Radio's battle for the Beatles

I find the whole "radio race for the Beatles" in the 1960's to be very interesting.   This article written by Peter Kanze has some interesting bits of information about WAMC and WMCA in New York and the Beatles.    This was published in issue #48 (from 1989) of Good Day Sunshine Magazine.

1964 Revisited:  Radio’s Battle for the Beatles

By Peter Kanze

When the Beatles first hit American shores in 1964, radio personalities scrambled to befriend them and scoop other stations.   WIN’s (New York City) Murray the K and his exploits are well known but here’s a taste of the mania that occurred at the other top New York rock stations.  Rick Sklar of WABC-AM radio (Sklar was WABC’s Program Director from 1962 through 1976, and is largely responsible for the tightly formatted, professional contemporary radio that is the standard for today.  He’s currently Vice President of ABC Radio in charge of programming), and Joe Bogart of the now all-talk WMCA-AM radio in New York city recently remembered how their stations covered the first wave of Beatlemania.

In its heyday, before the disco barrage of ’78, WABC was the leading radio station in the New York City area, and had been so for some 16 years.  Its signal reaches the entire eastern half of the United States on a good night, and virtually every AM listener in that half of the country (and a good number of listeners in many other parts of the world) has picked up its signal at least once.

Conversely, WMCA was, and is only a 5000 watt local station with a coverage area of approximately 75 miles.  During the 1960s, the WMCA “Good Guys” placed more emphasis on new music programming and on-air listeners’ empathy than WABC, but usually came up only #2 in the ratings.  Because of this, and such factors as the advent of FM rock radio, WMCA finally switched to an all talk format in September 1970.

Joe Bogart, Music Director of WMCA in the ‘60’s remembers how they became the first station to play “I wanna Hold your Hand” as an American release.  “We played the Beatles records in 1963, before Capitol had signed them.  We gave them a chance; but they didn’t do anything, so off the playlist they went.  But as time went on, we couldn't help but be impressed by their popularity in England. So when Capitol told us that they had signed them for the United States, we told them that we were willing to take a chance on a record, and to bring it up when it was ready.”

Ken Luttman was the local Capitol promotion man at the tie.  He brought up the new Beatles single, “I wanna hold your hand,” on the morning of Thursday, December 26, 1963.  Jack Spector played it on the air for the first time around 12:30 that afternoon.  It just took off from there.

“WABC never took a chance on anything, they just played the records after we made hits out of them, “ Bogart continued, “I always considered ‘top 40’ as a creation of management and frightened people.  WMCA wanted to play the best music – the sounds that really belonged on the air.”

Rick Sklar remembers that “WABC never deviated from its standard policy with and artist, including the Beatles.   In order to get played on the station, the artist had to be established first.  Once they made it, fine, but we weren't going be the station to take a chance.  “WABeatlesC” went on the first American Beatles releases, but only because of their track record in England.  I don’t think that it was very significant that WMCA played “I wanna hold your hand” before we did.  As far as we were concerned, the Beatles weren't known yet.  Once the Beatles were known, though, we always tried to have the exclusive. “

The “exclusive” or “scoop” (a record that has been obtained first by one radio station in a given area and no other) was all-important in those days, and still is to some extent with superstar performers.  In the case of the Beatles, it was meant to convey the impression that one radio station had a closer relationship to the group than the other.  Hence, newer music, better gossip, etc.

Skylar continued, “There was a tremendous fight for exclusives.  We would try to wait until Friday night, and then we’d have the exclusive record over the weekend because all the offices were shut down.  The telegrams and injunctions might fly, but the damage to the competition was already done.”

Bogart achieved a still legendary status of being able to “scoop records”.  He recalls, “We made a hobby of it.  Our slogan in those days was ‘First on your Dial’ (referring to WMCA’s 570 kHz AM dial position), and we tried to make it mean something.

“We basically used connections to get scoops.  There were super-secret arrangements which to this day I still don’t think I should talk about.  I remember waiting at the airport at 7 a.m. one very chilly morning for a cargo plane with the tapes of one of the first Beatles albums to arrive.  We got it back to the station, and Ed Baer aired it cut by cut, just as we finished dubbing it off the tapes.”

There was also an equally big rivalry between the stations as to who would do a remote broadcast or who would emcee a concert.  Says Bogart, “I was supposed to go to England to make a deal with Brian Epstein to bring the Beatles to Madison Square Garden.  Instead Epstein came over here.  He felt that the Garden was much too big a place, and chose Carnegie Hall instead.  The Beatles played two shows at Carnegie Hall.  We hosted one show, and Murray the K of WINS hosted the other.

“When the Beatles played Shea Stadium the following year, we were not allowed to do a live broadcast.  So, we did the next best thing.  We stationed Ed Baer in a broadcast booth to do color.  As the Beatles started a song, we’d switch back to the studio and play a record of the song they were performing live.  As the song ended, we’d switch back to Ed and broadcast the applause and hysteria.”

Sklar adds, “You never heard any music at the concerts anyway.  There was too much screaming.  It was 45 minutes of sheer ecstasy and madness.  Whenever they were in town we at WABC would do anything and everything to make them a part of the station.  When they stayed at the Warwick hotel, we put in equipment that ran from the WABC station just across the street so that we could use our microphones without having to trail all that equipment around.  We could just go to their rooms, do the broadcast and come back.

