The two sides of George Harrison

I am pretty sure that I have shared these stories before, but I never realized that they happened on the exact same day.   I figured I would share them as I found them in the August 1969 issue of the "Beatles Rule" fan club newsletter.  This story takes place on Sunday, August 3, 1969 

Geroge  at 4pm at Kinfauns by Sue B.


One of our German friends was sitting outside.  He said the chauffeur told him, George wouldn't but up until 4, so I went and talked to Terry Doran.   Then a girl and her brother drove up with something to give George.  Terry brought it in.   A few minutes later George came out, said "hello" to the girl, then he looked at me, smiled and said, "and what are you doing here?"  I said, "Oh, I'm just lurking about."  Then the  German came running up with a camera and autograph book.  George talked to him in German.  I asked him if I could take a picture, he said "sure."  I asked if he had been recording by himself on Friday night.  He said he was re-mixing tapes for their new album.   He said, "Make sure you tell all your friends about it."  I asked if Pattie was home and he said she was in Paris modeling for the fall collection (however she was in the car with George later that evening). 

I was so hot and thirsty that I asked him for a glass of water.  He said, "Sure, come on in."  We walked up the lawn and I  asked who painted the outside of the house.  He said he and a friend did it.  He went over to the refrigerator and asked me what I wanted:  apple cider, orange juice, milk, water, etc.  I really didn't expect all that so I said I'll take anything as long as it is wet.   So he took out a can of orange soda.  I thought he would have an electric can opener,  but instead, he took off the whole top of the can with a regular one.  Why not punch a hole in it?  It was really funny.  There he is struggling with this can and I'm just standing there next to him like I'd known him for years.  He poured the soda into one of the tallest glasses I've ever seen.  I never drank so much in my life!   You know, I thought I'd be scared silly, but I felt perfectly natural in there.  I couldn't believe he was so human and nice and natural.



George at 7pm at Kinfauns by Barb F.

It was about 7:00 in the evening when we arrived at George's house.  We talked to Terry Doran, who seemed to be minding the house while George was out.  We started to leave but decided to go back up to the door and ask Terry if we could stay and wait for George to come home.  Just as we were going up the driveway, we heard George's car coming up from behind us.  So I stopped, and so did George.  I wasn't quite prepared for what happened, I mean I didn't expect him to do a song and dance because we were coming up his driveway but to yell at us right off the bat was a little uncalled for.  Anyway, I was quite upset.

Adventures of a 1st generation fan (part 3)

Well I finally found it!   After 5 years I now have all 5 parts of Sue Bujnousky's stories of being around the Beatles in the late 1960's.    Here is part 3, which was the last part I needed.   It came from the Spring 1990 (issue #54) of Good Day Sunshine magazine.

Adventures of a first generation fan

Part 3 (1968)

By Sue Bujnousky

During our last week in England in July of 1968, we spent almost all of our free time either at Paul’s house, Abbey road or the Apple Building on Savile Road.  A few incidents stand out.

Waiting outside Paul’s house with the usual crowd of girls (it’s funny, but now that I think of it, I don’t remember ever seeing any guys there), we could hear Paul’s Aston Martin coming out of the garage while Rosie, his housekeeper, came and opened the gates.  We all crowded around, and Paul opened the window to talk to us.  One of the girls gave him two roses.  He put one behind his ear, the other between his teeth and drove off toward the studio; waving out the window for us to follow.  It was like a scene out of “a Hard Day’s night”, all of us running after the car, screaming.  This is not the easiest thing to do when you’re wearing high heels and a mini-skirt!  I don’t know how his neighbors put up with this.  They must have been very patient people.

The first time I saw George, John, Paul and Yoko had “come together” to the studio in John’s white rolls, Ringo arrived in a small, non-descript car.  I can still remember the feeling.  I was finally going to see George face-to-face.  Someone said, “Here’s George” as a cream colored Mercedes (License Plate No. OLA 600E) came around the corner and pulled into the parking lot in front of the studio.  I ran into the front gate, camera ready.  George got out, wearing a ruffled white shirt and the brightest green pants I have ever seen.  I tried to get around the car but the guard (I think his name was James, we got to know him pretty well) very politely “escorted” me back to the sidewalk, I was frantic.  George was already up the stairs.  I started screaming, “George turn around!”  No luck (This probably looked rather strange, since I was the only one in the crowd yelling, jumping up and down and pounding on the studio fence).  Finally out of sheer frustration I yelled, “You creep!”  (Isn't that wonderful?)  Well, he stopped, turned around laughed and waved at me.  I took a picture, but my hands were shaking so badly by then that it didn't come out very well.

