The Sessions Album

About 10 years ago I was working on a book about the history of the Beatles' Anthology.   It was going to be call The Long and Winding Road to the Beatles Anthology.   I did a load of research and took a lot of notes.   I worked really hard on the project and then I realized that I didn't know the first thing about writing a book and that I was never going to be a Beatles writer.    My how my life has changed in 10 years!   I still don't consider myself to be a Beatles writer, but I do think that it is my hobby.   While looking for some Beatles photos, I stumbled across the notebook that  had been writing in, all of the research and the notes.    The stuff isn't terrible.   And so I decided that since it is the 20th anniversary of the Beatles Anthology, I would share on my blog what I had written for the book as articles.    Now---these were just drafts, and I am sure that more research was needed, but still I found some interesting information.   

The Beatles Sessions Album
By Sara Schmidt

By the late 1970's EMI/Capitol Records had realized an amazing truth:  Beatles records still brought in money.  Besides their back catalog, EMI/Capitol released albums including the "Red" and "Blue" Greatest Hits albums, the "Love Songs" albums and the "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" album all to great sales.   But what if a Beatles' album was released full of Beatles songs that the public had never heard before?   Fans knew it was possible thanks to Wally Podrazik and Harry Castleman's classic book, All together Now, which listed some titles of unreleased Beatles' songs.

Originally planned for release in 1981, EMI planned to put out a "new" Beatles single:  "Leave my Kitten Alone" backed with "How do you do it."  However, after John's death, the idea of the single was scrapped because EMI/Capitol did not want people to think that they were cashing in and trying to make money off of the murder of John Lennon. 

By the summer of 1984, enough time had passed that EMI was ready to work on a full  Beatles' album of unreleased songs.  Geoff Emerick worked with the master tapes and re-mixed them.  He worked through the summer at Abbey Road Studios in London editing and combining Beatles' songs into new versions.

Given the name "Sessions,"  the  new Beatles' album was tentatively set for release in November 1984, however the date was postponed because EMI did not want The Beatles' record to be in competition with Paul McCartney's "Give My Regards to Broadstreet."


As Beatlefan magazine reported in March 1985, side 1 was to include:  "Come and Get it," "Leave my Kitten alone," "Not Guilty," "I'm looking through you," and "What's the new Mary Jane."  Side 2 would have "How do you do it,"  "Besame Mucho,"  "One after 909,"  "If you've got troubles,"  "That Means A Lot,"  George's acoustic version of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps,"  and "Christmastime (is here again)."   A single of "Leave my Kitten Alone" backed with "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" was also in the works.

Front and back covers that were made for the 1985 Beatles' single 45

The album was to been packaged with a gate-fold cover and a special inner bag.   A black and white picture sleeve was designed for the single (see photos).   Allan Kozinn prepared the sleeve notes and a press release announced that the single would be out January 28, 1985 with the album released on February 25, 1985.

This was the back of the Sessions album

And then Paul, George, Ringo and Yoko learned of EMI's plans.  The Beatles had not been involved or even informed in regards to the "Sessions" album at all and reports at the time said that a mock-up of the album had been shown to the four and a law suit from Apple Records against EMI/Capitol followed shortly afterwards.   An EMI representative in London stated that they did not have to get permission to release the album.  Brian Southall, who worked for the London company said, "EMI has deferred to the group members out of respect."   David Kronemyer, who was the representative for Capitol Records in the United States said, "the Apple lawsuit does not impact on our rights to release Beatles materials."

Some reports claim that it was Ringo who was very vocal about his strong dislike for the release of the "Sessions" album while other reports said that it was Paul that was extremely angry so much so that he threatened to pull his future British Products from EMI.     Regardless of the reasons, the "Sessions," album never saw the light of day much of the disappointment of Beatles' fans who had been anticipating the release.   It would another 10 years before fans got to hear the offical releases of the songs that had been intended for "Sessions."

By late 1985, it became obvious that Apple and EMI were not going to work out their differences and the album was never going to materialize.   Tracks from the album somehow found their way into the hands of bootleggers who produced their own versions of the "Sessions" album, which was snatched up by fans around the globe.

The Sessions album cover I remember the most

Interesting memo sent out about the bootleg of Sessions.

Why were girls crying on Paul's wedding day ?

We have all seen the photos and the video clips of Paul and Linda's wedding day.    And the one thing that is always included is the girls crying their eyes out.      Who were these girls, how many of them were there and why were they crying?

Ringo and George had gotten married during the Beatlemania years and while girls were a little upset, you didn't hear stories of mass weeping.     What made Paul's marriage so different?

