April 16, 1982

 

All photographs taken by Ron Gallella

April 16, 1982

By Karen Dyson

With a Little Help From My Friends

April 1982

    On April 16, 1982 in Los Angeles, I was lucky enough to be in the presence of one Paul McCartney for about 45 seconds, along with Patty, Mary Ann and Lynda on a lazy Friday night.

     Paul's Friday morning was spent with his family at Universal Studios, then on to a studio to tape the intro to the " Ebony and Ivory " video for Fridays. From there, it was on to West Lake Studios to finish up recording with Michael Jackson. Paul had been in the studio with Michael since Wednesday. Unfortunately, we didn't find out until Friday afternoon. Paul was scheduled in the studio till 7pm. We arrived about 6:30 and waited out the ordeal.

     A few people, plus kids and a bodyguard, came out to stroll over to the shopping center. They stopped at a corner for a short while to mark initials and doodles in freshly laid cement. I noticed that one little fellow looked very much like James. When Mary Ann and Lynda arrived, Patty and I trekked over to the drug store where the troop from the studios had headed. We found the group, and sure enough, it was James! He's such a doll and so little. James was carrying a big box that contained a toy of sorts, which had to do with CHiPS, under his arm, and a candy bar in his other hand. The woman with the kids told James he had to ask his mom about the candy.

    We headed back to the studios and waited it out. Trevor came out to his car a couple of times (which he set off his own alarm each time). I asked him, "How was everyone?" And he replied, they were all great. 

    The aforementioned people with James returned to the studios. It was only a matter of time now. Trevor came out again, and Mary Ann asked if Paul was coming out the front or back. He replied, "Out the front, but please don't cause a commotion." "No problem. We're cool."  I then told Trevor, "It's just nice to see him after such a long time." Trevor replied, "I can get into that." He was very nice.

     John Hamill came out and opened all four doors to the black Mercedes parked in front of the studio (behind my Volkswagen), so we knew it was time. First out was Michael Jackson, who posed for photos. (I forgot to mention there were two professional photographers waiting outside too.)

    Meanwhile, John Hamill walked James and Stella to the car. It was now about 8:30, and out came Paul and Linda. They stopped for the photographers. Flashes were going off wildly, and Paul joked with the one male photographer, Tony Russo, joking about having Vista cups as Paul started throwing punches in the camera's direction.

     Paul looked good, needless to say. He was wearing a white Hawaiian-style shirt with colorful parrots on it over a white T-shirt. I think he was wearing jeans, but I couldn't swear to it. The man is in lovely shape. What more could be said? 

    Paul never realized we were there until he and his family got in the car. He looked out, leaned toward the window, and saw four girls smiling and waving madly at him. Paul smiled and waved back, just as variously, I think. Linda joined in too, returning with the Wings logo with her hands.

     Suddenly, we hear this high voice from behind us. "Don't forget me." As Mary came running to the car, it was so comical! As they drove out of the parking lot space, Paul, Linda, and the kids all waved goodbye. The car was so loaded down. Paul and the entire family were in the back seat of this car. I've never seen the family before. Heather was there too. The McCartneys left me with the sense that they're all definitely a normal, close-knit family.