An Interview with Elle

The Power of Age

Elle Magazine (From France)

August 1986

Except for a wife, three children, and some gray hair, at 44, the old naughty boy of rock hasn't changed. Between two studios, Phillippe Manoeuvre met, in rural England, the one that used to be called one-half of the Beatles, Paul McCartney. It is a place in the English countryside where the rain falls lightly. Three ducks are heading for a little, misty lake. Those ducks don't have to worry because they live with Paul and Linda McCartney. Paul, you know, the Beatle? You can be blase, tough, satisfied, used to everything, you can say you don't care, you can act cool...there still are a few things in life -- like interviewing one of the Beatles -- that do impress you.  The Beatles - and one gets never tired of repeating it over and over again -- -were the most successful group ever. With their billions of sold albums they rediculize the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, the Who and Queen together. Paul McCartney, "one half of the four," won 43 gold records with his group but also 21 solo. An absolute record. He also wrote, by the way, the most recorded song ever, "Yesterday."  1186 artists have already re-recorded it in
their own way, leaving "My Way" a long way behind with only 735 recordings. 

James Paul McCartney was kind enough to send a limo to Heathrow to bring us to his place in Sussex, where the exclusive interviews are being held, one for each country! Because Paul McCartney, 44 years old, is made like that. he might have written half of this century's memorable tunes, he might have given his wife, the photographer Linda Eastman, three beautiful children, he might well have enough money to be considered the second fortune of the British Empire..but he can't be still for a long time. Our man runs from one studio to the other. He just done the finishing touches to his latest solo album "Press to Play", one of his most strategic albums, made with interesting people like Phil "Genesis" Collins on drums, and Pete "Who" Townshed on guitar. Paul McCartney is simply made like that, and 16 years after the break up of the Beatles, he still poses on the sleeve of his new record with his other half, Linda. And there is something very touching about that. Something flagrant. Like old lovers never wanting to resign and go under. Ah yes, despite the fame, the millions of dollars, after 3 children, 64 gold records, after 9 days in a Japanese prison, Paul and Linda tell you, like always and still that they are in love. 

Q: How did you meet, Paul and Linda?

P: We were just coming out of a recording studio in London, and we went down to a club called the Bag O'Nails. It was getting really late, and we were watching and listening to Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames when I suddenly noticed this girl at another table. And I told myself, "Oh dear! Hello, Hello, Hello!" A little later, she passed our table. I said, "Excuse me," and I started talking to her. 

L: And so we went to another club...

P: And another one...

L: And everything started like that.

Listening to them makes you believe that everything really happened that way. While John and Yoko were going crazy all around the world, turning the George V, the Ritz, and the Pierre in New York into a mad-house, Paul, in his beloved countryside, loved Linda simply. And so much that he made her three children. In life, the ex-Beatle is significant. A charming prince. Nice hair where just enough gray hairs are seen to make it reasonable, a flat belly, and smooth, fresh skin, and that look...those vivacious eyes, playful eyes where that old flame of the old naughty boy of rock can still and always be seen burning. 

Q: What's new and what's changed since the Beatles?

P: At the time, when I was still with the Beatles, there was one big difference with today.  I had no children.  I had so much time in front of me...enough to produce other groups and I was a bachelor. In other words: I had my whole life still in front of me..especially all the girls!!! (Linda taps his hand).

He laughs heartily and goes on

P: Today I am married, have nice kids, adorable kids, normal kids. We listen to records together. 

Q: What sort of records?

P: They like Bowie -- well some of his records, anyway, and they also bring home albums by Simple Mind, Dire Straits, UB40..groups you can really listen to.

Q: Will your children become musicians?

P: Should they ever come up to me and tell me, "Dad, I'll be a guitarist," fine. But I'm not like those footballers who want to turn their kids into champions, one way or another, and absolutely.

L: We didn't even force them to learn to play the piano.

P: Exactly. And it wouldn't be me to force them to do the same job. Because it's a job that changes you. Quite often in a negative way. 

It's already midday. The couple tells us they'd like to go to eat something. Since they are vegetarians, you imagine a quick lunch. But they only reappear after 3 hours. 

Q: Linda, people say that you and Yoko were the main cause of the Beatles' break up. 

L: I never heard a more stupid thing. Try to think a little bit. Why should we, the women of those musicians of that group called the Beatles, have tried to stop them? Why? In fact, the group started breaking up before I walked into the scene. But it is so easy to put all the blame on the people that nothing to do with it all, in this case, the women. 

Q: Do you see the other Beatles from time to time?

L: We saw George recently, and his wife and their son.  Last week. They came to ride a bit And we always see Ringo. Believe me or not, we are the best of friends in the world!