The first thing you have to understand is how little the fans really knew about Paul's relationship in March 1969.      Paul had officially announced his engagement and relationship with Jane Asher was over on July 20, 1968.   Fans knew that Paul had been involved with Francie Schwartz and Linda Eastman,  and when Linda started coming around more and more, they didn't realize how serious the relationship was.   But one thing they knew:  they did NOT like Linda Eastman.   

What was it about Linda that the fans disliked so much?   Here is what I think.  The first thing is that she wasn't Jane Asher.   Jane was beautiful, British and friendly towards the fans.   She fit the image of who you think Paul McCartney would marry.     On the other hand, Linda was "plain," a loud New Yorker and not kind to the fans.    She would call the police if they were gathered outside of Cavendish Avenue or yell at them to go away.    The other thing was that the fans believed that Linda had changed Paul.   The Paul they used to know would occasionally come outside and chat with the fans.   He would joke with them and be a bit flirty.   And while at times, he would yell at them, overall he was super kind and accessible.   After Linda moved in, Paul did not come and talk to the fans and he was curt and even outright rude towards the same girl that he had been so nice to a few months earlier.   And while we know now that there was stress and discord with the Beatles, which most likely attributed to Paul's attitude, Linda was the one that got all of the blame.  Fans everywhere saw Linda as a woman that was controlling and pushy.    And lastly was the story that quickly went around that Linda had told Pete Townsend, way before she ever met Paul that her goal was to marry a Beatle and that she had her sights on marrying Paul McCartney.   Pete says to this day that it was said as a joke and it got taken the wrong way, however fans believed that Linda had done whatever it took to win Paul as a prize and that she had made a $5 bet that she could marry him.    This totally rubbed them the wrong way.

These girls at the time truly did not think that Paul was not going to get married.  Ever.    They believed that he was always going to be the bachelor Beatle and therefore available to date them if the opportunity came about.    So they were completely blindsided on March 11, 1969 when the newspapers said that Paul was going to wed the American.    Both Carol Bedford and Carolyn Mitchell say in their books that they gathered outside of Cavendish on the 11th  and they saw all four of the Beatles go into Paul's house.   Carolyn also says that Linda called the police on them that day.   Carol heard from a second hand source that later that night Paul came out because the girls were crying so much and talked to them.   One of the things he told them was "you knew I had to get married sometime."    Paul says in Many years from now that he and Linda had a big fight that night and the wedding was almost called off.   You have to wonder if the fight had something to do with the girls crying outside the gates.

 

That leads us up to the day of the wedding.   Most of the fans that were there congregated around Cavendish Avenue.    In Carol Bedford's book she says that Jill was crying and the photographers were snapping photos and asking her to cry for them.    But honestly---the only girls I ever see crying are the same two girls.   Both of these girls look young (early teens maybe).  One has short brown hair and the other had long blonde hair.    I see these same girls in all of the video footage and photographs.    If there were other girls weeping outside Paul's home that day, their photos must not have made it into the press, because all I see are the same 2 girls over and over again.    And it makes me wonder if the whole story of fans bawling because Paul was getting married has been blown out of proportion.    What do you think?

Other fans were there, but they looked more in shock than anything else.  Margo is there with the little boy she was babysitting, Bam Bam along with other regulars at Cavendish.

I am glad that the fans first impressions of the marriage of Paul and Linda were wrong.   The couple remained married for 29 years and the only time they spent apart from one another was when Paul was in jail in Japan in 1980.   I think over time the fans warmed up to Linda and Linda warmed up to the fans.   1969 was a difficult year in Beatles history on so many levels.   And that is nothing to cry about.

10 Things you don't know about Apple Scruffs

If you have read this blog for awhile, you will know that I tend to focus on things in the Beatles fandom and that the topic of the Apple Scruffs has been near and dear to my heart.   Over the years I have read so many things about the Apple Scruffs that I knew were untrue.   I  have heard so many people claim to have been an Apple Scruff or people who claim that they knew someone was a member of the group.  And yet I knew that the number of people that could call themselves "Apple Scruffs" was very small.   I have read that they were groupies that slept with the Beatles.   And on and on.    Yet the girls have remained private and the rumors have gotten larger and larger.   So I really wanted to set the record straight.   With so much wrong information out there, it wasn't an easy task, but I attempted to write an article to debunk some of those myths. 

I want to say what I expressed on my facebook page for this blog.  And that is that I hope not to have offended or upset any of the true Apple Scruff members.   I really put a lot of time and thought into this article.   The things I wrote in the article are true as much as I know.   If nothing else I hope that people come away with the realization that 1.  Not everyone who hung around the Beatles in the 1960's was an Apple Scruff and 2.  The Apple Scruffs did not have sex with the Beatles.

