Don't Say It

 April 3, 1979 -  Video shoot for "Goodnight Tonight"

Wings in the news

 

Wings Castle 1978

 

June 11, 1979 -  Party for Back to the Egg

Back to the (Easter) Egg

Have a Rockin' New Year!

I want to wish all of you that read Meet the Beatles... For Real a very happy New Year.  I want to send my deepest condolences to all of you that lost a loved one in 2019 and once again thank each of you that reached out to me after the death of my beloved boyfriend, Shawn.    It has been a rough year in many ways for me personally and I am thankful that the Beatles music has remained the one constant in a time of difficulties. 


We enter into a new year / new decade with uncertainty.    However, one thing I knew for sure:  the future will bring continued Beatles music and events for all of us to enjoy.     I am especially looking forward to seeing Let It Be released officially  (because my bootleg copy looks terrible!).  I hope for the opportunity to see Paul or Ringo in concert again and who knows -- maybe a trip back to jolly England is in order. 

I send each and every one of you my best wishes into the New Year.    Take time to spread the Beatles' message of peace and love to those around you.

Sara S.

Wonderful Christmastime

On one last wing

Photo credit:  Grahm-Juber

Mist in the glen

Laurence reunited

Four St. Nicks and uuuuh Linda?

These photo make me laugh.   There are other photos from this series and all of the Wings circa 1979 members are wearing Santa outfits and there are decorations behind them.    In these frames, Linda has taken one of the decorations and made it into a dress??   Isn't that a plastic door decoration of Santa?   And is that a wreath I see around her neck?    Linda always marched to her own drum -- -and I always admired her for it.

Why I still love going to the Fest for Beatle fans

I have been going to the Fest for Beatles fans (also known as Beatlefest) in Chicago since 1994.   When I started going in the mid 1990's--- it was the boom years of the Fest.   Between  8,000 - 10,000 fans were there over the three day weekend.   It was so crowded!     There were two large rooms that sold Beatles memorabilia, including bootleg Cds.   This was right before Ebay took off and so Beatlefest was the only place to see most of these items.


Over the years, things have changed.   Many of the special guests have passed away, and  attendance has dropped way down.   I would guess about 3,000-4,000 people come over the weekend.   There is almost nothing left to buy in the vendor area.   The prices of the ticket to the Fest and the hotel have gotten very expensive.   And yet the Fest weekend remains my favorite time of my whole year and I wouldn't miss it for anything.   Why?


Before you roll your eyes at me and mumble something about "Oh -- she is a Beatles author now, so she gets paid to say this."   Let me make this clear.   None of the authors get paid to be at the Fest for Beatle fans.    If you buy a table to sell your wares at the Fest, it will cost as much as a 3-day ticket.   You do not get free hotel rooms or free meals or even a free t-shirt.    This year at the Fest I gave a presentation and was on two panels.    I still had to buy a 3-day ticket and wait in line just like everyone else.


So while so many people are on Facebook complaining about how the Fest isn't what it once was and vowing to never return---why do I enjoy it so much??


5.   The special guests are still pretty special.

It was a Wings reunion -- well sort of!

Leon Wildes -- I just love that man!

While the list of guests that are possible to speak at a Beatles convention is sadly getting smaller and smaller, the people that are left still have great stories to share about the Beatles.    They still have funny antidote and they still have music to share.      This year I loved hearing Leon Wildes talk.   I did get to hear him in New Jersey, but I didn't get to hear his whole talk because I was trying to sell books and couldn't leave my table for very long.    

 Wings (Denny Seiwell, Steve Holly, Denny Laine, and Lawrence Juber) was fun to watch perform.   Denny Laine's voice didn't sound very good on several of the numbers and maybe someone else should have sang a few of the songs in stead of Denny.  But---- it was still really awesome.


4.  Beatles sing alongs

With social media being such a big part of the Beatles fandom these days, the need to physically be around other fans isn't as dire as it was 20 years ago.     But there is one thing you can't do on social media that you can do at a Beatles convention:   join in a group Beatles sing along.     I can't explain how thrilling it is to sing along to the B side of Abbey Road with people that also know all the words.  To sing B-sides of Beatles or solo singles and everyone there is smiling, dancing and enjoying it.   The Chicago Fest is known for the large groups of people sitting around the hotel with every instrument you can think of singing Beatles songs into the wee hours of the morning.  



