New Juke Box photos

September 5, 2019

Picnic in the Hamptons

Mumford & Sons concert

August 25, 2019  -  Paul (and we see his daughter Mary in the background) goes to a Mumford and Sons concert.   I notice that they made him wear one of those annoying wrist bracelet things.     I hope he and his family enjoyed the show.   I think these are some of the better recent photos of Paul we have seen. 

The Wedding Crasher

Paul did it a while back and now it is Ringo's turn to pose for a photograph with a bride and groom.   I hope Ringo passed along some advice to the newlyweds --- Ringo and Barb are still going strong for 38 years!

Chillin' with Ringo

The Rock Island Line

These photos show Paul McCartney putting American pennies on railroad tracks in the Hamptons for them to get squashed by a train.   He was said to come back and pick them up later and use them as guitar pics.     

Is this something kids in the U.K. didn't do growing up?

Almost Time for the Fest!

Hello, my fellow Beatle Fans!

It is almost that time once again.  The most wonderful time of the year --   Beatlefest!!!   I am super excited to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Abbey Road with friends old and new.   I will be speaking about the U.S. Beatles Fan Clubs on Friday night in the video room at 8:15pm.  Everyone that attends will receive a FREE BEATLES UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPH!!!!!!     So please please me and come hear me talk.

The Fest is going to a great one for no other reason than the great Mark Lewishon is going to speaking.  I think I am going to turn into a groupie and listen to all of his talks. 

As always, if you are at the Fest and you see me do not be shy.   Come and say hello.   I am always happy to chat and get a photo taken or whatever.     I do not have a table set up, so I will be around here there and everywhere.    While you are there, make sure you stop by and say hello to any of my fellow Beatle author friends.

I will not be updating this blog until after the Fest because I am gearing up for the upcoming events. 

Peace & Love,

Sara S. (aka Starshyne)

Jump for joy

Good Day for a hike

Chatting with Al

Be on the lookout for an interview with Al Roker and Paul where Paul is talking about his new children's book.   The book will be published in September, so the interview should be out around then.    Does it look like the interview took place at the Mill?   The colorful background makes me think of Paul's home studio for some reason.

Life is good

These guys sure look like giants next to Ringo!  Taken on July 7, 2019

Surprise Guest

On June 21, 1976 Ringo Starr was a surprise guest at the end of the "Wings Over America" tour on the last night of the tour in L.A.     Well -- it has happened again!   On July 13, 2019 Ringo Starr was a surprise guest at the end of the "Freshen Up" tour on the last night of the tour in LA!

I love seeing these two together.  It makes me feel like things are going to be alright. 

And for those sites that say that this is the first time they have been together on a stage since the Beatles broke up -- uhhhh---- you need to do better research! 

Stella and the Meanie

Happy Birthday Ringo!

Photo taken by Joshua Galvan (used with his permission)

Unlike Paul, Ringo typically doesn't roll down his window and say hello to fans.   However, he made an exception on his birthday today.    Joshua Galvan was lucky to snap this great photo of Ringo (and if you look closely Barbara) giving his fans a peace sign.  Peace and Love!!

Peace and Love 2019

Let Freedom Ring (o)

Paul McCartney in Moline, Illinois  June 11, 2019
Photo taken by Sara Schmidt  Do not use without permission 

I wish all my fellow American Beatle friends out there a happy Independence Day!   And I wish everyone else a happy July 4!    Due to the Holiday,  I am taking a break from the site today.  See you all next week!

Tales from the Nosebleed Section of a Paul McCartney concert.

Over the years I have informed you all about my experiences at various Paul McCartney concert events:  soundcheck, third row, limo watch, etc.    My reasoning was to give fans the information to make the right decisions for them.   I have heard of the years that it has been helpful to many fans, and so tonight I am going to explain what it was like seeing Paul in the nosebleed section of an arena. 

Paul McCartney concert tickets are expensive.  That is a fact that no one can disagree.   The tickets at the top of the arena (known to most as the nosebleed seats) cost in the $100 range.    There are a lot of people reading this that don't have an extra $100 laying around.   When you add up wanting to take your husband and kids or whoever else, it gets expensive really fast.      Is it worth buying the tickets in the "cheap" seats just to be there or is it not worth the money?

