The Beatles in Detroit 1966

 The Beatles in Detroit 1966

By Dorothy Suriano

With a Little Help From my Friends

July 1975

It’s been nine years since that fantastic day of August 13, 1966. My next door neighbor was Robin Seymour who was a disc jockey for CKLW radio station.  Now Robin had told me if there was any concert I wanted to see and anybody I wanted to meet, to ask him and he’d see what he could do.  I knew then that this was my chance.  After all, wasn’t it just two years ago that his daughter Jenny had gone backstage and had her picture taken on Paul’s lap?

I asked Robin if it would be possible if he could get me tickets to the concert.  The day Robin got the tickets he explained why he had gotten three (I had asked for two).  He planned on going with us.  I couldn’t believe it.  That would mean that Kim Stevens and I would be going backstage with Robin.  At the age of 13, I thought that I was going to die of a heart attack.  Then it happened two days before the concert.  Robin broke his leg at the Roostertail where he was MCing a show.  That dashed our hopes of going backstage and meeting the Fab Four.   Kim and I hadn’t seen the tickets and didn’t know where we’d be sitting.  And we also had an extra ticket.

 

August 13, 1966.  WE had decided to take my brother Mike along to the concert. Robin had given us the tickets that morning.  Kim’s dad took us to the Olympia stadium and we were on our way.  We got there early and we couldn’t believe the crowds.  It was fantastic!

As soon as we got out of the car a Police Wagon was coming up the street on McGraw with about a dozen girls chasing it.  Kim and I dashed off leaving my brother behind.  WE just knew the Beatles were in it.  Well, we were wrong.  They opened the doors and four cops were sitting there laughing at all of us. 

Next Kim and I proceeded to buy our Beatle pins and banners.  I bought a pin that said “I love Paul” and Kim bought one for John.  We sat on the curb waiting for The Beatles to arrive.  And then suddenly, it happened.  A police escort was coming up McGraw and a black limo was right behind them and also a bus.

The crowd all moved to where they thought they could get a better look.  The noise was deafening.  Kim, Mike and I stayed right where we were.  After all, they had to pass right by us.  I was about to get my first look at a live Beatle.

The limo rolled by us and in it were Brian and George.  I stood there not believing my eyes.  He was so beautiful.  He smiled and waved to us and Kim and I got spastic.  Now, John, Paul, and Ringo were not in the limo so they had to be on the bus.  Kim and I stared at that bus trying to make out who the people were.  We were frantic.  AS the back of the bus went by, Kim and I at the same time spotted the other three.  I then pointed to the back of the bus and started screaming that they were there.  Ringo doubled his fist and me and Paul smiled and waved and John was looking off in the distance.

After all the excitement we then marched up to Olympia’s doors to be let in.  We glanced at the tickets and I saw that they said ground level, so we found the nearest usher and asked him to guide us to our seats.  (We had never been to a concert before and it was truly an experience).

The usher looked at our tickets and smiled.  He then took us to our seats.  My God, they were front row tickets!

We were positioned right in front of Paul’s microphone.  Kim and I climbed all over each other.  Mike was getting embarrassed.  He hadn’t wanted to come anyway.  The concert started.

We sat very still while the other acts were on.  We vowed that we would not scream and carry on when the guys came on.  We then had to wait during an intermission.  Everybody was getting tense.  You could feel it in the air.  Then the lights started to dim and the excitement increased.  Four figures ran up on the stage, grabbed guitars and the lights flashed on.

There they were!! A scout of screams filled the air.  Kim and I were on top of our chairs in an instant screaming our hearts out (so much for our vows).  Their suits were beautiful.  They had on grey bell-bottomed suits with pink pinstripes running through them and pink shirts to match.

Things were being thrown from everywhere:  rings, stuffed animals, everything.  I don’t remember much of the beginning.  I was trying to get my camera to work but after the first song, I gave up and threw the camera down.  Paul noticed and laughed.  Then with sympatric eyes said, “What’s wrong love?”  I died.  I simply died.  Paul had noticed me.  He actually talked to me.

Paul then announced that they were going to attempt a song.  I’ll use his own words.  He said, “The next song we’ll try to do is a song we usually have an orchestra to back us, but today we only have this cheap band, so bear with us.”  The song was “Yesterday.”  It had gotten a little quieter for this particular song, but not me!

In the middle of the song  I started jumping up and down on my chair and at the top of my voice screaming out “Paul!”  I also pointed to my “I love Paul” button as my voice screamed.  He looked down, saw what I was pointing to and smiled the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, and nodded his head.  John looked towards our group and shouted “shurrup!” only to get more screams.  Ringo was then featured singing “I wanna be your man”.  My brother in the meantime was throwing jelly beans at them.  He hit George on the arm with one and one stuck to his guitar.  George brushed them off and gave my little brother dirty looks.

The last song was “Long Tall Sally.”  By this time, I was crying, slumped in my chair exhausted. 

They then put down their instruments and the chase began.  I had always dreamed of something like this- me chasing the Beatles.  The crowd was blocked by the police.  They had formed a line to let The Beatles pass through.  We must have been close to the dressing room.  I was pressed up against a policeman.  The Beatles were coming through.  I felt sorry for the cops for now I knew how they felt.  I remember as the Beatles came through one of them (I thought it was John but Mike said it was Paul) said, “Christ, let’s keep moving.”  

I will never forget as long as I live the terror on their faces as they tried getting to their dressing rooms.  I will also never forget as long as I shall live that day for it is branded into my brain forever. 

The Night I Grabbed Paul McCartney

 

The Night I Grabbed Paul McCartney

By Jackie Jones

Harrison-Lennon Followers fan club newsletter

November – December 1970

 

August 19, 1964, is a night that will always remain cherished in my heart forever.  For that was the night I grabbed the man I love and was able to be close to him for at least a few seconds.   The man is Paul McCartney.  Here in Harrison-Lennon Followers, I’ve decided to share my beautiful moment with my fellow friends.