3.   Beatles art work 

Brian Epstein by Allison Boron

Every year there is a big art contest at the Fest for Beatle fans.    I can't get over how creative and imaginative Beatle fans are!    I think as fans, we express our love for the guys in different ways and I am also super impressed by the artwork fans submit into the art contest each year.     I love going into the art room and looking at each piece up close.   Eventually before Sunday comes, I will vote for my top three favorites, but honestly--- they are all winners!


2.  Letting my Beatle geek shine

Panel about 2nd and 3rd generation Beatle fans 

I really think it is fun being on a Beatles panel, but I also enjoy hearing the other  panels and AV presentations.     It isn't every day that I get to hear people talk  about the importance of Sgt. Pepper or the origins of Penny Lane.    I think about this geeky Beatles stuff every day, and finally when I get to the Fest, I get to let it all spew out with other people that have had similar thoughts (or opposing thoughts--that's fun too).     I get to learn new Beatles things and my appreciation for the band grows even more.


1.  Beatle friends

When I was in high school, I was made fun of for dressing in tye-dye and loving the Beatles.   When I went to my first Beatlefest, I finally found other people that were like me!    Luckily, with the internet, our world has gotten smaller and it is easier to find other Beatles fans out there.   But--- it is not the same as spending some in person time with other fans.   And where else can you go to meet new friends than at a Beatles convention?   You know that you have something in common with everyone there, so you are starting out on a common ground.     I often think of Beatlefest as going to summer camp.    You go there to see your old friends that you only see once a year.     I often wonder if the guys in the Beatles have any clue about the amazing friendships that have happened because of their music.  




And so that is why I keep going to the Fest for Beatle fans and why I will keep going until they close the doors on the event.     I hope there will always be events for those of us who love the Beatles can gather to share thoughts, creations, music, and stories with each other in person.    Beatlefest has a lot of flaws, but the spirit of the Fab 4 is alive and well in those of us that still go -- and that makes it worth the money for me.

Back to the Southhampton

This is the continued story from the McCartney Observer from January 1980 about the group of American fans that followed Wings around the U.K. in the winter of 1979.   This is all about the Southhampton show. 

Southhampton

The show in Southampton was fabulous!   They were just a bit of a slower type than in Manchester but once they started, it was full speed ahead!  Perhaps they were guarded at first due to the ushers who literally threw them back into their seats!  I don’t think their shinning flashlights in everyone’s face endeared them to anyone’s heart either.  But alas, they would have needed more ushers than fans to keep everyone in their seats for too long!   They were a friendly bunch.  They seemed to be roused to fighting for “Every Night.”  “Thank you very much, how ya doing?”  Paul shouted.   Thunders of response.  “Alright, alright, great!  Good to be back in town anyway.  The next song we’d like to do is off the album ‘McCartney’”  His pronunciation of his surname effects people like one of his suggestive looks.  “It’s called ‘Every night.”  With the applause, you’d have thought money was falling from the ceiling.  ‘Every night’ is a romantic song anyway, but with Paul signing it live, he adds elegance to it as he croons the words.

Denny was in an extremely feisty mood tonight which was a lot of laughs.  He begins to introduce the next tune and stops; “This one is from….excuse me while I pick my nose and then I’ll get going.”  Everyone burst out laughing.  “This is from Back to the Egg, it’s called ‘Again and Again’”  He provoked a generous bout of applause for that.  I suspect a few were still clapping over the nose joke!  “Thanks very much, you’re a nice quiet bunch tonight just sitting there.”  Paul observed.   They clapped and shouted trying to prove him wrong.  “Anyway, this is off London Town and it’s called Oive and Enuff.”  He stands back from the mic and hands held high in the air he claps vigorously as the audience joins in, whistling and shouting.   The applause at the finish continued longer than usual, Paul thanking them over all the noise.

After “Now words”  Linda introduced her number with a little ad libbing form Paul.  “This next ones a bit of a rock and roll number.”  Paul steps in here “That’s my missus there in case you didn’t know.”  Applause.  “That’s right, yeah.”  Linda continued.  Out of nowhere Paul calls out “Fish n Chips for me please”  and Linda, ever the vegetarian “Just chips for me.  Now Cook of the House.”  She was warmly accepted.  Paul wiggled and really performed during this, watching Linda time and again and making faces at her, sticking his cute behind out and wiggling it like a duck out of water.  To this concluding applause Linda answered, “That’s to all you cooks out here.”

