Last week I posted a story about a fan who won a contest to meet Paul McCartney at a hotel in Chicago in 1984. She said that someone named Joe Dera had called her to tell her that she had won and she wasn't sure if it was a hoax. She then said that she never knew who Joe Dera was. Well....guess who contacted me? Yep....Joe Dera!
Joe was very kind to share with me what his job was before he retired and share some amazing photos to put on the blog to show all of you!
From 1976-1999 Joe was Paul McCartney's press agent. This explains why Joe made that call to inform the contest winners of their good fortune. He was Ringo Starr's press agent from 1980-1989 and in the early 1990's he worked on the special project with George and Olivia Harrison for the Romanian Angels Appeal Charity. Wow! He worked with 3 out of the 4 Beatles.....that is pretty darn amazing!
Joe wanted to say a special hello to Linda Aiello. I am not sure if Linda is a reader of this blog (although I am thinking she she might be). Thank you Joe for your photos!
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| Joe with Paul and Linda in Chicago during the 1989 tour |
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| Paul and Joe during a rehearsal in 1989 |
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| Joe promoting Denny Laine's record at WNEW radio station in New York |
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| Joe and Paul with Les Paul in 1988 |
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| Isn't this adorable? Linda and Paul with Joe's 6 month old son, Sam in 1989. Today Sam is 25 years old and is a camera man. |
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| Joe with Ringo at the premiere of the All Starr Band |
the pic with baby sam is back to front I do believe...
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it was printed from a slide that Bill Bernstein took in August of 1989. Good eye. Best, Joe Dera
DeleteIn the last photo, that's Ringo and Joe Dera with Ringo's longtime business manager Hilary Gerrard (second from left) and, at far right, David Fishof, who produced the first four years' worth of tours by Ringo and his All-Starr Band.
ReplyDelete