The Best Sick Day Birthday Ever!

This story was written by Kim Wikans of Valley Stream, New York and was originally published in the August/September 1978 issue of  'The Write Thing.'

Kim and Ringo at WABC on April 10, 1978

Monday,  April 10, 1978, started out special.  It was my 20th birthday.  I wasn't feeling well, so I stayed home from work.   I work at WABC radio in NYC.   About noon I got a phone call from a girlfriend at work.  She said she knew Iw as sick, but she would never be able to live with herself if she didn't let me know that Ringo was coming up to visit the station.  I wasted no time in getting my camera and heading off for work.  Sick or not, I wasn't going to miss this day.  Ringo arrived at about 4pm.  Everyone was very nice and they all introduced me to him.  He was such a gentleman -- kissing my hand and wishing me a Happy Birthday.  He then posed for a picture with me.  The thing he is holding is one of my birthday cards.  If you look closely at his tie you will see a small button that said "OGNIR RRATS".   He later gave me that button.   He was SO very nice.  It was certainly the best birthday I ever had.

George help John with ideas

Something worth a lot of money today

Shady

Photo taken by Pattie Boyd

Neil and Suzy's wedding

The bride and groom

50 years ago today, August 30, 1968 Neil Aspinall married his sweetheart, Suzy.     It was a quick wedding and the Chelsea Register's office in London with Magic Alex as the best man and Peter Brown giving the bride away.     Peter arranged a surprise reception for the happy couple.     Paul, Ringo (along with Maureen) were there as well as Magic Alex, Mal Evans,   Peter Asher, Derek Taylor, Tony Bramwell, Tony Barrow and Terry Doran. 

Tune In (Extended Edition)- The red book - A review

I am more than proud to say that I read the entire Tune-in (Extended Edition) by Mark Lewisohn over the summer.   All one thousand eight hundred and something pages of it -- notes and all.    I really think awards need to be given out to the fans who finish this book - at least a sticker that says, "I did it!  I read Tune In!). 

As I explained in my last review, The Extended Edition of Tune In is so large that it is split into two large books:  a grey book and a red book.    This review is over the red book. 

I have to admit that the second half of Tune In was more enjoyable than the first half.   The first half was great, but the second half got more into the "meat" of the Beatles story.  It covers 1961-1962, and so in this volume, you see the Beatles turn from some scruffy guys in leathers and their residency at the Cavern Club to the cleaned-up lads who are working with Brian Epstein to get a record deal until they finally get one.  You also are there to read about Pete Best's sacking and the start of the Beatles -- with Ringo!

Lewisohn leaves no stone unturned.   I especially enjoyed the comments and memories of the fans who saw the Beatles at the Cavern Club.    These boys and girls were on the front lines of Beatles fandom, and their insights are such an essential part of the Beatles story.    I am so thankful that they are preserved in this book.

I also appreciate Lewisohn's humor throughout the book.  A biography on anybody can get dry at times, but he really keeps things going with humor.    There are slight nods here and there that only the most die-hard Beatles fans will get (meaning anyone who reads the entire extended edition).  And other things that are just funny -- such as whenever he refers to John's friend in Germany, Betina, as BETTTTIIIINNNNA.  

The story ends on December 31, 1962 -- just before the Beatles really hit it big in England.   And while the book was long, when it is over, you wish to read more.  So many new nuggets of Beatles information can be found here.

The Extended Edition of Tune In is a must-read.    I know it is crazy expensive, but it is worth the money.   I think I said it before, but it is worth saving your money and gift cards to buy this book.  It is going to be a while before the 2nd Edition is out, so you have time to save up the money and read this edition. 

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon where you can purchase this book..   I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/4bYy2hu

Meeting John

This short fan story comes from the July/August 1976 issue of "The Write Thing."  It was written by Bruce Vogel of Bellerose, New York. 