You know what is next…”Old Siam Sir!”  Paul, ever the raconteur, “Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen of  Siam!”   Everyone giggles.  How cute he is!  “I went somewhere, was it …”   Denny helped him out pronouncing Southampton in a new way.  “Was it?”  Paul asked.  “I met some people and some butler goes by.  I said ‘Where are you from?’ and he says (fast) Siam.  I still haven’t working it out.  Anyway, enough of that.”  He makes his guitar scream and got a quick round of applause.  “Thank you!  Anyway this ones called Ol Thiam Thir.”  However can I let you know just how tantalizing Siam is.  If you ever see Siam offered in film, you know from one of those modest companies who charge eighty dollars and any two members of your family for eight inches of overexposed film?   Get it.   It’s still worth it.  You’ll miss your family but this bit is great.  You can make a copy of the film and then ask for a refund!  Voila!   You have Siam on film and your family back.

“Maybe I’m Amazed,”  “Fool on the Hill” and “Let it Be” were once again hypnotic, the audience finding it hard to believe just what they were hearing!  It was indeed grand.   Things were kept bouncing and everyone were having a great “Knee’s up” as they say up there in the north.  The encore brought the band out to toss Frisbees to the audience.   Denny’s song Laine hopped from the audience to help out too!   He threw a few out and then ran to Denny to hang on his leg!  It was cute.

Denny started it again as he introduced “Hot as sun.”  “Paul’s gonna play the guitar for you now, and he does a lot on record.  Nothing tricky from him this time.  He does a lot on record.”  He smiled at Paul, “We thought we’d give him a chance to have a go.  Anyway, this ones called “Hot as Sun’.  For the Caribbean sunshine! “  No unbiased opinions in this club allowed – Pau was fantastic!  It’s one of the most popular songs in the shows.  At the finish Paul shrugs, “Well, I don’t think Eric Clapton has too much to worry about.”

‘Spin it on’ went well as did “Twenty flight rock” bringing us up to an introduction from Laurence.   “Thank you.  Hi.  I’m Laurence.  It’s nice to see you.”  A friendly welcoming applause for Laurence.  He looked around “Denny…now he’s gonna demonstrate one of his latest flying leap.”  Denny walked offstage then.  “He’s NOT going to demonstrate one of his flying leaps!  But he is!” and suddenly Denny charges across stage, over the piano and right side up!  Claps and whistles for Denny!    “It would have been better if we’d had guitar.”  He shrugged.  Laurence “alright---he is goingn to sing”  There is a pause as Denny fidgets.  Paul “Alright he’s really gonna sing now.”  And Denny, “Will you shut up!”  and finally we hear “Go Now.”  An original intro if ever!  

They were all in joking form and it was a good time for all.  Once during the show, maybe it was after “Yesterday”, a man jumped up onstage with a program for Paul to sign but was roughly tossed back into the audience by guards.  Paul reached out for the program and what else he’d wanted signed and said he would sign them afterwards.  He signed them after Mull and handed them back to him.  That’s some special man, I say!   After Wonderful Christmastime, Linda and Denny started dancing.  That was a sight to see!  Funny little bits spiced the show here and there and it was great!   Band on Run brought us to the rallying close.   Flowers were tossed onstage and Paul was followed by chants and applause!

After the concert we sardined ourselves into George’s car.  All of us!  That’s Barb, Mary Ann, Doylene with Marie on her lap, Sheila with myself on her lap, Mar up front and George driving, as it were.  In a two door sports midge that’s no mean feat.  Half of the time all of us were babbling at the same time about the concert, a tape of the show blaring on the recorder and making our driver a nervous wreck.  The other half we were screaming as George kept turning corners and driving up the wrong side of the road toward on-coming traffic and swerving just in time “I’m a lot of fun, huh?”  George—it was a hair raising experience.  You can imagine bystanders reactions as we pull to a stop, a door flies open and one unfolds herself and squeezes out of the car, then another and another and another…

We sat in the lounge of the hotel as Sheila treated us all to a round of drinks, which was very nice indeed.  As we talked George stepped out of the lounge and returned a moment later and sat down.  He sipped his drink.  “Now when he gets here, just walk out by the entrance, ok?  Everybody stay calm.”  We will.  We know.  “Because they’re here.”  Who???  “the band  and Paul.”  What????  We jumped up leaving everything but our cameras, touched down and bolted for the lobby, calling over our shoulders   “George!!!”  He just sits there and says Paul’s here.  C’mon George!

