The Dark Knight

Jules at Disneyland

You know that nothing makes me happier than combining my two favorite things:  Disney and the Beatles!   In the June/July 1985 issue of "The Write Thing" Don Lehmer posts shared a photo and a little story about meeting Julian Lennon at the happiest place on earth in early 1985.   I totally do remember Julian's performance from Disneyland that year on TV!

Julian and friends at Disneyland.  photo:  D. Lehmer

 My wife Melinda and I decided one day in January to make a mid-week trip to Disneyland for a day of fun.  Little did we think we would meet up with the likes of Julian Lennon.

As we were waiting to board "Big Thunder Mountain," a train-roller coaster type ride, we were told we could sit anywhere in the train car except for the last two rows.  At about the same time I noticed a Disneyland officials with an ear transmitter on who was looking around rather nervously, waiting for our train to arrive.  I told Melinda someone special was probably on the ride and to watch to see who was going to get off.  Lo and behold, Julian and bandmate Justin Clayton  were the "someone special" with two friends, and they liked the ride so much they were going for a second time.  And as luck would have it we were fortunate enough to be seated in front of them.  There was no way we could enjoy the ride just as a ride when everytime I turned around there was Julian!

As we were leaving, I asked him if I could take a snap, which he happily let me do.  I also told him what a great album "Valotte" was and wished him all the best.  We later found out he was in the park to film segments on the 30th anniversary of Disneyland TV special broadcast in February.  What a special day it turned out to be.

That perm....

This photo has been making the rounds lately.  Does anyone know anything about it?  Where was it taken?   Who took it?  Etc etc.   And I have to say that George and the perm was not the best combination. 

I wish Ringo really was running for president...

Somehow this seems appropriate to post right now. 

sign this one....

Paul's Fun Club meet up

I knew that Paul had met with fan club members in 1984 as part of some contest, but I have often wondered what that was all about.   Well, thanks to a very kind reader of this blog who sent me a maga load of old Beatles fanzines, I was able to find out!   This story is from the June/July 1985 issue of "The Write Thing."  It was written by Linda Aiello, who has happened to have several encounters with Paul McCartney.   

Linda Aiello (far left) with Paul in NY

Linda A. takes Paul's hand as members of the Club Sandwich meet Paul in NY in October 1984

I met Paul McCartney many times in the past, but nothing can compare with my experience on the afternoon of October 16, 1984.

Last year I won a contest to have dinner with Rick Springfield and I thought what if it were Paul McCartney.  Well, I had the chance to find out and here is my story.

On Friday, October 12, I received a call from Paul’s public relations firm of Rogers & Cowan.  Mr. Joe Dera told me he was calling for Paul McCartney.  I had a hard time believing him at first.  I asked him if I had won tickets to see “Give my Regards to Broadstreet.”   He told me I had won something better.  Paul wanted to meet five members of his fan club when he came to New York to promote “Broadstreet”.  He told me I was a lucky winner, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack.  He told me the meeting would take places on Tuesday, October 16 at the Plaza Hotel and that he would call me on Monday with the final details.  I was a basket case after that!

I was glued to the phone all day on Monday.  At 1:30 I couldn’t wait any more and called Rogers & Cowan.  I spoke to Mr. Dera’s secretary and she told me she’d call back with details when she got them, wished me luck and told me to “sit tight!”

My mother couldn’t believe it was true, and thought I was being set up.  The reason my mother was so scared is because they told me I couldn’t bring a guest.  I had to go alone.  But thank goodness my mother’s fears were wrong.

I got to the Plaza the morning of the 16^th by 11:30a.m. and waited in the lobby with the other winners.  I went up to the Suite with one of the other winners and we were told that Paul was running late, and that we should come back in a little while.  One of the winners had just seen Linda McCartney get into an elevator, so we knew we had the right place.

A little past 12 we went back to Suite 837.  We were invited in to have a club sandwich or drinks (hard stuff).  I was too nervous to eat.  I was afraid to drink since I hadn’t eaten breakfast and didn’t want to feel tipsy.

We met the public relations people, radio dj’s, news people, reporters from magazines and the people from 20^th Century Fox.  You should have seen the mad house in that room.  I thought if Paul came into this room we’d be lost in the crowd.  As it turned out this room was just the waiting area.  We were given the “Broadstreet” press kit the lp, some press photos and more.