Yoko, John and Bruce on April 9, 1976

My two friends, Ronny, Lee and myself, set out for Manhattan in hopes of meeting John.  We carried along with us a shopping bag full of pictures and books in hopes of getting a few autographs.  We waited outside John's apartment for an hour and a half before John and Yoko stepped out of a taxi cab.  We approached John and I asked him if it would be alright if I took a picture of him.  He said he wouldn't mind.  I couldn't believe I was talking to him.   Of course, I know what he voice sounds like but to hear it in person is something else.  He kindly posed next to me with Yoko on his arm while Ronny snapped the picture.  He told us that he had seen us waiting outside but that he had to go out for a while.  It sounded as if he was apologizing for not seeing us sooner!  I thought it was great of him to say that.  The date was April 9 and Sean was exactly 6 months old.  I mentioned this to John, and he looked at me and said, "You know about these things, eh?"  That killed me.  I felt it was a great compliment.  He said I looked a little young to be a Beatle fan and I told him I was 17.  He signed our books without seeming bothered at all.  I  asked him if he didn't mind, but he very kindly obliged.  Yoko stood quietly behind John but before we left I went up to her and asked her how she was.  She smiled and said okay.  We said goodbye and thanked them for talking to us.  He waved and said goodbye.  I went too quickly but I'll never forget how nice he was.   THANKS, JOHN!

strumming

52 years later

Up close and personal with John

A German in England

The following fan story was found in the August/September 1978 issue of The Write Thing.  It was written by a fan from Gerbrunn, Germany named Rainer Adam.

The photo was taken by Rainer Adam

On Sunday, the 7th of May (1978) I went to St. John's Wood in north London, where Paul McCartney lives, if he's not at any other part of the world, and where the Abbey Road Recording Studios are as well.  I asked the doorman at the studios if Paul was there or would be coming in.  He told me Paul was downstairs!  Great news!  I waited half an hour and Linda came out.  We talked about Wings (she told me about the new drummer and guitarist and that they were planning to tour again), and also about records and football.  Later Denny came out, and I talked to him too.  We were nearly alone outside the studio.  At this time an orchestra was playing inside with Paul. 

Linda told me they were finishing the tapes for the television screen "Wings Over America" which comes out this winter.

Meanwhile, I was hungry and hurried over to a pub round the corner where Denny and some other people of the Wings roadies stood together with a pint of ale.   I had no time to talk to them for long, as Paul was still inside the studio and it was 1 o'clock.  I was sitting on the stairs to the studio when he came out.  He said he liked the photos I took of him in Berlin in 1976 and I gave one copy to Linda, on the other one I got autographs, also on the cover of "London Town" and "Mull of Kintyre" picture.  I asked for a photo and he says "later after lunch."  One hour later he came across the street with Linda and one daughter (Mary).  I shot the picture and he says to me in German "Auf Wiedersehen."  I hope so.

After this, I went to Henley on Thames where George lives in a castle.  There were some problems because of the traffic connections on Sunday, but I came to Henely finally.  It's 15 minutes by taxi from Reading railway station.  I waited ten minutes and went to the house by the entrance, where Goerge's brother lives.  But no one was there.  Then suddenly, a man comes down the street (a private road) and he was sitting on a motorbike.  He turned and went away.  Two minutes later George came down the same way.  He stopped his bike and said hello.  We talked a little bit about his new album which will come out this summer.  Ringo lives in Monte Carlo he told me.   Then I took one photo of George and the taxi driver took a photo of George and me.  It was a very fantastic day weather wise, just right for those great moments.

No holding her back

Stay in your seats

We could have another discussion about Paul's socks....

George poses for a photo

My Nostalgia

The following was written by Jude Vachon and was published in the January 1973 issue of the Harrison Alliance. 

My Nostalgia by Judy Vachon

     When it comes to the Beatles, we each have our varied memories.  The happy times of the first Ed Sullivan Show, the sadder times of crises in the Beatles own lives.  But for me, much of my nostalgia centers around on man.  A dead man.  Brian Epstein.

     In the last year of his life, Brian was in poor health and heavily into gambling.  Virtually ignored by the four he helped make famous, he died feeling unneeded, unwanted, unloved.