A false alarm.   The band had arrived, but not Paul.  The lobby was filled with camera owners and autograph seekers of all ages, such as the sweet group of children we’d talked with a little earlier on our arrival.  Steve waltzed in first and was just as anxious to pose for pictures as everyone was to take them.  He said hi to Barb and she asked him if he knew when and if Paul would be coming.  “No.  I’m sorry.  I’ve got about as much idea as you. About that much.”  He held up two fingers spaced to demonstrate small and we watched closely.  It wasn’t much.  Barb deadpanned, “Zippo, huh?”  and Steve cracked up.  He still seems to be in awe of his new found fame and it’s very charming.  Marie asked if we could take a picture and he said alright.  He cautiously set his guitar in case down, and following his gaze he looked to each of us to see just who was there.  Marie took my camera from me and suggested I get in the photo too.  I asked Laurence and he said sure and stood next to me with an arm around my shoulders.  He also posed with Barb after that.  He’s an amiable person, very obliging.  Not to mention quite handsome.

Something was mentioned about it being Doylene’s birthday and Steve turned around “How do you say that?”   Marie repeated it for him.  “Doughlene?”   Doylene clarified it for him by spelling it and he smiled and went back to the friend he’d been conversing with.

Roll the red carpet!  Denny came in next, his children trailing after, jumping ahead of him and then lagging behind again.  Denny’s got a gentle look, until you look him in the eyes and you know he’s not thinking very genteel things!  Laine stuck with Denny and Heidi wandered a bit.  She’s a little waif, and looked precious as she had on a pretty red frock.  She looks like Jojo.  I took a photograph of Denny and I was about to take just one more and a roadie said, “Here Denny, pose for her.”  Denny stood straight and smiled and I got a nice photo.  I said thank you and smiled as the roadie said something to Denny I didn’t quite catch and they both smiled at me and Denny winked.   (Right after that George called me over to the side and told me what he said.  It was “Hey, do I get a commission on this?”)

I suggested to the children to pose with Steve and Laurence and I’d take their picture and send them prints when I got back home.  They were all excited and rushed over by Laurence to pose.  Both Steve and Laurence posed but I missed Steve looking as my flash was giving me trouble recharging  Marie and Doylene also snapped at the same time.

Paul still had not shown up and we were beginning to worry.  Alan was passing out Wings badges and he gave Marie one.  After she thanked him she said, ‘Listen it’s that girl’s birthday over there with the blonde hair so why don’t ou give her one too.”  She pointed out Doylene and he gave one to her, and turned to me.  I must have looked pitiful because he gave one to me.  I think the others got one as well.

We returned to the lounge to continue waiting, hopefully for Paul.  Our purses and coats were half on the floor from our mad dash out of there.  The band came into the lounge a moment later.  Steve and his wife sat at one table with Thadeus behind them.  Laurence stood at the bar with friends.  His reflection was in the mirrored walls and as I took a picture he caught me and waved.  Denny wandered in and up to the bar with the roadie he’d been talking to earlier.  Alan and a few others stood in the middle of the room talking, probably about us and pointing in our direction.  (That’s ok, you should hear what we say about him!)  We talked for a while, realizing defeat.  Earl Oakie came over to our table and talked for a few minutes Beings there wasn’t much reason to stick around a few of us decided we’d like to leave.  Laurence left the room for a moment and returned holding his jacket.  George said we would leave after he finished his drink so I left to freshen up in the ladies’ room.  On the way back I ran into Laurence on his way back to that special room again!  I said hello and started to walk back to the lounge when he called me back and commented “Oh I like that” pointing to a pin on my shirt.  I was wearing two and assumed he meant the one from Alan.  “Oh yeah, Alan gave that to me.”  He said, “No, that one there.”  (a read heart with wings).  “I got one something like it in New York.  It’s a little different though.”   I just smiled and said yes it was nice, it’s different.  I suppose I didn’t really think at the time I was only concerned with being disappointed Paul hadn’t shown, but I guess he would have liked to have talked.  I smiled and said goodbye and returned to the lounge.  Denny was the only one left in the lounge with his friend.  I didn’t notice him right off and believe me, I said some pretty dumb things.  I saw he was there as we got up to leave.  We sardined once more into George’s car, screaming down the motorway as George drove down the wrong side of the road.  We had a nice evening and it was great being with friends.