 

My friend Sylvia and I had front row seats at the Cow Palace.  The Righteous Brothers were in the middle of their act, and had only two other songs to do, when the audience become restless, causing unbearable tension throughout the Palace.  Parts of the crowd started chanting “WE WANT THE BEATLES!  WE WANT THE BEATLES!”  I could feel that the Righteous Brothers were getting a bit irritated and as anxious to leave the stage as we were in wanting them to.  After they had left, there was a 5-minute break.  I told Sylvia that I had made up my mind to get to Paul, even if I was kicked out in the process.  She told me I was crazy, that I wouldn’t get anywhere near Paul, and to forget the whole thing.  Me, being the stubborn Cancer that I am, shook my head and said no.  She then bet me $10 that I wouldn’t get to him.  I didn’t argue, I just said, “Okay, wait and see.”  I edged my way to the edge of the stage where two cops were standing by the steps leading up to the stage, this sort of made my hopes fail, but I was determined to try and reach Paul.    I just had to and that was there was to it.  It seemed like an eternity before the DJ said, “And here’s the group you’ve been waiting for – The Beatles!”  The screaming was one continual roar that vibrated through the Cow Palace, making it sound like a supersonic jet!  Just thousands of beautiful Beatle People showing their love for the lads from Liverpool!  Suddenly they ran on stage – George, Rich, John, then Paul.  I don’t know how I did it, I just kept pushing towards the steps, fans were rushing towards the stage in all directions and before Paul made the last step before he was on stage, I grabbed him around the waist.  I couldn’t believe that I was holding him.  I couldn’t believe it was happening to me.  All I could do was cry and say, “Paul, I love you,” over and over again.  Then I did something I hadn’t planned.  I kissed his back before I was pulled from him.  I yelled one more time, “Paul, I love you!”  I’ll never forget the way he smiled at me that night.  George pointed over at me and laughed.  I was crying so hard and I couldn’t stop!  I thought I was going to get kicked out for sure, but since I hadn’t fought with the “Bobbies” I was directed back to my seat.  All I did was cry as Sylvia kept shaking me and saying “You actually grabbed him.”  She was crying too.

 

I die inside every time I think I actually held him for those precious seconds.  It’s a dream I’d like to relive all over again!  I hope those of you who are reading this enjoyed it as much as I did tell you my wonderful experience!  

Wings the Concert of The Century!

 

This story was originally published in a 1972 issue of McCartney Ltd.

Frankfurt, Germany -- July 17-20

Sarah, Kris, and I arrived at Frankfort airport on July 17 after flying for about one hour from London.  We got lost in the airport as none of us knew much German.  Finally, we found a taxi and headed for Frankfurt itself.  The cab was a Mercedes Benz -- very classy!  Now we know how George feels in his!  After a 45 minutes ride, we arrived at the hotel and we settled in our room.  One nice thing about the room was our balcony.  Standing on it we could see a lot of Frankfurt and the main railway station right across the street.   We spent many hours out there talking, getting fresh air, and searching for a psychedelic bus on the street below. 

Our second day in Germany we had to go pick up our tickets for the concert.  Our fabulous German Guardian Angel better known as Mrs. Ulrich said our tickets would be waiting for us at the box office in Frankfurt Zoo.  I had her repeat this several times because I thought I misunderstood it.  We got a cab to the zoo and stared at the crowds waiting to get in.  We couldn't figure out what tickets to a Paul McCartney concert would be doing here!  Finally, I up to the window and asked for Mrs. Uhrich.  The lady behind the window gave me a black stare that turned into a smile.  "Are you Miss Miller?" she asked in broken English.  I replied to the affirmative and she pulled out three tickets.  I literally shook as I took out the money (60 Marks) and handed it to her.  She kept telling me to calm down and that Mrs. Ulrich had gotten us front row seats because we came all the way from London.  I thanked her a million times and ran over to Sarah.   We all held onto our tickets for dear life. I think I would've pushed myself under a Frankfurt trolley had I lost mine.  We spent the day at the zoo.  It was blisteringly hot and humid.  By the time July 19 arrived, we were a bundle of nerves.  We got to the concert hall, City Hall of Offenbach.   Offenbach being a small town outside Frankfurt.  As we sat there hundreds of young people arrived.  They were still selling tickets at the door to our surprise (it was full by the time the concert began).  We had gotten there two hours early so we sat down to wait.  Little did we know Paul had already arrived and parked that wild bus of his in the parking lot behind.  Maybe if we had spoken more German we'd have known why they were pointing.  Most of the people there were American soldiers stationed in Germany.  I heard parts of their conversations as we went in and they were all speaking about The Beatles.  I knew, and I'm sure Paul suspected, they all came to see one of The Beatles.  Sarah, Kris, and I had come to see the man we love do what he does best -- performing!  That's why in a way we were a part form the rest of the audience.  Paul is so much of our lives that we felt closer to him, then anyone in the audience could.  I know I was upset if I felt the audience didn't clap or cheer enough for a song.  It was as if I was also a part of Paul as he is a part of me.  

The doors opened and we thought since everyone had reserved seats we were ok, but little did we know people in Germany don't' go by those rules.  Everyone dived for the first rows or wherever they landed.  there were no users or anything as far as organized seating went.   We had a good word or two with the guys in our seats and soon we were settled.  Yes, the lady had told the truth.  IT was the VERY FRONT ROW, right in the center of the stage.  We were about five feet from the stage!  We went to get our cameras ready when a man came along and told Sher that she could not take any movies.  She had spent $35 on film plus an indoor camera for nothing.  Sob!  He firmly said no movies and only stills if NO flashes.  After what seemed like indefinite waiting and listening to Crosby, Stills, and Nash on the loudspeaker, the noise came from behind the curtain and there were moving feet!   False alarm-- curtain went up and down again -- though that didn't stop your stomach from feeling like it was 1966 all over again in anticipation of who would be standing behind that curtain.  

Again the sound began and this time it was definitely "Bip Bop" - curtain goes up and there's a loud bass run and it hits us who that white pants leg belongs to!  Paul!  Yes, that's him alright -- right there!  His microphone could not have been positioned better if we'd done it ourselves.  He stood there looking like a little boy of 7 in a red and white side striped shirt and white overalls.  His hair is short and back but the eyes just the same as always -- gorgeous!  He looked the same standing up to the microphone and bopping up and down the way he did, smiling and singing.  Pau was about in the middle of the stage then Linda to his left seated at the piano in a white '30's blouse and dark printed skirt-bare footed.  Denny Laine and Henry McCullough up front with Paul and Denny Seiwell behind, thumping the drums.  I honestly remember very little about anyone but Paul, thinking you'll all understand why.  "Bip Bop" ended and they went straight into "Smile Away."  There was no break or talking.  He really belted that one out and kept looking at Henry and watched him play lead guitar.  After that song he said, "Danke Schoen, Thank you." then asked how are you in German and then introduced "This is from the Wings Wild Life LP and it's called Mumbo."  Well, I can't even write what we did when we heard that!  We had been sitting around for a couple weeks thinking, wow how fantastic it would be if he sang that -- obvious reasons if you understand why -- but we thought it would be illogical to sing that - so what does he do but sing it!  WE had made mention of it on our birthday card to him, so that made us even more happy to hear it.  Unbelievable song in person!  Then after that while, we were trying to pick ourselves up off the floor, he wiped his face with a towel cause he was sweating so much and it was hotter than Hell in there besides the air-conditioning.  Then he said, "Thank you, do we have many people who speak English?"  That got a roaring answer, so he said, "Mostly American?" which got another roar to which he answered in his Texan accent "Howdee ya'll , how ya doin'?" which cracked everyone up and he smiled.  "Give Ireland Back to the Irish" was introduced to applause.  The lighting to the whole song was all in greens and the song sounded just like the record, very good guitar.  Then Paul said "This is from our next LP, repeated that in German and people applauded when he said it in German so Paul softly said, "been around y'know" and Henry says, "He's been here before" and smiled.   "the song is called 1882" (repeated that in half German/half English).  It starts out slow with him singing "Good morning dear master, it's 1882"  Really a new song, definitely Paul type.  I think to be on the LP.  Denny Laine then sang one of his own songs, "I would only smile," to be on LP also.  Paul sang harmony with him and it sounded really good!  The title of the next song may sound stupid but it was really good!  "Blue Moon of Kentucky" very loud rocking and he seemed to really enjoy it.  After that he said, "Think you hot, dripped up here" as he wiped his face again, looking quite gorgeous.  He then said in German that they would take a short break after the next song and come back for the second half.  Once he finished the German he said really loud and silly "Get out!"  "One more song and if you're not too hot, clap a little, we'll see you after the break, song from the next LP called "Mess I'm in," dedicated to the gentleman with the microphone, pointing.  There was a guy behind us with a big mike holding it up so obviously, Paul saw that!  He laughed when he said that.  Before the concert people had also told him about no taping allowed.   That song -- WOW it is very good!  Loud with a lot of guitar work and then it slows down to a soft bit and then thumpy again.  This song also due on the new LP.