     August 27, 1967, fell on a Sunday.  The morning paper had a one-liner about Brian Epstein contributing a few thousand dollars to plant trees for the war dead in Israel.  At noontime, the newsman on WBZ Radio announced: "The chief of the Beatles is gone."

     Rosalie and I froze in anticipation.  Oh, God, not John--- please not John...   "Brian Epstein was found dead in London today...."   The deejay, Dave Maynard, made a stupid joke about something and then played "In My Life" by Judy Collins.   I've never forgiven him that laughter.

     I was hysterical when I got home:  my poor mother trying to sort out the chocked words.   "Well, who's dead?  Who?"  And then, "But you never even knew him!"

     Monday I scavenged downtown for all the papers.  Tuesday it wasn't "news" anymore but a few details leaked out.  Drugs and alcohol.  Was it accidental?   I didn't think so then, and I don't think so now -- five years later.

In 1970 I visited Liverpool and found Brian's grave.  On the beautiful black marble stone is written:

                                                    In Loving Memory Of

BRIAN EPSTEIN

                                                              Dearly Loved Son of
                                                       Queenie and Harry Epstein
                                                     Who Passed Away 27 Aug. 1967
                                                                   Aged 32 years


                                                      Deeply Mourned and Sadly Missed
                                                          By his Devoted Mother,
                                                          Brother and All His Family.

                                                            May his Dear Soul
                                                                   Rest in Peace.

     Let's hope Brian has finally attained some peace.  How different things might have been had he lived. 

Checking the newspaper for song ideas

Wings without shoes

Setting the stage

Greeting fans outside his home

Photos from August 27, 1968.    Photographers currently unknown.

Meeting George in Brazil

This story/interview was found in the April/May 1979 issue of 'The Write Thing.'     It was written by Henrique Filho.

Photo by H. Filho

George gave a press conference at the WEA offices here on February 7, 1979, at around 2 pm in Rio.  My wife and I managed to be present and were lucky enough to record his interview, take some photos and film him in super 8mm.  Here is the interview George gave to a local TV station.

Q:  How do you feel about the constant approaches regarding a  Beatles reunion?

George:  I think it's a waste of time.

Q:  Because of your involvement with the Hare Krsna movement you've influenced a lot of youngsters everywhere.  What do you think about that?

George:  I think it's very good because first of all Krsna is one name for God.  So there's only the same God, it's like what we call Buddha, Allah, Jehovah, Krishna so there are many names.  Krsna is the divine energy we should plug in and so you chant Hare Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Krsna, Hare Rama, Rama, Rama and if you chant it millions of times you feel great.

Q:  What do you know about the Brazilian people and its music?

George:  I don't know too much about the music other than what I've seen about the Carnival on TV.  I've heard about samba, rumba, you know, this sort of thing and about the fields.  It's very much like India, the same hot (at this he shook his shirt), smell and the same flowers, trees, fruit, vegetables, you know, very similar.

Q:  Please, tell us something about your new album and the song "Faster", it is really dedicated to J. Stewart?

George:  One of the songs on the new album is "Faster", inspired by Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda, you know Formula 1 motivates it and the song is also in the memory of Robbie Peterson.  All about the Formula 1 circus and what happens to people.

Q:  Is there any real possibility of some concerts here, in Brazil?

George:  Maybe, because one reason I came -- used the Grand Prix as the excuse to come and see Rio and a little bit of Brazil, you know, it's like a test to come and see what it is like and I didn't realize it was so interesting.  So I think it's a good place to come and maybe I'll come late this year or next year.



On the same day, George returned to Europe by the Concorde.  During the press conference, George was wearing jeans, a white shirt and arrived with his glasses on.  All the time he was very nice and gentle.  He signed some records for us and we gave him a present for Dhani.  It was great to see George and to talk to him.  Late that night we remembered it was February 7th, the day you were completing your 15th Beatles anniversary celebration, the same day we saw our first Beatle here in Brazil!

Classic Coolers

Remember when Ringo was the spokesman for Classic Coolers (wine coolers)?   Here he is behind the scenes at a commercial filming.   My question is why does he have a copy of  his greatest hits album in his hand?