On a personal note, this is the first thing I have ever written that wasn't for this blog.   So I want to thank Allison at Rebeat magazine for giving me the opportunity to write this article and publishing it for the online magazine.   When I was young, I had a dream of being a journalist and an author.    That dream fizzled out as I got older and I decided that I wanted to be a teacher.  However, there was always a small part of me that wanted to be a writer. 



http://www.rebeatmag.com/10-things-you-dont-know-bout-apple-scruffs/

Beatles at the Ridge -- Festival Review

On September 19-20, 2014 my  mom and I drove down to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas for a Beatles festival called "Beatles at the Ridge."    Those of you who follow this blog and know the history of the Beatles 1964 are familiar with the reason why Walnut Ridge, Arkansas is part of Beatles history as it was the Walnut Ridge airport that the Beatles stopped at in 1964 on their way to and from Reed Pigman's ranch.   It is really just a blip in Beatles history, but the town of Walnut Ridge has decided to make the most of their small Beatles connection for the sake of improving tourism to the region.  A large metal sculpture of the Beatles crossing Abbey Road can be found in the town as well as a cute shop called "Imagine" that sells Beatles items.   There is a 115-ft-long by 40-ft-wide guitar on the ground that is a replica of John Lennon's guitar in an area called the "Guitar Walk."    All of this is well worth seeing if you are in the area.   Once a year the town throws a big city-wide festival called "Beatles at the Ridge."

Beatles at the Ridge is not completely a Beatles convention.   It is very Beatles centered and there are a lot of Beatles activities and things going on, but it is also a carnival-type fest for the town.  There are booths and tents from area groups and organizations as well as activities that have nothing at all to do with the Fab 4 (such as a duck calling contest).

But if you are a Beatles fan (and I know that you are), there is plenty of Beatles fun.   My wonderful author-friend, Jude Southerland Kessler was the chair of the first ever Beatles author symposium at this festival.   She put together some of the BEST authors and speakers to talk about their books.   There also was a Beatles photo display that was extremely good, an art display by Enoch Doyle Jeeter who drew pictures for each of the songs on the Meet the Beatles album and a display called "Meet the Covers" which showed album covers that were parodies of Beatles album.   It was really fun to see!

When I arrived on Friday afternoon, the first thing I noticed was that the entire town of decked out in 1960's and Beatles theme.   Every store-front window had things like peace signs or cartoon Beatles in the windows.   There was a large cut out of the Yellow Submarine and the Cartoon Beatles and it made for a fun photo opportunity.   It was really festive and put us in the mood for the weekend!

My mom with the cartoon Beatles cut outs

After looking around for a bit and getting our bearings, we made our way into the author's room and found our friends.   Even though I had just seen everyone just a month earlier, it was great to see Chuck Gunderson, Lanea Staggs, Kit O'Tool, Jude and Rande Kessler and  Anthony Robustelli again!

My mom and I with Jude Southerland Kessler (I know I look terrible here!  I had been driving all day and just blah!)

On Friday night we heard a GREAT talk about the events of 1964 by Jude and Chuck.   This multi-media presentation was just amazing.   Both of these two authors are amazing speakers and they know their Beatles stuff!  We stuck around and listened to a band perform for awhile, but we were super tired and decided to try to get some sleep.

The Beatles statue looked REALLY cool at night!

On Saturday, we were up bright and early for a full day of Beatles fun.   At first we walked around outside and looked at the booths and venders.    We saw that Danny Donuts, who we recognize from all of our years going to the Chicago Fest for Beatle Fans (even though he doesn't know us) was running a fun children's section.   He had a bubble machine going and kids were jumping around to Beatles music.   He had a parade later in the day, but we missed that.   It looked like fun for the kids.

We had a full day of listening to the authors in the symposium because---well that is what I like to do.  But before that, we went back into the Imagine shop and talked to Carrie Mae Snapp, who as you might recall was the girl who's father took the photos of the Beatles at the Walnut Ridge airport and she touched George's elbow.   Well, she said to us, "do you want to see the pictures?" and she proceeded to pull out all of her photos from that day and tell the story to just my mom and I with more details than what I have heard before.   It was so great!  

Lanea Stagg did a brunch based on some of the recipes in her Recipe Records Cookbook that were really tasty.  I recommend "Everybody's got something to hide except for me and my monkey bread."  Then we heard Kit O'Tool give two talks--one about the Abbey Road medley and another about the top Beatles sounds.   Both of these were really fascinating and help me listen to Beatles music that I  have heard forever in a new way.   We also heard Anthony Robustelli's presentation where he stripped down Beatles music so that you just heard the harmonies or just the guitar.   It was really some amazing stuff.  If you like that sort of thing, I highly recommend listening to Anthony's radio program on Beatles a rama radio online on Sunday nights.