The break lasted about 15 minutes and gave us time to recuperate.  During the first bit, Linda occasionally gave us looks like we were going to stay in our seats or not.  Kris and I both had telephoto lenses and she didn't look too happy about the close-up bit, but Paul didn't seem to mind.  The curtain went up again and there they were already playing again, only this time wearing black suits with slashed open necks down to the waist -- no comment about that!  The lapels were covered with gold glitter and he looked quite sexy, to say the least.  I'm surprised we're still alive to tell this.  As the curtain went up they were playing a song called "Best Friend," though I can't remember too much about it, except there was a lot of bass.  Must've been concentrating on that outfit!  WE spent a lot of time hitting each other over that.  Denny Laine introduced the next song, "Soily" off the next LP.  The beginning sounds like a bit of instrumental in the "Help" album.  Most likely when the album is released, you'll all think we are nuts and the songs sound nothing like this, but we're trying.  Paul and Denny sang equally on this one.  Henry spent a lot of time staring at Kris and I and we sat there giving each other funny looks.  Occassionally I felt like I shoudl watch the others.  There we were in full view and our eyes followed Paul.   The others must have felt unappreciated.   I just couldn't help it when you're so close, your eyes just stay glued to his eyes.  Henry then introduced with "Paul is going to play piano" to which Paul says, "No, he is not" and laughs.  Henry says, "Whoops, wrong song -- some people never know."  So Paul says, "From the last LP, called 'ich bin your singer," half English half German obviously.  Everyone clapped a lot for this one right off.  He got off-tune once and stepped back to clear his throat and looked so embarrassed and cute.  Linda sounded quite nervous and a little weak but he made up for it.  The guitar was jazzed up and really sounded good.  After that one he took a sip of water saying, "Here's to you" raising the glass, adding "a song by Denny Laine called 'Say you Don't mind.'"  Paul sang the chorus with him.  It was strange how much Denny sounded like PAul, exactly almost if you didn't know it was Denny.   Paul and Henry sang backgrounds of "ooh-ahh" almost back to 1963 type.  The NExt song Linda introduced "a song by Henry, a blues called 'Take me on home Mama cause I'm running home tonight."  It was a slow guitar solo which was good but a bit long.  Paul laughed so hard during one bit while Henry laid on the stage quickly and got up that he had to turn around and stop playing  During most of it he watched Henry play lead and had the same expression as while watching John singing "Across the Universe" in Let It Be.

Next song Paul said, "Song we're going to do is written by Linda."  Some people applauded and he went "aw" and said, "this is the first song she ever wrote.  It's called 'Seaside Woman.'  If you feel like moving around, don't' let us stop you.'"  It's definitely a reggae type number with Paul and Linda singing harmony.  Paul said, "We'd like to sing a song off our lap LP and if you know it, keep quiet," he smiled.  "It's called Wildlife."  This one was really good with a slightly changed chorus at the end.  During all the loud songs, PAul always had his left foot-stomping and he was constantly moving around.  It's hard to describe but he looks quite good anyway, more like "Let it Be" than the Beatles days.  Henry then announced, "Paul is going to play piano, Denny bass, and Linda just looking good."  Paul said, "This is a love song for all the Americans out there."  WE fell over and all the Americans clapped.  He said "My Love" (in a very Liverpool accent) and made a funny comment about Nixon and said, oops this is the wrong country to say that and Linda said something about McGovern being good.  This song is another "Yesterday."  Very slow with him singing softly and playing the organ.   The main line of the song though isn't what you'd expect by the song melody -"My love does it good"  Well anyway, it's a beautiful song of Paul back to the 1965 type.  Why he dedicated this one to Americans we're not sure but it's a nice thought and we can hope?   He looked a lot like "The Long and Winding Road" with his eyes and only one light on him singing.  Paul then said, "We'd like to sing a song that's our new record in England.  This one is a nursery rhyme and there's a bit in it that just goes la-la, sing along, be our guest."   Mary Had a Little Lamb.  We were singing along "la-la-la."  Afterwards Paul asked, "Were you singing?"  Linda said the guy next to us was, but Sher said he was half asleep -- oh well.  The next one Henry said, "You'll know this one" and Denny Laine yelled, "Get up off your ass," and Paul went straight into "Maybe I'm Amazed."  What that did to me -- my favorite all-time song.  I fell apart during that.  He looked so good sitting there screaming it out.  By this time Linda had sat down at the piano bench with him.  The organ was like in Let It Be while he was really banging out the piano.  The applause for this one were the loudest and he looked really happy about it.  He got up and went to play bass again.  Paul said, "This next song is our last, so all you people who have been sitting on your bums all evening should now take this opportunity and rise from them, shake them a bit, clap a bit, here we are in Offenbach," he smiled. "Let's do it!" Then this loud thumping song starts and everyone is on their feet, clapping and he is really moving around by this time.  "High Hi High" is the song, the one mentioned before as a possible single.  

