Pipe up

 

Paul meets some more fans

 July 14, 1967

MTBFR 10 year flashback: The Best Day of my life (repost)

2019 marks the 10th anniversary of Meet the Beatles...for Real.     I have some special things planned to mark the big day.   For the next 10 Thursdays, I am going to dip into the files and post some of my favorite Beatles stories that haven't gotten very much attention over the years and I think need to be looked at again.      

The first one was originally posted on August 9, 2009.  It is the story of Pattie Emerson meeting George at Kinfauns.   It was found in a 1969 issue of Datebook magazine. 

The Best Day of my Life
By Pattie Emerson, 14, McKinley Junior H.S.
Flint, Michigan


Monday, July 31, 1967, was the best day of my life. That day I met George Harrison. Wendy, Betty and I planned this excursion to Esher for quite awhile. All of the Beatles were supposed to be Athens. You should have
seen us when we read that George and Pattie had landed in London the day before!

We arrived at George’s house at about 10:30, took pictures and movies, and bashfully went to the front door. Betts and Wendy saw someone walk by inside. I was too busy taking movies through the mail slot. I
knocked almost inaudibly on the door and Pattie answered. We asked about George and how her vacation in Greece was. She had just gotten up and wasn’t dressed, and kept hiding behind the door. She said we should come back in the afternoon when George would be there. We asked if he would mind and she said, “oh no!” She was very nice. 

We then went to John’s where we had to stare down with the gardener. We were taking pictures and movies while he was inside asking permission for us. He said John was to be away three weeks so I left my book of poetry with him along with a hurried note to John. (John was home that night. Someone there told us a lie!).

We then left John’s for Ringo’s. When we started to walk towards the backyard via the flowery wall, a woman knocked from an upstairs window, motioning for us to leave. So we did.

We ate lunch at the Bear Inn in Esher (where I had trouble eating knowing we would meet George that afternoon).

We arrived back at George’s a little before 3:30 and stood at the door, waiting for something. We saw George walk past the window, heard him cough and the telephone ring. Then we heard the clock strike half-past. Reading the sign, “doorbell push”, I did and out popped George. I wasn’t scared, but I said, “Do you want to make me cry?” for lack of something intelligent to say. And George replied thoughtfully and seriously, “I don’t want to make you do anything.” That did it. I no longer thought of him as George Harrison, famous person, but as a friend, which he is. He talked to us for over three-quarters of an hour about religion, love, life, music – everything. He said he enjoyed talking with us and he wished he could spend some time with everyone in the
world.

I gave him some beads and the Sgt. Pepper handshake – well never mind. I took movies of George doing the Charleston with my beads.

I’ve never met a man so intelligent and understanding. He seemed to have the answer for everything. He was very funny too. He laughed when I told him I was taking TWA home the next day. I found out the next day he left London for the States at the same time on Pan Am. He recommended a book for me to read, The Autobiography of a Yogi, which if you find it (which isn’t likely) please sent it to me.

George’s front door is a riot! So is the whole house! There are little clippings painted on like “do you want to play like the pro’s?” and “those who enter must beware” and “Front Door”. His living room is what
I’d call Indian Modern. It’s pretty anyway! There was a big white teddy bear on the sofa and beautiful things all over the place. Another surprise was the laundry hanging on the line. I guess they don’t’ have a dryer.

I can’t explain how nice George was. He just talked to us like old friends. He made me realize so much about the world. I’ll never forget him or what he’s done for me. I love him like he loves me and everyone else in the world. He really does. This isn’t just something he says. He believes it, and talking with him made me realize
this.

When we left he said, “Be seein’ ya!” and he meant it. He will. Maybe next year, I hope because I just have to visit this wonderful man again.

Back at Cavendish

I have a feeling this photo was taken by Pattie Emerson.  What do you think?

Is this Pattie Emerson?

One of the first stories that I posted on this blog was the one of 14 year old fan named Pattie Emerson.  Pattie traveled to London in 1967 and ended up meeting Paul, Ringo and George (as well as Jane and Mike).  Her story was printed in Datebook in two issues and her photos are now legendary.  

Last week someone on a blog posted this photo and said that they were pretty sure that it was Pattie Emerson standing on the left of Paul.

I had this photo in my files for years and I never once thought that was Pattie E.  Although the time period would be correct and it does sort of look like her.   What do you think??

For comparison, here is Pattie standing with George and outside of Kinfauns.

And here are the photos of Paul that Pattie took.  He is not wearing the same shirt as the above photo right?   Unless the coloring is wrong on the top photo, but even then the flowers look larger.   But then Pattie could have met Paul on more than one occasion when she was in London.  

