Thursday, February 28, 2013

New Year's Eve Encounter

This has to count as the story written the fast after meeting a Beatle.   10 minutes later and this fan is writing all about meeting Paul on New Year's Eve in 1981.   The fan who had this brief meeting with Paul was Cyn Novacek and she wrote this as a letter to 'With a little Help from my Friends' fanzine.   The letter appeared along with one of the photos she took that evening (which I scanned and posted here) in the January 1982 (Issue #37) of the magazine.  

photo by Cyn Novacek


(Normally quiet and calm Cyn Novacek wrote us a letter shortly after she met Paul this past December, after a couple of months of attempts with no luck.  This letter just goes to show you how much the man can totally unravel even the quietest of us.  Thanks to Cyn for letter us printing it here to share with everybody!)

December 31, 1981
Happy New Year!  I just saw the Big Mac not more than 10 minutes ago!!  I can’t remember anything!  Well, I can, but only a little.

I walked over to MPL about 3:30 and from across the square I saw the lights on upstairs and this blonde woman walking around.  I hurried over and sure enough, it was Linda.  Then Rose (the housekeeper) pulled up in a red Mercedes station wagon and out piled Stella, James (with his pants falling down as usual) and three dogs.

I started talking to two girls waiting out front and they said they’d been waiting for a couple of hours.  Linda had come out earlier and signed some books they had brought.

As we waited a bunch of Italians wandered up and started asking questions.  Then they decided to stay.  Great, what a mob.  We were worried it would put Paul off.

About 15 minutes later, here comes the old boy himself, leading one of the kids down the MPL staircase.  (He practically threw himself at us to sign autographs when he came out the door!)
Through the crowd of heads and waving pens I managed to take two pictures.  But I don’t guarantee anything.  I am still shaking!  And it was dark, too.  (One did turn out!!)

I think if the Italians hadn’t been there, I might have gotten a better chance for a picture and been able to have explained the t-shirt I bought for him a little better.  I mentioned Minneapolis to him as he hurried for the car and he very nicely acknowledged the place (but I meant to say St. Paul) and then handed him the t-shirt and told him that it was for him to remember us by (so he’d come back, but that part never got out!).  Yet even in a hurry, he’s very gracious and very nice.  (In case you don’t remember the t-shirt, really a jersey, is black and has “St. Paul” on it in white letters; and just below that, in black letters, so as to blend with the shirt, is spelled out Minnesota.”)  Linda’s face lit up when I handed her the bright red lead rope I brought for her to use on her horses.   Right away she starts telling me about her Appaloosa.

I’m STILL shaking.  Even after he got in the car and drove away.  I had trouble leaving MPL.  I wanted him to come back and do it all over.  All I can remember of his clothing was a nice looking dark coat.  His hair reminded more of 1963-64.

(Later) It’s been a few hours and I’ve finally settled down and sorted my thought out.
Linda didn’t look half bad this time.  Her hair looked nice and she wore a decent looking skirt and sweater with tan boots.  I wish I could remember Paul better.  I spent quite a few moments looking at him through the lens and trying to focus in the dark.  It’s funny how hard one can stare at someone and not be able to remember them.  Talk about mesmerized!  The only things I can truly remember were the two or three times he looked right at me; and seeing his crowfeet when his face would light up with a smile.  He may have been wearing one of his “trademark” sweater-vests because I vaguely remember seeing a splash of color on him.  Only the pictures know for sure.  The two I took where of him signing autographs.  I personally don’t like that type of pictures (looking down) but they are better than nothing.  That man had got to give me another chance so I can act the calm and cool person I really am.

I don’t think Paul had a chance to see what I had printed on that jersey before he snatched it away; he seemed happy just to get a present!  I tell you that guy is gracious even on the run.  Only Linda was even more gracious- I tell you that look on her face as she thanked me made me feel great.  I really wish I could’ve asked her a couple questions about her Appaloosa, I think it’s one good way of getting them to stop and talk (her anyway; if she stops, she’ll get him to stop).  Linda didn’t have him in her usual clutches this time even – I wonder when the amputation took place?!

1 comment:

  1. I would have done the same exact thing, I would have written it all down as soon as possible so I wouldn't miss a comma!!

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