More of Wings on Tour 1973

Let's continue to journey along with those kooky Americans as they keep attending all of the Wings concert in the UK in the Spring of 1975.    As with the other installments, these were all from the Summer 1973 issue of McCartney Lovers and Friends  

The next day, we had a DAY OFF and Sarah took us on the old tour of Liverpool.  We went to the Cavern -- which was torn down the week after -- it was moved across the street I hear.   We visited Paul and George's old school and John's art college.  We then went to Paul's old home at 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton -- it was beautiful.  I don't know whoever gave us the impression that they were poor, because it's as gorgeous there!  It wasn't a mansion or anything, but it certainly was a nice area.   Sarah also took us to see Paul's father's house and Mike MC's house  (VERY NICE!).  The countryside around Liverpool is really breathtaking!

The next concert was in Leeds.  This was the place where you go on a "first come, first served" basis.  Sher and Vickie decided that they wouldn't be able to hack that, and thought it best that they skip that concert.  However, so of us are gluttons for punishment and can't miss out on a thing.  So we took off in Sarah's car.  We were traveling along, minding our own business when Sarah comes out with, "I don't want to get funny or anything, but there's this strange-looking bus in front of us."   We all went "Aggggg!" at the same time.  Sure enough, it was THE bus.  We passed them, and Linda was sitting at the window.  I looked back and saw them sitting there.  Paul sat up in his seat and looked just as we were speeding on.  We passed them again, and this time, both of them were waving and giving the thumbs-up sign.  Paul was going absolutely insane, waving, grinning, and carrying on.  he was talking to someone about us and pointing (love to know what he said!).  It was really great.  We felt like we were friends.  What was really weird was that I was wasting my time staring at this picture that appeared in that day's newspaper when Sarah spotted the bus.   

We went on our way to Leeds.  After a while, we got in line and naturally were the first ones.  I had some more roses for Paul.  When were let in, we ran like hell and sat in the first row -- namely the floor.  There was a line of roadies to keep everyone in line.  Brinsley came on first as always, and at one point, he said, "this song is for all our friends in the audience" and looked directly at me.  I wondered what brought that on.  Then he pointed at me and said, "especially you!"  So I buried my head in the roses.  When the novelty act came on, that stupid gorilla woman tried to attack me and my roses.  I nearly kicked her!

The MC kept saying that the concert was being filmed for TV.  Paul came out and we got a lot of special attention.  Just before "My Love" Henry opened his big mouth and said, "C'mon get up!"  And with that, we were thrown around and smashed against the floor.  I was a bit more fortunate than the others, and the only person in front of me was a roadie.  For some unknown reason, he was having more fun looking at me, so I figured, what the hell, and asked him to let me stand in front of him, which he did. I now had a great view, right in the front.  

Meanwhile, during the concert, the others were having a terrible time being crushed and some slobs were pinching them.  I threw the flowers on stage and then, Linda, Denny Laine and Henry threw them back and forth and looked at them a while.  They made their way back and forth in the audience as well.  At one point, I saw them at Paul's feet -- except no more roses  -- just stems!  Haha!

We drove back to Liverpool, drinking Coke -- our bottles had Scotch mixed in with them.  Yum!  We had been drinking before the concert too, so we were kind of zonked out.  When we got back to Liverpool, we stopped at Sarah's C's house to see her cat named Fred who thought he was a dog and retrieved bones!  Ann was really gone and could not get out of the car.  Meanwhile, a dark looming figure came up and stood near the car where Ann was resting.  Slowly, it started opening the car door, and successfully scared Ann half out of her drunken sits.  It was a bobby who wanted to find out why the car lights were on!  

We had another day to spend in Liverpool. I really liked it there.  Our next stop was in Preston.  Everything was so screwed up there.  I named to walk into a rehearsal.  I wasn't expected it, because I just walked in and there it was.  I was only there for five minutes, having a nervous attack because of the others who I thought would be able to come in too, but that's another story.  Paul had on the same white shiny jacket that he wore in Manchester and the whole group was looking at me.  Dave walked over and tells me that he told me at the "other" rehearsals that I wasn't supposed to be there.  He turned out to be a real bastard.  Anyone who was there will agree with me.  I asked him WHAT other rehearsals he was talking about.  Maybe I forgot I got in to them?   Meanwhile, there were two ladies sitting behind me and he told them the same thing, but their little trick was that they had no place to stay that night, so could he help them?  So he said that he'd arrange it so they could stay at the same hotel.  However they had to leave too, but then he told me I could stand behind an amplifier or something.  I didn't know what was going on, and I didn't know what was going on with the others, so I just walked out.  

At the concert, we managed to obtain lousy seats, sort of in the back.  I couldn't hack a seat so far back, so Ann and I mossied on down to the front and perched ourselves in front seats.  Eventually, the rightful owners claimed their seats and I ended up sharing a seat with a friend and Ann sat on the floor.  There were people behind the stage as well.  Paul and Henry were joking around about how the people sitting behind the stage got shipped so Paul turned to each side and kept saying, "How's that, can you see me now?"  

We were in the second-row center and we were really in bad shape.  You see, there was this "person" on stage staring at us.  And when I stare, I mean stare.  This went on the first half of the show, constantly.  We kept pinching each other and saying, "He's not staring at us too much is he?"  At one point, he saw Ann all crushed up on the floor, looked at us, then pointed at Ann and laughed and kicked at her.   

We were preparing ourselves for the end of the show when everyone would get up and dance.  As soon as he starts his little spiel, I started to sort of get up.  He noticed what we were doing and that we were half standing and half sitting, just withering away waiting for him to finish.  He dragged it out on purpose.  Finally, when he started, we just loomed up to the stage.  It was really embarrassing because Ann and I soon discovered we were the only ones who got up.  But we didn't care b because Paul smiled at us, as did the rest of the group.  All of a sudden everyone else joined us, and Ann was pushed and thrown around by the crowd.  I was prepared for it, so I was ok.  Ann ended up someplace.  My friend nearly had all her hair pulled out and they just kept pulling it.  Linda saw us getting messed up and gave us a really sympathetic look.  Meanwhile, my dress was being yang and pulled down.  It was quite embarrassing, especially because Paul McCartney was there.  

Anyway, there was this nutty girl who kept screaming at me to get his microphone.  I told her to buzz off.  She kept jumping over me to try and trap his legs.  So I grabbed hold and pinched her until she stopped.  The whole floor just shook and you didn't have to move your feet and you'd still be dancing.  We were really getting pushed around and my friend was really in pain since they were jerking her head back and pulling her hair.  By this time, the whole group noticed our predicament.  I think Pau was under the mistaken idea that we were having a good time.  It's great being right in front of him, but the hell you go through for it.  I don't understand why the people just can't get up and dance and have a good time.  They all want to get up on the stage and it really ruins it all.  Of course, we've forgotten the pain we went through and just remember how fantastic it was to be right in front of him.  