I remember in 1964 we hit the Warwick hotel two day’s early making friends with the detectives and staff.  It’s funny how far a bottle of Scotch would go in those days!  By the time the Beatles got there, they knew who we were and it was safe to go in.  We didn't get stopped; we just went right through the line.  That way, we sometimes got in when others couldn't.

“There were many memorable situations.  Once, some girl (in the crowd) ripped off Ringo’s St. Christopher medal and we broadcast appeals for it.  Ringo was all broke up about it and said he couldn't perform without it.  Evidently he’d worn it around his neck since he was a kid.  We broadcast the appeals and, sure enough, the girl came to the radio station.  But by this time it was so dramatic that we took the girl, called her home and asked if we could put her up for the night.  WE shut her up in the hotel and continued the appeals all night, even though we already had the girl and the medal.  In the morning the medal was returned to Ringo.  He could play again and it was an emotional moment for all. 

I also remember the time that we persuaded Paul McCartney to come down to our room where we had the equipment to do a lengthier interview.  The security in the place was maddening because the Beatles were afraid to appear in public.  So he and I tip-toed out to the elevator – in those days the elevators were manned by operators.  Sure enough, the first elevator that came was going down when we needed to go up.  The elevator stopped and opened up:  inside was a middle aged businessman and his daughter who had evidently persuaded her father to let her stay overnight.  The only people who were allowed in the hotel were paying guests, and she was evidently hoping to see the Beatles.  The elevator stopped, and I told the operator that, while I knew this elevator was going down, this was an emergency, and we had to go up one floor in a hurry.  Could she just turn around and take us up that one flight?  The operator was in the process of giving us a big explanation as to why she couldn't when the girl (who was looking down at the floor) looked up and realized she was only two inches from Paul McCartney.  She screamed, “It’s him!   It’s him!”  As she screamed, the elevator operator (who didn't know who we were) slammed the door right in our faces.  As the elevator dropped we could hear the poor girl screaming “Let him in!  Let him in!”  All the way down.

An even more famous occurrence was the time would “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and Scott Muni were interviewing the Beatles in their hotel suite.  At the spur of the moment, they stuck their microphone out of the window.  Dan Ingram, the DJ on the air at the time, told the crowd (most of whom were evidently carrying radios tuned to WABC) to sing along with the jingles.  Sure enough, on cue, about 10,000 kids suddenly started singing along with “Your world looks great on 77 WABC.”  They repeated the process with three different jingle cuts and then Ingram played a Beatle record as a “reward.”

Both stations used the Beatles tie-in as a way of promoting the station.  Beatle drawings were a favorite.  “One contest involved drawing a Beatle wig on a celebrity,” recalls Bogart, “Some of the entries were really fabulous and inventive.  We had entries such as someone took a Lincoln penny, mounted it on velvet, and painted a Beatle haircut with enamel; other entries included portraits of such diverse people as Pope Pius and Adalai Stevenson with Beatle haircuts.  We had something like 85,000 entries.”

WABC’s contest involved a Beatle “look alike” promotion.  The winner was a dead-ringer for Ringo Starr – a girl! 

“The Beatles were very easy to work with,” says Sklar.  “We ran a contest, ‘Win a Date with the Beatles.’  The only way we were able to do this was because ABC had a tie-in with the Cerebral Palsy charity.  We set up a benefit concert at the New York Paramount and to help sell tickets we offered this contest.  The winner got to go to the concert and had dinner; then he/she got to go backstage and meet the Beatles at a small reception.  Because we did this with a charity tie in, we were able to get the group to work with us. “

Other prizes in similar contests ranged from a trip to England to money, records, concert tickets and even WMCA “Good Guys” sweatshirts.  One early contest involved the giveaway of a special 45 rpm picture cover for “I wanna hold your hand,” featuring the Beatles on side one, and pictures of the WMCA disc jockeys on the other.  A lock of Ringo’s hair accompanied by a picture of WMCA DJ Joe Obrien snipping it off was another such prize.

According to Sklar, “It was sensational, that kind of radio.  It had excitement that you don’t see today.  We had a 25% share of the audience – that’s 6,000,000 listeners to a single Saturday night “Cousin Brucie” Morrow show.  When you talk to program directors today, they just don’t understand.  Soon after the Beatles, FM came along and fragmented the audience.  It exploded the whole thing and everybody got a piece.  That’s why you don’t see that kind of radio programming anymore.

“Could it happen again?  At some point in time an artist could gain catch on via radio.  In turn, the group would help radio to re-establish itself as a key medium.  Go back and consider Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and the others.  It’s a logical progression.  These phenomena tend to repeat themselves because the public wants them to.”

Adventures of a 1st generation fan (part 3)

Well I finally found it!   After 5 years I now have all 5 parts of Sue Bujnousky's stories of being around the Beatles in the late 1960's.    Here is part 3, which was the last part I needed.   It came from the Spring 1990 (issue #54) of Good Day Sunshine magazine.

