Somewhere in New Zealand

Photo  Auckland Star

With Ringo going to New Zealand in the next few weeks, it got me thinking about other times when one of the Beatles during the solo years visited that country.   Then I got issue # 54/55 from October 1984-January 1985 of the Harrison Alliance that had a really great story told by Wayne Falconer of when George and Derek Taylor were in New Zealand in November 1984 to promote Derek's book, Fifty Years Adrift.    Wayne had the amazing opportunity to attend the Literacy Luncheon held in Auckland and then he met George again at the airport the next day.   Here is his story (and photos).  This one took me most of the evening to type out, so just a warning that it is a long one.

Somewhere in New Zealand

By Wayne Falconer, Wellington, NZ

The event which I thought would never happen to me occurred as a fantasy of Spielburgian proportions.  Not only did I get to see George, but I (along with 200 others) got to dine and talk intimately with George for two and a half beautiful hours.  And to cap it all off, got to meet George again the next day.

Wednesday, November 28, 1984 – the Literary Luncheon

I first found out George was coming to New Zealand about two months ago.  I heard through a contact in “the business” that hew would be hosting a literary luncheon along with the ever loving Mr. Derek Taylor, to launch the (oh so long) awaited book, “Fifty Years Adrift,” on November 28^th.  I immediately put forth feelers for a ticket; to cut a long story short, a ticket was forthcoming, so all I had to do now was wait.  I had let my Beatle-buddy, Mike Appleby, in on the secret.  Mike also got a ticket so we decided to go to Auckland together.

The luncheon was being held at the Hyatt Hotel in Auckland, so by consulting maps I was able to book us a room at a guest house on the same street.  How fortunate this was for us will be revealed later.

Time passed slowly until at last, we were on the overnight sleeper train from Wellington to Auckland.  We arrived the day before the dinner and spend a lot of time (and money on a frantic taxi ride) at the airport trying to catch George arriving.  Alas, we had missed him by one hour.  He was on the very first incoming flight of the day while we were still on the train.  At least we knew that the next day, Wednesday, we would definitely be seeing him.

The day started well, with a photo of George on the front page of the paper as he was about to take a drive around town to see the sights.  He looked excellent in the photo and this only helped to increase the excitement.  In a few short hours we would see him!

I had hired a camera for the trip, with the express hope of taking good quality photos not only for my benefit, but for the hordes of George fans for whom I may be the only link on this event.  I have always felt warm gratitude to those who have met George in the past and have let all of us share the moment through their photos.  Now came a major snag.  Printed on the ticket was the command, “Please no Cameras.”   Mike had actually written in to see if we could quietly take a couple of shots, but the reply was definitely a big “No!”   We decided to try and smuggle them into the luncheon, and watched as many others had cameras, recoding gear, etc. confiscated in the nicest possible way, to be returned after the dinner.  We decided to take our cameras back to our room because as I said, “Even if we do get them in, I don’t think I could just stand up and start flashing away in George’s face!”  So back we ran to our rooms and returned camera free.  We passed the security guards at the door and we entered the main room.

George and Derek hadn’t arrived yet, so everyone was looking at the exhibition of memorabilia, including handwritten Beatle letters, photos, etc. various other limited edition books, including pages and illustrations for a forthcoming book by Genesis call “Songs of George Harrison.”  This appears to be hand printed lyrics with accompanying pictures.  There was a small book of that title included in the display and whether that is the size of the book or not I couldn’t say – if so it’s going to be a very small-matchbox size in fact.

Mike and I had split up as we both perused the display at different speeds.  On one occasion I looked up at the head table.  Still no sign of our stars.  I looked up a short time later, and to my surprise, there was Derek Taylor.  Excitement shot through me.  That must mean George was about.  I moved a bit to my right and as I passed a pillar, there I saw for the first time, George Harrison seated next to Derek.  All my doubts about whether George would look as good in real life as in photos were instantly gone.  He looked stunning, perfectly George, at his very best.   For the record, he wore a black, blue, yellow and red Hawaiian shirt under a very modern grey baggy-style suit of light gray with black flecks running through it, and white track shoes.  I gaped with pure joy at him as I slowly walked to my table.

