What the Other Beatles Really Think of Paul McCartney (1971)

 

Let's take a look at what the UK papers were saying about the Beatles 55 years ago. (George was not having a good birthday)

What the Other Beatles Really Think of Paul McCartney

By Sketch Reporter

The Daily Sketch

February 24, 1971

     A High Court judge heard yesterday what the other Beatles think of Paul McCartney. John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr were given written evidence on the third day of McCartney's bid to break up the group and have a receiver brought in to act as financial caretaker. 

    Mr. Justice Stamp was told that the Apple base was in chaos after the death of manager Brian Epstein. "It was full of hustlers and spongers," said Lennon. Two company cars disappeared, and the firm was found to own a house which no one could remember buying, but Paul opposed the appointment of Allen Klein, who later restored order. Klein, an American, dismissed incompetent staff, stopped lavish hospitality, and sent the Beatles regular bank statements. Lennon's statement said.

 "Paul always made things as difficult as possible for Klein," said John Lennon. "The other contenders for the job of manager had been his father-in-law, Lee Eastman, and Eastman's so,n John. John Eastman was an inexperienced, confused, and hysterical young man, and his father was quick-tempered and abusive. 

    "The obstructions and difficulties that made for Klein made George and I decide to sack them as our solicitors, "Lennon continued. "Paul's criticisms of Klein may reflect his dislike of the man, but I don't think they are fair. Klein is certainly forceful to an extreme, but he does get results. He doesn't show discord between us. 

    "Records were selling well, and there were higher royalties than before Klein reorganized the Beatles. Paul acted selfishly and unreasonably. He was being wise after the event and saying that in 1968, musical differences between them became more marked from our earliest days, George and I on one hand, and Paul on the other had different musical tastes. Paul preferred pop-type music, and we preferred what is now called underground."

    "Squabbles with Paul flared into a bitter row on the film set of Let It Be," said George Harrison. "Paul, as the leading composer of the group, had always adopted a superior attitude towards his music. To get a peaceful life, I always let him have his own way, even when it meant that songs I composed were not recorded, but I was having to record his songs and put up with him telling me how to play my own instrument. 

    "Matters came to a head," he said, "in a dismal and cold film studio in Twickenham. When we were in front of the cameras, Paul started getting at me about the way I was playing. I decided I had had enough and told the others I was leaving the group."

    . He was persuaded to return after Paul agreed not to try to teach him how to play. Of the Klein- Eastman affair. George said, "Paul seemed to have a totally closed mind and would not give Klein any fair opportunity."

     "Paul always wanted his own way," Ringo Starr declared. "He was the greatest bass guitar player in the world, but also very determined."

     Ringo said that when it was decided that Paul's solo album, McCartney, should be delayed because of his own solo LP, Sentimental Journey, and the group album, Let It Be he went to see Paul. "To my dismay, he went completely out of control, shouting at me, prodding his fingers toward my face, saying, 'I'll finish you now,' and 'you'll pay!'"  Said Ringo, "He told me to put my coat on and get out. I did so." Ringo added that he was "shaken."

     "While I thought that Paul had behaved like a spoiled child, I could see that the release date of his record had a gigantic emotional significance for him."  As a result, the release dates were altered with difficulty. Ringo's evidence ended, "My own view is that all four of us could even yet work out everything satisfactory." 

The Last Time They were Pictured Together

By Shaun Usher

Daily Sketch

February 24, 1971

Photo by Monty Fresco

    "Yesterday", Paul McCartney's hauntingly nostalgic song titled fits this exclusive picture of the Beatles last informal board meeting. It happened nearly 18 months ago at John Lennon's £125,000  mansion near Sunningdale Burkes.

     Top people have a phrase for such moments--- a golden oldie. Paul, Ringo, John, and George sat around a plain wood table on ornate but uncomfortable antique chairs. John, from habit, sat at the head, enjoying the only chair with arms and Paul's beloved sheepdog, Martha, roamed restlessly, a non voting observer at the gathering.

     The four spent a few minutes discussing songs and discs. Then the Apple overlords meeting ended.

 George to fight ban on driving.

     George Harrison is appealing against the one month driving ban imposed on him yesterday. Mr. Martin Polden, defending,lodgedthe appeal immediately after the disqualification was announced at London's Wells Street Court.

     Harrison, whose record, "My Sweet Lord", is top of the pop charts, was banned from driving a car three times into a policeman's legs. He was also fined £25  with £15 cost after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of driving without reasonable consideration. 

    Mr. Polden said the Beatle had been caught in a busy traffic junction. He was in his wife's white Mercedes and slowly drove three times into the legs of the officer who banged on the roof of the car in a bid to stop him. He did not know he had touched the officer and was not capable of driving deliberately into a police officer and causing him hurt. He took the whole business impassively, rather than arrogantly.