Adventures of a first generation fan

Part 3 (1968)

By Sue Bujnousky

During our last week in England in July of 1968, we spent almost all of our free time either at Paul’s house, Abbey road or the Apple Building on Savile Road.  A few incidents stand out.

Waiting outside Paul’s house with the usual crowd of girls (it’s funny, but now that I think of it, I don’t remember ever seeing any guys there), we could hear Paul’s Aston Martin coming out of the garage while Rosie, his housekeeper, came and opened the gates.  We all crowded around, and Paul opened the window to talk to us.  One of the girls gave him two roses.  He put one behind his ear, the other between his teeth and drove off toward the studio; waving out the window for us to follow.  It was like a scene out of “a Hard Day’s night”, all of us running after the car, screaming.  This is not the easiest thing to do when you’re wearing high heels and a mini-skirt!  I don’t know how his neighbors put up with this.  They must have been very patient people.

The first time I saw George, John, Paul and Yoko had “come together” to the studio in John’s white rolls, Ringo arrived in a small, non-descript car.  I can still remember the feeling.  I was finally going to see George face-to-face.  Someone said, “Here’s George” as a cream colored Mercedes (License Plate No. OLA 600E) came around the corner and pulled into the parking lot in front of the studio.  I ran into the front gate, camera ready.  George got out, wearing a ruffled white shirt and the brightest green pants I have ever seen.  I tried to get around the car but the guard (I think his name was James, we got to know him pretty well) very politely “escorted” me back to the sidewalk, I was frantic.  George was already up the stairs.  I started screaming, “George turn around!”  No luck (This probably looked rather strange, since I was the only one in the crowd yelling, jumping up and down and pounding on the studio fence).  Finally out of sheer frustration I yelled, “You creep!”  (Isn't that wonderful?)  Well, he stopped, turned around laughed and waved at me.  I took a picture, but my hands were shaking so badly by then that it didn't come out very well.

A couple of days before we left England, Yellow Submarine premiered.  Of course we couldn't go to opening night, but we were there the second night.  After seeing them all arrive at the studio, a group of us decided to see if we could get in.  We must have gotten the last few tickets, since we ended up in the third or fourth row – talk about a stiff neck.  It was quite an experience, though, having just talked to them and then watching them on the screen at the end of the film – talk about “cloud nine!”

We left England and came home via Geneva.  I don’t think the full reality hit us until we had been back a few weeks.  Our parents, who hadn't sounded too thrilled with what we had been doing when we called home (not enough culture—why didn't we go to a museum or art gallery?) were telling all their friends that their daughters were “hanging around” all day with the Beatles!

Mean Fiddler Macca Miracle

I am in a 1990's mood, so this story from the Winter of 1992 issue of Good day Sunshine fits the bill.  I would have loved to have seen one of Paul's "secret" gigs in the early 1990's.  They always sounded so amazing.  Plus I wish I had seen the 1990's line up of band members.   This story was written by  Leslie McCutcheon

Mean Fiddler Macca Miracle

By Leslie McCutcheon

“Who will meet you at the airport?”  I was asked over and over by my friends and family members when I announced that I had decided to move to London for half a year of work.  “Nobody,” I would reply simply, rather enjoying the somewhat shocked reactions I was receiving when I announced my plans to move to this enormous city half way across the world; a metropolis where I knew nobody, had nowhere to live and, most pointedly, where I had no visible means of support.  Most amusing was that everyone else’s main concern was who was going to meet me at the airport – the least of my worries.

So what on earth possessed me to embark upon this rather unusual venture?   I will be the first to admit that my love and insual  body, had nowhere to live and, most pointedly, where I had no terest in the Beatles and the Rolling Stones had sparked my initial fascination in England long ago.  When I first visited Britain three years ago, I was immediately captivated by the city and simply knew I’d be back someday.  Never would I have expected to be moving there.  I had six months to live and work in the city of my dreams.

My first two weeks were hectic and stressful.  However, I was very lucky to have met up with four other girls who were going through exactly the same thing, so we (helped) each other through those initial hardships.  By the end of my second week there, I landed two jobs!  My main job was as receptionist in an estate agency just down the block from 94 Baker Street, where the short-lived Apple Boutique attempted to flourish, and also just a short walk to Ringo’s one-time flat on 34 Montague Square.  As a matter of trivia, it just so happened that our office was marketing this very flat  At the same time, 57 Wimpole Street, where Paul had lived with Jane Asher’s family was up for sale as well.

My other job was as an usher at the Hammersmith Odeon, where the Beatles 1964 and 1965 Christmas Shows were held (and where George and Eric Clapton first met!).  It was this job that provided me with some of my most memorable experiences during my tenure in London.

The first major concert I worked was Bob Dylan, in which I was fortunate enough to catch his sound check.  At the end of his final show there, George Harrison and Ronnie Wood ran up and showered him with flowers.  Sting played 5 nights at the venue, and I once had the privilege of seating Eric Clapton in my section.

