Paul returns to the Cavern 1968

It is a little known fact that when the Cavern Club in Liverpool re-opened in 1968, Paul McCartney made a secret appearance. It is not known if Paul played any music while he was there but the photographs show him posing behind the drums with a local band called "The Curiosity Shop." From what I read, the owner of the Cavern,
Alf Georghegan, asked Paul if he could take some photographs of him at the club. Paul said that he could as long as he kept them out of the press, so Alf went out and bought a camera to take some photos. The date that has always been given for this trip to Liverpool was Oct 25, 1968. However, this date does not add up with the Beatles timeline because Paul and Linda were supposed to be in New York City during that time. The Cavern re-opened in July of 1968 and reports said that Paul was there with Jane.

When I was at the current Cavern Club in Liverpool a few weeks ago, my mom and I sat on the left side near the loo and the dressing room. On the wall right next to the table where we sat were two photographs that caught my eye. They were of Paul and this mystery time in the Cavern! One was similar to the one I had in my files and another was Paul posing with what appears to be a fan. What really caught my eye was that there was a caption under each photo that said "Paul McCartney returns to the Cavern 1968. Photo by Linda." Huh? Linda?? I am afraid that these photos, while they are really cool.....had me even MORE confused about what this took place.

Do any of you know more about this??? If so please let me know. And if not, enjoy the photos. In a break from the set of the singer on stage, I took the two photos of the pictures hanging on the wall of the Cavern.

I want to tell you

I haven't added a "Meet the Beatles for Real" story in awhile, so I thought I would type up one that I found in Issue #36 of the British Beatles Fan Club Magazine (which I bought in London). It was written by David Stark, who was the drummer of SongLink International, which was a band in the 1960's. Here are his experiences.

I was lucky enough to see the Fabs in concert just once... My parents took me and my brother to "Another Beatles Christmas Show" at the Hammersmith Odeon on Monday 4th January 1965 as a special treat. My dad knew Dick James' accountant, which is how I think he got the tickets. We had a great view, but all I remember is that the non-stop screaming was totally deafening. We could hardly heard the bad, which isn't surprising as Vox AC30 amps and a 100-watt PA system don't carry too far in big venues.
My first encounter with any of the group on a personal basis took place the following year outside EMI Studios in Abbey Road. This was around the time they were recording "Paperback Writer" and "Revolver" in April 1966, which coincided with the Easter holidays. I went to school in Elstree (which Macca later used the grounds of for part of 1973 James Paul McCartney TV special) and had a classmate who lived on Abbey Road just a couple of blocks away from the studios. He was often telling me how he'd seen the Beatles arriving, and also got his copy of the "Help!" album signed by them, which of course I was rather envious of. So although I lived some miles away in Stanmore, I cycled all the way to St. John's Wood one day to meet up with my pal and wait outside the studios for any Beatles to arrive. An expectant crowd, mainly female, was already gathering and it looked as if we might be in luck. I rested my bicycle against the left-hand studio gate without thinking any more of it, and waited for something to happen.
A short while later a bizarre sight on wheels approached the studios from the direction of Lords cricket ground. It was a black Rolls Royce with a loudspeaker mounted on the roof, while someone inside was loudly delivering a gibberish commentary to all and sundry. It was none other than John Lennon MBE, and as his limo got close to the studio entrance I suddenly heard him say in the immortal words, "And get that fucking bike out the way!" over his personal tannoy system. Naturally I obliged as quickly as I could, as the car slowly drove past us into the studio courtyard. Lennon waltzed out and signed a few autographs before heading up the studio steps, and that was that. I'd got off lightly for obstructing a Beatle, but had to wait a couple of years to meet him properly.
One Saturday night in the autumn of 1970 or '71 I was out with my pal Vince trying to think of something to do for a laugh. We didn't have much dosh, we were dressed in smelly Afghan coats and jeans, and didn't fancy joining the usual crowd at the Wimpy Bar by Edgeware Station. Vince had recently got his first car, a Ford Anglia, so I came up with the idea of driving to Hampstead to find where Ringo lived and asking him out for a pint. Yes, a ridiculous thing to even think of, but that's what made it more of a challenge. I happened to know the name of Ringo's street, but not the number or which house.
As it happens, Compton Avenue is a small private road opposite Kenwood House on Hampstead Heath, so we parked up and promptly rang the bell of the first house on the left. Who should come to the door but none other than Lulu with then-hubby Maurice Gibb in tow. They were obviously wondering why these two young scruffs were intruding on them, but couldn't have been nicer when I fibbed that we'd been invited to Ringo's gaff but weren't too sure which house it was. "Och, he's just down the end of the road on the right," said Lulu, sweet as pie, "You can't miss it," added Maurice, "it's got a big double drive." Success! Could you imagine anyone, famous or not, giving that kind of information to two total strangers these days? We duly thanked them and headed a few yards down the road, where it was apparent that if it was Ringo's house (actually called Round Hill), then he was having some kind of party, judging from the number of cars parked in and around the drive.
Anyway we mustered up some courage, took a deep breath and rang the bell. and who should come to the door this time but Ringo himself. "How can I help you lads?" he asked. "We were just wondering if you'd like to come out for a quick drink with us," I volunteered, feeling somewhat stupid but at least sticking to the plan. "Er, thanks for asking but I'm afraid we've got a few friends in tonight," Ringo replied, looking somewhat puzzled by the two young cavaliers on his doorstep. "Thanks for the offer though. Another time maybe." As he was saying all this, I suddenly saw Eric Clapton walking past the back of the hallway. We then quickly said our goodbyes and Ringo closed the door, as we headed back to the car laughing our heads off.

