McCartney Legacy Volume 2: A Book Review

 

It took me two months to read McCartney Legacy Volume 2.  The reason why it took me so long is 1.  It is a huge book  2.  After reading each section, I had to go to my computer and research further, updating my photo files. 

Adrian Sinclair and Allen Kozin have done it again -- McCartney Legacy Volume 2 is just as detailed and fascinating as Volume 1.   It starts with McCartney at the start of 1974 and goes through all of the details of the Wings years in amazing detail:  Tennessee, One Hand Clapping, New Orleans, Joe English taking over as the drummer,  all of the "Wings over...." tours, recording on the boat in the Virgin Islands, Mull of Kintyre, Jimmy is out and Laurence and Steve join the group,  James' birth,  Back to the Egg, the last Wings concerts and ends with Paul in a jail cell in Japan.   It is quite a story, and the book didn't leave any stone unturned. 

I learned all sorts of little nuggets of information, such as the song "Let 'em in" was originally written with Ringo in mind.  I also read more about the dynamics of the various band members and what it was like to work for Paul McCartney.  Paul has very high expectations and is a perfectionist, which did not always align with those around him. It makes an interesting dynamic. 

I recommend this book for all fans of Paul McCartney and Wings.  It is also interesting how the book weaves the continuing story of the Beatles' break-up and the friendship between Paul and the other three Beatles into what was happening with Wings. 

If you haven't read Volume 1, please do so before starting Volume 2.  But these are must reads.  Volume 3 is currently in the works, and I am ready for it!

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City Hall in Sheffield

 

Ringo was a hero

 Ringo at the Pediatric AIDS Carnival on June 3, 1993, in Los Angeles.  From what I read about this event, different celebrities manned the stations at different booths at this carnival for children with AIDS.   I wonder what booth Ringo and Barb worked at.   

Return from Portugal

 June 11, 1965

George Harrison's in town

 

In Remembrance: Brian Wilson

 

The influence of Brian Wilson/the Beach Boys on the Beatles (especially Paul) was huge, and the impact of the Beatles on the Beach Boys was also huge.  These two groups had a mutual respect for one another, and while their songs battled it out on the charts, they formed a lasting friendship. 

Sadly, Brian Wilson has passed away, and so I am sharing with you a few photographs of Brian with a Beatles connection.   I love the photo with the autograph where Paul tells Brian, "Thanks man, you know I love ya!"  

Much love and condolances goes out to Brian family, friends and fans. 

Ringo the photobomber

 

Paul at the gates

Photo taken by Marie Lacey 

Paul chats with Marie Lacey 
Photo Taken by Doylene K.

 Photos taken on October 20, 1976

Available for sale from Tracks

Here comes the McCartney clan

 

Beatles Strike Area Girls Again (1964)

 

Beatles Strike Area Girls Again

By Bonnie Kreinson

The Elimra Telegram

September 6, 1964

    18,000 screaming fans, traffic jams, complete hysteria. This was the scene last weekend in New York City, and it wasn't because the Yankees took three out of the four games from the Boston Red Sox. What else then?  Of course, the Beatles were in town, and three Elmira teenagers were among their following.

     Kathy James of 682 Herrick Street. Mary Keefe of 208 W. Miller Street and her cousin, Mary Ryan of Hammond, both 14, went to the big city for three days, without any intention of even getting a chance to see the mop tops. "We didn't know until late Friday that we were even going to see them," Kathy said.

     They called the Forest Lawn Tennis Stadium, where the group was appearing, and for $6.50 each, the girls had sixth row seats. "We were very lucky", said Kathy, who admitted she was not as enthusiastic about the Beatles as her cohorts, but did like them. 

    They arrived at the stadium and had little trouble in getting seated, but the rest of the evening didn't prove so calm. "I was standing on a folding chair, and some man in front of me pulled me down and told us to be quiet. We, in turn, told him to be quiet," Mary Keefe said. Noticing that he had an English accent, Mary Keefe said, they asked him who he was, and much to their embarrassment, he turned out to be the manager of the Animals. (If anyone is in doubt, the Animals are another up-and-coming singing group from England.)

     More annoying to the trio was the fact that some girl was able to get up on the stage and snatch Ringo St Christopher medal off his neck, and "she left a burn mark on his neck!"

     They said the Beatles performed for 30 minutes, sang 11 songs, and had a 20-minute ovation. "I cried when Ringo sang, and I don't know why," said Mary Ryan, "they're just so good, I guess."

     But amid all the screams and tears, the girls are able to get a clear view of their favorites. "They are better looking in person. John has auburn hair. Paul has jet black hair, is five feet 11 inches tall, and weighs 158 pounds. His collar size is 15 inches. George is six feet tall with his boots on," the girls related.

     But their contact with the Beatles did not end Friday evening. Saturday night, while waiting for a cab around Times Square, Mary Keith said she noticed a black limousine.  "I saw John Lennon. I yelled out, 'Are you John Lennon?' And he looked out the window and said, 'Yes'." she said. "I couldn't move," Mary Ryan said. "I ran up to the car to make sure," Kathy said, and Mary Keith screamed. 

    Then, as all good things must come to an end, "The light changed, and the car drove away.,"Mary Ryan said, but they had had their opportunity to get close to one of them. "This was the most thrilling thing in our lives," they said.

     Even more so than the Beatles pins, Beatles books, John Lennon books, or other Beatles paraphernalia the girls have collected. But one important factor was revealed to the girls over the weekend. The Beatles are human beings and are subject to some of the everyday crises people meet, one of which was being late for their performance because the hotel where the Beatles were staying forgot to iron their blue-gray suits with the black velvet collars.