McCartney Wings his Way home (part 2)

Here is the 2nd installment of the story of a group of fans that traveled around the UK in 1979 seeing Paul McCartney.    This story comes straight out of the Fall/Winter 1979-1980 issue of the McCartney Observer

Liverpool.   November 24, 1979

This was officially the first concert for members of the Fun Club.  We managed to see Paul arrive at 4 P.M., and although it was pretty much a mob scene, it was still a small crowd compared to the rest of the stage door scenes we were to witness during the next few weeks.   He drove past in a silver Mercedes and everyone thought that he was going to go into the side door, but instead, he walked the full length of the theatre with the crowd, obliging everyone with autographs and smiling for the cameras.  I was in shock and couldn’t speak (seeing him in person is different than seeing him “in person” in a concert).  I could only stare, but Susie aid “”hi!” and he responded with “hi ya!”  Doylene called his name, and he looked at her, nodded and said, “Hi”. He looked so good, that man never ages.  (He’s like a good wine and improves with age!)

Linda was there, but when everyone surrounded Paul she said, “I’m getting out of here!” and went straight inside.  Our friend, Phil L. (who we met the night before) managed to get an autograph and was quite happy with himself.  Later on, we met the rest of our friends, who had just arrived from the States that morning:  Barb, Mary Ann, George and Mar.  Now our next “Mission Impossible” was getting tickets inside.  Doylene and Susie had gotten Barb and Mary Ann their tickets from Sue at MPL, but our ticket money and letters had mysteriously disappeared from the Royal Court Theatre.  This was to be our first unfortunate encounter with a weird little man who happened to be box office manager for a few days (the theatre was closed down and Paul was trying to save it so he performed there instead of the Empire, which is a bigger hall).  This man claimed that he never got our letter and/or money and it would be impossible to get us in. Meanwhile, there was a photographer there and he decided that the American girls would make a “nice story” so the box office manager decided to get in on the act.  Doylene, Susie and I were photographed for the Daily Mirror and we had to go upstairs to the office where they had Doylene and Susie make these ridiculous poses with the manager.  He still insisted that he wouldn’t’ be able to help us as Doylene and Susie held the tickets and he pretended that he was giving them to them! 

After this ridiculously embarrassing publicity stunt, we were literally being down the door outside when we saw Tony Brainsby (Paul’s long time publicity agent) and he told me that Lawrence Jubar was going to give us tickets and to go downstairs and pose for a photograph with him!  So, we all went downstairs and me Lawrence, who is very nice and so sweet.  The photograph never did get in the papers, but the photographer later told us that he was trying to sell the story to a magazine.  A small article was printed about Doylene and Susie though.   So, with many thanks to Lawrence, we had good tickets into the show.

Tonight before the show began, there was an opening act, comedian Earl Okin, who told corny jokes and sang corny songs (Bessie, Bessie Bessie, you’re as far as a….).   Earl must have great courage because he was booed constantly during the act.  He made everyone happy when he said that there was a band waiting to lay for us and they were “waiting in the wings…”

Paul got really into the show this night, he was more at ease and it was fantastic.  Everyone left smiling and happy.  Denny dedicated a song to our friend, Martin, who managed to see the entire band in a club the night before, and had bought Denny a drink.  Denny said, “he brought me a drink,” and Paul quipped, “you’d do anything for a drink!”

Liverpool.  November 25, 1979

This was a terrible day for Doylene, Susie and I.  The box office manager gave everyone standing tickets except for the three of us.  He pocketed their money, charging them full price to stand in the balcony!  He warned them not to move from where he told them to stand and kept coming back every few minutes to check up on them.  Guilty that some usher may want to check the tickets he never gave them!   He looked at the three of us outside and had absolutely no compassion whatsoever.  I can’t even begin to explain the horrible feeling in the pits of our stomachs when someone opened a door and we heard Paul singing “Let it Be” while we were outside.