At about 1:00pm our wait was over.  Paul was ready to meet with us.  The press were told to come with us.  As we approached the room I heard Paul say he didn’t want the press in the room now, he only wanted the five winners.  Oh God, give me strength.  The press had to wait in the hall.  As we entered the suite Paul came over to greet each one of us.  He our hands and said, “Hi ya, how ya doing, club members.  You want to sit down?”

The suite was like sitting in his living room.  There was a sofa, a coffee table and some chairs.  Paul sat in the center of the sofa.  I sat in the chair directly in front of him, so that we were face to face.  I was too nervous at that point to sit next to him on the sofa.  He is still so handsome, despite some grey hair and crows feet around the eyes.  His eyes are so beautiful, it seems as if he is looking right through you.  I just couldn’t believe I was looking into his face in person and not on TV.  The great part is that Linda was not there.  I could not believe it since she is always glued to him.  There were only three other people in the room with us and Paul so it was very intimate.  He made us feel very comfortable.  I ‘m happy that I had the nerve to talk to him and not sit there like a mummy.

  I told him I was glad that I was a member of his club.  And other winners said how nice it was of Paul to take the time to meet us.  He said, “Yeah, well I figured I’m gonna be over here so might as well see a few people from the club.” (He then introduced us to the club photographer Dave Dagley.)

Paul offered us a cup of tea, but everyone said no.  I told him I couldn’t believe this was all happening.  “I can’t believe it either.” Paul says, saying “can’t” the way I did.  “I was up all night waiting to meet ya’s.”  And he laughs.

I told him how my mother thought I was being set up and the other winners agreed.  “Listen, you might be set up,” Paul says with a laugh.  “I’m not really here”  Then he asks us where we are all from.  One winner says Brooklyn, and Paul repeats that with the accent, “The Dodges!”

After a little bit, the press was let in and they wanted us to get around Paul.  I never expected this to happen, and then I was sorry for not sitting next to him on the sofa.  I thought I would be cut out of the pictures, but Paul kept telling us to move in closer.  I was holding his hand in some photos and thank goodness I was not cute out.  Then Paul suggested we take some photos by the wall, and the photographers agreed.  I tried to get closer to him this time, but was beaten out again.  I did manage not to be on the end!  Paul told us to hold our hands out and say “Ta da!”  We did and all cracked up.  The photographers had us do that one gain and again.  Then the press left and we were alone with Paul again.

So I asked Paul if I could take some photos now and he said sure.  Another fan said she was told no cameras.  Paul said to her, “yeah well you don’t always listen to what they tell ya.”  Paul asked if I had enough light for my picture and I said I had 400 speed film.  “Let’s hope for the best.”  He said.

Paul signed autographs for all of us too, he personalized them all and he gave more than one autograph to each fan.  “Are we getting a bit tired now?”  he asks us.  Then one fan gives him a card and another fan gave him a present.  “Thanks very much, that’s very nice.  Thank you.”  He said, “OK gang that’s it.”  He said that in such a cute voice.  Then a fan tells Paul she didn’t get a photo taken with him yet, and he asks me, “Linda, could you take one, just quick of us?”  Then all the fans said bye and shook his hand, but I knew I wanted a kiss.  “I’m gonna give you a kiss whether you like it or not.” I said to him.  “OK, he says.  Then all of us wished him good luck with the movie.

After we left the suite we realized that we forgot the “Broadstreet” shirts and we had to go back in to get them.  We waited out in the hall for Joe Dera, and as we waited Paul came out and said, “see ya gang” and I felt his hand on my back.  We all said, “Bye Paul!”  Thanks Paul for making this happen!

Linda Aiello

Clearly seen

Beatles for Sale

Went to a Garden Party...

Big difference between the faces of the Beatles and the faces of the fans sitting near them...

Backseat of my car

Remembering the 5th Beatle

I am not good at tributes or things like that.   What more can I personally say about Brian Epstein today that hasn't already been said a million times?   I just know that as a Beatle fan, I have total respect for Brian.   He made the Beatles so that they were able to be loved by everyone in the world and not just those who were lucky enough to see them in the Cavern in Liverpool.  

