Kiss to a fan from John

 

Paul makes a strange face here

 

Rest in Peace Johnny

 

Johnny Gentle autograph from Sara's collection 

John Askew, better known to Beatle fans as Johnny Gentle passed away on February 29, 2024.  He was 87 years old.  

I admit to not knowing a lot about Johnny Gentle or the week-long tour the Beatles spent in Scotland in 1960.  I do recall reading about it in Tune In.  I just learned that the book about the tour (which I have the cover page autographed for but don't have the full book) is available as an ebook.  I just purchsed it, so expect a review at some point this year.  

The Johnny Gentle tour is such an important part of early Beatles history.  I express my sympathies to Johnny's family and friends.  

Ringo at Sunny Heights

 

Paul Got Back to signing autographs for fortunate fans in Australia

Photos posted by Trav Holt on Facebook and shared here with his permission 

 We congratulate Travis Holt who was one of 4 lucky fans that met Paul McCartney on November 1, 2023 at a hotel in Brisbane, Australia.   Paul stopped and signed posters for the fans.   Travis has already gotten his in a frame and hanging on a wall in his home.   Way to go Travis!   

How I Got George Harrison's autograph (a fan story from 1966)

 

Just a week before this story, George was in San Francisco

Sometimes the most charming stories of a fan meeting a Beatle (for real) can be found hidden in an auction listing.  Often to verify an autograph as genuine, the seller writes out how the autograph was obtained.   That is the case with this story.   The seller's name was not listed, but she included her story along with her diary pages.  

How I got George Harrison’s autograph

 

In 1966 I was 13 and lived in Hinchley Wood, not far from Esher where George Harrison lived at the time.  I was a massive Beatles fan!

On 2^nd September my friend Linda and I went to the shops.  I then walked home, crossing the road by the traffic lights next to the EFS petrol station.  I saw a black mini with tinted windows with George Harrison at the wheel.  There was no self-service back then so his window was down.  Star-struck as I was, I could still see he looked like he had a raging hangover!  I was entirely overwhelmed, but very polite, and asked him if he was George Harrison.   He said, “If you want an autograph, no, but if you’ve just come to say hello, yes.”  So I lied and said I didn’t!

I went home and told everyone including Linda who lived nearby.  Also, a Beatle fan, she was naturally really jealous.

The next day she and I walked to the shops together to buy her Beatles Monthly (I had mine delivered).  On our way home – incredibility - - George Harrison was getting petrol again, this time in his green Ferreri with Patti.   He gave us the autographs I claimed not to want the previous day, and a smile!  Linda’s was on her Beatles’ Monthly (my turn to be jealous!) and mine on a scruffy piece of paper. Whether it was mine or George’s I can’t remember.

Like a real teenage stalker, I wrote everything in my diary – including the car registrations! 

John and Yoko attend the Feminist Convention

 June 1, 1973

Meet Paul in Manchester

Photo and autograph by Sheryl Walmsley

 

Paul and Seth

 

I had this photo of Paul with the fan (Seth) cropped out and I always wondered who the hand on Paul's shoulder belonged to.  Well -- now I know!  

White jacket

 

Gotta get that autograph!

 

A day of signing

 August 15, 1972 -  I see John and Yoko received a proclamation 50 years ago today as well as signing some important legal documents.  

To Barbara with Love

 

Ringo with the red sharpie

 

May 19, 1992 

Imperial Ballroom

 May 11, 1963 -  What a time to be a Beatles fan!

The Dick Cavett Show #2

May 3, 1972 -  When fans think of John and Yoko on the Dick Cavett Show, they automatically think of John wearing the famous army jacket interview.    But John and Yoko returned in 1972.   This visit is controversial because they perform "Woman is the Nigger of the World" on the show and Dick Cavett is forced by the ABC executives to tape a "warning" about the song before showing it.  

However -- I have other questions about the interview.   A big part of the interview is John and Yoko talking about Kyoko and how Tony Cox has taken her and they are trying to find her and why it is so important for John to remain in the United States.   At one point, Yoko holds up a photograph of Yoko and says that she is 8 years old and is asking the United States citizens to be on the lookout for her.   However -- in the DVD release of the show,  as soon as Yoko begins to hold up the photo, it is cut to a "Dick Cavett Show" place card.    Is that how it happened 50 years ago?    Or was it changed because of copyright or something from modern times?    Similarly, Yoko is talking about a hospital for children that is in need of funds.  John holds up a photo of children in the hospital and Yoko says that if you want to donate to the cause send money to and then she is muted!    She apparently gave out the address twice and on the DVD there is no sound.  Again I ask -- was this how it was originally?     Two important things she has to say in this interview and both appear to be censored.   

 At the very beginning of the show, Dick Cavett comes out and auctions off the tie he was wearing to members of the audience.  The winner gets the tie for $30 and Dick Cavett, John, Yoko, and Shirly McClain all sign it.    The tie went up for auction in 2000 and sold for $2,000.  

Tie for auction

 Over the years we have learned that while raising money in Philadelphia for the Helping Hands Charity, John Lennon auctioned off his sock and his hat.   Now, thanks to a current eBay listing, we learn that he also auctioned off his tie.  If you look closely, you can see in the photograph that John is holding the tie.  I personally could not find a photo from that day of John wearing this particular tie.  

Here is what,  Ted Vollmer,  the person that originally bought the tie directly from John says about that experience:

John Lennon spent a weekend in Philadelphia in May 1975 to assist local news anchor, Larry Kane with the Helping Hands Charity marathon.  He made appearances at WFIL studios to greet fans. 

I attended one of these events. Mr. Lennon, to garner money for charity, removed his own necktie from around his neck.  He held it up asking who would want to buy it. In spite of trying to act cool and calm, I was star-struck and rushed to the barricade offering my last $20 for the tie.  Mr. Lennon accepted the money for the charity and signed the tie. 

I have had this tie in a plastic bag for the past 46 years. I am now ready to release it. I will no longer have the tie, but I will always have a good story.  

The tie can now be yours for just under $10,000 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/294805012602?hash=item44a3bf807a:g:LpEAAOSweFxiA~6n

No more autographs from Paul

 

So our Paul has said that he is no longer going to sign autographs.   What are your thoughts about this?  It isn't shocking.   He has literally been signing for people his whole life.   He is almost 80 and if he wants to stop signing things, that is his choice.   He does not owe anyone an autograph and he has been very generous about signing things.   The other part of this is that he will no longer take selfies with fans.  That is a bit of a disappointment because I have always wanted to get my photo taken with Paul, but again it is understandable.  

I do wonder if Paul will continue to sign things for charity events (like Ringo does), do book signings and sign fans arms for tatoos.    

Grapefruit: Day 1

 July 14, 1971 

George signs the wall

 

June 18, 1986