Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Mal


I have been trying not to say a whole lot about the Carol Bedford book and just post the photos I scanned from the book. However, I can't keep quiet about this part of the book. So I am going to step up on my soap box and rant a bit. If you don't want to read it, that is fine.


I have always been a fan of Malcom Evans, the Beatles roadie and friend. Ever since I first saw him years ago start the Let It Be movie and play the anvil during "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" during the film, I have been drawn to him. The best reason I can give is because he physically looks like my dear Grandpa who passed away in 1994. I was very close to my Grandpa. My Grandpa was a huge man with a big heart and a kindness about him that was very gentle. He could be rough if he needed to be, but around me, he was like a teddy bear. And from what I have read, Mal Evans was the exact same way. Mal is my all time favorite non-Beatles, Beatles person (if you know what I mean) and I enjoy reading about his kindness, especially to the fans who waited outside the studios.


So when Carol claimed that Mal tried to force himself on her, I had an issue with that accusation. I am not saying that Carol just made up this story for her book, but the way I see it is that her book was written in 1984 and Mal was killed in 1976. Mal was unable to defend himself or add his side of the story. Add this story to her book really wasn't important to the book and I personally think it should have been left out, especially since Mal is no longer here to tell his side.


Otherwise I enjoyed the book. There were some stories in there that I thought to myself, "hmmm...I doubt it happened like THAT..." but many of the stories were believable and even if they weren't, it still gave a good idea of what it was like to leave home and move to London to "Beatle-watch." I recommend the book for fans to read, but I would warn them to not believe everything in the book. Carol seemed like she was a troubled person and this comes across to me. However, she also seemed like a sincere Beatles fan who wanted the world to know the truth about Beatles fans, especially after John's murder. Ok...enough about the book.

5 comments:

  1. Mal was a really nice man. He was funny too. I remember one time he was telling us to move or something of the sort, and George passed by and said "Give them a break, Mal!". The day I arrived in London and saw all 4 Beatles come out of EMI, I was crying after seeing John and he came to comfort me, telling me not to cry since John would be there again the next day and I could see him again. He gave me a candy bar. I have two wrappers which I saved, one Bounty and one Kit Kat, but I can't remember who gave me which. And as for Carol Bedford, I have said it once and I'm saying it again, don't take her words as gospel truth, because they're not.

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  2. You had the same reaction I did.

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  3. Mal was a teddy bear!

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  4. Hi
    My name is Gill and I am one of the Applescruffs, in Carol's book you'll see my name spelt with a J as in Jill. Please believe me when I say that Mal was a gentle giant and as Margo & I probably knew Carol more than most I have to say although she was a lovely lady so much of this book is fiction and not fact which is why I am in the process of writing one of my own. If you want to know more email me at: gill_pritchard@birmingham.gov.uk.
    Hope to hear from you.
    Gill

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  5. my dear gill, so glad to have you here with us!

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