Strangely I could not find any photographs from this press conference. So I included some fan taken photos of when Paul was in Japan in 1993. All of these things were found in the Tokyo Beatles Fan Club Magazine Issue #8 from 1994.
Attending the fans conference
By Setsuko Fujimori
Translated by Kenji Maeda
I thought that I had caught a cold because I had a fever,
aching throat and headache. It was only
three days before Paul’s first concert.
I was hoping that I would get well soon at least by the day of the
concert. On that night, a friend of mine
called me on the phone and said, “Someone told us that Paul is hoping to do a
conference with the fans. This is only a
plan and they have not even the slightest idea of how the conference might
go. But you can come with us. I will call you tomorrow again.”
I was quite elated to hear this. Then I thought, “This can’t be true, this can’t
be true.” I answered, “I can’t speak in
English, I am shy and all I can do is smile.
Even then don’t you think I may be a burden on you” and then I cursed
myself because it sounded like I was rejecting his offer. But he said, “Don’t worry; we have friends
who can speak in English. Anyway, I will
call you tomorrow!” And he hung up.
A smile rose and filled my face and then it turned into a
large grin. It was the happiest time of
my life. I thought that I would not mind
if anything whatsoever happened. If
somebody called me an “obasan” (middle aged woman), I wouldn’t be hurt. If pigeons dropped bombs onto my head, I
wouldn’t be angry! Why? Because I would see Paul!
I thought I had to go to a beauty parlous, then to choose
nice looking suits and of course to buy a gift for Paul! Next day I went to Asakusa to buy a Japanese gift
for him. I walked up and down and looked
in every souvenir shop in Nakamise Street.
Suddenly a “Den Den Daiko” (traditional small drum) caught my eye. I played it with a stick and it sounded
good. I was always going to buy it but
something occurred to me…it was made from leather!!! I gave it up and tried to find something
else. Then I found strange things in
the corner of the shop window, it consisted of a pair of little square lumbers
connected with red and white strings suspended form his next. These were “hyoshigi” (clappers) for Sumo matched,
it looked right for Paul as these were harmless to anyone, no problem with animal
rights, and made of 100% wood! I clapped
them again and again, it sounded great.
I found them at last!
I saw a news of Paul’s arrival that night, and heard that
the “fans conference” would take place as planned. My future looked bright! I called a friend of mine who is a beauty
specialist and asked to her set my hair next day. She asked me why and I said, “Don’t tell
anybody. I will see Paul!” She was surprised and said, “oh really? It’s
unbelievable! Okay I won’t tell anybody
but how is your cold? I’ve heard you
caught a bad cold.” Of course I replied,
“I will go to the conference by any means, even if I am dying!”
Next day, I went to her beauty parlour and had my hair down
but it bulged too much as if it was Liz Taylor’s hair. I tried to press it in order to reduce it to
my normal size, as I thought Paul would not recognize me if I had a chance to
see him again one day. The owner of the
beauty parlour asked me, “It looks very charming. Do you like it?” I answered, “Yes, I like this very much but I
prefer a more natural look especially for today.” She nodded and said, “You are going to a
wedding, aren’t you?” I shook my
head. Then she asked me again, “Are you
going to a party?” I had to say no. I thought she misunderstood me because she
seemed to be convinced that I was going to “omiai” (which means to meet a man
formally with a view to arranging engagement) at this point. But I didn’t mind whatever she thought. It’s all for my Paul!
Then I suddenly noticed that my friend was beautiful in her
best suit that day. She said, “Your cold
seems terrible. It will be a problem if
you pass it on to Paul, but I’m afraid you haven’t time to find another
person. So how about me? I don’t mind to attend the conference instead
of you. Oh how transient friendship
is! You can’t trust anybody when you’re meeting
Paul!
This was the first time for me to go into TV studios. We were conducted into a waiting room, which
looked like a classroom or something.
There were more people than I had expected, but there were no familiar groupies. This must be great. The woman in charge began to explain the
details of the conference. She told us
to write down questions go to Paul on sheets of paper, but how could I ask Paul
a question? I might faint if he looked
straight at me.
At last we were led to the studio down below. There were many TV cameras and a stage was
set with a large photo of the new album “Pau is Live.” There were a table and a chair that Paul was
to sit on. Such an atmosphere made me
hot, nobody can be cool under there circumstances. Suddenly Geoff Baker announced, “Paul
McCartney!” I heard him stepping up on
stage and there he was! I couldn’t
believe it, but it was the real Paul He
had been an important man for all my life, who sometimes made me run, sometimes
surprised me and sometimes made me cry but never made me hate him. A bright, warm and cheerful man who always
made me happy. The real Paul was
sitting there in front of me! The way he
sat, the way e turned his face sideways, the way he drank a cup of water, the
way he winked and the way he looked straight – they were all familiar to me,
but they were different. The real Paul
was sparkling, far smarter than I had imagined.