Wimbledon Palais

"If they press any harder they'll come through as chips!" John Lennon

George 1979

I wonder what George is shopping for here. I would think records, but I wonder what he was looking for in 1979. Hmmmm.....

1964 Indy press conference

The only thing I can question about this photo is why on earth was it put with an auction for the 1966 Toronto press conference tapes???

Dirty weekend

Here are a few more shots of Paul taken during his stay in L.A. in 1968.

A visit to Liverpool

This photo from the 1960's really made me smile. Here is a Beatles fan standing outside Ringo's childhood home in Dingle (Liverpool). I saw this home from the street, but I wasn't able to get out of the bus and stand by the door like this fan is doing. However I did do the exact same thing at John and Paul's childhood homes. Fans have been standing outside of Beatles childhood homes in Liverpool for over 40 years and it isn't going to stop anytime soon!

An appology

Hello Beatles fans,

Last week I posted a story on this blog that I was told me by John, the custodian at Paul McCartney's childhood home in Liverpool. Sean from the Kenwood blog and I looked into the story a little deeper. Sean asked his friend, the famous Mark Lewishon to look into if John Lennon was in Liverpool in 1968. Mark talked to the custodian at Mendips, who looked at the photo that I saw at Paul's home and discovered that it was taken at the Magical Mystery Tour party in London in December 1967. The story I was originally told was not true at all.

I am very embarrassed for this mistake, not only because I helped spread a false story, but because the story I helped spread wasted the time of someone who is a busy Beatles guy, Mark Lewishon as well as the time of Sean and the custodian at John's home in Liverpool.

I think the moral of this story is first of all not to believe every Beatles story you read and hear. I took what I was told as fact, which was very naive of me. Also don't make up stories tell them as if they are fact. Some of us are trying our best to have an accurate timeline of the Beatles lives and false stories only mess things up.

I apologize to everyone in the Beatles community for this mistake and I hope it does not discredit myself or this blog in anyway.

Thank you,
Sara Schmidt

With the lovely flowers in her hair....

Some more fan photos of Linda McCartney

Another Macca Attack

A Special thanks to rising70 for allowing me to post many of these photos.

I go back so far, I'm in front of me!

I do not always give Sir Paul McCartney the credit he deserves. Everyone knows that I am a big fan of John Lennon and I wish gush about his music for hours. Even stuff on the NYC album is listenable. However....I do enjoy listening to Paul McCartney. One of my all time favorite albums of Paul's 1997's Flaming Pie. My favorite Paul solo song, Beautiful Night (with Ringo on the drums) is on this album. This album came out while Linda was sick with cancer, but something about the beauty of the love songs really touch me.

Blog reader, Jody Denburg, sent me some of his photos of Paul during the time of the release of Flaming Pie. They were from the VH1 Town Hall Meeting in May of 1997. He is the guy with the beard in the photo will the group of people around Paul.