Then for something silly---we needed to eat, right?  So mom and I went to a local diner that was serving Beatle burgers and Onion Ring-o's.    We were laughing about that through the entire meal.

We came back to the site and got ready for the concert by Liverpool Legends (Louise Harrison's Beatles tribute band from Branson).   But before that we had to listen to this country band that was really boring.   I think they were called Rockabilly.   I do not like country music.  At all.    I especially do not like country music about food.   Yeah...these guys were tolerable for the first 20 minutes but then they went on and on.  And they didn't even sing one single Beatles song or even Carl Perkins or someone like that.   I was so bored!

Finally Liverpool Legends came on.  They sounded great.   As I have said before on this blog, I am not a big fan of Beatles tribute bands who like to act like they are really the Beatles.   The whole dressing up in costumes  with wigs and saying things like "this is a song from our first movie...."  it just irritates me.   So I disliked these guys trying to look and act like them, because let's face it---none of these tribute bands are guys in their 20's.  They are not the Beatles.   But I really enjoyed the music.  They sounded really good and I was there to have a good time and enjoy some Beatles music.  I do have to admit, the last costume the "George" guy wore was great!  

Check this out!  George totally wore an outfit just like that!

Next year is set to be even better than this years festival and there is hope for more Beatle fans to travel to Walnut Ridge, Arkansas  for this event.    So make plans now to be there!   Here are some tips for you if you plan to go---

1.  This is a FREE event.   People were asking how much it cost and the answer is nothing! 

2.   Bring a lawn chair with you if you plan on staying for the concerts.  

3.   Walnut Ridge is located in a dry county.   Yeah....that is a real thing in the United States in 2014.  There are places were you cannot buy alcohol and this is one of them.   So plan accordingly (whatever that means to you).

4.  There are not really any hotels in Walnut Ridge.  The closest town with hotels is Jonesboro, Arkansas.  I stayed at a place called the Fairview inn and suits.   It was cheap and clean, but old and little run down.  

Paul Limo watching --- What to expect

Part of what I like to do with this blog is to explain what happens in events that seem to be a "secret" in the Beatles community.    I personally get frustrated by the lack of information that appears to be out there (pun intended) about some pretty basic things.    So I try to tear down the walls of secrecy and get the information available to other fans.    In Kansas City I  waited for the "limo watch" for Paul and I thought I would let you all know what to expect if you wanted to "limo watch" in your town.

First of all, Paul does not arrive in a Limo.   Everyone calls it "limo watching," but really it is "SUV watching."    What happens is that Paul rides in an SUV (although who knows....it might be a Limo) into the venue.   He will roll down the window and wave to the crowd.   In total it will take about 10 seconds.


Paul usually drives into the venue around 5:00pm the day of the concert.   So you need to get to the venue around 4:00pm and your first task is to figure out where Paul's car will be entering the venue.  This really isn't that hard of a task because most venues only have a few choices and security guards standing around will most likely tell you the correct location.   Or you can just look for a small gathering of people wearing Paul t-shirts.


The next task is to pick a side to be on.   This is always a hard decision.   What side will Paul be on?  Will Nancy (or someone else) be on the other side and you won't see Paul at all?   Pick your side and wait---and wait---and wait---

Eventually a man named Brian will come out  Brian is Paul's security manager.   He has worked for Paul for a long time and has said that Paul won't let him retire until Paul retires.   Brian will inform the crowd of what time Paul is to be arriving.   He might also tell you how many more minutes until he arrives.  

Brian is the short man in this photo

Before Paul comes, you will heard the police sirens.   Yes----Paul McCartney is escorted by the police to the venue.  So, you can hear that he is arriving.    As I said, the entire thing only lasts a few seconds, but it is extremely exciting.  And if you are lucky (like I was) you can see him and get a few good photos.  

I had my camera set to where it took 5 photos at a time in hopes of getting a few good shots.   There were some people in front of me, but I was able to lean way over to the side and get my photos right before he went inside.  

Here is some advice:  there is no reason to bring albums to get signed.  Paul is not going to stop the car to sign anything.  Also there isn't any reason to bring a huge sign that you hold up over your head.  Paul most likely will not have the time to read it and it just blocks the view of other fans.


It is extremely exciting to see Paul waving and to experience the entire thing and it adds to the fun of the concert!  Have fun!

 

*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt.  Please ask before you use any photos elsewhere (I always have said yes)

Hey Hey Hey ---Sara's review of the Paul McCartney concert in Kansas City

I wasn't supposed to see Paul in Kansas City, Missouri on July 16, 2014.    I was supposed to see Paul in Louisville, Kentucky on June 26th.  However, when Paul got sick and had to re-schedule the Louisville show, I was no longer able to travel down to see it.   I really can't travel 6 hours south on a Tuesday in October.    So I started to look for another date that worked for me in this tour and Kansas City seemed to be the best fit.

