Fishing with the Fab 4

Was Paul wearing a white t-shirt under this long-sleeved shirt on this day? 

 February 16, 1964

Cruising

Sgt. Buddy saves the day

Switched rolls?

It almost looks like Ringo is the police officer in this photo.

Getting settled in Miami

Buddy and Cyn

Sort of a strange photo, but here is Sgt. Buddy guarding the car that has Cynthia in it while the guys were in Miami in February 1964. 

George and Buddy

The Sgt. Buddy Story

This blog has written about Sgt. Buddy Dresner many times ove the past 8 1/2 years.    He was quite a guy that made a big impression of the Beatles.     Buddy's son is working on a film about his Dad that looks like it would be a lot of fun to watch.   Please check out the website he made for the project.


http://buddyandthebeatles.com/

Pool Boys

Walking through the hotel

I love this photo!  Look at those girls in the background trying to get to the Beatles.  Why is John carrying his own guitar?  Where is Mal to do that for him?  Everything about this photo is awesomeness.

Remembering Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Painting from the Beatles hotel room signed for Buddy

This is the 2nd magazine story Buddy gave in 1984 for the 20th Anniversary of the Beatles in America.  This one was with Life Magazine for their February 1984 issue.   Buddy was an important influence on the Beatles.   They spoke about him in numerous interviews over the years and the line in "She Came in through the bathroom window" that says, "So I quit the police department, got myself a steady job" could have been about Buddy (especially when you listen to the tapes and hear John yell out the name of Buddy when Paul sings those lines.)  Thanks Buddy for keeping our Beatles safe in Miami 50 years ago.  You can join Buddy and the Beatles on facebook!


He is retired now from the Miami Police force and owns a construction business, but in 1964, Sgt. Buddy Dresner was put in charge of the Beatles' security during their stay in Florida.    Dresner introduced them to grilled cheese sandwiches, gefilte fish, water-skiing and such early television standbys as Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason and The Outer Limits.  Under Dresner's watchful eye, the four quickly warmed to all things American, especially those in short supply back home, like long sandy beaches and hot sun.  "They went in that ocean and just acted like kids," he recalls.  When he took them on their first fishing trip, Dresner found them a bit queasy at the idea of putting bait on their hooks and taking the live catch off.  It was a successful expedition, and for several hours Dresner hooked bait and unhooked fish in response to cries of "Boody, Boody!"  After a couple of days of bunking with the group in their hotel, Dresner took them home for a roast beef dinner.  He remembers that Ringo, who was sitting next to his six year old son, Barry, cut up the boy's baked potato for him.  Everywhere they went during their first American tour, the Beatles left behind warm memories of their gentleness, courtesy and "a sense of devilish fun,"  Dresner recalls.  When the policeman forgot to send his wife a Valentine gift and told the Beatles he was in trouble, they called Dorthy Dresner and then sent her a spectacular bouquet ("as big as me," says Buddy's daughter Andrea, then eight).  Andrea's favorite memento of the visit is a tape of an interview the Beatles gave after they left Miami.  "We'd all love to see Buddy again," they chorused, "because he's the greatest guy in the world."

Eight Days a Week

Here is the first of two stories from 1984 told by Buddy Dresner about his time with the Beatles in Miami in 1964.  This one came from the Feb 16, 1984  (issue 415) of Rolling Stone.   Buddy retired as a lieutenant of the Miami Police in 1980 and worked in construction.    After Buddy's death some of his Beatles memorabilia was auction off and bought by the Hard Rock Cafe and can be found at various restaurants around the world. 


I was working nights.  Someone was pounding on my door at 11.  A North Miami Beach policeman said, "Get down to the station."  There they handed me an envelope.  The note said, "You will go to the Deauville Hotel and take charge of the Beatles' security."

I went up to their room, and we became friends.  I told them we would have a good time, and if they paid attention, there wouldn't by any trouble.  I told them it would be my responsibility if something happened to them.  

We used to watch T.V.  We were watching a show called The Outer Limits and I said, "If I had one of those guns, I could zap all the criminals."

Paul said, "What did you say?"

"Zap?" I said.  They never heard that word before.  I heard they put that word in one of their songs.

I also taught 'em how to fish. They wouldn't put the bait on the wouldn't take the fish off the hook, but they liked fishing.  There was a private home on Star Island owned by a policeman's wife and we hung out there.

I took 'em to the first drive-movie they went to.  Gave them their first grilled cheese sandwich.  I had 'em over here for supper.  They drank Scotch with warm Coke.  Paul would eat dessert before the main meal.  I said, "You can't do that in America.  You gotta eat the salad first then hit the steak and potatoes."

The fans tried everything in the world to get into the hotel.  I had to set up booby traps.  Exit doors would open into the hallways.  I put chairs behind the doors.  Once, forty kids charged.  I was standing outside the door, all by myself.  I said, "Hold it there.  You're all under arrest.  Just stop right there.  Wait for the car.  They turned and ran.  I was more scared than they were!"

The Beatles had good times.  We went to the Deauville nightclub.  At night I did bed checks.  Would you believe?  I had about 23 or 24 policemen working for me.  I said, "Whoever lets 'em out, I have to answer to the chief." 

I would leave for home at 2:30 or 3:00 a.m. then set my alarm for 6.  It wore me out after a couple days, so I said, "Hey George, you got a roommate?"  He said, "I was wondering why you didn't stay."   I moved in.

Once I told them, "You guys better save your money.  I don't think you're gonna make it."  They would needle me saying, "Why don't you go out and get a real job?"  I said, "I'll get you jobs as taxi drivers."

There were no women in the rooms, no drugs--no way, shape or form.  Only Scotch and Coke.  That's a fact.  These were the straightest, cleanest kids.  I swear on it.  It was like taking care of a younger brother.

After they went back, they send me some snapshots.  Then I was supposed to go see 'em in Jacksonville when they came back later, but I had to work.

Sgt. Buddy's lonely hearts club family

I also really love the photos of when the Beatles spent time with Sgt. Buddy's family in Miami.  It is just sort of neat to think that in the middle of all the mania, they had the opportunity to have a meal and conversation with a normal American family and maybe feel a since of "home" while they were in the United States.

Silly George

Here is George with one of Buddy Dresner's kids in Miami.   Those kids were so lucky to hang out with all four of the Beatles in their home. 

Avoiding fans in Miami

Sgt. Buddy's house

When the Beatles were in Miami during their first U.S. visit, the found themselves at the home of their "bodyguard," Sgt. Buddy Dresner. He took them there to have dinner with his wife and Beatle-fan children. Nothing gets on your kids good side than bringing home the Beatles! I am sure Buddy brought that one up on a regular basis. "Get that homework done, kids. Who brought the Beatles home to see you? Yeah....get it done!" While they were there, the lads ate a roast beef dinner (which John later sent the family a thank you note for) and Paul read the children a story. No word about any singing going on, although it wouldn't shock me if they had a piano.