I saw the Paul McCartney concert in Moline, Illinois on June 11, 2019, from section 204.   I was very close to the tip-top of the arena.    I have had floor seats and I have had the middle section, but this was my first top tier concert since 2002.     The biggest thing  I can say is that if you are on the floor, you are PART of the concert.   Paul makes direct eye contact with you and those around you.   He is reading signs of the people there, you might get on the big screen during Hey Jude, etc.    If you are sitting at the top, you are an observer the entire time.    There is a big disconnect between you and Paul. 

"You give me lovin in the palm of my hand..."
Photo taken by Sara Schmidt (do not use with out permission)  

It is difficult to get to your seat up at the top.   The incline is steep and the stairs are a little frightening for some.   The seats are tight together and there isn't much wiggle room  (although the same can be said for seats on the floor).    Once you get to your seat, it easiest to stay there, but tons of people will be getting up and leaving to get beer throughout the show, causing you to have to maneuver around to let them through. 

The folks that are with you up at the top don't seem to be die-hard McCartney fans.   They don't react to Wings or solo songs and let's not even talk about the brand new stuff.   If they aren't reacting to "1985," then they sure aren't going to react to "Who Cares."     The fans down below are doing specific movements during certain songs (Roll it comes to mind, but there are others).    If you are doing these things, you are out of place.   These people just want to hear Beatles, and not any deep Beatles cuts but the #1 hit songs.    Not that there is anything wrong with that, but if you think you'll pull from their energy, you are wrong.   That is not to say that there aren't any serious fans up there -- but the majority at my concert were not.

Photo taken by Sara Schmidt (do not use without permission)

The good part is that you can hear Paul no matter where you are sitting.    You can also see him (that is as long as someone isn't blocking your view).    The big screens on each side of him (and the little ones for those with an obstructive view)  make sure that you see him very well.   Without those, he looks like a teeny tiny Paul McCartney -- but you can tell without a doubt that it is him.   The viewpoint from the top is interesting and one you don't get elsewhere.   I could see him entering the stage and other "backstage" stuff going on.    You get a very good overview of the stage and the entire band.

If you want to see Paul McCartney and the top tier is what you can afford, I will say that you should go ahead and get them.   If you have mobility issues, make sure you get there plenty early because it would be almost impossible to get up the steep steps if you need any assistance with a cane or someone's hand in the dark.    You will enjoy the concert and you will see and hear Paul, which is the reason for attending.

However, if you can afford the $150 seats in the first tier, I think you'd have a better time overall.  Not only is the view better, but the energy from the fans around you makes the show a blast. 

The exciting 9 seconds

Photo was taken and owned by Sara Schmidt (Do NOT post elsewhere without my permission)

I thought for Paul's birthday, I'd share the picture I took of him at the Limo Watch in Moline, Illinois on June 11, 2019. 

Shmoozing with Sir Paul McCartney!

Always nice to find a story of someone that recently met Paul.     On June 4, 2019, Paul and Nancy attended the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services Spring Banquet where Nancy was being honored.      This event took place at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.      This story was originally found here  https://www.aish.com/ci/a/Shmoozing-with-Sir-Paul-McCartney.html?fbclid=IwAR3KkJA8jaV6DPdsGK-htJejF81npigJmdly34rHh31XC0sR_ylj6sf2Uso

As always, I like to copy and paste stories like these to keep in the archives in case the originating site takes it down.

Shmoozing with  Sir Paul McCartney
Written by Rabbit Yitz Greenman
June 10, 2019
aish.com

I went to a charity dinner last night and sat two tables away from Paul McCartney. Born a few weeks before the Beatles performance on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, I – like hundreds of millions of others - have been greatly influenced by Sir Paul. There was no way I wasn’t going to introduce myself. After mustering up the courage I went over and shook his hand. He was warm and welcoming. I thanked him for providing generations of people with great music and that I’ve been a lifelong fan. He was genuinely appreciative of my compliment and told me so.

Then I asked him, “Could I ask you a rabbinic question?”

“Please do,” he replied.

“What merit do you have that enabled you to be such a dominant force in the music world and such an influential person for more than 50 years?”

Without batting an eyelash he responded, “I know the answer to that one. My family. I come from a very supportive family. My parents were always there for me and provided an environment in which I was able to flourish. My dad was always behind me and encouraging me.”