A couple of days before we left England, Yellow Submarine premiered.  Of course we couldn't go to opening night, but we were there the second night.  After seeing them all arrive at the studio, a group of us decided to see if we could get in.  We must have gotten the last few tickets, since we ended up in the third or fourth row – talk about a stiff neck.  It was quite an experience, though, having just talked to them and then watching them on the screen at the end of the film – talk about “cloud nine!”

We left England and came home via Geneva.  I don’t think the full reality hit us until we had been back a few weeks.  Our parents, who hadn't sounded too thrilled with what we had been doing when we called home (not enough culture—why didn't we go to a museum or art gallery?) were telling all their friends that their daughters were “hanging around” all day with the Beatles!

The Adventure of a first generation fan part 1

This has been a long time coming!   Way back in 2009, when I first started this blog I posted part 4 of Sue Bujnovsky's article on going to England in 1968 and 1969.  She wrote these articles for Good Day Sunshine magazine in the late 1980 and early 1990's.    And I have posted parts 2, 4, and 5 on this blog over the years.   (You can find them if you look in the tags under Sue's name).    Well I have finally located part 1!!    I bought a large batch of GDS magazines and I hope part 3 is in there somewhere as well.   

Part one was published in 47 (Christmas 1988) issue of Good Day Sunshine fanzine. 

Adventures of a first generation fan

Part 1

By Sue Bujnovsky

As with all “first-generation” fans, I began on February 9 with the Ed Sullivan Show.  I laughed at first, having been brought up on Mitch Miller and Lawrence Welk; but by the end of the show I was totally won over.  I knew then that I would get to England someday.  I started high school that September and met Pat, our common obsession making us “best friends.”  Our motto was “Wait Till ’68” (the year we would graduate) and go to England.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the Modern Language League of Chicago came to our school in December of 1967 to recruit students for their 7-week tour of Europe in the summer of 1968, which included a month in Britain.  After a lot of nail-biting and praying on both sides, our parents gave Paul and me permission to go.

We arrived in London on a sunny day in July of 1968, checked into our hotel and jumped on the first double-decker bus we saw.  We got off in Piccadilly Circus, where we had to wade through the hippies around the Fountain of Eros.  The next stop was Carnaby Street,  a narrow alley actually, but full of mini-skirts and bell bottoms.  We went for a walk that evening along the Thames, and listened to Big Ben Chime.  We were ready!

Pat, who adored Paul, had gotten his Cavendish Avenue address out of a fan magazine.  Cavendish Avenue runs next to the Lord’s Cricket Grounds, one of the most famous in the U.K.  One Sunday evening, we asked the doorman of our hotel to get us a cab to cricket ground.  He explained that it was closed on Sunday.  We said we didn't care, we just wanted to see it.  He said we couldn't see anything., there was a wall around it.  We insisted.  He persisted.  Finally, after almost coming to blows, he decided that we were just more “Crazy Yanks” and got the cab.  Cavendish Avenue turned out to be a short, narrow street in St. John’s Wood.  It was easy to pick out Paul’s house.  There were about 15 girls standing outside the tall black gates.  We approached cautiously; the girls eyed us as definitely unwanted competition.  It didn't take long to become friendly, however, and we learned that the girls were from about five different counties, including the U.S..

It finally happened about three visits later.  We had just come from Madame Tussaud’s where we had seen their wax figures, in the new “Sgt. Pepper” outfits.    A small, white car pulled up outside Paul’s gates.  John got out, with Yoko right behind him.  Pat and I were in shock, or ecstasy (we weren't sure which).  He rang the intercom.  Paul, apparently thinking it was just girls fooling around, didn't answer or open the electronic gates.  John, getting aggravated, grabbed the grating and climbed over the wall.  When he landed on the other side, he opened the gates and pulled in Yoko, who never said a single word.

It all happened so fast, we just stared at each other.  We couldn't believe we’d actually seen a Beatle less than a foot away after waiting for years, much less have him perform acrobatics!  A few minutes later, Paul came out with John and Yoko.  Everyone crowded around for autographs.  He insisted that he didn't have time, but after a little coaxing he agreed.  George has always been my favorite, but I have to admit that Paul was one of the best-looking men I have ever seen (those big brown eyes!).  John on the other hand – when I asked for his autograph – gave me an unprintable reply.  In fact, most of what he said to everybody was unfit for print.  At the time, we were a little shocked, but looking back on it; he must have been so tired of us invading his privacy by then.  I think I can understand.  John wherever you are now, it was a privilege just to have met you.  After we all got our autographs, Paul got in his car and they drove off to Abbey Road, a very short distance away.

That was my first experience with one or more of the Beatles, that summer and in the summer of 1969.  The photos here are of John and Yoko with fans outside Paul’s London home in July 1968 and Paul entering Abbey Road gates in his Aston-Martin also in July 1968. 