So where do the Beatles fit in to this story?  Well, a few days after Sting’s concert in April, my friend Katie came from the States to visit me.   I took her on a tour of all the notable Beatle sights in London and we spent three fabulous days touring Liverpool.  Back in London one afternoon, we wandered up to Paul’s St. John’s Wood home, where a young woman emerged from the imposing gates announcing to us, “they don’t live here any longer.”   Our initial guess was this was one  of Paul & Linda’s daughters, saying what would be a rather obvious remark t those inclined to hang around outside.  Why would he have sold the house which he’s owned since 1966?

On Tuesday, May 7^th, when I returned home from work, Katie anxiously announced that she had heard on the radio that afternoon a scoop:  Paul was to play a “secret” gig at a small cub in North London.  Unfortunately, the tickets had sold out within 30 minutes, around noon that day.  Well, we were in no state to give up that easily.  The following morning I phoned around to give or so radio stations inquiring about this gig.  No one had any clue as to what I was talking about.  The BBC was stumped and even MTV Europe, who proved most helpful as far as actually looking into the possibility that I say perhaps have been onto something that they didn't even know about, had not heard a thing about any supposed “secret” McCartney gig.  Finally, Katie figured out that she had heard the announcement on Capitol Radio, so I immediately phoned them and found out that our destination on Friday, May 10^th, at 8pm, would be the “Mean Fiddler” in Harlesden.

I managed to get off work at 3:30 that day and arrived at the Mean Fiddler with Katie at around 4:30, about one hour too late to see Paul arrive for the sound check.  We waited outside, and after a while, Paul’s band members emerged from the alleyway alongside the club.  Before we knew it, Paul and Linda appeared.  Everyone who was in line with tickets for the gig went crazy snapping photographs.  Since we didn't have to stay in the line (since we didn't have tickets), we were able to get right next to Paul as he was escorted into his car.  He was very friendly and waved to the crowd of adoring fans.  Katie took a classic close-up photo of him in the vehicle.  I stood there as the car pulled away with tears running down my eyes.  We were absolutely beside ourselves with excitement.

Though this would have certainly been enough to keep us happy, we still opted to hang around longer, just in case the club would take pity on us and let us inside after all.  At around 9:20, after the line of ticket-holders was admitted, we were informed that we could actually go in, for only ten pounds (about $17).  We were shaking with delight.  I can still recall that intense feeling of excitement, disbelief and utter relief as Katie and I were handed our tickets and as we entered the tiny, jam-packed club.

The second we stepped inside I felt as if I had slipped into a dream.  It didn't seem real.  It was evident that we would not have a chance to see anything from floor level, so we hurried upstairs to a small balcony where I miraculously secured a couple of positions on top of a small bar stool.  From where we stood, we were elated to discover that the band was directly below us and we had a perfect view of the entire band!  They were squeezed onto a tiny stage not more than 20 feet wide.  The club’s capacity was around 600 people.  We knew that this was indeed something very special.

Once Paul took the stage everyone went wild.  He was not more than 15 feet from us, and we made eye contact with him and Linda several times.   Paul was instantly at ease with the warm, enthusiastic crowd, constantly joking and chatting with audience members.  The crowd chanted, “Gertrude!  Gertrude!” when Paul got to Linda as he was introducing the band.  When asked for an autograph by someone in the crowd, he responded, “as if I haven’t got anything to do up here.”

The first half of the show was “unplugged.” And the second half was the “plugged in” set, with Paul playing his old Hofner bass (the one with the original 1966 playlist taped to the side).  It was the most amazing concert I have ever seen, and as close as one could come to feel the excitement of seeing the Beatles at the Cavern.  The atmosphere was so intimate yet electrifying; nearly nine months later I still savor the thrill of it.  And had Katie not been listening to the radio at that exact moment, we would never have been there.  It had to be fate. 

The World Tour

How exciting it had to have been for Dave Paine, who is a Beatles fan who was assigned to work as part of security for Paul McCartney's World tour when it came to Massachusetts in 1990.   

During Paul's concert in Foxboro 1,000 fans were randomly invited to participate in a taping of a documentary film about the tour that Paul was making.   The invitation was for the next evening.   Dave was doing the security for this event and had the amazing opportunity to meet Paul before the "concert" began.

This story was from issue #57 of Good Day Sunshine fanzine.

The World tour

By David Paine

Good Day sunshine #57 Autumn 1990

This should be filed under “dreams do come true.”   When I saw Charles picture in GDS with Paul I was very happy for him.  I never expected to see the day when I’d get to meet Paul too.  Well it happen on July 25 (1990) in Foxboro.

On the 24^th, Paul was due to arrive by helicopter and I was assigned at the heli-pad to follow Paul’s motorcade from the pad to the backstage area (approx. ¼ mile).   As I was waiting, two of Paul’s security men arrived with the limos to meet Paul.    I asked one of them if I could take a photo when Paul landed.  He said that instead of that he would get me an autographed picture.  I thanked him but didn't’t honestly think I would see it.  Paul landed at around 5pm with Linda, Mary, James and Stella.  Paul jumped out, waved and was in the limo.   I followed the motorcade to the backstage area.  Paul opened his window and waved to the several hundred fans who gathered near backstage.  After the shouting/screaming and lunges toward his limo, Paul was backstage.  I waited a little while outside the fenced in area, but couldn't find the security guy I’d spoke with.  I left and went to see the show.  It was fantastic!!