I was not sitting on the floor for this show.   I was in section 101, which is the first section past the floor seating.   I had seats that were in the center and had a wonderful view of Paul the entire time.   These were basically the same seats I had when I saw Paul in St. Louis in 2012.    You really get a different concert from the floor and the stadium seating.    When you see Paul on the floor, you are obviously part of the action.   You are an active participant in the concert.   He appears to make eye contact with you and those around you.    Everyone stands for the entire concert and you can tell from the dancing and singing that the people with you are Paul fans and love him with the same passion that you do.     When you sit up in the stadium seating, most of the people remain seated for a big part of the concert.    They do stand a bit for some of the songs, but you are sitting for most of the show.   There were times that I wanted to stand, but I felt like it would have been rude to those behind me.   You feel so far away from Paul.    While I could see him so well, there was a disconnect for sure.   And you are sitting near a majority (not all) of people who like Paul because he was in the Beatles and Wings and are not familiar with any of his solo work.    The plus side of having seats farther away is that you get to enjoy the show aspect.    When I was sitting in the 4th row last year, I did not know that when Paul sang, "Here Today" it looked like he was standing on a waterfall.   I was too close to notice it.  However,  by having seats farther back,  it was neat to see.    You can make out all of the photos farther back and enjoy the laser lights much better.  


Paul sang most of the songs that he has been singing in concert the past few years.  However, he has cut some of the Wings numbers to add in some songs from "New."   He sang "Save Us,"  "New" "Queenie Eye" and "Everybody Out There."   I was sorry to see "Junior's Farm" and "Mrs. Vanderbilt" leave the set list.    However, the songs from "New" sounded really great!    I love the "New" background and Paul and the band really, really seemed to enjoy playing the songs.

Some things that I noticed specifically to the Kansas City Show.    Paul did not read any of the signs out loud.   I saw all sorts of people down front holding signs, and I saw Paul pointing to them, but he did not ever look out and read any of the signs.     Someone had thrown a pair of panties up on the stage and Paul picked them up and said something about how it wasn't a Tom Jones show and this had never happened before.   I seriously doubt that in 2014 Paul McCartney had his first pair of women's panties thrown on the stage!!   But it was a really funny part of the show.    Paul seemed to be a bit more talkative between songs.   He mostly stuck to his script, but there were a few little things that I think he added and he in general seemed to be a tad bit more chatty.

When he sang "My Valentine,"  he dedicated it to Nancy who he said was in the audience and he pointed towards her.    I thought the KC crowd was extremely rude during this song.  It looked like a mass exodus of people.   Everyone must have thought "My Valentine" is a code song for "bathroom and drink" break.    Actually, I was surprised how much people were leaving their seats throughout the concert.    If it wasn't a Beatles song, it seems like people were leaving.    There were some people in my row that were constantly coming and going.  They were coming back with popcorn and hot dogs and who knows what else.   Whenever I go to a Paul show, I stay in my seat the entire time.  I do not want to miss a thing!    Those tickets are extremely expensive!  I can eat popcorn or go use the bathroom later---you only have so many chances to see Paul McCartney in person.

Paul messed up the words on "We can work it out."  He sang, "Only time will tell if I am wrong or I am wrong...."    He always seems to have a hard time with lyrics to that one.      Overall Paul sounded good, but by the time he sang "Day Tripper," you could tell that his voice was getting tired.   Personally I did not think "Helter Skelter" sounded very good because Paul's voice just sounded like it was ready to give out.   

Of course the real treat of the night was Paul performing "Kansas City (Hey Hey Hey )" which he did instead of "Hi Hi Hi."    He sang the "Beatles" version of the song with the crowd all doing the echo part.   This might be one of my favorite personal Beatle memories of my life.   Just something about singing the song Kansas City along with Paul in Kansas City----you just can't beat that!

If you haven't seen Paul during this tour, you have to go!   I know it is extremely expensive.   I know it is often in the middle of the week.   But you will regret it for the rest of your life if you miss out on this tour.     If you go and happen to have sensitive eyes, you will want to bring along some sunglasses.    There are a lot of bright lights and strobe lights that go out into the audience.   My mom has eye problems and the lights were really hurting her eyes until she got her sunglasses out of her purse and then she could see Paul and not be blinded.    So if any of you have eye problems....I thought I would pass along that advice.

Have fun out there!

*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt.  Please ask before you use these photos elsewhere (and I always say yes!)