Q: Paul, you've always had the image of the "nice Beatle." Isn't it annoying sometimes:?

P: You are what you are. It's exact. I have that image. Okay, but that "nice" Beatle, that might be just an appearance. Look, John Lennon had a reputation for being hard and tough and he was everything but that!

Q: Still, you always hear about the fights in the pubs in Liverpool. John Lennon was rather violent, wasn't he?

P: Just on the surface. Underneath, he was hiding a heart of gold. I don't know how to explain John to you. His father left home when John was three. I don't know, but I...in his place...I would have concluded that my father hated me, therefore. To top it all, his mother died when he was 16. Killed by a car! John's life wasn't pink and easy. And I, who knew him better than anyone else, can assure you that he was absolutely charming. 

Q: But some interviews prove that you weren't on the best of terms with him at the time of his death. 

P: That's not true! We had small disputes. So what? We shouted at each other like two brothers occasionally do. And anyway, I know why you are saying that. After John's death, too many books came out, all taken out of context. For my part, okay, I'll admit that one day, I said that John was a manipulating swine. but what doe that say, really, what does that prove? It only says that in this inhuman show business, John liked to control things. He loved saying one thing and doing just the opposite. And that's true, and there's nothing mean about me saying that, God! Journalists took that line from a private conversation. They just made that one line to a big headline: "Ah! Ah! Paul McCartney declares:'John was a manipulating swine!!'"

Q: Don't ever trust a journalist...

P: There! Absolutely right! Never! NEVER!

The last 2 years were especially difficult for the McCartney family. First of all, Michael Jackson decided to buy Paul's songs. For al little nothing of 50 million dollars. Paul could not -- or would not--follow.  Then Paul agreed to go back on stage for Live Aid. In front of billions of spectators, just as he started singing "Let It BE," his microphone went off.  And finally, his feature film with Linda and Ringo, "Give My Regards to Broadstreet" flopped around the world. Looking back on all those things, Paul just says one word: annoying.  Which makes you wonder what makes him REALLY mad?

Q: Do bad reviews really upset you?

P: That makes me rather more sad than upset. See, you spend 12 months in a studio, and a journalist destroys your hard work with 12 lines. Oh, well, okay. No, what really makes me mad are those people who beat up their children, those disgraceful parents burning their babies with cigarettes.  That, and Mrs. Thatcher's attitude concerning Apartheid. That, and President Reagan talking about Apartheid and reading the wrong speech (Paul imitates a low voice with a Yankee accent): "Regarding Apartheid and the situation in South America..'  He really said that! That's incredible, after all. 

L: Me, I would like people to stop eating meat, I love animals. I would like to be considered the English Brigette Bardot. I am less a photographer and musician than simply a woman who would like to make the world better. 

Q: Have you been a vegetarian for a long time?

L: Ten years!

Q: And your children are vegetarian, too?

L: Yes.

Q: Are you sure it isn't dangerous?

L: I don't see what good there is in meat. It's disgusting. My God, imagine that you are being pulled to the slaughter house, and you are flipping because they are going to kill you, and all that adrenaline comes up...and after all that, someone is delighted to eat you.

Q: What sort of vegetarians are you?

L: I will eat anything as long as it hasn't been killed. Okay, we have hens. If they lay an egg and sit on it, we leave it to them. If they abandon it and the egg becomes cold, we'll eat it. 

Q: Paul, Linda, do you think you'll go back on stage one day?

P: If we can find the stage door! (laughs) No. We'll have to reform a nice little group first. Then, yes, because I always like giving concerts and paying for people. Just recently, I got on stage for that charity concert for Prince Charles's Trust. I sang "Get Back" with Tina Turner. Aahhh!

Q: Paul, what's your favorite story about the Beatles

P: (Thinks for a long time. At least 10 seconds).  I've got one! Finally... the first one that comes to mind.  I had all my family from Liverpool come down for the premiere of "A Hard Day's Night" in London. They'd never been invited to a premiere before. And my Auntie Gin wanted an exceptional robe for the occasion. So she took her curtains from her living room and made herself a robe out of them.  That's how she arrived at the premiere, with her sister, Millie. After the film, we all went to the Royal reception. When I saw Princess Margaret enter the room, I turned to my dear aunties and said, "Turn around to see who just arrived, but please, please, for Heaven's sake, don't say anything!" The two old ladies turned around, and Gin started screaming, "Oh, oh, good Lord, Millie, do you see what I see?"  And Milled shouted back, "Oh Lord Gin! It's Margaret! Margaret in person, Millie!" "Oh dear, Gin, oh dear!"  My two aunties went back to Liverpool. And the gala robes became curtains once again!