What do you think?   Is it her or not?

Pattie Emerson's close-ups

These are photos from the article and photos by Pattie Emerson.   I had always had them extremely too small to even share, but I have scanned them from the original article (instead of trying to get them from a scan of a picture of the article) and tried to fix them a bit.   

Safe as Milk

George and John both have these stickers in their homes in 1967.. This is a great shot of the sticker on George's front door!

More from the Pattie Emerson files

A big thanks go out to Grant for sending me this Paul photo. Wonderful to see one in color from this day! I actually have the photo to scan, but the one he sent me was much larger. I love Pattie Emerson's photos, especially the ones from George's house.

My Beatle Dream Came True

I found another article Pattie Emerson wrote about her 1967 visit to London where she met Paul and George. I have always loved Pattie's photos, especially the ones from Kinfauns and meeting George. I have scanned the photos from the first article I posted about her visit (see archives for that one) because I had bad scans and these are much better. So I am including ones from this article as well as the one I have previously submitted. Enjoy!

My Beatle Dream Came True

By Pattie Emerson, 14, McKinley Junior H.S. Flint Michigan

(Ed Note: On holiday in England, lucky Pattie Emerson, 14, visited the homes of the Beatles, met two of their wives, Jane Asher, and got ot talk to Paul and George at length.)

When I went to England this summer, I 'd hoped ot just see one of the Beatles. I was really surprised to actually met two the, their wives, and Jane Asher.

After being in London a few days, my friend Joyce Kulhawick and I went to Paul's house. We expected a mob, but only one girl was there - Betts Logan, who lives in New York. She said Mrs. Mills (Paul's housekeeper) said Paul would arrive back form Scotland that afternoon. A man drove by and said Paul was on the corner getting a haircut. Another said he was at the pub, and still another said he was at the beach. This guy gets around!

Betts and I came back the next day, July 15, 1967, and met Wendy Joyce, who lives in London, goes to Paul's every day (except Thursdays), and has met Paul so many times that she sells his autographs! She's really great.

We waited all day while such people as Mike McGear (really McCartney), Paul's brother drove out. People just drive in and out of Paul's like it was a hotel. When we took "Mike's picture he said, "you have the wrong one." It was kinda pathetic.

At about 5:30, Jane Asher, and Martha (Paul's huge sheepdog) were driving to the park by Mr. Harris (Paul's temporary employee) in Paul's green Aston Martin. Shortly before 6:00 Jane and Martha walked back, and we talked to her. Jane looked like you'd expect Paul's girl to look -- very feminine, in a green flared skirt, flowery Victorian high collar blouse. Her half-way to the waist fiery hair was done in a braid on her head.

I told Jane I was from America and that I'd seen her in "Juliet" and asked her if she could please bring Paul out. She said she would, but I was doubtful. Certainly the great McCartney wouldn't come out for a mere fan!

About five minutes after Jane went in, we heard a noise behind the gate. Hopefully I got my camera ready. Sure enough, it was Paul! He said, "Hello, girls." and asked what part of America we were from. Someone said she liked his brother, Mike, and Paul said, "Ah, It's the comedian again!" He has a real deep voice, and muscular arms (he wears two watches), and every time he blinked his eyes I thought he'd take off, his eyelashes were so long!

I was a lot more calm than I thought I could be. I told him I loved Sgt. Pepper, and he thanked me. He was very nice. One of the nicest people I've ever met.

A week later Betts and I were back at Paul's. Mr. McC wasn't in. He'd left for Athens that morning with John and his family. We met two girls who'd been with us meeting Paul, and we walked Martha to the park (Regents Park) with Paul's cousin from Liverpool, John McCartney. He was staying at Paul's with Paul's father, step-mother, and step-sister Ruth. He was really nice and we had a of time to ask him questions about Paul.

When I met Ruth, (who is seven and isn't' all that thrilled about having a famous bother), she said "You know, he's just a boy." She was hobbling around on a broken leg at the time. P.S. Paul, John was wearing your jacket!

On July 26, we drove to Esher but George as still in Greece. At Weybridge, John wasn't home either, and no one was there. We walked all over the place, taking pictures off balconies, and enjoying the lovely Lennon scenery, the pool, the gypsy caravan (given to Julian for his fourth birthday), statues, and a brightly-colored wheelchair in the back! My dad drove right up into John's garage, and turned around.

On to Ringo's (Sunny Heights). At Ringo's I felt very bold and knocked twice on the door. Maureen answered. I didn't recognize her at first, with the blonde hair, and asked "Is Mr. or Mrs. Starkey in?" After making a complete fool of myself, I gave her the scarf I had knitted for the new baby. We talked awhile, then I left to take pictures of the place. As I was leaving I saw Ringo, Zak and some other unknown person eating lunch in the kitchen. I didn't have the courage to wave.

