Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Beatle fan: Carolyn Lee Mitchell


Carolyn Lee Mitchell is the fan who wrote the 1988 memoir of her time in London called All Our Loving. I thought it was an interesting book and a quick read. The man who was the ghost writer of the book, Michael Munn states on his webpage that "The book is an embarrassment, and the least said about it the better." Sure this book isn't some great piece of literature, but it wasn't a bad book.

Carolyn left her home in Salt Lake City, Utah for London a week before Paul married Linda. Bad timing on her part. It is a shame that she couldn't have been there a few years earlier. But instead she was there, standing outside Cavendish Avenue during a rocky time in the Beatles history.

The most important part of the book, which I have talked about before, is where Carolyn speaks about the trip she took in 1971 up to Paul Scotland home. While she is hanging near Paul's home, Paul gets fed up with her coming around and says some rude things to her about it. Carolyn then accuses Paul of punching her in the nose. To her shock, this account went world-wide and hit papers everywhere. I was surprised that I found several articles about the incident online. One of which I have posted.

When she wrote the book in 1988, you could tell that she had grown up a lot from that love struck teenager of 1971. She regretted following Paul up to his farm and sees how foolish of a decision it was on her part. At the time she just wanted to be close to Paul and befriend him. Now she understands that Paul went to that farm to get away from people just like her. She didn't respect his privacy. And while she dropped all charges against Paul, she never backed down from her original story that Paul hit her in the nose, something that Paul always denied. I guess no one but those there knows for sure and in 2010 it no longer really matters.

I was surprised that I could find very little information about Carolyn Lee Mitchell online. It seems like she disappeared after the book was published. But Carolyn if you are out there, I would love to hear more stories and see an actual photo of YOU with one of the Beatles!

And if you have never read her book, I do recommend it. While most of the book focuses on Carolyn and her devotion to Paul, she also includes stories of her friends who were also waiting around Apple and Paul's house. It is a quick and fun read.

13 comments:

  1. Carolyn Lee MitchellApril 28, 2010 at 10:48 AM

    Hello Sarah:
    Very interesting to see after all these years about my publication, and what happened to me in 1971.
    When I saw recently about what Michael Munn said about it, I was shocked, I had no idea he felt like that, thank you for sticking up for me.

    Kind regards,
    Caroln Lee Mitchell

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  2. hi carolyn, why is your name so familiar? did we meet outside paul's or emi in 1969? just wondering. all the best.

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  3. Hello Carolyn, I am sorry that Michael Munn such rude things. I really do think your book is good and I am glad that you wrote it. I have read it twice already. Thank you for responding to this post! I wish you all the best!

    Sara S.

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  4. Hello Lizzie:
    It is me, what are you doing in Brazil now?
    I am still in London most of the year.
    Thank you for your reply.
    Carolyn

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  5. hi carolyn! i am from brazil, my entire family was born here. write me at lizzie.bravo@gmail.com
    great to "find" you again!
    i'm still in touch with most of the old gang.
    take care!
    lizzie

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    1. Hello Lizzie:
      I have been looking up the Beatles on my Publication , and your name is here.
      How are you?
      Carolyn

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  6. Hi Carolyn if you are still out there. It's Mary, Sylvia's daughter. I don't know if you remeber me I was so young when you moved to England. Mom told me that you had written a book and I would like to read it sometime. Hope all is well with you.

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  7. Hello Sylvia:
    Hope you received yesterday.
    Carolyn

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  8. I cannot believe this site is endorsing Carolyn Lee Mitchell as an amazing fan. She is nothing but a disgusting stalker. It makes this entire site look creepy.

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    Replies
    1. I think the majority of this site will look "creepy" to you then. It is a site devoted to people that met one or more of the Beatles in person. From what I understand from people that knew her, Carolyn was a devoted fan that for a time period took that devotion too far. She admitted that what she did was wrong and that she had no business going to Paul's farm. It was 1971 -- things were way different then. She didn't go there to harm him, but to be his friend. She was young, naive and made some bad decisions. That doesn't make her crazy.

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    2. agree w/ karen on the amazing fan bit but not creepy; however CLM was in her 20's and rather obsessed imo

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  9. Paul probably did hit her in his frustration; it was common knowledge that he didn't want anyone coming to Scotland and she was apparently a bit off the wall then

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  10. michael munn was right

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