George in great form – talking to the other “officials” at his table, laughing and joking with Derek and generally gazing around with a happy smile on his face.  I suddenly realized that Mike was still missing, so I ran and told him George was here, and led him to our table.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off George.  To see him sitting only yards away, happy, full of animation and good spirits was like a dream.  I‘d look away for second, just so that looking at him again was another buzz!  Everyone at our table started raving about how great he looked.  “He looks about thirty,” said one woman.  At one point, an old man approached George to shake his hand, and George stood up out of his chair to meet and shake hands with the old timer. I was leaning out a bit from my chair so that I could see George clearly past another person in front, and at that point, George saw me, leaning out a bit as well, and flashed me one of his 5000 watt grins.  Can you imagine that!!!  My mind was going crazy with joy that, for that short time, he’d actually given me his special attention!

David Hedley, who was releasing the book in New Zealand, now stood up from George’s table, and announced that lunch would be served soon, after which he would call upon our two guests to say a few words.  He then sat down, and chatter commenced among the guests.  At this point, George must have decided this was a good time to make a diplomatic visit to the toilet, so he got up and walked straight in our direction for the door.  As he passed, one of the guys at our table put out his hand and George happily shook it.  “Nice to meet you, George,” said the man.  “And you,” said George.  He was so close it was unreal.  “It actually happened,” said the guy who had just got lucky, after George had left.  On his way back to his table, George was asked for an autograph by one or two males who, at this stage, I thought, should have known better.

Our meals arrived.  We had on choice – lamb (oh well, this is New Zealand you know—more sheep than people).  George had pan fried fish, and I noticed his ever favorite Perrier water.  I was happy to wash it all down with jugs of fresh orange juice and a bit of wine.

Now came the highlight of the dinner – the speeches.   David Hedley stood up first, and gave a rundown on rare editions, the craftsmanship involved, and how privileged we were to be having the world release of Derek’s book down here in New Zealand.  David seemed a very nice man, and being so, he seemed a littler overwhelmed and occasionally stumbled in his speech.  He asked George to say a few words first (calling him “the editor”), to which George pulled a small surprised face, as if he’d been expecting Derek to speak first.

George bounced up to the microphone holding a copy of “Fifty Years Adrift” and said so nicely and sincerely, in reference to David Hedley’s warm and slightly stumbled speech, “Thank you David.  Very nice speech.  I only wish I could make speeches that good.”  He said it was very nice to be here in New Zealand and “I first got involved with these books because they look so nice, and as I mentioned in ‘I Me Mine,’ it’s nice to have these small bits of paper dignified in this way.  (Laughter)  They call this a companion volume to ‘I Me Mine,’ so I don’t know if that means we’ve got a couple of gay books here or what.”  (Big laugh from the crowd).  “I don’t know what else to say really, so I’ll just read a quote from the book before I pass you over to Derek.”  He then read the quote form the book, one about there’s a lot of sincerity between these covers and a lot of cover between the sincerities, and then closed with a thank you, followed by great applause.

It was so great to hear him speak, he looked right at ease, and the crowd loved him.  Derek then did a longer speech, during which George laughed along with the rest of us.  David Hedley then made one more announcement that George and Derek would come around and visit each table, so if we would please stay where we were, and please no autographs, as George had just recently signed the books.  Despite this announcement, three or four people immediately went up to George at the end of his table, where he stood and chatted.  More people arrived.  Mike said should we go up too.  I said no, as George would probably leave them soon to visit the tables, and if we did what we were asked we should be ok.  After two or three minutes of more people arriving at George’s table, I said, “come on, let’s go.”  Clearly, George wasn’t going to make it round the tables, so let the tables come to him!

Up we walked to meet George Harrison.  I was standing to his right, and as we arrived he was holding a copy of “Gone Troppo” that someone wanted him to sign.  He looked at it and nicely gave it back (unsigned), asking at the same time if the owner had liked it, as it hadn’t seemed to have sold too many copies.  The guy said he did like it and kept offering a pen hopefully.  George did sign it then.  At that time my face was two feet from his and I really studied his face.  It was perfect; his skin is practically flawless, and the closer you get, the better he looks.  His hair is full and almost black.  I thought I’d notice a grey hair or two, but not one was to be seen.  The lines under his eyes look hardly noticeable in real life, whereas in some photos they look really heavy – no so.  I only go on about his appearance, because it was such a long and easy time to really absorb the way he looks.  He wasn’t rushing off anywhere or in a hurry to move on.