We could argue until we are blue in the face about who was the "5th Beatle."   And it is a silly discussion that we find ourselves in.   But for my money, it was Brian because he was the one that lead them to fame.   And he was their friend.  

So in honor of Brian and in his memory I post these photos. 

Jackets

Can someone please inform me about this photo?   Is this a fan-taken photo?   When was it?  Where was it?   I can't even pinpoint a year.   Obviously it was before 1971.  

Early 1970

Thanks to the Kenwood blog!

Lennon Sightings by Pat Simmons

In the Feb/March 1985 issue of the fanzine, Instant Karma!  Beatle fan, Pat Simmons was asked to write about her experiences "sharing air space" with John and/or Yoko.   Pat wrote up the following letter.   Only one of the photos she sent was published in the fanzine.   I would like to hear more about the party after the George concert at the Hippopotamus club.   Recently photos from that event have surfaced. 

Sean and his nanny:  October 8, 1979 (eek! it was my 3rd birthday!)  photo by Pat Deese

Sorry I never told you about seeing John and Yoko.  Actually I never really met them, just saw them so there’s a not a lot to tell.  I saw them at EMI in August 1968 and 1969.  Most of the time then, John would just help Yoko out of the Rolls, wrap himself around her just about, and go up the stairs with her.  He was Very protective of her because “fans” (if you can call them that), would call Yoko various uncouth names.  He never stopped and talked and I can’t really blame him.  None of them would really.  Well, I saw Paul stop a couple times but only to sign autographs on the run from car to stairs.  The crowds were unreal.  In 1968 when we were there, I‘d say about 50 or 60 people were waiting around EMI.  By 1969,, more fans had begun working and of course the first thing you saved up for just about was to go to England!  So the crowds by ’69 were closer to 100, and Emi is on a tiny street.  With a tinier parking lot crowded with cars.  About the most outstanding thing that happened was one time when getting out of the Rolls, Yoko caught her foot and fell forward, colliding into Lynn (my high school friend I was with).   Both Yoko and John apologized, while Lynn looked at John as to say, “Run into me anytime you fool.”  But John hadn’t run into her, Yoko had.

The next time I saw John wasn’t until 1974 when we were in New York for George’s last couple of concerts.  That was funny!  We were waiting around at the club where the after-tour party was with our eyeballs glued to the doorway to see who would arrive.  We’d found out Paul was in town so we were kinda hoping we’d get a double whammy and get to see Paul and George.  Anyway, I was busying staring at the doorway when one of my friends said under her breath, “oh my God, it’s Lennon!”  He had arrived by limo but the limo had pulled over to the curb a fair distance from the club doorway because of the traffic and parked cars. So they had to walk from there to the doorway.  Anyway, after Tempy, the friend of mine, made her announcement, I whipped around and said, “Lennon?”  I was so shocked!  By that time, Mr. Lennon was about a foot away from me with a big smirk on his face – he’d heard me!  I couldn’t have said, “John” right?  I had to say Lennon.  I felt so stupid.  John, meantime, was immensely enjoying watching everybody whip around and their eyeballs popping out of their sockets.  He said, “Keep cool everybody, keep cool.”  And looked at me and grinned, and then I knew he’d heard me.  I wanted to crawl under the pavement!  It lasted a split second, it was embarrassing, but God, it was neat!

The only other time I saw him was for another split second in 1979, the day before his birthday when he took Sean to Tavern on the Green.  We saw him come out of the doorway, get into his limo, which was parked under the archway, and then when he came back, he got out of the car and stopped long enough to take some birthday presents from some fans.  Laura, one of my friends sitting in the car with me, whipped outo f my car, ran up to him, shook his hand until his arm nearly fell out of its socket., and said “happy birthday John God I can’t believe this….”  Despite the crowds, he ate it all up, particularly getting the presents!  Laura managed to babble something about would he mind if she took a photo and when he said no, go ahead, she took one but she was shaking so hard it’s a tad bit blurred.  Knowing Laura, she also probably forgot to focus too!  Poor child.  It meant a lot to see him because we’d been waiting all week and only saw him that once, and after not having seen even a photo of him for so long.  One last thing – when I first saw “the” license plate number (which we’d industriously memorized when the limo picked him up and pulled away earlier) in my rearview mirror and announced John was coming, I opened my door and nearly crammed it into  that limo, which by then was right beside me.  I could just see me putting a big dent in that limo!  Two other friend of mine (Pat Deese and Ann Tishelman) were in the back seat and we were so flustered in getting out of the car (I zipped out into a street full of moving cars without even looking and left my car door wide open!)   I forgot to move the seat lever so that Pat could get out of the back seat.  Pat was so flustered she forgot the seat had a lever, so she contorted her body and squeezed out between the seat and the car, landing on West 72^nd Street on hands and knees, whereupon she crawled over to the curbside.  It must’ve been hilarious!  I laughed for an hour when she told me about it later.