Thanks Jody!!!

Another 1967 find...

Oh the joy of finding this wonderous photo of both John AND Paul from 1967!!! Lizzie...who took this one??

Something for the Paul fans

John Lennon - Mind Games

John November 1974

I love the look John had during this period of time. He just seemed so relaxed and happy. I know historically everything says that he was a miserable mess, but he just doesn't look that way to me. These two photos and the "Mind Games" video posted below are from this time.

Cool photo

While in England I bought several British Beatles fan club magazines. One the back inside cover of the magazine they have what they call "Crap Photo of the Month." What is funny is that this photo is often a fan photo and is exactly the type that I like to post on this page! This is one of those "Crap photos" that I especially liked. I love how George blends into Kinfauns. I think this might have been taken when George was painting the home.

Stories I heard...

Here I am with John, the custodian at Paul McCartney's childhood home (who looks a tad bit like a McCartney himself).

While I was touring Paul McCartney's childhood home, the man who lives there (named John strangely enough) told me two fan stories.

The first one was his own meeting with Paul McCartney in 1967. He was at a park in Liverpool and spotted Paul, Jane and Martha walking around. He went up to Paul and talked to him and they both petted Martha at the same time (and his hand touched Paul's!). He didn't even think about asking for a photograph.

While looking around Paul's home, I noticed behind glass a fan photo of John Lennon and a teenaged girl from about 1968. I found it strange that Paul McCartney's house would have a photograph of John Lennon and a girl in it, so I asked the guide, John, about it. This is what he told me. After the McCartney's moved out of the house in 1964, the Jones family moved it and they had a teenage daughter who was a Beatles fan (can you just imagine that....your family moves into the house that Paul McCartney's just moved out of??? You would still be getting his mail!) Anyhow one day in 1968, she saw John Lennon standing outside of Mendips looking at his old home. She went home and got her camera and something for John to sign and told him that she lives in Paul's old house and could she have a photo. John said yes and that is the fan photo that I wish you all could see because John looked great in it, that was on display at Paul McCartney's childhood home. The is on loan there from the daughter.

Going off to Liverpool

Outside Mendips...is John home?

Where the Quarry Men made their first record.

Casbah Coffee Club: Paul painted the Rainbow ceiling and George painted the brown.

The Babershop on Penny Lane...

Mom with a Ringo photo inside the Hard Days' Night Hotel

The Cavern Club

It's coming to take us away.....

I am acting out Ringo's "Don't push the button" scene from Yellow Submarine at the Beatles Story.

Days 3-4 of my trip: Liverpool England

Day 3

My mom and I took the train from London to Liverpool and ended up on Lime Street, which caused us to break into singing "Maggie Mae." We check into the Hard Day's Night Hotel, which is an AMAZING hotel!! I high recommend it for the bathtub alone! Then we walked down to the Albert Dock where we went into the Beatles Story museum. The museum had some neat items in it, but if you are like me, then you really didn't need to listen to the guided tour on the headphones. I already knew all of the things they were saying and could even quote some of the interviews I was hearing. After that we went to the second part of the museum and watched a cute but cheesy 3D film and saw the Julian Lennon White Feather exhibit. The White Feather Exhibit was AWESOME!!! So many neat things to see there!

After all of that and a lunch with poor service at the Ha Ha Cafe, we met the Magical Mystery Tour bus for a tour around Liverpool. I can see that a private taxi tour would have given more information, but the bus tour was fun and really wasn't as bad as I thought it might have been. We saw George's childhood home, The Sentimental Journey pub, Strawberry Field, Brian's home, Penny Lane and so many other places that you have only heard about. It all ended back on Mathew Street. Mom and I went into the Cavern and stayed there for a few hours singing Beatles songs with along with a guy on stage who was doing a Lennon tribute. It was such a great feeling to be singing Beatles songs with other Beatles fans in the Cavern!

Day 4

Our day started off with a walk to the Albert Dock to meet the mini bus that would take us on the tours of John Lennon and Paul McCartney's childhood homes. While waiting for the bus, we met a cab driver named Billy who would end up being an awesome thing! Going into Mendips was really neat for me since I am a John fan and I have read and seen everything John Lennon you can think of, so I had this mental image of what the place looked like. It was just so amazing to be in John Lennon home from when he was a kid! I can't even begin to explain it. Paul McCartney's home was neat as well. They have photos all over Paul's home (taken by Mike Mac) that really are neat. It was especially cool to look out the window into the backyard exactly how the "Chaos and Creation in the backyard" album cover was taken.