Liverpool.  November 26, 1979

We saw Paul arrive at the stage door, but the scene there was nearly riotous and Paul was rushed inside.  Tonight, our “pal” at the box office manager, decided he liked the taste of American money and charge each of us $12.00 to get in and let us stay in the balcony.  While we were waiting to be seated (or standed?) we were instructed to wait in a private bar.  Denny came in and was signing autographs for everyone.  He signed a magazine we had purchased with Wings on the cover for each of us.  Doylene had him sign the page he was on; Susie had him sign the cover.  He decided to sign Susie’s right on Paul’s face! All I could think of was “I paid 45p ($1.00) for that magazine and I can’t afford to go buy it again” so when it came to my turn and I saw his pen heading towards Paul’s face, I scolded him and said, “Not on his face!”  “Oh!  Is it okay if I sign on his hand?”  “Yeh.”  We all stood in the balcony together and had a fantastic time!  As I said before, we were still close, even though we were in the balcony, and our telephoto lenses helped a lot too.  We were all making comments, singing along and having fun clicking away with our cameras.   Pau was really having a good time too and it was the best audience (Paul said so too).  This was one of my favorite shows and a good memory.  The next day was a “day off” but we had heard a rumor that Paul was going to give a special concert on the Royal Iris (a ferry), so we decided it was worth checking into although we doubted that it was true.  Still we could take a few photographs of the Mersey.

Liverpool.  November 27, 1979

We went down to the Peirhead around 2:30 and a man selling newspapers said, “Do you know that Paul McCartney is going on the Royal Iris at 3:00?”  He explained that it was a press conference.  Barb and Mary Ann were already there (after having been told about the press conference by Alan Williams’ associate, who they had had lunch with earlier).  The Royal Iris is the same ferry that the Beatles posed on in 1963.   The ferry was covered with Wings posters and all the bodyguards were there dressed in tuxedos, so we knew that the press conference was a reality.   The docks were packed with photographers and locals who wanted to see Paul, as well as people simply waiting to take a ferry across the river.  It was so exciting, and made me feel so nostalgic to see Paul on the docks, all the press, people buzzing with excited chatter and anticipation—just like the old days.  The bus pulled up onto a nearby dock, and they all walked to the Royal Iris while all the photographers snapped away and got in our way.  The bodyguards were really annoying and kept pushing us, but somehow Doylene and I managed to get away from all that, and we were able to watch without too much of a hassle.   What got to us was that after getting in our way, the photographers were allowed n to the ferry for a regular photo session.  Still, I was happy to be so lucky to even be there to begin with!  Nothing could make me feel down at that moment.  A few minutes later, while the ferry was still in dock, I heard a girl yelling, “Paul!  Look down here!” And suddenly realized that the whole band was on the top deck for a photo session.

I noticed a gang-plank near the ferry that we could climb up and get closer to where Paul was.  So Doylene and I did that.  Paul was posing for all the photographers alone, and then the rest of Wings joined him.  Paul would make the photographers wait while he waved and smiled at all the fans.  Linda was going by and we said “hello!” and she asked me if I were enjoying myself.  Then she posed for photos for us by picking her nose (needless to say, we didn’t bother clicking the shutters).  This session seemed to be going on for a long time, so Doylene and I quickly got out our telephoto lenses (fumbling like mad) to get some closer photos.  Paul kept looking over at us, waving, giving us the thumbs up sign.  It was fantastic!  We were so happy!  The ferry began to leave the docks for its journey across the Mersey (Paul was singing “Ferry Across the Mersey” – it was all so nostalgic!)  

They returned about a half hour later and as Paul was leaving the ferry he began singing “Mull of Kintyre” as if he were drunk!  (They had been drinking tea on the ferry).  The crowd was even bigger than when he first got on the ferry but we followed him to the bus which we weren’t supposed to do, but that never stopped us before.  Doylene and I were laughing and tripping over each other’s feet in the midst of all the excitement and Steve Holly was watching us making fools out of ourselves.  At least we gave him a good laugh! 

We went over to the side of the bus Paul was on, and waved back and forth at each other.  Little did we know at the time that there was a photographer getting a real charge out of watching us watch Paul and he was click away like mad!  What gets me about this whole press conference scene is that of all the photographs taken, we only got to see a few.  Who knows where the rest are?  For this, we were trampled on so the press could get their photos.  Photos that were never even printed.  But, it was a wonderful experience, especially when we didn’t expect it to happen.  A definite highlight of the tour!  That night we watched two Wings specials on TV and the news showed a little bit of the press conference.  Hope that America will be able to show these specials.  They were great. 

McCartney Wings His way home (part 1)

In 1979, a group of American Wings fans flew to England and followed Paul McCartney and his group around the UK for the small tour.   They wrote about it for the Fall/Winter 1979-80 issue of the McCartney Observer.     There is a lot of information about this tour from this fanzine and so I am going to share it one concert at a time.     