Memories of the Beatles "a Hard Day's Night" by Sara

During the month of July, when I am around, I am going to be focusing on the Beatles classic film, "a Hard Day's night."     I have some great photos to share as well as fans memories that have been sent in to me over the past few months.    If you have any memories of the film that you would like to share, it isn't too late!   Just drop me an email.      I am going to begin with my own memories of the film because hey, this is my blog.

We are all familiar with it.   The opening chord and then the image of the boys running down the side-walk.   It makes my heart race and for reasons I will never understand, I just want to let out a loud scream.     After 25 years of being a Beatlemaniac,  the movie A Hard Day’s Night still excites me.   I must have seen it over 100 times by now and I have most of the dialogue memorized.    I have bought it twice on VHS, once on DVD and plan on getting the new Blu-Ray DVD combo.

The first time I ever saw the classic Beatles movie was in 1989.   I was in the 7^th grade and it was the end of the school year.    Like many teachers, my music teacher ended the school year by showing movies.   He showed A Hard Day’s Night and Help! to finish off the year.   While I wasn’t able to watch the film in one sitting and I had a difficult time hearing it over the chatter of middle school kids as well as being unfamiliar with the Liverpudlian accent, there was just something about it that I really enjoyed.    I thought it was funny and the music was great.   I knew I had to watch it again.

It must have been shown on the Disney channel or PBS or somewhere, because I recorded it off the TV and the tracking was terrible, but it was that bad VHS copy that I watched over and over again.   I learned the lines, laughed and sang along.    Then for the 30^th anniversary of the Beatles coming to America,  a home video collection box set was released.   I was able to get “A Hard Day’s Night,”  “Help!” and “Magical Mystery Tour” all on VHS in a box set.     It was sort of confusing to me because it started with “I’ll Cry Instead” and I was not sure if it was supposed to begin with that song, as I hadn’t recorded it off the television that way.    It was also around this time that I bought the book version of the script from a used book store and I would follow along while watching the film.        In the summer after I graduated from high school I went to my first Beatle convention and they were showing all of the Beatles movies during the weekend.   It was so much fun to watch “A Hard Day’s Night” on the big screen with other fans and to my amazement, they were screaming and cheering and participating with the movie.      When I was 18, I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out and I was in a lot of pain.  My mom put in my good old VHS copy of A Hard Day’s Night and remember wanting to laugh, but it hurt too much.  

I brought the movie with me to college and my friends and I enjoyed watching it and my other Beatle films over and over again.   We began quoting the movies and “grotty” quickly became part of our daily vocabulary as well as other “Beatleisms.”    It really was amazing that “A Hard Day’s Night” was something that I could watch and not get tired of.   I knew exactly what was going to happen and yet I still found it fresh and funny.     When the “Making of A Hard Day’s Night” VHS came out, I loved hearing about some of the inside stories and jokes around the movie.  

And so basically “AHDN” became part of my Beatle-fan life.   I would watch it at Beatle conventions and a couple of times at home.   And whenever it was re-released, I would watch it and buy it.      The scenes are ingrained into my brain.

In early 2001, I went to a movie theater in St. Louis and for the first time ever I actually paid to see A Hard Day’s Night on the big screen.   It was really amazing!   The excitement was still there and everyone applauded when the film was over.       This re-release came out on DVD a few years later and I had to get it in this new format.       

Photo from the 2001 re-release

Poster from the 2001 re-release

 

Looks like I wasn't the only one getting the movie on DVD

In 2010 and again in 2013, I traveled to London and some of my favorite spots were locations where A Hard Day’s Night was made in 1964.  Places such as Marylebone Station and the Turk’s Head pub look almost identical to how they looked in the movie.

This past Saturday I went again to see the film at the movie theater.   There was only one theater in St. Louis that was showing the movie and thank goodness for GPS, because I couldn’t have found it otherwise.     I went with my boyfriend, Shawn, who isn’t a Beatles fan and had never seen the movie before.    

 

Marquee for the 2014 re-release

Sara with her Diet Coke and the poster for the movie

The first thing I noticed about this remastered version was how crystal clear the movie looked.    I noticed things that I had never noticed before.   Nothing huge or earth shattering to report, but just little things.  One thing I had always been told was that my favorite Beatle person, Mal Evans was seen in the movie carrying a bass during the scene where John is talking to a woman about looking like “him.”    In watching this version,  I came to think it might not be Mal after all.   This fellow has different glasses and different hair than Mal did in 1964 and his jaw line doesn’t look the same.   Now, I could be wrong, but it sure didn’t look like the gentle giant that I have came to adore.   

 

Mal is that really you?

 It also was extremely clear  that when asked about his hobbies, John wrote  a word that ended in “its.”    I remember debates going wild on line about that topic in the late 1990’s.   The sound was also very clear and crisp.    I would love to always hear the Beatles sing that way!