After the tours (and a good lunch at a pizza place), we called Billy the cab driver to see if he could take us out to the Casbah Coffee Club for our tour (thanks to those of you from this blog that helped me get the phone number and book the tour!). Well Billy is a big Beatles fan from back in the 1960's and used to do private tours of Beatles sights. He was so friendly and he went out of his way to show us the building where the Quarrymen recorded "In Spite of all the Danger."

The Casbah Tour was given to us by Roag Best (Pete's brother and Neil's son). I can't believe all of the things John, Paul, George, Pete and Stu painted in that basement club is still there! Everything from where John carved his name with a pen knife to where Rory Storm hit his head on the ceiling is still there! After the Casbah tour, Billy picked us back up and took us to the train station.

I really enjoyed Liverpool and I am so glad that I had the chance to go!

Day 2 of my trip

Crossing Abbey Road: highlight of my life

Paul are you home????

The Rooftop!!!

Haha!

Day 2 was a very busy day in London. We started off by seeing Buckingham Palace. Now I am sure that most people who go to London and see the Palace think about the Queen, but instead I am staring at the gates and think about those fans that climbed the gates when the Beatles got their MBE's. Those were some high gates to climb!!

After walking around Hyde and Green Parks, my mom and I went to the Hard Rock Cafe in London. I have to say that the people that work there are amazing!! They were having a concert that night and "The Vault" (where they keep some special memorabilia) was closed. After hearing that we had traveled from the U.S., they allowed my mom and I a personal tour of The Vault. The Vault had some amazing things in it including John Lennon's army jacket, the harpsichord used in "All you need is love" and some other neat things. Then when we went to have our cheeseburgers, our waiter, Ash, told us the entire history of the London Hard Rock Cafe and since he was also a huge Beatles fan, he told some great Beatles stories as well. After our meal, we then had special permission to go upstairs (where they were setting up for the concert) and see the items there. I have to say that the London Hard Rock Cafe Staff are amazing!!!

Our next item of business was the 2nd Richard Porter tour called "The Magical Mystery Tour." This tour took us to #3 Saville Row (the Rooftop), Carnaby Street, the gentleman's toilet where John made "Not only but also," MPL offices, Trident studio, and back to Abbey Road. But my mom and I ditched the tour group and instead found 7 Cavendish Avenue to see where Paul lives. I felt like those girls in all of the photos I have posted hanging outside of Paul's wooden gate. It was so fun!!

Day 3 will be the first day of Liverpool. However....I am going to spend a few days with my boyfriend (who I haven't seen in like 2 weeks) and won't be at my home computer where my photos are. So you will have to wait a few days for Liverpool.

Ebay finds

Some great fan photos are available on ebay right now.

Paul and the Lovely Linda

Some fan photos current on ebay. I love these two as a couple!

John and Cyn with fans

Here are some photos of John and Cynthia on the day they moved out of their apartment in London and into Kenwood. As always, fan were waiting for them.

My trip to London and Liverpool

I had the most amazing time of my life in London and Liverpool. I saw so many Beatles sights that it was just amazing. I got tears in my eyes when I crossed Abbey Road because I just couldn't believe that I was there. I had planned this trip in my mind since I was 13 years old and to be able to actually be there was unbelievable to me.

To all of you who read this blog, I have to say that you MUST do whatever it takes to go on the trip I just took. It is amazing to walk the same steps as the Beatles and to see with you own eyes all of the places that you read about and see in photographs. I wish that I could have scooped you all up and taken each of you with me on this trip because I wish I could have shared my experiences with other true fans of the Fab 4. I want to post a few of the photos that I took. So here is Day 1 of London. I will try not to bore all of you blog readers who come here for the Beatles fan pics and storys. But I am so excited about my trip and want to share it with people who understand.

Day 1 London

We went on the Richard Porter "In my life" tour. My mom liked this tour better than the "Magical Mystery Tour" that we took on Day 2. Here are photos of the highlights.