Adventures of a first generation fan (part 2)

If you have been a long-time reader of this blog, then you might recall that I have spent the past 3.5 years locating Good Day Sunshine fanzines that have the continuing article of fan, Sue Bujnousky's trip to London in 1968 & 1969.   It is a 5 part series, and I already posted parts 4 and 5.   Well I recently tracked down part 2!   It came from  the issue #50 (summer of 1989) issue of GDS.  But I am disappointed.  There are no photos, it is really short, and she didn't even meet of the Beatles!   But....I do enjoy reading about the Apple Boutique.  So I found some photos to share with the story.   Anyone have parts 1 or 3???

Pattie Boyd and some other models at the Apple Boutique

Jane Asher....is she in the Apple Boutique?

Inside the Boutique

Jenny Boyd posing with a Beatles fan inside the Apple Boutique

It was twenty-five years ago today:  Adventures of a first generation fan

Part II (1968)

By Sue Bujnousky

Our next stop was the Apple Boutique on Baker Street.  We were expecting something rather unusual for a store, and we weren’t disappointed.

The inside was rather dark.  There were clouds painted on the ceiling, incense was burning and Indian music playing – perfect! It was also quite crowded – with merchandise, not customers.  We were the only ones there.  We pushed our way through the racks and picked out a few things to try on. The fitting room was in the basement, down a very steep, narrow staircase.  It was one large room, quite common now, but then we were used to individual booths – with curtains!  Pat looked around the empty room, “You don’t’ think the men come in here too, do you?’  I looked back, probably with a mixture of horror and delight, “Only one way to find out, right?”  We went to the farthest corner and began to change.

A minutes or two later, a young woman came in, glanced at us and went to the other side of the room to change.  She had long, red hair and freckles.  Pat poked me, “that’s Jane!”  I looked again.  It certainly did look like Jane Asher.  Pat started toward her, I grabbed her arm and practically had to pin my rather tall friend against the wall.  It looks could kill (Pat was “hopelessly devoted” to Paul).  She realized somebody was watched her, and left rather quickly.  Upstairs, we heard a salesgirl call her Jane, so I guess Pat was right.  We went to pay for our purchase and were greeted by Jenny Boyd behind the cash register.  Close, but not George!  Outside we looked at each other and laughed – talk about close encounters of the female kind!

Since Madame Tussad’s Wax Museum was nearby, we decided to go there next.  They had two sets of Beatle figures on display at the time, one in the collarless suits and the other in the Sargent pepper outfits.  They were, by far, the most popular display in the museum.  I wonder how many of those people knew how close the real thing was  -if you knew where to look!

More Adventures from a First Generation Fan

A while back I posted part 4 of a 5 part series that was features in Good Day Sunshine magazine by Sue Bujonsky about when she traveled to England in 1969 and met the Beatles. Well I recently obtained the Summer 1992 issue of this fanzine which has part five of her story (which is an amazing story!). I hope to find the other 3 parts one of these days. I scanned the photos Sue included in her article, but as I mentioned in part 4, the magazine is a printed in Xerox and is very hard to scan clearly. I tried my best. Regardless, Sue's story of meeting George Harrison is a must read!

Adventures of a first Generation Fan part V by Sue Bujnovsky

On my second trip to London, I met two girls from Minneapolis outside Abbey Road Studios. They had been given directions to George’s house in Esher, and we all decided to go the day before I had to leave for home. The plan was to meet in Trafalgar Square. I was there bright and early on Sunday morning, but they never showed up – and I never found out why! I stood there trying to decide whether to go alone, but when I realized that it might be years before my next trip, I had to do it.

After taking the tube over to Waterloo Station, I caught the train to Esher, which was only a half hour ride. The station was deserted, but extremely clean and well-kept. I started off with my hand-drawn map and was lost within 15 minutes; so I stopped at the next house I came to. I told the elderly woman sweeping the walk (in my best English accent) that I was a friend of George’s who had been invited down for the day, that I had decided to walk from the station and that I was lost. She said he lived “somewhere nearby” and told me to go to the nearby school and ask the weekend caretaker. As was leaving, she came running after me and asked if I wanted to “ring George up” from her house. I told her I couldn’t possible disturb him since “he meditates about this time every day.”

I found the school without any problems, and told the caretaker the same story. He told me the house was just around the corner, and to look for the fans hanging around. Sure enough, there were five or six German fans sitting at the end of the driveway. They told me that I shouldn’t go any further, because George might come out and “throw things” if he was in a bad mood.