Paul pointed to the people behind us and told them to move back.  We thought that he was doing it for us -- really, it seemed that way because he pointed directly to the ones that were crushing us.   The reason was because the place was beginning to fall down!  They didn't cut the show sort, as the newspaper said.  Anyway, we went to the hotel, which was about two blocks away from the hall.  You could see the hall from there, and we knew when was coming because we saw the bus waiting, and the flashes and screaming.  

The four of us were the only ones there with the exception of two girls, about the age of 15.  When he arrived, they immediately began to leap in the air and got their little autographs.  There was an alleyway sort of leading to the hotel entrance, and he's still signing when he got there while they jumped up and down around him.  It was so stupid.  All of a sudden, one of them literally attacked him, pulled his head down to her and kissed him on the mouth.  She wasn't satisfied with just one.  She kept doing it while Paul was trying to pull himself away.  I remember my mouth hanging open because I just could not believe it.  Paul didn't like it at all.  You can just imagine how well it went over with Linda.  I couldn't get over it.  They were squealing away and he's yelling "Girls!  Stop it!  I'm married.  I have three children!  Girls!"  When they were done, they just screamed and ran away.  It's people like that that you could sock in the mouth. 

Manchester & Liverpool Wings 1973

More stories about Paul McCartney and Wings Spring tour of the U.K. in 1973 from the Summer 1973 issue of McCartney Lovers and Friends.


The next morning, we left for Manchester.  It turned out to be the longest, dragged out ride of the whole trip.  Normally a 6-hour ride took 8 hours because the engine broke down!  We were sure that we were going to miss the concert.  When we finally did get there, it was about a half-hour before the show.  We jumped in a taxi and speeded off to the Manchester Hard Rock.  While we sat and worried, I happened to notice a white bus.  It was Valient Silverline.  "Valient Silverline????!!!!!"  A second later I looked up and there was Paul leaning his head against the window as if he were bored stiff.  He had on a black and red checkered jacket.  It all happened so fast, I couldn't open my mouth. I just grabbed Ann's arm and said, "Do you know I just saw Paul!?!?!" and started muttering it out.

He was going in the opposite direction, so we assumed the taxi driver was jipping us.  We merged onto a main and sure enough, just in front of us was the bus.  The taxi driver was a maniac and proceeded to pass the bus.  We were dying.  It was like something you see in the movies.  We passed the bus and Paul was resting his head against the seat, with his arms folded, looking straight ahead and sulking.  It was weird that he was just as bored with the rotten traveling as we were! 

We beat him to the theatre, and just got done paying the taxi when the bus pulled in.  He sat up and looked at all the people in disbelief.  When we got in the theatre, we discovered that we had the rottenest seats in the house.  Sure, they were close to the stage, but there were stacks of amplifiers blocking our view.  We couldn't believe the theatre had enough nerve to sell those seats.  In any case, I was definitely spoiled by that time, and it was in the front or nothing for me.  so I just went and stood right in front of the stage.  The night before, his press agent had given us some "Red Rose Speedway" buttons (like Paul always wore) and stickers, and I just made like I belonged there.  I'll tell you, a Pentax does wonders also!  You'd be surprised what a 35mm camera can do for you.  Sarah and Ann stayed more over to the left -- which was good also. 

This was the crappiest audience yet.  I was the only one clapping, and I turned around and looked at the people like "aren't you gonna get up?"  By the end, a lot did, but they were really a dull audience.  Just sat there and gaped at him.  There was a girl standing next to me, and this big roadie came along and threw her down and told her if she got up again, they throw her f'ing so and so out.  Well, I figured I was next, but they looked at me and smiled.  I couldn't figure that out.  But who cares


  There was another concert in Manchester the next night.  During the day, we went into the city.   We were buying some musical papers and I asked the man if he knew of any magazines with any articles on Paul.  He checked for me and said, "oh, did you know he's upstairs?"  "What?"   He then told me that Paul was in the Picadilly Hotel, which was in this mall.   Roger Moore was upstairs visiting Paul. 

At the show that night, I again made my way to the front of the stage.  Paul change his outfit!  (shock!).  He wore a shiny gorgeous white jacket with pictures of  Marilyn Monroe on it.  At one particularly beautiful moment, Paul looked at me, opened his eyes real wide, winked, and shot at me.  (My big trill of the day)  This time, the audience was normal and everything went well.


Now, onto Liverpool.  I always expected Liverpool to be a dirty, scruffy place but it wasn't.  It was really nice there!  We all got a hotel near the theatre.  You wouldn't believe these little boys that were following us around -- real punks.  They were trying to steal things from us, but we gave them a proper warning and they left us alone.  You wouldn't believe it, they must not have been more than 7 - walking down the street smoking. 

James left his jacket on the seat by mistake and they stole 100 pounds from him!  (About $250).  We had seats in the 7th row this time.  All of Paul's relatives were in the audience, including his father.  It was really great.  While waiting for the show to start, these characters were yelling out things like "Hey Macca!"  and give me a "W" give me an "I" give me an "N" and give me an uhhh oh "G" give me an S!"  W-I-N-G-S!!   Claire, a girl that used to run his club in England, got on stage with the gorilla!  The show was fantastic, and Paul said it was really strange being up on stage there because the last time he was there he was "up there" (pointing to the balcony) watching Cliff Richard.

Linda, by the way, also changed her outfit from her black dress to an orange one.  The audience went wild at the end.  Good old Sarah was there and she had forgotten to get us all tickets to the second show, but she did get some off some crook outside for $25.  Since our seats were not all together, we decided to stand up in the back (This theatre was really small, so we weren't really that far away).  We stayed there, and there were these lights on us and they could see us.  We were up there bopping around and in general, making fools out of ourselves, and once we clapped loudly for Denny and Denny said, "Thank you, girls, in the back!"   During "Say you don't mind," I decided to get myself down to the front of the stage for when Pau would do "The Mess".  I ran down and then it began.  It was really fantastic for awhile because was directly in front of Paul, who by the way, had changed his jacket again and wore the black and red checkered one.  It was really great, but suddenly about 1000 people decided that they wanted to be where I was.  I stayed right where I was, but kept being pushed against a rail.  I was sure that I would be sawed in half.  James was behind me waving flowers in the air and Paul noticed this and grinned at James first and then me.  It was like a private joke.  James threw the roses on the stage and Paul kicked them.

Suddenly, everything started going black.  I was passing out.  I couldn't breathe and I was so scared.  If I had passed out there, I would have been crushed to death by the crowd.  It was definitely the most frightening thing that ever happened to me.  I really got hurt.  There was a roadie in the pit next to me and I screamed that I was going to pass out.  He tried to lift me up, but I was so crushed he couldn't.  I don't know how I managed to keep myself up, but I did.

