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| Suddenly the door bursts open and other photographers dash in. Jane keeps her eye on our man, while Mum and Paul watch the others. |
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| And now, bearded Mal Evans spots the camera as Paul and Jane look at the cake. |
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| Birthday cake, followed by photographer Howell, is brought to the table. Note that Paul spots the camera |
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| Present were other members of the Bristol Old Vic company, as well as Beatle road manager Mal Evans and Jane's mother Mrs. Margaret Asher. That's Jane's Mum at Pau's left. All photos taken by Duane Howell |
No writer listed
(Teen) Datebook
July 1967
"It's Jane's show, and I don't want to steal any of her spotlight," Paul explained to us when he slipped in and out of the US for a secret five-day stay.
But Jane's 21st birthday party almost turned into a public spectacle when Denver photographers forced their way into the restaurant. Since the damage was already done, we contacted Denver Post photographer Duane Howell and arranged for exclusive use of the photos on these pages.
Says Duane, "I found out the party was at the Quorum Restaurant and arranged for the owner to ask if a picture was okay. They said absolutely not! So I decided to wait by the kitchen. Nobody paid much attention to me, and as the waiter took the birthday cake into the private room, I followed and started shooting like mad.
"A few other photographers had pushed their way in through the other door and came in as the cake was presented, and about a minute and a half, McCartney's bodyguard (editor: he means road manager, Mal Evans) escorted me out the front way, I might add.
Besides celebrating Jane's birthday, Paul managed to get in some business conferences with his American agents, then he secretly took off for San Francisco, London, and the finishing touches on the new LP.
McCartney Attends Miss Asher's Party
By Del Carner
The Denver Post
April 6, 1967
Are Beatle Paul McCartney and his girlfriend, actress Jane Asher, getting married soon? That was a question Wednesday night in the wake of a 21st birthday party for the actress at the Quorum Restaurant. A party attended by McCartney, who flew to this country from London earlier this week to be with her.
No one would talk for publication, least of all the two young principals. But a reliable source who attended the party said, "It wouldn't surprise me if they got married very shortly."
The birthday party, hosted by the actress's mother, Mrs. Margaret Asher, was for the company and cast of the Bristol Old Vic Repertory Company, which opens a three-day engagement at the Auditorium Theater Thursday night. Miss Asher plays Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, which will be performed Sunday night. She also appeared in Measure by Measure on Friday night.
McCartney, perhaps the best looking of the Beatles, flew into town Wednesday, apparently from Dallas, where Miss Asher had spent Tuesday. McCartney came to the party sporting a coal black mustache and a double-breasted sports coat with a large yellow and black striped tie.
During the dinner, he sat between Miss Asher and her mother, a strong-willed woman who left no doubt in anyone's mind as to who was in charge of things. She cautioned several people not to discuss with anyone outside the room the relationship of her daughter and McCartney. On more than one occasion, she made it clear that there were to be no photographers or reporters admitted to the banquet room.
However, photographers from the Denver Post, Associated Press, and a London newspaper gained admittance just as Miss Asher's large birthday cake was served. The company booed and hissed the newsmen (good-naturedly, it seemed). McCartney's unidentified bodyguard got up from the table and firmly escorted Post photographer for Duane Howell from the room.
Miss Asher didn't appear to be upset, nor did McCartney. Both seemed to forget all about the incident once the newsman had left. Throughout the dinner, which consisted of a French vin rose wine, (Remy Dupont 1964) and chicken served in burgundy wine with wild rice.
McCartney said very little. His conversation was low-key and centered on Miss Asher, whose long red tresses complemented her jet black cocktail dress. Among the presents Miss Asher received at the party were a large black pocketbook with a horn-rimmed handle, a brightly colored parasol, and a small single record phonograph player.
She also was given a large, oversized birthday card signed by the cast. The cake, decorated with 21 candles, simply said, 'Happy birthday, Dear Jane.' She also received a congratulatory telegram from Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, and Peter Asher, her brother, who is half of the Peter and Gordon rock-and-roll duo.
After the dinner party, the guests, led by Miss Asher and McCartney, danced in the Quorum Senate Lounge. Slight speculation in the Post on Wednesday that McCartney was in town, and rumors, which were rife throughout the day, less than a dozen teenage fans turned up at the Quorum to get a glimpse of the famed Beatle. Where McCartney is staying in Denver isn't known, but he and Miss Asher were scheduled to take a skiing trip to the mountains on Thursday.
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