He then pivoted by comparing himself to John Lennon. This was becoming a surreal experience. All of a sudden I’m having a real conversation with Paul McCartney (!) and I felt (uncharacteristically) totally out of my depth.

So I can’t remember if he was contrasting his life to John Lennon’s by saying, “You know John Lennon didn’t have that supportive family upbringing that I had” or comparing it and saying “You know John Lennon had this support network as well.” I was just so mesmerized by Paul’s warmth and openness that I lost the content of his comparison.

Then I responded – and I admit it was a most arrogant comment, “I think your merit is due to something else.”

His reaction was fascinating. He didn’t say, “You don’t know me. How can you presume to know what merits I have?” Rather he said, “What do you think it is?”

Paul McCartney was actually curious to hear my thoughts! His humility was so disarming. I shared that over the years I had read that he had written songs and given them to other artists to perform. I told him that I saw an interview of him where he described bumping into Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in London in the early 60s and they were down in the dumps because they needed a good song to cut. Paul gave them one.

“Is this story true?” I asked.

“Yes, I gave them the song I Wanna Be Your Man and they sang it.”

“Wow. That’s a tremendous act of kindness, one that gives you incredible merit to deserve great gifts from Above.”

“Thank you,” he said, “but I think my answer is right. It was my family’s love and support.”

“But you didn’t listen to your dad,” I joked.

Here too Paul was curious and not negative in any way. His face read: “Please tell me how I didn’t listen to my dad.”

“I heard that your father told you to sing ‘She loves you YES YES YES,’ not ‘She loves you YEAH YEAH YEAH’ and you didn’t listen.”

“You’re right. He did say that and I didn’t listen,” to which the small crowd gathering around us all laughed.

If you think about it, here too Paul’s greatness shines. I’m asking him what merit he had to accomplish such greatness and he sincerely attributed it to others. I attributed it to his acts of giving and loving kindness in helping others – and he acknowledges the facts but downplays his role. True humility.

I realize there’s a sea of folks wanting to shake his hand and I go back to my table, thanking him for sharing his thoughts. Two hours later, when the dinner officially ended, I walked back over to him to ask for his advice. (By now I’m sure you realize my persistence is endless.)

“Can I ask you for a piece of advice”

“Please,” he responded.

“We have a teenage son who excels at piano and singing. How can we water this flower?”

“Give him love,” he replied.

“Thank God, we give him love. What else can we do?”

“Give him more love. It’s like what I told you before, my father gave me lots of love and that enabled me to write and sing and flourish. This is what you need to do for your son. Love and more love.”

Wait a second. Paul McCartney is now referring to a conversation we had two hours ago? Does he actually remember me? Here’s a man who is approached non-stop every day and he remembered that we spoke? I was touched.

Hoping to score an appointment for my budding musician son, I asked him if he ever meets with young talent. He shared that he goes to Liverpool every year to a music school there and attends their graduation ceremony and meets the students. He suggested sending my son there – not something that is likely. I wanted to ask him if I could introduce my son to him, but I didn’t want to overstep his boundaries any more than I already had (yes, even I have a limit) so I let it go.

I was blown away by my encounter with Sir Paul McCartney. He was kind, open and genuinely humble. Being at peace with himself, he was present and engaged, embodying so many important traits that are necessary for greatness.

Paul McCartney Freshen Up tour - A Concert Review (Lexington, KY)

On June 1, 2019, I had the opportunity to travel to Lexington Kentucky to see Paul McCartney in concert for the first time in almost two years.   His new tour, which has the silly name "Freshen Up" still has a few more dates left.

One of my best friends from college lives in Lexington and according to her, having Paul McCartney perform in their town was the most exciting thing that ever happened in Lexington.    The city was pumped for the show with radio stations and TV channels broadcasting.    There was definitely "Beatle energy" in the air.

The concert was held at the Rupp Arena, which had a lot of construction going on around it.   It is a strange venue that had an entire food court located underneath the arena.   I was told that it held several smaller arenas where a variety of sports and performances take place during the year.   Due to the construction and setup of the place,  most of us fans could not find where the limo watch was happening.  While we were looking for it, Paul arrived and was inside.  Oh well -- so much for that.


I have to say that I had the BEST seat I have ever had for a Paul McCartney concert.  While I wasn't on the floor,  I was dead center and had a wonderful view of Paul the whole time.   The people around me were all having fun (passing around popcorn, swaying together...it was a great time) and there was a wall behind me, so I could sit on top of the fold-down seat if I wanted. 