The next night Paul was due to arrive by helicopter to shoot some footage for the film.  Again, I was at the heli-pad for the escort.  It was a low-key night with only 1,000 fans.  This time I came prepared.  I had my camera and several shirts to give to Paul and his family.  Luck was on my side because the security guy from the night before recognized me and said he’d get that picture for me.  I asked him if he could give Paul some shirts, and I was elated when he said, “Tell you what, after we get backstage you can give them to him yourself.” 

Paul was outside near a trailer and the lounge tent, talking with another security guy.  I walked toward him and I couldn't help smiling.  He smiled back and said, “good evening—how are you doing?”  I said, “Hello Paul, I’m Dave Paine.”  We shook hands and he commented that  he used to wear a hat similar to mine in the British Scouts when he was a boy.  We talked about the lousy weather, where I am from, etc.  I gave him the shirts, he thanked me and we took a picture (he’s holding the shirts in the shot).  He left and filmed the documentary from 9-11pm.

On the 26^th, he put on another great how, and again the rain held off.  Meeting Paul was the ultimate and I wanted to share my good fortune with you, and let other fans know that Paul is the genuine, down-to-earth, great guy he seems.  Oh, yes I also got that autographed 8 x 10! 

The Adventure of a first generation fan part 1

This has been a long time coming!   Way back in 2009, when I first started this blog I posted part 4 of Sue Bujnovsky's article on going to England in 1968 and 1969.  She wrote these articles for Good Day Sunshine magazine in the late 1980 and early 1990's.    And I have posted parts 2, 4, and 5 on this blog over the years.   (You can find them if you look in the tags under Sue's name).    Well I have finally located part 1!!    I bought a large batch of GDS magazines and I hope part 3 is in there somewhere as well.   

Part one was published in 47 (Christmas 1988) issue of Good Day Sunshine fanzine. 

Adventures of a first generation fan

Part 1

By Sue Bujnovsky

As with all “first-generation” fans, I began on February 9 with the Ed Sullivan Show.  I laughed at first, having been brought up on Mitch Miller and Lawrence Welk; but by the end of the show I was totally won over.  I knew then that I would get to England someday.  I started high school that September and met Pat, our common obsession making us “best friends.”  Our motto was “Wait Till ’68” (the year we would graduate) and go to England.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the Modern Language League of Chicago came to our school in December of 1967 to recruit students for their 7-week tour of Europe in the summer of 1968, which included a month in Britain.  After a lot of nail-biting and praying on both sides, our parents gave Paul and me permission to go.

We arrived in London on a sunny day in July of 1968, checked into our hotel and jumped on the first double-decker bus we saw.  We got off in Piccadilly Circus, where we had to wade through the hippies around the Fountain of Eros.  The next stop was Carnaby Street,  a narrow alley actually, but full of mini-skirts and bell bottoms.  We went for a walk that evening along the Thames, and listened to Big Ben Chime.  We were ready!

Pat, who adored Paul, had gotten his Cavendish Avenue address out of a fan magazine.  Cavendish Avenue runs next to the Lord’s Cricket Grounds, one of the most famous in the U.K.  One Sunday evening, we asked the doorman of our hotel to get us a cab to cricket ground.  He explained that it was closed on Sunday.  We said we didn't care, we just wanted to see it.  He said we couldn't see anything., there was a wall around it.  We insisted.  He persisted.  Finally, after almost coming to blows, he decided that we were just more “Crazy Yanks” and got the cab.  Cavendish Avenue turned out to be a short, narrow street in St. John’s Wood.  It was easy to pick out Paul’s house.  There were about 15 girls standing outside the tall black gates.  We approached cautiously; the girls eyed us as definitely unwanted competition.  It didn't take long to become friendly, however, and we learned that the girls were from about five different counties, including the U.S..

It finally happened about three visits later.  We had just come from Madame Tussaud’s where we had seen their wax figures, in the new “Sgt. Pepper” outfits.    A small, white car pulled up outside Paul’s gates.  John got out, with Yoko right behind him.  Pat and I were in shock, or ecstasy (we weren't sure which).  He rang the intercom.  Paul, apparently thinking it was just girls fooling around, didn't answer or open the electronic gates.  John, getting aggravated, grabbed the grating and climbed over the wall.  When he landed on the other side, he opened the gates and pulled in Yoko, who never said a single word.

It all happened so fast, we just stared at each other.  We couldn't believe we’d actually seen a Beatle less than a foot away after waiting for years, much less have him perform acrobatics!  A few minutes later, Paul came out with John and Yoko.  Everyone crowded around for autographs.  He insisted that he didn't have time, but after a little coaxing he agreed.  George has always been my favorite, but I have to admit that Paul was one of the best-looking men I have ever seen (those big brown eyes!).  John on the other hand – when I asked for his autograph – gave me an unprintable reply.  In fact, most of what he said to everybody was unfit for print.  At the time, we were a little shocked, but looking back on it; he must have been so tired of us invading his privacy by then.  I think I can understand.  John wherever you are now, it was a privilege just to have met you.  After we all got our autographs, Paul got in his car and they drove off to Abbey Road, a very short distance away.