There are all sorts of things written all over all of the Beatles' gates like "Ringo for Prime Minister" and "John is sexy." It's really funny!

A nice Pattie Emerson shot

Lots of Beatles photosgraphs for sale...but not at the price I wanted.

At Beatlefest there were some fan photos for sale. As much as I love them, I was not going to spend $20 on them. Wasn't going to happen. Sorry everyone. $10 is my limit right now unless it is something totally awesome and I suddenly get in a buying mood. So I took a photo of the this Pattie Emerson photograph from when she met George at Kinfauns. It is different than others I have seen from that meeting.

The best day of my life (article)

Here is another story written by a fan who met George Harrison at his home in 1967. I believe this one came from the February 1968 issue of Datebook magazine (I might be wrong about the month but the year and magazine are correct). This story is written only the way a lovesick Beatlefan who is 14 years old could write it. I love it! I am sure that if Pattie Emerson wrote this same story again today, it wouldn't have the puppy love feeling about it that it has from when she originally wrote it in 1967. A few thoughts about this article. Has Pattie Emerson's home movie footage ever surfaced? And who knows the Sgt. Pepper handshake. I think I need to know this!

The Best Day of my Life
By Pattie Emerson, 14, McKinley Junior H.S.
Flint,
Michigan


Monday July 31, 1967 was the best day of my life. That day I met George
Harrison. Wendy, Betty and I planned this excursion to Esher for quite
awhile. All of the Beatles were supposed to be Athens. You should have
seen us when we read that George and Pattie had landed in London the day
before!

We arrived at George’s house at about 10:30, took pictures and movies, and
bashfully went to the front door. Betts and Wendy saw someone walk by
inside. I was too busy taking movies through the mail slot. I
knocked almost inaudibly on the door and Pattie answered. We asked about
George and how her vacation in Greece was. She had just gotten up and
wasn’t dressed, and kept hiding behind the door. She said we should come
back in the afternoon, when George would be there. We asked if he would
mind and she said, “oh no!” She was very
nice.


We then went to John’s where he had stare down with the gardener. We were
taking pictures and movies while he was inside asking permission for us.
He said John was to be away three weeks so I left my book of poetry with him
along with a hurried note to John. (John was home that night.
Someone there told us a
lie!).

We then left John’s for Ringo’s. When we started to walk towards the
backyard via the flowery wall, a woman knocked from an upstairs window,
motioning for us to leave. So we
did.

We ate lunch at the Bear Inn in Esher (where I had trouble eating knowing we
would meet George that
afternoon).

We arrived back at George’s a little before 3:30 and stood at the door, waiting
for something. We saw George walk past the window, heard him cough and the
telephone ring. Then we heard the clock strike half-past. Reading
the sign, “doorbell push”, I did and out popped George. I wasn’t scared,
but I said, “Do you want to make me cry?” for lack of something
intelligent to say. And George replied thoughtfully and seriously, “I
don’t want to make you do anything.” That did it. I no longer thought of
him as George Harrison, famous person, but as a friend, which he is. He
talked to us for over three quarters of an hour about religion, love, life, music
– everything. He said he enjoyed talking with us and he wished he
could spend some time with everyone in the
world.

I gave him some beads and the Sgt. Pepper handshake – well never mind. I
took movies of George doing the Charleston with my
beads.

I’ve never met a man so intelligent and understanding. HE seemed to have
the answer for everything. He was very funny too. He laughed when I
told him I was taking TWA home the next day. I found out the next day he
left London for the States the same time on Pan Am. He recommend a book
for me to read, The Autobiography of a Yogi, which if you find it (which isn’t
likely) please sent it to
me.

George’s front door is a riot! So is the whole house! There are
little clippings painted on like “do you want to play like the pro’s?” and
“those who enter must beware” and “Front Door”. His living room is what
I’d call Indian Modern. It’s pretty anyway! There was a big white
teddy bear on the sofa and beautiful things all over the place.
Another surprise was the laundry hanging on the line. I guess they don’t’
have a
dryer.

I can’t explain how nice George was. He just talked to us like old
friends. He made me realize so much about the world. I’ll never
forget him or what he’s done for me. I love him like he loves me and
everyone else in the world. He really does. This isn’t just
something he says. He believes it, and talking with him made me realize
this.

When we left he said, “Be seein’ ya!” and he meant it. He will.
Maybe next year, I hope because I just have to visit this wonderful man again.