Not sure where to turn

 

Paul and George

 

Paul played the Superbowl 20 years ago

 

February 3, 2002 -  Remember when Paul played the Superbowl 20 years ago?  It was actually really exciting.   I can't stand football, and I think this was the only time I ever actually watched any part of the game.   

To understand the excitement of this performance, you have to remember that it was just 5 months since 9/11 and for Beatle fans, just 2 months after George's death.   It was just a sad time in the country.  Paul's anthem, "Freedom" was just what we needed at that time.   So for Paul to come onto the television and perform that song for everyone was very exciting and emotional.   The performance was right before the game actually started.   The musicians that we now consider to be "Paul's band" were all there:  Rusty, Brian, Abe and Wix.   There were cheerleaders waving pompoms.   Then a gigantic Statue of Liberty banner was raised behind the band while people marched in front of the stage with flags from around the globe.   It was a tear-jerker of a performance and one that has always stayed in my mind.  

Mardi Gras

 

Look in the background of the top photo and you will spot the McCartneys on their balcony dressed as clowns.   

The Beatles at the Congress Inn

 Press conference in New Orleans September 16, 1964.  I have only ever seen one other colored photograph from this press conference (and it was super blurry).   These photos are awesome! 

"Make that out to your #1 fan...."

Beatles Day In New Orleans - A Book Review

I really enjoy books that focus on a specific city on a Beatles' tour.   I wrote a book like this myself about St. Louis and I have read books about Indianapolis, Kansas City, Cleveland, Bournemouth,  Germany 1966, etc etc etc.    I am happy to add New Orleans to the collection.

Beatles Day in New Orleans is a book published in 2019 by a new author, Steven Y. Landry.   The Beatles performed in NOLA during their North American tour on September 16, 1964.   It is one of those stops where, for a very long time, there was very little information or photographs to help us know what exactly happened during this stop on the tour.

Thanks to this book, we have a much clearer understanding of the insanity that was the day the Beatles were in New Orleans.   Landry interviewed the opening act, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, and Frogman's memories helped with this understanding.  This is the first time I am aware of Frogman being interviewed about his time with the Beatles, so it is great that this author was able to get his stories.

There are a lot of great little stories in this book that you have never heard before.  I especially enjoyed one about Paul getting help for an earache.  There are stories from Beatlemaniacs from the time they got to see and meet the Fab 4 at the press conference as well as the mayor (who John called Lord Mayor) who had the lads sign a proclamation making September 16 Beatles Day in New Orleans and made them honorary citizens (why didn't John throw that in the fact of immigration?  J/K).   The mayor gave copies of these proclamations out to any fan who wanted one and included a photograph of him with The Beatles.  This photo has been around for a while, and it looks obvious that George has been cut and pasted into the photo.  Why??   Well -- we find out that Ringo, Paul, and John were in the original photograph, but because this photo with the mayor was to be printed on the copies of the proclamation, the whole group was desired on the page.  So-- a little cut and glue of a photo of George from the same press conference was used, and there you have early Photoshop!

A lot is also told about when the Beatles met Fat Domino (who actually didn't like the nickname Fats!--I knew it all along!)   And I discovered in the photos of them singing with Domino they are singing "I'm in Love Again."   I thought we'd never know what they sang! 

I knew the New Orleans concert was crazy, and fans rushed onto the field, but I had no clue just how crazy it was and just how badly some of the fans were hurt.  You have to read it to believe it (unless you were there).

There is also a section about George's stop in Louisiana during the Dark Horse Tour and Paul and Wings recording in the city of the Venus and Mars album.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  There were some known facts mixed in with some new nuggets and fan stories.  It was a lot of fun to read.   I have only seen it sold on Amazon, and included below is the link if you would like to order a copy for yourself.

The link below is the affiliate link to Amazon where you can purchase this book.   I get a small percentage of anything purchased through this link.  Money made from the Amazon Afflication is used to pay the annual fee to keep this site online.  Thank you for your support.  Sara

https://amzn.to/49Y7XNL

Down in New Orleans

Dream do come true in New Orleans

Give us a smile Macca

January 29, 1975 in New Orleans

Venus and Mars in New Orleans

45 years ago Paul and the rest of Wings were in New Orleans working on the Venus and Mars album. 

With Mister Domino

Press conference at the Congress Inn

The Wings workout

Mayor of New Orleans

When the Beatles met Fats Domino

I am sure you have heard that Fats Domino passed away today.  I always hated that his nickname was "Fats."   Seriously --- he looks like a healthy man to my eyes and I would have hated to have been given a nickname of "Fats" and that is what everyone called me forever, but I suppose he didn't mind.

Mr. Domino was a huge influce on the Beatles from back in the early days in Hamburg and one of the few celebrities the Beatles wanted to meet when they toured the United States in the summer of 1964 was Fats.   Thankfully one of their opening acts, The Frogman, had connections and wa able to make that meeting happen.

Fats Domino and the Beatles met in the trailor that was set up behind the stage in New Orleans and for 60 minutes, the five of them took photos (for Fats kids he said) and had a sing along!   What did they sing?   That seens to have been lost to history.    But from the look of the photographs, they all sure seemed to enjoy themselves.    The one thing that stood out from Paul about that meeting? He shared that in the Anthology series in 1994  "He had a very big diamond watch in the shape of a star, which was very impressive."  

Venus and Mars

When are the Beatles getting back together, Paul?

Up close with Paul in New Orleans

Who is the guy in the background?  Alan somebody??

Leaving Sea Saint Studio