That was my first experience with one or more of the Beatles, that summer and in the summer of 1969.  The photos here are of John and Yoko with fans outside Paul’s London home in July 1968 and Paul entering Abbey Road gates in his Aston-Martin also in July 1968. 

Behind the scenes of Paul's 1989 VISA commerical

In 1989 I was a new Beatles fan.   Many of you had been a fan for decades by the time I caught on.  Many of you had seen the Beatles or at least one of the Beatles in concert and many of you had even met one of them in person.    I remember reading a story about fans who were at the making of this commercial for VISA credit card and just being amazed at the fact that you could actually be that close to one of the Beatles. At that time my heart belonged to Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block and they kept us far, far away from him.   But here there were fans who got to touch Paul McCartney.   I wanted to know more....and today I am still trying to get close to him!

This is a story of one of those fans who was at the taping of the commercial.  The fans only appear in the ad for a half of a split second.   It was written by an L.A. new anchor named Diane Ruszczky and was originally in the Summer 1990 issue of Good Day Sunshine magazine. 

Diane (the blonde on the far end) and other fans wait for Paul.

All photos are Diane Ruscuzky's

Behind the scenes at the tapes of Paul’s Visa ad in L.A.

By Diane m. Ruszczyk

I attended the filming of Paul McCartney’s VISA commercial November 27, 1989.  I was one of the “fans” who got to scream and touch Paul over and over again for the cameras; and , while I can be seen in only two quick clips in the ad, it was a thrill of a lifetime to be able to tell Paul to his face, “I love you,” and have him acknowledge it.

Filming began without Paul at 9:00a.m., in the parking lot of the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California.  We pretended to be waiting in line for tickets.

Paul joined us at 1:00p.m. and we worked with him until 3p.m., and then he went to a press conference at the Forum Club, which I was also privileged to attend, as a representative of Channel 11, KTTV, New Los Angeles (Fox Television).  Paul even answered a question I asked. 

But, back to the commercial, Paul walked down the line of waiting, screaming “fans”, of which I was one, signing autographs, two times, then he drove by in a limousine four times.  The first time he walked by, I took photos, the second time he walked by I got his autograph, only half signed.  It says “Pa...” but you can see in a photo of him signing it, authenticating the unusual autograph!  The first time he rode by, I reached my hand into the limo and grabbed it, squeezing it very hard, and held onto it for a such a long time I thought I’d never let go.  And I could feel the squeeze long after, his grip had been so strong.  The next time he drove by, I handed a rose into the car, and Linda, now riding with him, took it from me.  The third drive by, again I reached into the car, Paul again grabbed my hand, and as the limo pass by, he was pulled of the window because of our link.  He looked right at me, and I said to him, “I love you!”  I had waited all my life for that moment.  It was great!  Now, they had to back the limo out each time, so when Paul passed by on his way to the starting point, he would tell us to talk backwards.  The fourth time the limo passed, Paul and Linda were through the sun roof, again I took photos.

After that, Paul went on the other side of a fence, and waited for a long time for the crew to set up the next shot.  It was then that the real fans among the actors got a chance to chat with him.  Paul even talked to some of the fans who had gathered across the road to watch.  He was so sweet and gracious.  I was particularly impressed when Paul held the hands of a fan through the fence who had started crying because she was so overwhelmed by his presence.  This girl was a friend of mine and I know how much that meant to her.

The whole day was like a dream come true I got to see Paul in concert that night (I saw him three times in L.A.), but, unfortunately I made one error.  I was to have gone to the China Club after the concert, but since it had been such a long day for me, with the Visa Commercial and press conference and the concert, I just went home.  As it turned out, George Harrison was at the China Club that night!  Oh well, it was a Paul McCartney day. 

Adventures of a first generation fan (part 2)

If you have been a long-time reader of this blog, then you might recall that I have spent the past 3.5 years locating Good Day Sunshine fanzines that have the continuing article of fan, Sue Bujnousky's trip to London in 1968 & 1969.   It is a 5 part series, and I already posted parts 4 and 5.   Well I recently tracked down part 2!   It came from  the issue #50 (summer of 1989) issue of GDS.  But I am disappointed.  There are no photos, it is really short, and she didn't even meet of the Beatles!   But....I do enjoy reading about the Apple Boutique.  So I found some photos to share with the story.   Anyone have parts 1 or 3???

Pattie Boyd and some other models at the Apple Boutique

Jane Asher....is she in the Apple Boutique?

Inside the Boutique

Jenny Boyd posing with a Beatles fan inside the Apple Boutique

It was twenty-five years ago today:  Adventures of a first generation fan

Part II (1968)

By Sue Bujnousky

Our next stop was the Apple Boutique on Baker Street.  We were expecting something rather unusual for a store, and we weren’t disappointed.

The inside was rather dark.  There were clouds painted on the ceiling, incense was burning and Indian music playing – perfect! It was also quite crowded – with merchandise, not customers.  We were the only ones there.  We pushed our way through the racks and picked out a few things to try on. The fitting room was in the basement, down a very steep, narrow staircase.  It was one large room, quite common now, but then we were used to individual booths – with curtains!  Pat looked around the empty room, “You don’t’ think the men come in here too, do you?’  I looked back, probably with a mixture of horror and delight, “Only one way to find out, right?”  We went to the farthest corner and began to change.