I was glad not to be chosen as a questioner, because I would prefer to
look him fixedly without any worries. I
really hoped that time would be stopped at this point.
But unfortunately, time passed us by. Questions ended. Paul was going away swiftly, but a woman with
a bunch of flowers detained him. And I
found myself standing at the front row of the crowd who had gathered around
Paul for his autograph. At that came in
sight was only Paul’s face, I wouldn’t noticed even if something else appeared,
I watched him, just him. The fans in the
sixties might have fainted on such occasion, but it seemed to be a waste of
time for me, so I just kept watching him.
People pushed me from behind just like a rush hour train. I felt my leg was aching and one of my shoes
was lost, but I would defend my place to the death even if the third world war
began! Paul was giving autographs very
swiftly, using Geoff’s marker. I had a
box of Linda’s veggie foods to have him sign on, but there were hands after
hands even form behind me, and Paul couldn’t try to grasp my box of veggie
foods for a moment. But at last, the
time for me case. There was no time to
have a conversation with him. I tried to
say something but my mouth couldn’t move.
I tried to pass him my gift, a bag that contained hyoshigi and a short
message saying, “Welcome Paul and Linda!
Please enjoy Japan!” He was busy
giving autographs. I almost gave up but
he got it a few second before he left.
Then every thing was over.
I met Paul at last. I had every
happiness on earth. I hugged my box of
veggie foods with his autograph on it.
It was already dark outside. I
said to myself, “Is this all over? No,
it has just begun!”
Fan Conference In Tokyo, Japan November 11, 1993
Q: The Paul is Live
album has just come out in Japan on 10th November. How did this album cover come about? Is it a kind of parody of Abbey Road?
Paul: Yeah, um…can
you understand me? (Fans: YES!!).
Sure, you can. Um…yeah. I was looking for a title for the live album
and we were talking about the old rumour of “Paul is Dead” story. So I thought “Paul is Dead” was good but it’s
a live album so we called it “Paul is Live.”
I went back to the crossing in Abbey road and I went across it again with
my dog, actually my son’s dog, and we made it up. So it’s a parody, yes, a parody of “Paul is
Dead” story, because I admired it!
Q: You’re trying to
establish a music school in Liverpool.
When will the study be opened and is it possible for us to enroll form
Japan as well?
P: Yeah. It’s going to…we’re hoping to be opened in
1995. It is my old school, a school I
went to with George Harrison and it was called the Liverpool Institute. But it was closed and it was falling into ruins. So we decided to try and save it. I am going to try and create a performing
arts school in 1995 for people over 18.
And yes, you can enroll from Japan.
It’s for local children and for overseas people, so anybody can enroll—Japanese,
Americans, Chinese…
Q: (The questioner
complimented Paul in English before asking her question in Japanese. “You’re aging
well.”) Is there any possibility of
broadcasting the Japanese tour on Japanese TV?
P: Yeah, I think we
are going to film certain bits. Thank
you for your compliments by “aging well”.
(Fans laugh) I think they might
do some bits but I am not sure yet.
There’s no plan for the whole show to go. I think they might be doing some numbers, and
there’s a plan for a moment to do stuff on the sound check which we do, we do a
sound check every day. So I think there’ll
be something on Japanese television. I’m
not sure what yet, but there’ll be something just for you.
Q: (A Japanese
actress, Tomoko Fujita, asked in English)
What is the difference between other countries’ concerts and the
Japanese concerts on this tour? Is three
any difference between the 1990 concerts and the 1993 concerts?
P: Yes, there is
quite a difference form the last time we played in Tokyo. But it’s basically the same show we’d been
taking around to America, Australia and Europe.
Q: Some new songs?
P” Yes, some new
songs form the last time, definitely yes.
We do new “old” songs. You see
what I mean, new Beatles’ songs. And
quite a few of the songs are different.
I think about five were in the last Tokyo show, but the rest of all are
different. But it is the same show we
are doing all over the world because we like it.
Q: Ossu! Paul!
(Ossu is a funny word which means, “Hi” and Paul used to say this on
stage in Japan. He answered, “Ossu” and
fans laughed) The red and blue Cds had
just come out in Japan and they sell well.
What would you say the reason you’re capturing younger generations’
mind?
P: I don’t know! But I am very pleased to hear it because, you
know, it’s quite 25 years since we made most of our songs. It’s difficult to say. I think because the songs are good and that’s
the work we did as a group. I can say it
now because you know.. I’ve not been modest but I think it’s a very good work
and I think that the songs are loved by every one, which is quite special. I’m very proud of the work I did with the
Beatles. Young people these days listen
to the songs and they still find something in them. I think that’s the reason. Just that the songs and the recordings were
good. I think young people now who look
at modern music may think maybe some other old stuff is just as good, or maybe
even better.