Paul sang the encore of Long Tall Sally again, and the others started walking off.  Paul told them to wait and Linda asked him what he was going.  He just told her to wait a minute and then went into Long Tall Sally again! 

After the show, I was like a zombie.  I couldn't even walk and conked out of the floor.  Didn't know where I was -- nothing.  After I went hysterical for a while at the hotel, we went back to the theatre.  Oh, we heard this big roar so we knew that he had come out of the theatre or looked out the window and sure enough, we found out he stuck his head out the window.  Luckily for Paul, he got wise and snuck out by the front entrance in his rented car.  (A yellow Ford with a black top)

The tour begins

Continuing one with the story of the American girls that followed Wings on the 1973 UK tour as found in the fanzine called "McCartney Lovers and Friends" from Summer 1973.



May 11th started the tour.  Ann and I decided to get rid of the car and enlist ourselves on the British Rail.  I'm not exactly a whiz at maps and Sarah decided it would make her nervous if I followed her, so to avoid missing out on half the concerts and risking our lives, we decided to leave the driving to the train conductors.  Oh, the night before, on May 10th "James Paul McCartney" was on.  We stayed at the Park Court Hotel that night so we could see it.  (You'd think for $14.00 each you'd get a color TV, but no...and the place had mice too!  We didn't get a view of Hyde Park either.  Grrrrr!).  Anyway, it was nice seeing the special again -- especially at the end, where we were shocked to find out that instead of singing "Long Tall Sally" he sang "Hi Hi Hi" (which was rather shocking since it was banned here). 

We arrived in Bristol.  What a weird place.  It used to be a big seaport.  Lots of sailors.  A dirty place.  To make matters worse, we stayed in this haunted house.  What had happened was Sarah called this guest house and was told that there were no vacancies, and two seconds later the lady changed her mind and said to come over, and maybe they'd have a vacancy when she got there.  Sarah just mentioned that there were two girls.  When they got there, this weird woman says "ooohhhh..are the other 3 like you too?"  There was absolutely no one in the house, and she put them in this weird room on the top of the house.  When the rest of us got there, we were the lucky ones who met up with her weirdo husband, who stuck us in a room next to Sarah.  It was the type of place where you expected some eerie figure to come out of the wall.  There was four different types of wallpaper in each room and he would not give us a key to the room.  At first, we decided that he was a vampire but Vickie saw his reflection in a mirror and some of the wallpaper had crosses on it, so that theory was out.  I was sure that he was going to lock us up in the rooms and make us prostitutes.  When it came time for us to leave for the concert, we found out we'd have to wait 45 minutes for a taxi.  Well, the owner decided we didn't have much of a choice.  During the ride, he announced that he lost his way, but would soon find it again.  the reason he lost his way in his own city was because "I was looking at you..."  I just about jumped out the window! 

We did get to the Bristol Hippodrome.  Before the show, I spoke to the tour manager, Dave, and to make a long story short, he said that we would be able to attend a press conference at the Randolph  Hotel in Oxford the next evening - so we were really looking forward to that!   The show began with a group called Binsley Schwarz.  At first, I thought, "Oh God, if I have to go through this every show, I'll crack up. " but, after a while, they really grew on us.  They're a good band - quite popular in England.  We became pretty friendly with them and made up nicknames for each one.  The funniest thing was the drummer because he looked like our friend, Linda only with short hair.  We called him "Mr. Moo" because one night he had a shirt on with the saying "Once in a Blue Moon." 

During intermission, they would have a "novelty act" with these two old corny folks and their cute little poodle.  It was really a terrible act, with this old woman trying awfully hard to be sexy and her husband wore this toupe and thought he was the greatest performer on earth (we all know he came on after) He would trill everyone by standing up on his wife's stomach and after he performed this great feat, would urge everyone to clap for him (Corny).  His wife would come out dressed as a gorilla and attack people in the first few rows and drag up on stage (we got it a few times!  How embarrassing!) We went practically crazy after sitting through this 15 times.

Finally, a few minutes after that act, the big moment would come.  It's always so hard to put into words the feeling you get at something like this.  how can you explain how you felt when he walked out on the stage -- the excitement, how he looked, and how proud you were of him.  I'll TRY and tell you how it went -- all the shows were basically the same, so I'll just review this one in detail, and then tell you the special parts in each concert thereafter.  Ok?  The MC came on and said, "do you want to see Wings?!?!?!"  and with that everyone clapped and cheered.  Denny Laine walked on and the MC said, "do you know this fella, Denny Laine?"  And then the whole group walked out!  Paul came on giving the thumbs-up sign and grinning.  He must have been awfully nervous, but that soon went away because the audience's reaction was tremendous!  Before any word was said, Paul began with "Soily" a fabulous rocker, sort of an introduction song.  "Now people gathered here tonight.  I Want you to listen to me..."  A great song!  Straight into "Big Barn Bed", which is so great anyway, but even better in concert.  After that Paul said, "Hello Bristol!  How are ya?"  After Big Barn Bed, Paul would stomp and dance over to Denny's drums, which you all know didn't bother us a bit.

 We were in the 7th row, and much to our surprise, Paul really DID spot us and looked over a lot and smiled!  Oh, before the show people were warned not to try and take any pictures or tape the show.  We all have 35mm cameras and weren't going to use a flash anyway, but this man walked over and told us that no photography was allowed.  We really had no intention of listening anyway, but a few minutes later he came back over and said, "Are you the five American girls that came all the way for the tour?  Oh! I'm so sorry I told you you couldn't take any pictures.  You can take as many as you want!"  He kept apologizing.  I just couldn't believe the special treatment.  We kept hearing people say, "They're the ones -- going through the whole tour non-stop!"

  Anyway, Paul sang "When the Night" and then said they were going to do a song off one of their old LPs -- "Wild Life".  They used a blue spotlight and the stage was dark.  HE sang it slower.  Denny would then introduce Linda's song, "Seaside Woman," explaining that it was the first song she ever wrote and to give her some encouragement and sing along.  They used bright yellow lights and Paul really bopped around.  He really wanted people to join in, but no one knew the song, so it was a bit hard.  He jokingly said, "ohhhhh c'mon!  You're terrible!"  There's a few lines in each verse which go like this, "Papa catches fish from the bottom of the sea, Momma sticks around, she keeps an eye on me.  Crazy little mama smile all day.  Papa comes home and at night they lay.. Ohhhhhhh seaside woman..."   During the middle of the tour, Paul added aline which he spoke.  I couldn't catch onto it too well, but he would say something and end it with "I only want to be with you."  So, after that, Linda would get up from the piano and Paul would sit down.  He'd drink water and say, "cheers!"  He used to make a lot of nice little comments like "Sure is hot up here.."  Then, if you remember the special, Paul sang "Little Woman Love" and then "C-Moon" (which everyone went crazy over) and then back to "Little Woman Love." 