A minutes or two later, a young woman came in, glanced at us and went to the other side of the room to change.  She had long, red hair and freckles.  Pat poked me, “that’s Jane!”  I looked again.  It certainly did look like Jane Asher.  Pat started toward her, I grabbed her arm and practically had to pin my rather tall friend against the wall.  It looks could kill (Pat was “hopelessly devoted” to Paul).  She realized somebody was watched her, and left rather quickly.  Upstairs, we heard a salesgirl call her Jane, so I guess Pat was right.  We went to pay for our purchase and were greeted by Jenny Boyd behind the cash register.  Close, but not George!  Outside we looked at each other and laughed – talk about close encounters of the female kind!

Since Madame Tussad’s Wax Museum was nearby, we decided to go there next.  They had two sets of Beatle figures on display at the time, one in the collarless suits and the other in the Sargent pepper outfits.  They were, by far, the most popular display in the museum.  I wonder how many of those people knew how close the real thing was  -if you knew where to look!

Macca at Mecca

This story of meeting Paul in September of 1995 at Abbey Road was found in issue #78 (Autumn 1995) of Good Day Sunshine.   

 

Macca at Mecca

Paul McCartney lends a little “help” to his friends at Abbey Road Studios for War Child Charity Album.  September 4, 1995

By Harriet L. Petty

The day started out innocently enough, I suppose.  My friends Eileen and Karla and I landed ahead of schedule at Heathrow Airport after a smooth flight from New York, and we were looking forward to our vacation in England.  We were also looking forward to the possibility of seeing Paul at the Buddy Holly anniversary concerts we were holding tickets to later that week, and were excited by the prospect of whatever fun the next two weeks held in store.  We were greeted at the airport by our friends Richard and Esther, who run the London Beatles Fan Club.  We had a lovely time looking at photos and trading stories over breakfast, until the hour grew late.  Richard said, “Well, you’d better get going if you’re going to see anything today!”  More prophetic words have never been spoken.  We said our good-byes with promises to see each other soon, and went to our hotel.

Since Karla had never been to London before, we left the choice of the first destination to her.  She suggested we go to Abbey Road, which I suppose is the first place most of us would think of, and off we went.  When we approached the studio, we noticed a few vans parked outside, and some people seated across the street, in addition to the usual numbers of people who stand at the wall in front reading and writing messages.  We really didn’t think it was unusual, since Abbey Road Studios are still very much in active use by many top bands and recording artists, and we assume that the people gathered outside were just waiting to see who would turn up that day.  Indeed.

We had been at “the wall” for about ten minutes (about 2:10 pm) when I noticed a silly-looking caricature of Paul drawn on the far left side.  I was calling over to the others, “Isn’t this a funny picture of Paul?  It doesn’t look like him at all!” and pointing to it when I heard a car being turned off in the car park in front of me.  I looked up to see Paul McCartney get out of his hard holding an acoustic guitar and walk over to the middle of the car park near the stairs.  My finger went from pointing to the wall to pointing at the real sight in front of me, while my heard raced, my hands fumbled in vain for my camera, and my legs felt as if they were turning to guacamole.  The others had spotted him as well. It seems as if we had telepathically connected to alert each other, as we weren’t standing together, and we all watched in amazement as Paul stopped to pose for a picture with a woman who happened to be at the food of the stairs.  Then he turned to enter the building.  We couldn’t believe we were actually watching Paul McCartney walk up the stairs of Abbey Road with a guitar under his arm.  For the first time in my life, I was experiencing the impact of what must have been an almost everyday occurrence for the Apple Scuffs in the late 60’s, seeing a Beatle show up at Abbey Road for a recording session.  The difference between 1968 and 1995 however, is that they expected Beatles to show up then; who would have thought that Paul would turn up this way on a September afternoon in 1995?  I’m sure the fans in those days were better prepared for these sights than we were.  The scene was almost surrealistic.  There was almost a sense of quiet reverence about it.  Even though Paul was in full view of approximately 30 people, not one shouted, screamed, ran over to him, or acknowledged out loud what they were seeing other than quietly to their companions.  There is a lot to be said for the respect that people hold for Paul, as well as for the element of surprise, I am sure.

We had no idea at this point what was happening inside the studio, and judging by the fact that Paul was holding a guitar, we assumed that he might have had something to do with rehearsing for the Buddy Holly concert.  We couldn’t quite figure out why he would be rehearsing at Abbey Road, but the abilities of our minds to function logically at this point was in serious question, so we just decided to wait for him to come out, since, as Eileen so aptly put it, “If he went in, he has to come out.”  Karla and I saw the indisputable truth in this statement, and the wait began.

During the course of the next few hours, many people came and went into and out of the studio.  We saw packages being delivered ranging from pizzas and groceries to musical instruments, video and audio equipment, and boxes containing what we were sure were official and important things.  We saw roadie types, rock star types, and new reporter types come and go.  We saw a young woman go into the studio and come out later on, sit on the stairs out front looking shaken, until she was led back into the studio by a comforting friend.  We were asked by a reporter who we were waiting for, and responded in a vague way, not wanting to attract attention to the fact that Paul McCartney was at Abbey Road (just in case no one was supposed to know).  She asked if we were there for Oasis, and we truthfully said, “No.”  Privately, we were saying, “...Who’s Oasis?”  We later found out.