I do want to add that this was my first time watching “A Hard Day’s Night” with popcorn and I had to hand my popcorn over because  was getting too excited and thought I would spill it.  

My boyfriend overall enjoyed the film.   He thought the acting was a little bad, but he said that he could appreciate it for what it was.  He said that for a black and white older movie, it was one of the best that he had seen.   He also said that if he had seen the movie alone, he would have given it a 5/10 but sitting next to me, who was so excited throughout the whole movie, moved it up to an 8/10.   But then he has to say nice things about it, doesn’t he?    

I would say that you do not need to go see the movie at the movie theater on the big screen unless you just want to see it for the fun of it.   However, if the new DVD / Blu-ray is as clear as what I saw, then it is a necessity for all Beatle fans to include in their collections.  

 

The story of Ringo Starr's tonsils

So I wrote this article about Ringo Starr's tonsils to go along with everything that happened 50 years ago this month.    I also did my very first podcast on this topic.  Now if you chose to listen to me babbling about Ringo Starr's tonsils please know that this was my first time ever doing this and I didn't know totally what I was doing and it is a live broadcast.   So I wasn't able to go in and edit anything.   So as Paul and Nirvana would say "Cut me some Slack."
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/meetthebeatlesforreal/2014/06/04/meet-the-beatles-for-real--ringo-starrs-tonsils-50-years-ago

The story of Ringo Starr’s tonsils

An article written for Meet the Beatles for Real

By Sara Schmidt

While the Beatles were touring the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Australia with fill in drummer, Jimmie Nichol, it is easy to forget that they had left someone very important behind.   While Jimmie was meeting Hong Kong beauty queens and signing autographs, the Beatles real drummer, Ringo Starr, was in a hospital in London recuperating from tonsillitis.    Let’s take a look back on Ringo during this time.

Wednesday, June 3, 1964 was supposed to be a typical day for the Beatles.  They had a photo session scheduled for the morning and a recording session at EMI set for the afternoon.     Ringo had not been feeling well for quite a while.  He had been complaining of a sore throat now and then and it has been suggested that Ringo’s solo number had been cut out of a few Beatles performances due to his throat problems (although I cannot find proof of that happening).   When the Beatles showed up to Prospect Studios in London for the photo shoot with the Saturday Evening Post, Ringo tried to hide the fact that he was running a high fever and his throat was in pain by telling everyone there that he just had a bad cold.   As the photographer, John Launois, snapped the first photos, Ringo could barely muster a smile.  Then he began to feel dizzy and fell to his knees.  The official news reports have always said that Ringo “collapsed” during a photo session, which is a bit of an exaggeration, however; he did go down and it scared Neil Aspinall and the others who saw it happen.   Those in the room rushed to help him and gave the drummer cold water to sip.  However, it became obvious that Ringo wasn’t in any condition to continue on with planned events for the day and Ringo was taken back to his apartment. 

Ringo’s condition did not improve at all.  As a matter of fact, his temperature was 103 degree Fahrenheit.  Ringo was soon taken to the Middlesex University College Hospital.   After the doctor’s examination, Richard Starkey was diagnosed with tonsillitis and pharyngitis and was put in a private wing of the hospital for bed rest.  Ringo was to begin the Beatles very first world tour the next day, but the plans had to change because Ringo was isn’t in any condition to perform.

George Harrison was ready to cancel the entire tour until their drummer was back on his feet again.  When the suggestion of a substitute drummer was brought up, George shot it down immediately.  He said that performing without Ringo would be like driving a car with three wheels (leave it to George to use a car analogy).    However, George Martin and Brian Epstein had to really talk to Harrison about how canceling the tour would really disappoint the fans and how it really wasn’t possible due to the contract to cancel.  Eventually the two of them beat Harrison down to agree to go on with the show, although from how he talked in the Beatles Anthology, you can tell that it was always a choice he disagreed with.   And so without Ringo a replacement was found in Jimmie Nichol.     The three remaining Beatles rehearsed over the songs that would be played on the tour with Jimmie.   Jimmie’s only responsibility as a musician with the Beatles was to play the drums.  He was not going to sing a solo or anything special along those lines.   After Jimmie left, the boys remained at EMI and George Harrison recorded “You know what to do” which is found on the Anthology 1 Cd.

Publicist, Tony Barrow was concerned that the media and the fans would think that Ringo was out and Jimmie was in.   He did not want anyone to think that the Beatles were changing drummers once again.   He also was assuming that the fans were fickle and would forget about the real drummer.  So he made sure that Ringo stayed in the news while he was in the hospital.   He got a photographer into Ringo’s hospital room to take photos of him in his pajamas, and reported on his improving health every day.  Of course Tony had no reason to worry because Ringo’s fans were not ever going to forget about him.