Someone mentioned the David Frost show he did with John Lennon, when they discussed the Maharishi.  George seemed to think the guy had recently seen it on TV.  “Don’t you mean the David Frost show round the Bangla Desh time?”  I said, “No, George, it was on in 1967 when you talked about meditation.”  He turned full on to me and was looking me right in the eyes.  “Oh yeah, because I’ve tried to get a copy from the BBC, but they haven’t got it.  That was before they starting saving things.”

Me:  “It’s always the way, isn’t it?”

George:  “Yeah.” As he talked he glanced at my Dark Horse badge on my lapel.

Someone said they heard he was into gardening these days.  George said yeah he was, and how nice it was to be out there in the garden where there was no problem with the plants.  Another person where there was no problem with the plants.  Another person said they supposed films took up most of his time these days.

George:  “Yeah, I only produce them, y’know.  I don’t star in them or anything.  There’s one coming out soon called, “Private Function,” which I don’t like that much, actually, and after that, one called “Water.”

Question:  Are you still friendly with Paul and Ringo?

George:  I’ve never been on better terms with them, especially Ringo, lately.  He’s always around.  In fact, Ringo and Eric Clapton and me make a brief appearance in “Water.”   George went on to say how those three make up the members of a band seen in the film playing by the United Nations.  He said that wasn’t just to push the film or anything, but because it really fitted into the context.   

Someone asked if he’d still record.  George replied that it wasn’t the music that held him back; rather it was the music business.  He said it’s gotten to the stage where you have computers picking the hits.  He’s been in the music business so long now that he’s past the stage where he’s prepared to go “groveling and scraping to some music executive” He said he’s written 28 songs in the past two months.  He seemed to me to be quite pleased about what he’d written, so here’s hoping!

At this stage, I asked George a question, “Do you still mediate, or does chanting sort of replace that now?”   George turned again and looked straight at me.  He said he really hadn’t done mediation, as such, for some time now.  He said it really depends on the day.   “You know, I’m a Pisces so I’m generally going one way and meet myself coming back.  Some days I am going “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna” all the time, and not drinking, trying to get myself really straight. “   Then he said he’d do just the opposite.

Mike, who was standing behind me, took this chance to ask if George’s hand was still sore after signing all the copies of the book.  George said it wasn’t too bad.

“Last year on TV I saw a program about the mistreatment of political prisoners, and at the end, I saw your name in the credits.  What was your involvement with that show?”  I asked.

“When was this, last year?”  No….I don’t…was it an Amnesty thing?”   He replied.  I said yes, I thought it was.  George said it might be then, as he usually “slips them” a little something.

George then asked me where I got my badge, because they were from his 1974 U.S. tour.  I said I had gotten it from America (Thanks Harrison Alliance!)

Another LP was offered and signed (a bootleg, too, I believe!) and then the official started to usher George away to a press conference which was being held in an adjoining room and NOT open to dinner guests.  Instinctively I said, “George, can I shake your hand?”  “Yeah, sure,” said George.  His handshake was soft and dry.  I think Mike also put out his hand and got it shaken.  Just before he left I said in parting, “You’ve never looked better, George.”  He delightedly replied, “Oh yeah?  I ‘m getting a bit older now” (He rubbed his chin).  “It doesn’t show!” I answered.  Then he was ushered away toward the conference room.  As he passed a table, he walked over to it and said to the lucky occupants, “Hello, how are you….nice to meet you.”  Then he was gone.

I suddenly had a flash.  “Let’s go get the cameras.  No one will be expecting us to walk back in with them.”  So away we ran.  Thank goodness the rooms were so close.  We put the cameras under our jackets and walked back in, explaining to the guard that we’d just been out for some fresh air.  We stood at the open door of the conference and asked if we could take a photo from the door.  The girl at the desk said ok, so I held up the camera and snapped off three distant pictures.  Then we were asked if we were press, and as we weren’t, we were told to move away; we did.   At least I got something, I thought.

