WILL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE. We all chose a bird and signed our names above each bird, and printing Paul's name above the Leader. The white convertible never showed. Paul's last day at the studio was the previous night. We knocked on the studio door and was told. I remember we were all sad. The girl sealed up the card and gave the card to the famous unknown head peaking out of the door. She said, "If you see Paul, would you make sure that he gets this"?
Weeks later, we ran into the girl at a mall and she told the coolest story. She and her girlfriend found out which flight Paul and family were leaving and waited at the airport. A final goodbye. Imagine the days where you could approach someone like Paul? She introduces herself and Paul remembers her from being outside the studio. Of course she is swooning now! She says to him, "We got you a card and signed it but you had already left the studio". Paul then reached into the breast pocket and pulls out the card! She said she almost fainted.
A great story but one wondered if it was true or not. Did he get the card? Yes. He thanks "THE CROWD" in the liner notes of the Venus and Mars album! What an honor for me, my Mom and my brother. It's something I'll cherish until the day I die.
Richie Ladner
First Second-Generation Beatles Fan
richie_rocker@hotmail.com
Hi Sara,
Thank you so much for the kind words! This is really an homage to my Mother with who I would not have the love of music and The Beatles...
My Mom was a young Beatles fan. She told me I used to sing the "Ooooo" part of She Loves You in my crib so I guess I have the honor of being the First Second Generation Beatles fan!
Although all of her friends went, My Dad did not take my Mom to the 1964 concert at City Park Stadium because the tickets costs too much ($5.00)! They eventually divorced. Being a single Mom, a divorcee, living in the 60's, she would "getaway" by listening to music after work. I remember we had a phonograph with one large speaker cabinet. When Sgt Pepper was released, she went out and bought it. Placing it on the phonograph, she noticed that the record was defective as she only heard music and no singing. It took her a few minutes to realize she bought a stereo record! Well, that's all she needed to justify buying a new stereo!
Flash-forward to January 1975, My grandmother clipped a small article in the local newspaper that Paul was coming to New Orleans and the Sea-Saint Studio in February to record an album. She gave it to my Mom. I believe she was so bold that we drove to the studio and she knocked on the door and asked if Paul was here. The man was nice enough to let us know when to come back. Seems like it was in early February.
THE FIRST TIME:
It was during Mardi Gras season, which lasts approximately 2 weeks. The season had just begun and we had gone to a few parades. Mom suggested that we give Paul a package of beads as a welcoming gift. So she put a few dozen beads into a clear plastic bag. We drove down to the studio after school and hung out in front. Just us. Me, My Mom and my little brother, Kelly.
Later in the evening only a few other fans showed up. It was always just a few folks hanging out outside until Paul contacting a local news station a few weeks later and had them come into the studio to film the band recording My Carnival.
We knew this would be the day to meet him as a brand new white convertible was already in the driveway!!! The studio was a one-story building nestled in a residential neighborhood. It must've been sonically built not to disturb the neighbors. Pressing our ears up against the building, you could hear the low-end bass, maybe some kick drum.
So there we are. Waiting. The music stops. We are still waiting. An unknown head peeks out of the door and retreats. Seconds later Paul emerges holding his Martin guitar (I think back of all the great songs he'd written on the thing! Yesterday, I Will, Blackbird. My eyes tear up now just thinking about it). My Mom is armed with her insta-matic camera, Kelly with the bead bag and me with my autograph book. There he was. Looking back, I remember thinking to myself I though he should be taller. He had a mean 5 o'clock shadow, almost green. And he looked tired (maybe he was a little stoned!). When Paul walked to the car, he always seemed to be listening to music in his head and he was kind of bouncing and humming. Kelly looked like he'd seen a ghost and we pushed him forward. All he could get out of his mouth was, "Here" while handing Paul the Mardi Gras gift bag. Paul replied, Oh, is that for me? Thank you!". I was able to get my autograph and Mom snapped a few photos. It happened within a minute or so. He drove off and we were very satisfied.
THE CROWD
Writing this to you brings back the fondest memories for me. I remember there was a core group that was ALWAYS out there. Not many people could wait 5, 6, 7 or 8 hours to catch a "glimpse" of Paul. It was me, Kelly, my Mom Kathy and a young adult girl and a high school guy (who looked remarkably like Mark David Chapman). One night nearing the end of the band's stay, the girl brought a greeting card for us to sign and we would present it to Paul. It had five birds following another bird. It reminded me of the Partridge Family cartoon intro. I remember the card reading, THIS CROWD WILL FOLLOW YOU ANYWHERE. We all chose a bird and signed our names above each bird, and printing Paul's name above the Leader. The white convertible never showed. Paul's last day at the studio was the previous night. We knocked on the studio door and was told. I remember we were all sad. The girl sealed up the card and gave the card to the famous unknown head peaking out of the door. She said, "If you see Paul, would you make sure that he gets this"?
Weeks later, we ran into the girl at a mall and she told the coolest story. She and her girlfriend found out which flight Paul and family were leaving and waited at the airport. A final goodbye. Imagine the days where you could approach someone like Paul? She introduces herself and Paul remembers her from being outside the studio. Of course she is swooning now! She says to him, "We got you a card and signed it but you had already left the studio". Paul then reached into the breast pocket and pulls out the card! She said she almost fainted.
A great story but one wondered if it was true or not. Did he get the card? Yes. He thanks "THE CROWD" in the liner notes of the Venus and Mars album! What an honor for me, my Mom and my brother. It's something I'll cherish until the day I die.
Richie Ladner
First Second-Generation Beatles Fan
richie_rocker@hotmail.com
great story and photo!
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