Then he would introduce "Live and Let Die" by saying it was the music he wrote for the new James Bond film and then he'd shoot up in the air with both hands and go "boom boom".  If you think the record is great, you should hear and see it in concert.  Amazing!  They had psychedelic lighting during the fast chorus and it was really wild.  Linda and Henry would dance and carry on while Paul pounded away. The lights made everything look like it was in slow motion and it was really cool.  Every time I hear that song, I have a mental vision of those lights flashing on Paul's face, and Linda running across the stage in slow motion.  by the way, at the end of the song, Paul didn't let it drift off like on the single -- he'd pause, and then there'd be a rousing one last boom on the piano.  It was fantastic!  Then Paul would do "My Love".  He say something like this, "OK, now if there are any couples in the audience, you can kind of snug, cuddle up to this song..."  Naturally, Henry, the big joker would make a couple comments or someone in the audience would make a remark and everyone laughed for a while.  Then Paul would say, "It's called 'my Love.'"  This, too, was remarkable!  Then into "Maybe I'm Amazed."  Beautiful. Paul was so proud -- really...

Then he'd introduce Denny Laine, who then sat down at the piano.  Henry sang his little song, "There was a wee man and he had a wooden leg..."Then, Denny sang "Go Now."  Fabulous, naturally.  It was strange to hear Paul on that song.  Denny is really talented.  Then, Denny would sing "Saw you don't mind."  I love this song and I hope they'll put it on one of their LPs -- it's really fantastic!  During this, Paul would share the mike with Henry.  Henry is a real character.  He's really funny.  Before Denny did this song, Paul would say, "You've been a good audience, you've sat there and enjoyed yourselves.  But if you feel like clapping or shaking your bums a little big, then please do so."  After Denny's song, Paul would again urge everyone to get up and believe me they did for "The Mess."  This was my favorite part of the concert.  Paul would really sweat this number out and there was not one person sitting down.  Everyone was up clapping and dancing and having a great time!  Then he'd introduce "Hi Hi Hi" by saying the song was banned.  He thought because he heard it was "dirty."  Everyone would go "ooooohhhhhh!!!!" and when he started that number, people went absolutely berserk!  Paul would end the number and then wave and walk off stage.  The audience would go CRAZY, thumping and stamping their feet, yelling, "more, more, more!" over and over.  IT was too much.  Paul would come back out and do "Long Tall Sally" as an encore, and then say "Thanks" and walk off again.  Well, 99% of the time that just wasn't enough for the people and he'd have to come out again and say how great everyone was "I love you all!" and then explain that they had no more numbers to do, and they'd see everyone "next time."  When Paul set out to give everyone a good evening out, he gave them a good evening out!

After the show, everyone was waiting outside the stage door.  It was like 1964 again -- really scary.  We were so nervous about what would happen when he came out.  The bus was waiting for him, but then pulled away.  The police were there, but no one would leave.  The bus, by the way, wasn't the same one they had last year, rather a rented Valient Silverline bus.  Then, a photographer told us that he was going to come out the front.  Thank God there weren't too many people that knew that.  But when he did come out, it was bad enough.  I nearly turned gray within two seconds.  Those animals literally attacked him.  Pulled his hair, yanked at his jacket, screamed, and yelled.  All I could do was say, "Oh God, please don't hurt him!"  Paul didn't seem to mind all that much, but it really scared me to death.  I just can't stand people treating him like that.  Meanwhile, Paul got on the bus and sat on the left side.  I was in such a rage.  I could have killed all those people.  Then it dawned on me that I should go over to the left and see him.  There was about 7 people there, including Ann -- it as nice because he just sat there and waved at them for five minutes.  Naturally, I missed most of it because I was too busy turning gray on the other side, but fortunately, he continued to ham it up for a while longer, waving and giving the thumbs-up sign. I stood away from the people, alone.  When the bus took off, I waved and he waved back at me -- then he realized it was me!  He took a double-take and looked back at me and gave the nicest smile and little wave, so I was extremely happy about that. 

Meanwhile, we had to go back to the haunted house.  The two girls next door froze to death in their room, and we scared each other to death by discussing what we thought was wrong with the house.  We ended up staying up until 3, left the lights on, put a chair up against the door and all slept in the same bed.  We were never so glad to leave a place as we were to leave Bristol!  Now, onto Oxford.  This was a big place -- for the press.  There was only going to be one press conference and it was going to be that night.  Luckily for us, we had front row seats!  IT was really fantastic, being right in the center-right within his line of vision.  He gave us a lot of nice looks and smiles and once winked and kind of waved.  It was only the beginning of the great evening for me....

The Beatles in Concert - Washington D.C.

This account of seeing The Beatles in concert was written by Joan Litherland and was first published in March 1973 issue of McCartney: Luvers and Friends.   Please note:  The Beatles started the concert with Rock n Roll Music and Ended with Long Tall Sally.   Sadly the girl that wrote this couldn't make out the song and put down the wrong one. 


August 15, 1966 (after midnight)

Dear Diary:

I saw The Beatles tonight.  I couldn't see their faces very well, but I knew Paul looked adorable as always.  He looked over at our section quiet a lot.  John waved at our section also.  All I could do was cry.  Sharon would jump up every so often, shaking, then she'd look over at me and sort of feel sorry for me.  I suppose.  It was very disappointing though.  The lightning and sound equipment was terrible.  they began with Long Tall Sally and ended with I'm Down.  That's how I feel right now, down. Because I could only watch them.  They were so close, yet so far away.  The next time they come I'll see them again and it will be different.   A boy jumped on stage and almost knocked John off, a policeman had to carry him away.  John kept jumping at the mike, Paul would kick and swing his legs out in front of him, George did dances and little Ringo drummed away.  Paul took the mike once, walked over to where Ringo was, and then announced his song.  You can imagine the screams.  Though I cried, my throat was tight and dry and I kept saying over and over, "Paul, oh Paul."  My dream came true that night -- I saw them.  I knew he's real.  I do know that he is mine.  (?)  In my own special way, he'll always be mine. But not in reality.  When we entered the stadium it was day, when we left I couldn't remember if it were day or night.  I still can't.  It all seems too much like a dream that you can't remember too well.  A dream that you could be contented to remain in because you would not want to wake.  Afterward, I was in my own world.  I kept going over all that happened, keeping very silent, very still.  Almost as if in a trance.  My father didn't like this.  He said I had just seen The Beatles -- I heard that, and I shot back, "That was all!!"  If he only knew.  To just see them -- to be so close and yet so far away.  To love them and Paul and not being able to tell them.