I saw Terry Doran working on George’s new Ferrari in the garage, s I walked up and started talking to him about the peace march and rally he and Pattie had been in the previous weekend (I hadn’t actually been in the march, I only heard about it form my Minneapolis friends, but who was counting “little white lies” at this point!). A few minutes later, a young couple drove up, both in Indian dress, to drop off some books for George, and Terry went in the house to get him. Now my heart really started pounding! George came out and spoke with them for a minute. After they drove away, he turned to me (as I was trying to disappear into a corner of the garage) and asked, “And what are YOU doing here?” I don’t know how my by-now-paralyzed brain thought of it, but I blurted out, “oh, I’m just lurking!” At least I got a smile out of him. I asked for an autograph and if I could take a picture ( “Yes” to both).

Since it was a very warm day in August, and since I had to walk back to the train station, I asked George if Terry could bring me out a glass of water. He said, “Sure come on in.” I don’t think it registered, as I followed him down the walk toward the back door, that he had actually invited me into his house!

The kitchen was cozy and small, and the shelves were filled with knick-knacks. It reminded me of the kind of kitchen you would find in a middle-class Liverpool home. As I was coming through the door, George was in front of the open refrigerator, pulling things out, asking, “what do you want? I’ve got beer, juice, milk, soda…” I said it didn’t matter as long as it was cold and wet, and finally settled on a can of orange soda.

He poured the soda into a glass for me and we sat down at the table. After he stared at me for a few seconds, I decided it was up to me to begin the conversation. I asked about Pattie—she had been in Paris modeling and he was going to meet her at the airport. We talked about their new album (Abbey Road) and his new Siamese cat (his Persian “Corky” had disappeared mysteriously). After about 15 minutes he said he had to get ready to leave, but I could stay and finish the soda. I got up and peeked into the hallway, but all I could see was the large round window in the living room and a sitar lying on the floor.

After finishing the soda (I wish I had kept the can), I let myself out, and waved to the five or six very surprised Germans who were still sitting at the end of the driveway. I found my way back to the station quite easily and caught a train to London. My aunt didn’t believe that I had found the house, let alone been invited in. A lot of my friends had the same reaction until they saw the pictures I had taken.

There are times I can’t believe it happened, but when I get back to England (hopefully in 1992), I’m definitely taking a side trip to Henley to look up an old friend!

The Adventures of a 1st generation fan

This article and photos were in Good Day Sunshine magazine Issue #60. This is the story of by Sue Bujnovsky found in that issue. GDS magazine does not scan very well because it is sort of like a newspaper. The pages yellow and the photos are really dark, but I did my best.

1969 (part 4)

There was barely enough time to recover after getting back from seven weeks in Europe before college started. I was involved in the Vietnam War protests, marches, etc., but what was foremost in my mind was getting back to England.

My friend Pat couldn't make it that summer, so my travelling companion was my Aunt Barbara (sounds like a Victorian novel!). We left for London the day after the first man walked on the moon. Unfortunately, our step wasn't quite as giant; the plane was three hours late and when we reached London the next morning, our hotel had somehow "lost" our reservations. My aunt was ready to turn around and go back, but I straighten things out at the tour office by threatening to go "straight to the American Embassy" in a very loud voice in front of some very stained Englishmen.

After getting settled in our new hotel, my aunt and I went our separate ways. She went to Harrods and I went to Carnaby Street, where I bought a sprig of white heather "to bring you good luck" from an old woman who was selling it for whatever you could afford to give her. My next stop, in the early afternoon, was Abbey Road Studio. There were about 10-15 people out front. They told me that all the Beatles were there, except George. I guess white heather works -- my first day in London and I would have a chance to see him!

This year he had a new blue Ferrari (license plate XPK 7OG). He came roaring around the corner into the parking lot. I was waiting on the top step, camera ready. HE ran through the crowd and up the steps, head down, not watching where he was going. As I raised my camera, he somehow got caught in my handbag strap and started to drag me into the studio with him. Needless to say, I was perfectly willing to go! The guard untangled us quickly, but I managed to get a great shot of the part of the top of his head!

The guard told us that George was driving him crazy with the Ferrari. He would back in and out of four or five parking spaces before deciding on the "right" one, then sit and rev the engine for a while -- boys and their toys!

I started my routine from the previous summer of going back to the studio in the evenings, when they all came back to record for the night. I became quite friendly with Mal Evans. When the red light came on over the side door, signalling that recording had begun, he would come outside to talk to the fans, and he seemed genuinely glad to see them there. Some evenings there were fans there who didn't speak English very well, French or German usually, so he and I would have more time to talk. He was very warm and outgoing, and tried to talk me out of going home the night before I was due to leave. Maybe I should have stayed ....who knows?! I was very upset when I heard about his bizarre death in California.