I’m enclosing the photos my friends and I took. I took a whole roll just about at EMI, and that particular roll was in the camera that I LEFT ON THE TRAIN on the way to Liverpool!!!  I was more upset about the film than the cheapo camera, needless to say.

Band on the Run

On Thursday, I posted Barb Fenick's side of the story of when she met Paul and Linda in their house on Cavendish Avenue in 1973 as written for "The Mess."   Now I have for you her friend, Becky's side of the same story found in the same fanzine.    It is basically the exact same story, but just from Becky's point of view instead of Barbs.   

There has been a bit of discussion about how the date of August 29, 1973 cannot be true because Paul had been in Lagos since August 9.   Here are my thought on this.    I will almost always believe the date a fan who was there gives, especially in a story that was written not too long after the event, over what was written in a book.  There are some great historical Beatle Books out there, but event he best Beatle authors make mistakes or get false information.  Over the years people's memories fade and false dates get spread around.    However, the fans that met the Beatles are most likely going to remember the date the circumstances around that date and many of the fans kept journals of the events and even wrote down what the guys were wearing.   So I believe Barb and Becky's account that Paul did not leave for Lagos until August 30 or 31st.   You all can decide for yourself what you will believe.

 

Band on the Run

Dateline:  Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States of America

Police headquarters all around the world have been kept busy for the past three months since the escape of Paul McCartney and Wings (famous pop trio), from a London jail.  No one is sure of the exact day of the escape, and Scotland Yard is literally baffled by the whole thing. But, in America the police are taking things into their own hands, and unsuspected citizens are being dragged off the streets and put through torturous interrogations.  Such is the case of one Rebecca Larter (alias J.R.), when it was found out that she had seen and talked to two of the trio last August prior to their arrest.  This is her story.

“Well I don’t know exactly how to tell this to you.  I first saw Linda the night of August 28^th, Mary McCartney’s birthday.  I went to their house with my dear husband Wayne and a mutual friend of our, Barb.  It was dark out and we thought for sure if we went by and the lights were on that would mean they were home.  They were on and suddenly I was cold as ice.  Finally, Wayne rang the front buzzer and Linda answered with a friend, “Hello!”  Wayne said we had a birthday gift for little Mary and Linda said she’d come out and get it.  She opened the front gate, Heather was with her.  Linda looked gorgeous in a black dress and beads.  We must have chatted for five minutes or so.  She said they had just stuffed themselves full of cake and ice cream.  I gave her a couple sketches I had done and the scrapbook I started making of newspaper clippings way back in 1969, she had admired it then.  Barb mentioned if she remembered when my mom and I had talked to her then and she did remember and repeated several things that had happened too.  I was happy that she had remembered.  Well, of course we asked if we could see “the man” but he was evidently too full of cake and ice cream cause Linda said it wasn’t possible just then.  But we did sort of talk her into seeing him the next day even though they would be  busy preparing for their trip to Lagos.  Meanwhile, Mary and Stella came out the front door, standing on the top step and started to come out to the gate, and then Linda said it was time for her to go in.  So we said goodnight.  Wayne and I returned to our hotel room, where I immediately had to start finishing the portrait I was painting of Paul and Linda because I really wanted to give it to them before they left for Legos.  Needless to say we were both up till 4 ‘o’clock in the morning.