The cute one

Using the microphone

Teddy Bear for a Beatle

Mom and Dad's night out

Three dolls

I am looking to find the four girls that made these Beatles dolls.   The four girls were from a fan club in Ohio but gave them to the Beatles during the press conference in Atlanta in 1965.     If anyone knows any more about this or where I can get a good photograph to use in my book, I would appreciate the help.

It's like a jungle in there

Report from Beatlefest -- top 5 highlights of the weekend.

I am here for my annual report back from the Fest for Beatle Fans in Chicago.    2018's Fest was a great time.   I was on four panels and gave a presentation -- so I was pretty busy.    I did not have a table set up to sell anything, so I was still able to see a lot of great things.    It was AWESOME talking to so many of you at the Fest!     A special hello to Kristine, Lola, and Kaeli who I met for the first time at this year's Fest and to all the people that stopped me and said "hi."   It really made me happy to see so many blog visitors in person.   You guys are really out there! 

Here are my personal top 5 best things about the Fest this year....


5.    Jude Southerland Kessler's Book Release Party

Before the Fest got going on Saturday morning, there was a special party to celebrate the release for Jude Southerland Kessler's 4th book in the John Lennon series called Should have Known Better.     What a great party that was!   Scott Erickson played John Lennon songs on the guitar,  there were donuts, door prizes, and lots of mingling and chatting about the Beatles and John Lennon.     

4.  Little Nicola

Remember the adorable Little Nicola from the Magical Mystery Tour film?   Well, she is now all grown up and was a delight to hear speak at the Fest.    Her memories were so cute!  It was a treat listening to her and meeting her after her talk.

3.  Seeing the next generation of fans

No need for more cowbell on this great rendition of "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and Monkey" by the Chicago School of Rock 

I can't tell you how much I love 3rd generation Beatles fans.   You guys are amazing!    Let's just stop and think about the fact that The Beatles have three generations of die-hard major fans.    I love the fact that places like The Fest for Beatle fans, all three generations can gather together and express the same passion for the guys.     The third generation fans made a big impression on me at the Fest this year.   The Chicago School of Rock did an amazing job on songs from the White Album and Hey Bulldog on Sunday morning.    If this is how we are going to hear Beatles music performed live in the future, then we have nothing to be concerned about because they play music that rocks!     I also enjoyed talking to several third gen fans.       These are the ones that will keep the Beatles legacy going, so more power to them!

2.  Tea and memories

On Friday night there was a nice session called "Tea and Memories" where those of us who regularly attend these conventions came together and shared our favorite Fest memories, photographs, programs along with a lot of laughs.    The Fest has become a sort of family reunion among all of us that go and it is a great time to spend with each other.   We have made so many wonderful memories and so many unforgettable things have happened over the years that it was so great to share those memories and be reminded of things forgotten.    Wally was a wonderful host. 

1.  Jack Douglas

John Lennon's producer, Jack Douglas was one of the best guests the Fest has ever had.    He really was the star of the weekend.    He told so many stories about John while making Imagine and during Double Fantasy.    His stories really brought out John's humor and personality.    Jack showed some photos and then he played the songs "Watching the Wheels" and "Woman" starting with the demo, then the rough mix and the final mix.    Hearing those songs like that was really emotional for everyone, but it was so appreciated that Jack brought them for us.     He was such a nice man.  He met with every one after his talks and his line was really long because he spent time telling more stories at the table.    He signed the book "Starting over" for me underneath a photo of him in the book and he told me all about when the photo was taken.    Such an unforgettable moment, especially since I am such a John lover.   

Honorable mentions go to All of the panel discussions, Geoff Emerick, late-night sing-alongs, singing "Hey Jude" on the stage, the artwork in memory of Nicole,  Ringo's drum kits,  and the brownies at the staff party.         It was great and I hope to do it again next year.     Attendance was noticably low, but it was pretty crowded on Saturday and everyone I spoke with was having a great time.   

Wings last Flight

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