 D.J. Chris got everyone in the mood with a great McCartney/Beatles mix then there was the video that showed a few rare photos of Paul from when he was young to today.    This was a new version of the pre-show compared to the last tour.

Photo was taken by Sara Schmidt  (Do not use without permission)

Not many things on this earth are as exciting as the moment Paul McCartney takes the stage.  As he came on stage, he started in on "A Hard Day's Night." Paul was wearing a navy blue jacket with the "Egypt Station" symbol on the sleeve.  He had a light blue shirt underneath and dark blue pants.  Paul looked good with his natural grey hair.  The next song he launched into was "Junior's Farm."  I was very happy to hear it because it is one of my top favorites and I hadn't heard it live in many years.   After that, was one of my least favorites, "Letting Go."    While I personally don't care for this song, I was blown away (pun intended)  by the small horn section.   The three guys were in the audience on this song but joined Paul later on MANY songs on stage.   Their energy and sound added so much to this concert!   I am not sure how much of the concert was "Freshened Up,"  but the brass section really took the concert to a new level.   It was a welcomed addition.

Paul continued on, performing many of his solo, Beatles and Wings hits.   Song highlights for me included "Let 'em in"  (the flute part was done by Paul and Abe whistling!),  "In Spite of all the danger,"  "From me to You,"   "Dance Tonight"  (Paul plays the mandolin and Abe's dance moves are great!)  "Let it Be,"  "Here Today,"  &  "Fuh You." 

Photo by Sara Schmidt (do not use without permission)

The new songs were well received by this audience.   Even though I could tell that many of the people around me didn't know the new numbers, they were still clapping and swaying to the music.  Before going into "Fuh You,"  Paul went into his thing about how he can tell what songs people like because if it was a Beatles song, the place lights up with everyone's phones, but if it is a new one, it is like the black hole.   Well---during the song thousands and thousands of people turned on their phone and waved it back and forth.  Showing Paul that his new song doesn't need to be a black hole.  We all approve of it.   Paul was obviously touched by this.   Not only did he thank everyone for the lights and said with a warm smile how we proved him wrong.

photo by Sara Schmidt (do not use without permission)

Paul was really chatty during this show.  He told his usual stories but also read many signs and talked more than normal.   Paul's voice was not too good at this concert.   He strained to sing songs such as "I've got a Feeling,"  "Maybe I'm Amazed" and "Helter Skelter."    He took several drinks of water during the show, which should not be noteworthy, but Paul used to be known as the guy that never drank water during a concert.    I never understood why he didn't drink anything all these years, to begin with.    I also noticed that he flubbed some of the words on Sgt. Pepper Reprise.    Paul seemed to be enjoying himself, but this particular concert wasn't as tight as previous performances. 

Two songs were missing from the setlist:  Band on the Run and Yesterday.     It appears that Yesterday has been removed from this tour altogether.   I am not sure why he didn't do Band on the Run.    He did not call anyone up on the stage, which was fine with me.   While I like the fact that fans were getting the opportunity to meet Paul, many of the same people were getting called up and some of the fans were getting catty and mean about it.   This way no one has their feelings hurt, but sadly no one gets to meet him.

Paul saying "See you next time!"  (photo by Sara Schmidt)

If you are expecting to hear Paul McCartney sing like he did when he was in his 20's (or 30's or 40's or 50's or even 60's) and will not be happy unless he hits every note perfectly, then the Freshen Up tour isn't for you.    If you like the experience of being with other fans an in the same room as one of the Beatles, the thrill of singing "Hey Jude" with the man that wrote it,  and everything else that comes along with a Paul McCartney show then you won't want to miss it.    My best advice for everyone is to go and take in the entire experience.   Get to the venue early, find the limo watch (if you can),  talk to other fans, buy your merchandise if you want,  get to your seat early enough to enjoy D.J. Chris and ultimately take in the everything Paul McCartney has to offer.   Overlook the bum notes or the flubbed lyrics.   Don't get upset that he didn't sing your favorite song and just enjoy it for what it is:  Paul McCartney in concert.   We don't know how much longer we are going to have this opportunity, so enjoy it while you are there.   Don't jump on social media and complain about it, especially if you chose not to go.   See you next time!