Greeting the fans

 April 30, 1977 - Stanhope Hotel NYC 

Winter with Paul

 December 29, 1974 -  While John was at Walt Disney World, signing the papers to end The Beatles, Paul was greeting fans outside of the Stanshope Hotel. 

A Winter Day in New York

December 29, 1974 - Stanshope Hotel in NYC

First Time Ever I Saw His Face....

A quick story from Deb Mynchenburg who was in New York to see George Harrison in concert in 1974 and saw Paul and Linda while she was at it.   It was published in the December 1974 issue of "With a Little Help From My Friends."

This photo was taken on December 29, 1974 --  a few days after this story 

First time Ever I saw his Face
By Deb Mynchenburg


Seeing Paul and Linda in one of their infamous disguises wasn't my last glimpse of Paul in New York.   the next day our group rode the bus line down to the hotel where Paul was staying at to see what we could see.  We were waiting outside a while when we decided to go inside and sit at the bar seeing as none of us had much in the way of breakfast that morning.  While sitting there we saw Heather mulling around with what someone thought was a can of cat food.  We gulped down our drinks and went back outside and proceeded to make friends with New York dogs.  Some of the local New York fans were there too and I am really glad to have gotten to meet them.  Overall, I would say the most friendly feeling but this is side-tracking.   Anyways, we waited about four hours when out popped McCartney ready to go.  He spread his arms up in a gesture of surprise.  He was gorgeous -- had on a suit and tie and Linda on the elbow with a midi on.   Both look so much better in person (I thought so).  They were so pleasant to everyone there.   They stood on the corner before popping in their awaiting limo and graciously signed autographs and posed for pictures.  Paul wished us all a Merry Christmas before he left.

I had to share a final bit with you all.  On the day of our departure, Sunday, I decided to give a present to Paul - since liquor stores are closed then, even in New York, I settled for a fruitcake which the store wrapped up for me.  There was no sign of Paul back at the hotel so I left it with the desk clerk and flew back to Cleveland.  However, I called up the desk clerk to ask what became of my present.  He informed me that he had caught Paul before he went up the elevator and asked him if he'd accept the present.  "Sure," Paul answered looking at the present, "as long as it is not a bomb."  He then looked closer and added, "Maybe I had better soak it in the bathtub before opening it."  He then went up the elevator.  I also learned from the desk clerk that Paul did not get up till after 2 the next day.  hope it wasn't because of the soggy fruitcake! 

The Sun will come out tomorrow

This photo was taken outside the Stanhope hotel in New York around the time the McCartney saw the Original Broadway version of Annie the Musical.  However it looks like Mary is trying to be the part of Little Red Riding Hood from Into the Woods

Paul and his Prezzie

 

If you missed it the first time, the story that goes with this photo is found here.  

Record shopping

photo by Sharon Uzarewicz

I wonder why record Paul and Linda got in New York?

You keep me hanging on

Wings over Stanhope

Up and down

No autographs please

Stanhope

Ritz, Cream Cheese and Crackers

I have a story for you that comes from the July/August 1976 issue of the MacLen fanzine.  This was was written by Ann Bruno.  Larry Tepper was also there that day.   I spoke with Larry on facebook today and he shared with me some Vinnie Zuffrante photos that were taken that day.   You can see Larry in the photos along with his friend.   Larry says that the girls gave Paul the bathrobe and Linda wasn't too happy about it.  I really had fun finding out the information for this story and talking to people about it.   If any of you readers met Paul and Linda outside of the Stanhope hotel in 1976 and have anything you'd like to add, please do so.

Linda and Paul (with Larry to the left of them).  Paul is looking over at the girls from this story.  Photo taken by Vinnie Zuffrante

Linda and Paul (again with Larry next to Linda).  Paul is looking down at the robe that the girls in the story gave him.  Photo taken by Vinnie Zuffrante

Ritz, Cream Cheese and Crackers

From MacLen Issue 13/14 July-August 1976

How do you write about a day that meant something special to you?  Where  do you find the words that will convey that special feeling?  Believe me it isn’t easy because on May 23, 1976 a very special event happened again in my life.

It took place in front of the Stanhope Hotel in New York City.  At around 8:30, Margie P. Barb C., Stephanie G., Kay P. Kathy S., Kris S. Marla R., Sue F., Tempy S., Patti G., Nancy G, George Tebbens and myself found ourselves sitting myself found ourselves sitting around tables.  The Stanhope hotel has a French-style restaurant attached to the main building, equipped with a huge colorful canopy overhead.  We all sat there awaiting the arrival of Paul.  We found out early that he left by cab so all of us were watching all the cabs pulling up to the hotel.  After a while we decided to be a little elegant and ordered drinks and all of us were satisfied with ordering only one.  So we sat there and waited.  If anyone ever went thru this “waiting period” for a Beatle to arrive, then you can understand the anxiety that goes through you.  It is downright nerve wracking. 

At around 9:00, Margie, Kathy and George decided to try their luck at seeing John, so they left to go to the Dakota Building.  The rest of us remained and again waited, constantly keeping eyes glued for all the cabs.  Well, after a few minutes, a few of us decided to get something to eat , so off they went  to a small supermarket to buy some much needed food.  We were all starving and when they came back we proceeded to eat cream cheese, crackers, and various cheeses like it was our last meal.  We were all sitting there having a small picnic, chatting, when suddenly out of the corner of my eye I see a flash bulb go off.  I turned to see and there he was bouncing ever so beautifully.  It was Paul.  Oh god I couldn’t believe it.  He stopped and turned to all of us and said so sweetly, “Hello Girls!”  We were so surprised.  He was supposed to come back by cab and there he was standing there so beautifully.  The street light shone so brightly down on him and you could see him so perfectly.   We were shocked.  In fact, so shocked that Stephanie just stood there with cream cheese near her mouth.  He was wearing a beautiful brown leather jacket and new blue dungarees.   He was gorgeous.  He walked more and stopped directly in front of us.  I stood there just looking at him.  I wanted to plant everything about him in my mind.  I found myself speechless and I curse myself now for not saying anything to him.  But at the time I couldn’t talk.  The girls had a gift for him and Stephanie gave it to him.  He asked them if they wanted him to open it then and with a “yes” he proceeded to do so.  He even shocked them some more when he guessed what was in the box.   It was a beautiful maroon robe.  As he opened it, I kept my eyes glued on him.  I couldn’t get over how gorgeous his hair was and how beautiful his face was.  He said, “Thank-you” and “good-bye” and turned to walk into the hotel.   I knew he had to go but I didn’t want that moment to end.  As he disappeared into the hotel,  I sat down and cried.  He was so beautiful and I couldn’t believe what had just happened.  I wanted him to come out again but I knew that was impossible.  I thanked God for I knew I would see him again in concert the next night but I knew it wouldn’t be the same.  So I left the hotel a little wak, but very happy.  Paul thank-you very much for that special night.