I think this story was written by Marie, but I am not 100% sure because no one is given credit.   It all starts in Liverpool.

McCartney Wings His Way Home

By Marie?

McCartney Observer

Fall/Winter 1979/1980

Liverpool, November 23, 1979

First note:  The people are SO nice.  Every time I’m up in Liverpool, I’m ready to move there.  The people are incredible.   We found the Royal Court Theatre (almost directly across the road from the Lime Street Station) and passed the time away chatting with the people and making friends with the police.   The show was scheduled to begin at 5pm as it was held for the kids form Paul’s old school (Liverpool Institute) as well as for handicapped and blind children from the area (they came in busloads later!)

Paul with some of the school kids 

We queued up and were told that our vouchers (which we got from MPL) would be exchanged for tickets at 3:30.  We also heard that Paul was already inside the theatre, having arrived at 1:00 (apparently, he had been rehearsing there for a few days).  We did get our tickets at 4:00, and had first row balcony.  The stall seats were reserved for the kids.  Still, the balcony was great because the theatre was so tiny (It wasn’t much bigger than an American movie theatre).  We met some other friends from the States (and Canada), Jennie S., Madeleine S., and Laurie R.   We were all in the same row for the show that night.  We made another new friend, Martin, (who was sitting next to me and is forever immortal on my tape of the show) and he told me that he heard the band rehearsing and that Paul was going to do “Let it Be,”  “Fool on the Hill,”  “Back in the USSR” and “Hey Jude”!!!  We were on pins and needles waiting for him to do “Hey Jude,” but he never did that one.

Before Paul came on stage, I honestly felt as though I was dreaming – a feeling I am sure we all had – but I was really feeling it because I had had less than four hours sleep in the last two days.  However, when everyone started cheering and clapping for the show to begin, my heart began to race and I wondered what he was going to sing, what he was going to wear, how he’d look.

When the curtains finally rose, and the horn section began playing a very dramatic entrance, I thought I’d jump right out of my seat from the anticipation.  The stage was still dark when Steve Holly began playing a very familiar beat, and out emerged the man himself to surmounting cheers and screams.  “I was alone, I took a ride, I didn’t know what I could find there…”  The three of us just grabbed each other’s hands.  It was incredible to hear him do “Got to Get you into my Life” as an opening number and even more surprises were to follow.  I recall not taking any photographs during the first number.   I was totally mesmerized and felt so happy.  He wore a long-tailed 1800’s style black frock jacket, a black tee-shirt, nice blue jeans and tan suede boots.  His hair was a little short, but grew to a nice length during the next two week that we saw him.  The rest of the band (including Linda) wore the same outfit.  He swung right into “Getting closer”, and then asks the audience “how are ya doin’?  It’s good to be back in town anyway.  This next one is called ‘Every night.’”  (In the concerts that followed the announced “the next one is from the McCartney album, and it’s called “Every Night.”)  That was a real shocker, totally unexpected.  It is a slightly slower, more soulful version than on the original record.  The simplicity of the shows reminded me so much of the 1973 tour, no special effects (aside from Christmas trees and snow during ‘Wonderful Christmastime’), just down to earth enjoyment, and only 90 minutes this time.  Quite a contrast to the 1975-76 world tour!  Next follows “Again and Again and Again,”  “I’ve had enough,”  (which he always announced with a cockney accent), “Now Words,” and then (get ready) “Cook of the House.”   It wasn’t a complete loss, because Paul always went over to Linda (who was on keyboards) and shook his bum.  So, I can honestly say that we looked forward to hearing that tune.  Linda’s voice was really deep, and she kept yelling out “Rock on Tommy!” in a fake Liverpudlian accent (It’s a Liverpudlian expression).  Paul once said, “In case you’re wondering, that’s my wife.  She used to be American, but some funny things have happened to her since she came over.”   Next came another favorite of ours, “Old Siam Sir.”  Not only is it’s a great rocker, but the movements that man made during this song had to be seen to be appreciated.   First it reminded us of a “Frankenstein” walk, and he’d put both fists in the air to the beat of the drums in time.  He perfected it to a very sexy dance.