Ringo also had reason to be concerned.   You have to remember that he had only been drumming for the Beatles for two years.  He was still the “new kid.”   He too was once a replacement drummer in the band.   I am sure that it crossed his mind once or twice that maybe the boys were going to like Jimmie better and kick him out.   But as Ringo says in the Beatles Anthology, he didn’t need to worry because they bought him gifts in Hong Kong and showed him that he was still loved.

While the band was leaving for their first concert of the tour, a report was released that said that Ringo was feeling a little better and was quite cheerful.  The official report said, “Ringo had a comfortable night and is improving.  His condition is not serious and he should be discharged in a few days.”  Calls were coming in from all around the world asking about Ringo’s condition, so this announcement should have eased the mind of fans everywhere.

Ringo was mostly alone in London during this time.  The other Beatles had left on tour and Brian Epstein had gone to the United States with Billy J. Kramer.   However Ringo did have one very special visitor, his 18 year old girlfriend, Maureen Cox, who brought him a bunch of red roses.

By June 10, 1964 the reports said that Ringo was definitely better and will be leaving the hospital before the weekend.    Ringo did not get his tonsils removed during this time.   He just recovered from a bad bought of tonsillitis.   He had his tonsils removed in December of 1964.  This is a mistake that many people, including Ringo himself make.

On June 11, Ringo left London and flew to San Francisco, California on his way to meet up with the others in Australia.  Ringo told reporters that he was “raring to go!”   He must have been “raring” a little too much because he forgot his passport at home and someone had to go get it for him.  However, they allowed Ringo to travel into the United States without it.  He ended up getting it later from a different flight.  Also riding with Ringo was actress Viven Lee, who Ringo did not know.   She knew him and wanted an autograph.

The San Francisco International Airport had been announcing on the radio all day that fans were not to come to the airport to see Ringo.  They said that they did not have the space to accommodate fans and that they would not be able to see Ringo because he would be moved quickly to a VIP room as soon as his plane lands.   However, that same radio station was telling the fans the gate number and time of Ringo’s landing.   

 

When Ringo landed at 5:30pm, 500 fans were there to see him.  The area fan club came to welcome him to San Francisco and some fans got out of hand with pushing and loud screaming.  Ringo tried to quiet them down by putting his finger on his lips, but that of course just made them scream even louder.  Some fans were lucky to have had a brief encounter with him.  One fan, Marlene Vogelsang said that she was “so happy to have gotten Ringo’s autograph!”  Ringo was taken into the VIP lounge, where he answered some questions from reporters until his plane for Hawaii left at 8:11pm.

Ringo’s layover in Hawaii lasted an hour and a half and 300 fans were there to see him.  Five of those fans got hurt and needed first aide assistance.   Two hula girls, Carmen Souzi and Magnolia Makua greeted Ringo with flower leis and kisses, which Ringo enjoyed very much.

Then it was finally off to Sydney, Australia to meet up with the rest of the tour.   Ringo arrived in Sydney late at night, but it did not stop 100 fans from waiting to see him.  One such fan was 16 year old Mary Jackson who said, “I got wet waiting for the Beatles on Thursday.  So it would take a lot to stop me waiting for Ringo.  I don’t mind having to stay up all night.  Every minute will be worth it if I see him.”

photo by Frank Burke

It wasn’t worth it for one fan.  When Ringo started to get off the plane, 20 year old Edward Beard ran toward the plane but was stopped by police and was promptly arrested.   Edward did not even see Ringo.

Once Ringo was safely inside the airport, a press conference was held and Ringo informs everyone that he still has his tonsils intact and that he feeling better, however he won’t’ be singing for the first few concerts.   After about 90 minutes, he was off again.  This time the plane took him to Melbourne, Australia where the rest of the tour would be meeting him later.   

When he arrived at the hotel, 3,000 fans were outside waiting for the Beatles to arrive.   Things were so hectic that one large police officer picked up Ringo and had him ride on his shoulders above the crowd.  This would have worked, however,  one lady from the press fell in front of them and the officer tripped over the woman, which caused Ringo to fall off of his shoulders.  Luckily someone from inside of the hotel grabbed Ringo and pulled him into safety.  After all of that, Ringo said that he was going upstairs to get a drink and to rest.

By the time the other three Beatles and Jimmie arrived 20,000 fans were outside of the hotel.  By then the car had all four wheels again and Jimmie had been all but forgotten. 


Information for this article came from
The Beatle who Vanished  by Jim Berkenstadt
The Beatles Downunder by Glenn Baker
Beatle Book Monthly articles by Tony Barrow
Various newspaper clippings from 1964