Q: Have you got any
Japanese artists or musicians whom you know well? Who is your favorite?
P: Unfortunately, we
don’t hear or see Japanese artists in England.
So I don’t really know too many people.
I heard some record, I used to know, “Yellow Magic,” is it?
That’s all I know really, because I say, there’s only one or two groups
really get on to England and we hear the record. So there’s probably people I’ve never
heard. Terrible, isn’t it?
Q: It is said that
you’re going to collaborate with George and Ringo in writing and recording a
song. When will it be realized?
P: Well, we haven’t
done anything yet. But the idea is that
making of Beatles’ story in England which is an eight-part TV programme and it’s
the whole story of the Beatles. We’re
doing interviews and helping them make it.
One of the ideas was that maybe we make the film for the last episode,
maybe we make a few pieces of music, maybe one piece of music . So this is a plan at the moment, just maybe
we do that. But if we’d do it, might do
it in January sometime, and then you might see it by the end of next year. But we haven’t got in the studio yet, so we
don’t know. We’re talking about it.
Q: (The questioner
brought a Rickenbacker bass guitar with Paul’s autograph on it). I’ve got your autograph on this guitar at the
Hotel Okura 3 years ago. Do you remember
me? (Paul gestures that he didn’t
remember him at all, but said, “Yeah” reluctantly. Fans broke into laughter). Until when do you think you’ll be able to
continue as a rock hero?
P: I think it’ll be about the age of probably 98 (fans
laugh). But then I think I’ll probably
be getting too old; there could be very slow songs from a wheelchair! (Laughter
again). Now I don’t know, I don’t really
know. Just the truth is as long as I
enjoy it, and as long as people come to see me.
And, you know, if we have trouble selling tickets, or people don’t wanna
come, then I…. But I enjoy it so much. I
thought we would be finished at about the age of 30 or something, but I’ll keep
going on. I don’t know why but I like to
so much.
Q: It’s about 30
years since the Beatles debut and many Japanese people have been influenced by
the Beatles. What would you like to say
the most of the people in Japan who now like the Beatles’ music?
P: Well what a nice
thing looking back on the Beatles thing is that the message was always “Love
and Peace,” which I am very proud of, because it influenced many other
people. So it’s really still the same
message. I think if we can reach some
people in the world, we would say to them, you know “Peace is great, to
understand each other and trying to love each other are great thing,” Then if
there’s a chance, if they all told their children and passed the message on,
obviously can’t reach everyone, but if we can reach enough people, then we
might have a good world in the future.
That’s still our message, same old message.
Q: I’m crazy about you and I’ve been thinking if I could be
your wife but…(Paul gestures and then wagged his finger with a desperate look
on his face so every one laughed) now you have a wonderful lady so I must give
up the idea. She is your wife, but
sometimes she’s a mother, a photographer, a vegetarian specialist, or even a
player in the band. How do you feel
about her gift?
P: My wife’s talent,
yeah? Umm..she is great, that’s why I
married her. Yeah, I think she has many
talents, I think probably her best talent is as a photographer, which is how
she started off. That’s probably what
you’d most remember her for, but she has now got into cooking vegetarian foods
and she’s doing great things with that.
I think it’s good you know these days that women are becoming more
equal. I think it’s good somebody like
that can get a long career. So I’m very
proud of her. I think she is a great
woman. We’ve been together, next year we’ll
have been married for 25 years. Anyway,
but I must like her to be married for 25 years.
She’s good.
Q: (The questioner
has a large car with a big heart on it) This card is the one you threw into the
audience after the encore for the last concert in Tokyo 3 years ago. I picked this up and have cherished this
since then. Do you remember this
card? Well, I like the Sumo match, the
Japanese wrestling, very much. Are you
interested in these cultural and traditional aspects of Japan? How are you interested?
P: Yeah, I like
Sumo. Actually I first saw it in Hawaii
a few years ago. Yeah I think it was
very good. I was just watching yesterday when..what was
his name..Konishishi…Koni (fans say Konishiki)yeah, you got it, he’s too fat
now, he’s too big, but anyway it’s great.
I like it, you know, it’s very interesting. It’s good sports, I like that. Yeah.
One day I’ll be a Sumo wrestler, gaining weight. Do you like to do it? Sure I think it’s very good. I’m interested in it now. Yeah very good.
At this point Geoff Baker said it’s time to go and Paul
said, “Okay, Arigato, Goodbye!” but before he went he gave autographs to the
fans.
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