After changing our hotel and running around London looking for the perfect gifts for the whole family we were finally on the Tube to St. John’s Wood.  Nervous as could be we approached the gate and gave the buzzer a buzz, but no one was home.  A neighbor girl who was watching their dog informed us they had gone to get their vaccinations.  We were going to leave and come back but the red Lamborghini came around the corner before you know it Paul popped out, with a smile a nod and a good day.  I wished I hadn’t been too nervous because I was so dumb.  But anyway, Wayne, dear Wayne did the fast talk with his foot in the gate, so to speak and before we knew it we were being asked inside the gates.  Wayne just told Paul that we had these things to give him and something real special to show them.  What a whirl.  I just remember Paul kept saying “this better be good.”  Shit, it just made me more nervous.  Wayne took Heather and Mary to the side and showed them my painting and said didn’t they think it deserved to be put up in the hosue somewhere.  Oh yes, definitely as Mary danced about saying “It’s a picture of mommy and daddy!”  Linda, lovely Linda, then asked us, why we all don’t go in the house.  At this point, I felt al little faint.  I always had dreamed of being in Paul’s house but somehow you’re never quite prepared.  So we entered the hallowed halls of the McCartney mansion.  It was absolutely breath taking, being in that house.  I knew now that it was every man and woman for himself.  Everyone went to the room in the back of the house for the unveiling of my masterpiece and I chose to hide in the kitchen during the whole thing because I was afraid he wouldn’t like it.  I heard Linda saying how nice it was and Paul may have mumbled something but I didn’t hear him.  I silently snuck into the room, it was lit very dimly, and Wayne was saying we should look at the painting in better light, but Paul said he liked the light the way it was.  As time goes by, everything becomes a bit hazy to me.  I slightly remember Paul kept asking questions like, was Wayne still happy or if I was still happy being married. I think he asked me if Wayne was a good husband to me.  I know he seemed quite concerned about my welfare.  Then we all trooped into the kitchen, seems odd when I think on it now, Stella sitting in the middle of the floor unwrapping everything, it was really chaos and me, well, I was somewhat hanging onto the rim of the counter for fear of falling over.  Linda was standing next to me examining the contests of the bagful of gifts.  We tried to get it through that we brought a bottle of wine in hopes that we’d all sit down and have some but it didn’t work.  Paul was in the refrigerator getting something to drink, which has unanimously been elected as egg nog.  I guess I was staring at him the whole time although I remember trying not to.  Heather kept coming up to me and telling me it was nice to meet me but it was time for me to go.  Finally I made it clear that I had no intention of leaving until Paul told me to.  I guess it was Wayne and Paul who did all the talking (typical).  I could only talk to Linda.  I told her that we probably wouldn’t be back to London for some time and she was a bit surprised and said, “Oh really?”  She looked so thin and she was really so nice, sometimes I like her more than Paul.  Before I knew it we were in the room where my painting was sitting, I don’t know how we got there and then Wayne asked if we could take some pictures and Paul reacted oddly to that request, as if he didn’t know what Wayne meant. 

 We went out the back door, Paul had suggested we take the photos in the back, and were bombarded by a zooful of dogs that suddenly disappeared when Paul stepped out.  I have no idea where they went.  Linda and Paul stopped at the top step and then I stopped at the one right below Paul.  The picture take was really the fun part everyone was laughing and Paul made silly jokes and silly expressions for the camera.  Luckily, Wayne and Barb took the pictures.  I just don’t think I could have kept a steady hand.  Paul and Wayne did get in a little discussion over whether or not we enjoyed bothering him, he kept insisting that we did, but, with a little help from Linda (thanks Linda), and Paul was set straight.  I also spit out a few quiet whispers on how much it meant to us to be there and he looked at me and said he understood.  He also managed to move up a little bit ad put his arm around me and I just don’t think I could ever say what that was like.  We all just about knew it was soon time to go as we went back in and to not hold back my emotions so I grabbed Linda around the neck and hugest her, she hugged me back, I said she would never know how much it meant to me, everything.  After Wayne, Barb had both shook hands with Paul and said their goodbyes it was my turn, somehow as much as I wanted to express myself as I had with Linda I couldn’t so it was a handshake instead of a kiss, for Paul and me too, but I held his hand for a minute and gazed into his eyes.  It was time and Barb and Wayne and I walked to the front gate as Paul and Linda and Stella waved a fond farewell. 

 And that’s the way it was.  As of this date, Paul and Linda McCartney are still at large.  Any one who may know of their whereabouts, we ask that you contact “The Mess” or your local police immediately.  Keep Britain Tidy.