Later in the afternoon, we saw Linda arrive at the studio.  By this time, we were able to find our voices, having gotten over the shock of seeing her husband so unexpectedly and vowing not to be unprepared for that eventuality again.  She said, “Hello” to everyone, chatted with us about her cookbook and other projects, talked to Eileen about a recent newspaper article profile that she hadn’t yet seen, graciously thanked everyone for their support, and entered the studio with her daughter Mary.  A while later, we saw four young people cross Abbey Road at the famous Zebra crossing, walk past us at the wall, and enter the studio.  As they were passing us, we realized they were Stella, her friend Kate Moss and actor Johnny Depp, and another friend.  As Alice said in Wonderland, this was getting “curioser and curioser.”  We couldn’t figure out what this combination of people was doing assembled at Abbey Road, unless they were having a party to celebrate something, or unless Paul was recording an album, as they rehearsal theory had been dismissed since it was getting late.

At once point, a kindly guard came out to advise us that it was going to be a long haul…why didn’t we go have some dinner and come back?  We decided that since we had come this far, we would stick it out to the end.  Toward the end of our vigil, we saw a full orchestra leave the studios, complete with a woman loading a harp into the back of a station wagon.  A bass player (standing, not hofner) informed me that they had been recording some music for a Disney project, but that he had seen “him” through an open door in the studio.  Hope having been renewed, we continued our wait, and were willing to accept the fact that we might be rewarded with a wave through the car window since Paul had put in more than a full day’s work and was most likely tired.

Suddenly, we heard Paul’s assistant talk to some people who were near the foot of the stairs, and looked to find Paul and Linda come out of the studio down the stairs.  I approached Paul with a photograph taken of him by my friend Cindy at one of his Earl’s Court concerts in September of 1993 (I just happened to have it with me.  As they say, when traveling “Don’t leave home without it.”).  I told him where and when the photo was taken.  He looked at it said, “Lovely!” and as he began signing it, he looked up right at me and said, “So you’re going to buy the new album, then?”  Not knowing what had been going on inside for the past 10 hours, I thought Paul was personally giving me some very significant first-hand information.  I asked, “Are you working on a new album, Paul?”  And he responded, “No, I’ve just done the Bosnian Relief Charity Album.  It’s coming out soon.”  I’ve been buying Paul’s albums for 31 years, but never before have I been personally enjoined to do so. It was a request I just couldn’t refuse.

At this point, I was aware of Eileen and Karla at Paul’s side having their photos signed and chatting with Paul.  Paul told Eileen that she could have her pen back, “if she played her cards right,” and after some urging from me, he returned her pen to her.  He stayed long enough to sign autographs for everyone who asked for them (at this point, I estimate there were fewer than 15 people there) and with a “Gotta go, sweetheart!” he got into this car, and waved while we said our good-byes and Linda smiled and gave us a “thumbs-up.”  Despite the fact that the man, his family and friends had been busily involved with working on a charity project in the studio for 10 hours, he and his wife took the time and energy to spend a few precious moments with a few incredibly lucky fans.  I’m sure that no one who was there that night will ever forget their generosity.

We found out the extent of what we had witnessed from the papers the next day.  The HELP album comprised of tracks from many of today’s top British pop stars, we conceived and produced for the purpose of raising money for the War Child charity, which was formed to aid the victims of the atrocities in Bosnia.  All those concerned acknowledge that the idea was inspired by john Lennon’s 1970 hit single, “Instant Karma” which was recorded and released within a week.  The album did indeed come out in Britain within a week, on September 9, and went straight to #1 in the charts, selling over 71,000 copies, generating close to $1,600,000 for the War child Charity.  The bands on HELP include Oasis and Friends (Johnny Depp), Boo Radleys, Suede, Neneh Cherry, Radiohead, and Paul Weller and Friends (Paul McCartney) doing “Come Together.”  There was a TV special broadcast on Britain’s Channel 4 on Sunday, September 10 on the Making of HELP showing clips of Paul McCartney working with the other musicians on the album.

Paul’s appearance at the recording session was apparently a surprise to Paul Weller, and is attributed to Macca’s concern the welfare of children.  What is ironically poignant about his appearance is the fact that he recording was made on the 33^rd anniversary of the day that Paul first arrived at Abbey Road with the Beatles to record “Love me Do.”  I wasn’t there in ’62 but I am extremely grateful that I was there in ’95.  

By the way, the young woman whom we saw on the steps turned out to be a singer named CArleen Anderson, who had cut a version of “Maybe I’m Amazed” with Paul Weller just three weeks earlier.  She arrived at the studio to do some backing vocals for HELP unaware that Paul McCartney had shown up.  She apparently went outside to compose herself before she was scheduled to sing with him.  We can safely say that we can imagine how she felt.

This album is being offered for a very worthy and urgent cause by some very concerned and talented people.  Its U.S. release date was October 11.