The Gruesome Twosome in London

Photo by Jorie Gracen

Photo by Jorie Gracen

Mindy and Paul  photo by Jorice Gracen

Here are the Paul encounters by Jorie and Mindy from October 1978, during the time that Paul was recording "Back to the Egg"."  This one was published in the Fall 1978 issue of the McCartney Observer. 

The Gruesome Twosome in London

By Mindy G.

Our story begins at a well-known recording studio located on an equally well-known street in London – EMI on Abbey Road.  After much finagling, we finally managed to get ourselves a tour of the studio for a Chicago rock paper.  We knew Paul was supposed to record there that week (Oct. 2-6 1979), sly devils that we are.  But all our connections missed that day, because we missed his grand entrance (tales of him being pulled along on a trolley and otherwise acting bonkers were told to torture us later) and while in the studio, we were steered pointedly away from studio 2 here Paul and company were hanging out.  We nevertheless heard some good stories about Paul and the Beatles and lingered in a mixing room where they were readying a Beatles early hits package for Germany.  EMI is just the place for Beatles freaks – everyone walking around there has long memories (all of the Beatleish) and lots of love and respect for Paul.  What about him, you’re no doubt screaming.  Well, like loyal fans we went back that night to catch him as he left.  He walked out with Linda who was holding James and we made a beeline for the car (a green rolls).  He was busily putting things away in the trunk with his back to me, so I just said “Paul” and he turned around.  What a shocking moment – everyone should have one.  He looked so young and beautiful, 20 times better than his pictures, that I was just flabbergasted.  Pulling myself together, I waved a picture of him and asked him to sign it.  “Could you wait just a minute, I forget something” and he bounced back into the studio.   I‘ve waited 14 years, what’s one more minutes after all.  Our friends Karen and Patty were chatting with Linda, already ensconced in the car with baby James, but Jorie and I were rooted to the spot, unwilling to waste a moment with Paul when he returned.  Said the ever pregnant Wing of plans for future Maccas, “I think four’s enough” (she’s had enough!).  Finally Paul comes bounding out (from a different door, thought he’d throw us off the track), runs right into the car and proceeds to back up.  Fearing for our lives and our London town postcards, we rushed up the steps, disbelieving.  All these years of anticipating a face-to-face with Paul and he was going to drive away without ever a “fab, gear!”  Jorie said disgustedly “Let’s get out of here.”  At that moment Mr. P. turns around all wide-eyed and innocent and says, “Did you want me to sign those then?”  No, we’d prefer it if you would just drive away without stopping.  Honestly!  He signed our photos without much comment.  We asked if he had received our gifts (given to Rosie at his house the week before) and he just said “No,” but a surprisingly interested voice from the other side said, “Did you bring them to MPL?  We haven’t been there yet.”  Nice of Linda to try and answer us.  I don’t know where Paul’s mind was that night, but it definitely wasn’t in front of EMI!  

Tuesday was a bit super session with Peter Townsend, Eric Clapton, two members of Led Zeppelin and various other superstars.  We didn’t see any of them; but did see Paul, Linda and Denny (and that was enough!).  Seems that one track on the new album will feature all these people – should be quite something to hear.  Big hurry that day – only stopped for a few seconds, but when he heard the motor drive on the camera, obligingly  made little chipmunk faces!  Very much the big star then, but looking just gorgeous in a white flowing top and print vest.  Your intrepid reporter was much too busy staring at Paul to give more than a glace to Linda’s electric green socks and pink dress.  She was, however, quite pleasant, although still surgically attached to Paul’s left arm.

 The next day, Wednesday, was doubly good – Paul came alone and in a playful mood.  He drove up, ironically enough, to the strains of “Got to Get you Into my Life” by Earth, Wind and Fire.  We ran over as he bounced out of the car.  I was wearing a LondonTown necklace, purchased at Beatlefest ’78 in Chicago in July.  He pointed at it and said, “That’s nice, where’d you get it?”  Unthinking, I replied, “At a Beatle convention.”  Oh no, it can’t be so!  The dread word wiped the smile off his face for a moment but he recovered quickly while I babbled on about conventions having a lot of Wings stuff, too.  Then Jorie and I both started to take his picture and he kindly took charge of the photo session.  “Ready?  One, Two, Three, click!” he said.  Of course, we clicked simultaneously, wouldn’t want Paul to think we were inefficient.  Fact is, none of my pictures from that day turned out, but I won’t tell him that!  As he turned to leave we said, “Could we pose with you for a picture?”  “Alright” he said after a moment.  I stood with him and just as I was deciding how close to stand he cutely poked me in the ribs with his elbow!  If you’ve ever been poked by one P. McCartney, you’ll know exactly how sexy that move is!  I took the hint and moved right next to him and took his right arm.  Click.  “Now it’s your turn,” he said to Jorie.  Should have been a camp counselor with his talent for organizing!  Jorie leaned against him and he smiled broadly while I tried to focus.  Then he started to walk away after the picture, but coyly came back, gave Jorie one of those famed poke in the ribs, winked, made a clicking sound and said, “Alright then?”  More than alright!  Thank you!  Tow Emi workers came out after this to ask us if we were happy now.  Probably saw the whole thing from the stairs, but we were beyond embarrassment.    After hours of waiting in front of EMI, you become immune to people’s stares.  Went back that night for another dose of Macca, but as there were other people there, we remained on the sidewalk till he drove out.  We waved.  He returned it with a wink and smile.   

Thursday was their day off, but with a little help from our friends, we discovered he’d be at RAK studio Friday.  Waited for the familiar green Rolls to drive up, but he pulled the old switch and rode in a very flashy red Jaguar.  Looking as flashy as the car in a blue jacket, sweater and tight blue pants, he hopped out, flipped his jacket up at us and stopped in mid-street to talk to an engineer from RAK.  Just another of Paul’s little torture tactics – make ‘em wait for it is his motto.  Not in the best of moods today, but we dearly wanted a personal autograph and we’d be back in the U.S. that night.  Jorie handed him the same photo as Monday night.  Unfortunately, he remembered it and was in a frightening mood.  “I signed this already,” he said.  Jorie, fearing for her autograph, said, “No you didn’t.”  But the famous mind was working overtime and he insisted, “I signed two of these outside of EMI.”  Of course he was right, but why give us an argument?  Those were for friends.   Jorie definitely insisted he didn’t sign it for her.  After one searching look, he gave up and scribbled his name and handed it to her with a smirk as if to say, “I know you’re lying, but I’ll do it anyway.”  She shoved it back and said “could you sign it ‘to Jorie?’” Some people are never satisfied, he must have thought, but he dutifully signed it, correct spelling and all.  Signed mine too, very nicely and walked in.  As he seemed annoyed by the whole incident, all my burning questions about the tour, album, and the lot were left unsaid.  New Wing Lawrence Juber (watch out for this one – he’s adorable) however, said Wings will tour the U.S. by summer and a new album should be out after December.

It was a real education meeting Paul and seeing him change into five different moods in as many minutes.  Some final words of wisdom to aspiring Macca hunters:  1.  Good hunting season is September-October or March.  2.  Essential gear should include a heavy coat, comfortable shoes, pen and Wings photo or book 3.  Certain words such as ‘Beatles’ should be avoided so as not to anger the big Macca 4.  Danger signals when stalking your prey include a hurried step, flaring nostrils, tight closed expression and curt replies.  You’ll be well rewarded for your efforts when with a wink and a smile you fall in love with him all over again.