After “Old Siam Sir” the piano was wheeled out, Paul sits and put his “tails” over the bench and begins the famous “Maybe I’m Amazed” which he has performed in every concert since he began touring again.  With the audience still applauding “Maybe I’m amazed,” Paul says, See if you remember this one” and begins the notes we all first heard during “Magical Mystery tour”  As he sat there at the piano, I visualized that beautiful film of “Fool on the Hill” from Magical Mystery tour – the close-up of his face,  the lovely scenery, Paul running down the hill, a nice feeling of peacefulness – fantastic.   A definite highlight of the show, with another highlight to follow.  Denny tells us that a religious number is coming up and that they are going to pass the basket around for offerings.   Paul does “Let it Be”  (goosebumps) and gives the tune a bit of a gospel flavoring.   He goes back to the center of the stage, and now comes another surprise, “Hot as Sun”, New Orleans style.  Paul with a pic in his mouth, making cute expressions, raising his eyebrows, scrunching his nose, and as Doylene would say, “he was a rabbit completely!”  “Spin it on” follows and then Paul announces a number original recorded in 1957 by Eddie Cochran, “Twenty Flight Rock.”  It was incredible to see Paul do his Elvis imitation during this rocker.  The piano was wheeled out once again and Denny shows us that he is a potential Olympic champion by running full speed from the opposite side of the stage and leaping over the piano, rolling over the bench, and then casually sitting down.   A perfect introduction for “Go Now.”  Afterwards, Paul joins Denny to do “Arrow Through Me.”  During the show, Paul would ask the audience to cheer the famous “woah-woah-woah-woah-woah!!” (as only he can do it) and after we all did (great fun) he’d say, “just checking.”  He asked the kids, “How do you like it, it’s better than school, isn’t it?”  Paul now joins Linda at the synthesizer and Linda announces their new Christmas single “Wonderful Christmastime”  accompanied by falling snow (which Paul referred to as dandruff) and Christmas tree and lights!  Very enjoyable during the concert.  One night all the “dandruff” came down at one time and fell on top of poor Lawrence.  Paul goes to the front of the stage again and announces a new single to be released in February, “Coming Up,” which is very good and very catchy.  Some of the words are as follows:  “You want a love to last forever, one that will never fade away.  I know you’re searching for an answer, well I can tell you right now babe, it’s coming up….”

Paul then announces a new friend, “Robo” who is a cute little robot, and Paul explains that “Robo” is in fact a rhythm box who needs precise, gentle tuning and “would you please excuse me for just a minute while I go tune him…”  He casually walks over and gives “Robo” a good kick!  “Robo” starts the disco beat for “Goodnight Tonight,” moving his arms up and down to the beat.  I personally never cared much for the song, but it is fantastic in concert and easily became one of my favorites.  Everyone jumps up, dancing and clapping.  You can’t help but have a good time and sing along, “don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say goodnight tonight…”  But Paul does say “goodnight” and runs off the stage.

Paul emerges for the first encore alone (waving a blue towel) and picks up an acoustic guitar.  It’s not hard to guess what follows…”Oh Maggie, Maggie Mae!” “No? Well, see if you remember this one…Yesterday….”  There’s not a dry eye in the house when all the kids join in.  Another emotional highlight was when he sang “Mull of Kintyre,” which he dedicated to “Blip” (his old school master who was in the audience).   The entire audience reacted as though “Mull of Kintyre” was their national anthem!  The kids joined in right away and they sounded just like a choir.  It was incredibly beautiful, and a moment I’ll never forget. They even had a bagpiper up there, dressed in full highlands garb, and Paul and Denny would dance and lift their guitars up to him.  (We later found out that he wasn’t playing the bagpipes, it was Lawrence on the synthesizer).  The second and final encore was “Band on the Run” and by now the house was up on its feet and at the stage (or fighting to get to it anyway).  The spotlights are on the audience as the band chants, “Band on the run, Band on the run…”  You can’t believe it’s over so quickly but 90 minutes has already passed – the curtains go down and the house lights are turned on  (we were all spoiled by the 1975-76 world tour and it’s 2 ½ hour show!)  Outside at the stage door was the waiting tour bus, and the waiting mob.  We managed to see Paul leave, but only from a distance.

Doylene, Susie and I stayed with friends in Birkenhead (on the other side of the Mersey).  The children were fascinated by us because we were so “foreign” (to them).  Our friends relaly helped us because we couldn’t possibly have afforded five days in a hotel in Liverpool

They've practiced all year long....

1979 Wings

Photo credited to the Write Thing

A Wonderful Christmas time