One of the guards approached us.  I thought the cameras were going to be taken, but to our surprise, the guard was a friend.  He had seen our predicament, and quietly said he’d show us which way George would be leaving the press conference!  What a nice guy!  He even gave us a silent wink and pointed to the door as we stood trying to look inconspicuous with our cameras held down, behind a display case.  Half a long hour passed, and as the official who had moved us away from the conference room was hovering about, I was nervous about being caught out again.  Then at last the doors opened and George appeared.  He was walking straight toward and past me.  I got off four or five pictures and George seemed only too happy to go along with the occasion.  He was then ushered out through the kitchen.

All afternoon George had been extremely friendly to all, happy to talk about anything mentioned, and in a great frame of mind.  The other side of his character that showed itself was his kindness.  It’s hard to explain, but he seemed a very, very nice guy, despite the fact that he is famous.  And if all this seems too good to be true, then I’m sorry, but that is how it was.

Mike had heard from someone at the dinner that George was checking out of the hotel at nine the next morning.  On the radio that night it was reported that Derek said they would probably leave in two days’ time on Friday.  We decided to play on Mike’s info and prepared to rise at seven the next morning and go to the airport.

Thursday:  November 29, 1984:  Auckland International Airport

After a very sleepless night we rose early and made our way to Auckland Airport.  There was only one fight that George could have been taking, to Australia as it happened, so we were both on tenterhooks to see if he would appear.  Car after car pulled up.  People filed into the overseas departure door.  It got to the stage where I seriously thought we’d got it wrong and he wasn’t going to appear.  The foyer where we were was all but deserted.  Then, at the very end of the platform a taxi pulled in.  In the back were two silhouettes.  “That looks like George.”  I said.  Mike said no, he thought it was a woman!  Then Derek Taylor got out.  “That’s them!”  I said, “Let’s go.”  We quickly walked up to the cab.  I noticed that George was paying the taxi driver, and was handing over some small change.  This was another pleasant glimpse of George; an unspoilt star – no leaving all the minor details to Derek or a gofer.  George got out of the car as I said hello again to him.  “Oh hello,” he said pliantly.  Mike was still catching up at this point, and George made a bit of idle conversation with me.  

The Mike handed him a copy of 33 1/3 to sign.  “Oh, you’ve got my latest album!”  Said George in quite a good humored dig.  He was in a great mood and very friendly as he had been yesterday.  I then got a copy of a Hare Krishna book George was in autographed.  He turned it over and checked out the cover before signing it.  Mike said he’d seen a bit from the press conference on TV last night.   George asked what bit they showed.  As Mike was telling him, I popped behind his back to get off two photos – one from each side.  George also deliberately looked up at one stage and gave a big smile just for the camera.  He sure wasn’t camera shy this time out!  He then said he’d have to go and check in for the flight, so as I was standing close to him, I motioned for Mike to get a picture.  To my utter surprise, George actually offered to pose with me.  “Do you want one?”  He asked.  I said please not to bother.  He said, “No, that’s o.k., he can take one, then you can take one.”  I thanked him, and as I stood next to him, George actually put his hand on my shoulder.  I just couldn’t believe it.  I would have been happy with a running shot of George walking past, but all this was incredible.

When we’d both had our photos taken, he said again that he’d better go now and check in.  We thanked him profusely, of course, and he replied, “That’s o.k.  Take care, nice to meet you, “and he started to head into the airport lounge. 

I just want to say something about his appearance.  Having been a George devotee for twenty years, I have often pondered if George looks as good in real life as he does in his photos.  I have sometimes seen pictures of George that make him look strange or a bit different to what I would expect.  This was the one over-riding doubt about getting to see him - what if he looked rather different to the George I “knew” – the George I had expected to see.  To any others who have wondered the same thing, let me assure you, George looks incredibly handsome and exactly as he looks in his best photos.  In fact his face has almost a 3-D quality of perfection about it.  His face would stand out anywhere as instantly recognizable.  George looks just like you’d expect.

All I can saw now is after waiting twenty years to meet George, it was actually better in real life than it was in my imaginations.  It’s a relief to know after all that time that the human side of George is as nice as anyone could wish and he is the person you’d always thought he was.