They were beautiful.  they were mine for a whole fleeting second.  Mine.  Hundreds of screaming, happy, loyal, wonderful Beatle fans, and they were mine that evening.   The Beatles and Paul -- were mine.  And I'm sure everyone must have felt the same.  My three-year-old sister saw them only a few yards away before the concert,  the luck of being a child.  She'll never know what that would have mean to all of us.  That you Dear Lord for letting The Beatles be who they are.  We love them so.

'64 Hull concert

This letter written by Jane Dunn was published in the April 1970 "B.S. Sheet" as she was looking back at the Beatles concert she went to.


Oh, so I didn't tell you of our Beatle concert?  Hard luck!  No, really, I'll tell you.  No, I didn't take any photos (as in 'you're not allowed to take cameras into the theatre, luv. You'll have to leave it here.').  Anyhow, "D" day arrived -- as I say 'D' day -- we had right up until 6:30pm to wait.  Itw as Friday, October 16, 1964.  It was their second visit to Hull.  The first one was in 1963.  I was only 13 then and mum said I could have gone, but there was one problem -- over 800 fans queuing for 48 hours for the box office to open.  Over here you're not allowed to book tickets by phone or post.  So I never went and neither did 100s of others.  Anyhow in 1964, I told mum that even if it meant queuing for 48 weeks I'd do it.  This time however they were crafty.  They never announced the date that the office would be open until in the newspaper on a Wednesday night (about a fortnight before the actual concert) and it would open the following morning.  This was to stop the queues (ha ha) foiled again methinks.  Boy was there a queue!   So much so that they opened the office at one minute past midnight to get rid of the congestion.  We were up on the balcony - John's side.  10/ a seat (they ranged from 15/- to 7/-) the most expensive concerts are the ones with The Beatles on of course. 

This particular Friday was also Voting Day, which involved half the Police Force.  It was also the week of our Hull Fair and this involves 100s of Police too.  But there also had to be 100s at the ABC Theatre, mostly mounted (on horses).  Guess which event gave them the most trouble?  He he!  1964 was when I was in the fourth year and a Friday afternoon we had needlework all the time.  Our teacher was the greatest and was going to the concert herself.  Well, we drove her mad (all but two of us were going).  We were telling her how long to the exact second there was to go!  4L15pm finally came and everyone rushed out.  I live very near school so Elaine and I dashed home.  It was the "era" of denims and crownecks, so we quickly changed and went straight there!  The bust just couldn't get there quick enough.  First, it got caught up in the Hull Fair crowds.  Finally, it got to some traffic lights and we were so fed up we got off thee and ran all the way and beat the bus by an hour!  You've never seen anything quite like it!  The whole city of Hull was Beatle mad!  Thousands were milling around -- only about 1% could possibly have got tickets.  All the nearby shops had iron gates absolutely covering them (nice to know we were trusted).  We got conned about 100 yards from the stage door by a phony program seller.  In the middle of paying him, THEY arrived.  100 yards away from them!  We just missed it.  Linda Stockman came running up to us and all she could say was, "I've touched George.  I've touched George!!"  We wandered around then decided it was time to go in and so did everyone else it seemed.  We passed a figure sat on the curb edge.  It was another girl from school, Linda Joliffo.  she was sat hunched up crying.  She had lost her ticket.  Her father came up in the car to say they'd looked everywhere but no luck and she'd better come home.  But she stayed.  Poor girl, to this day she swears if she ever found that ticket she'd kill herself. 

Anyhow, the concert.  Well, the atmosphere was marvelous.  Who was on with them?  I only remember Sounds Incorporated (fantastic), Mary Wells and Tommy Quickly.  I nearly wept because Quickly was so awful.  I shouted out and told him so.  He was the act before THEM, and he was sooooo depressing that I found myself worrying in case I was disappointed with the Beatles.  Next thing I know I jumped seven feet in the air, my tonsils made room for my heart and my stomach did 17 sommersets -- THEY were on!   There were some young teachers behind us and they lent us their binoculars.  I'll always remember looking at Paul and George, almost crying with laughter at some joke -- don't ask me what!  I've never seen such a beautiful sight --ever!  I can't remember what they sang (I couldn't hear anyway).  I know Ringo sang a solo.  I remember the solo spot on him and the other three in semi-darkness huddled together at one corner of the stage.  John wanted to sing "Hello Dolly" and kept attempting to do so in the "spastic" voice and pose, you know which one I mean -- the clawing at space, etc.  The others wouldn't let him sing it and in the end, he ended on his knees at Paul's feet, begging him.  all I know is I've never felt so utterly happy and full and ecstasy at the same time.  I cried the whole concert-- oh well!

Afterward we hung around to ages -- hoping.  Elaine and I seemed to be going in the opposite direction of everyone else.  A policeman came upon us and demanded what we were doing so I said we were going for a drink.  We went into the Milk Bar and got (wait for it) two free drinks of water!  We went off again and found Linda still sitting on the curb edge crying.  We went around the side of the theatre and looked up and a toilet window was ajar and (this is the honest Gospel truth); someone was using it (the toilet, not the window).  elaine and I stood gobsmacked.  We'll never know who it was unless we see again the -- oh forget it!  It took me ages to get over that biggest night of my life.  What I wouldn't give to live it all again. 

The diary of a 15 year old Beatlemaniac after the Shea concert

The time is 8:10pm.  The Remains come on and everyone screams for the Beatles.  They sing “Money” and everyone is mad because, I think, it is generally thought of as a Beatles song.  All the deejays take turns introducing each other.  Then they introduce Bobby Hebb, who sings his hit, “Sunny.”  Again, come on all the deejays, this time to introduce the Cyrkle.  When they mention Brian Epstein as a manager, everyone screams.  Everyone loves the Cyrkle – they are really terrific.  They sing their two hits, among others, but play it smart and don’t sing any Beatles songs.   After them come the Ronettes.  They sing “Shout” (with their other big hits) and we almost boo them off.     Finally, Cousin Bruice gets on and says, “Now here’s what you’ve all been waiting for.”  And the screams come.  The time is 9:17pm.  Here they come.  First George, then John, Ringo and Paul, in their brown and beige chalk-striped suits with regular shoes, not boots.   They begin – so does the roar.  At first, I can’t tell what they are singing, then I hear “Rock and Roll music” and I scream.   I realize I can’t see Ringo.  I go into the big dividing aisle  and run down to the center – almost directly above the dugout.  Then I slip under a guard and run forward to the front.  I still can’t see, so I stand up on the metal railings between the seats.  I am leaning on a girl’s head, but I don’t think she feels anything.  She just keeps sobbing one word over and over:  Ringo.  From where I am, I can hear every last word, every golden note.  Every time Paul comes to the mike, he says, “Happy Anniversary, John.”  After a while, I think John gets a little annoyed.   The program follows:  Rock and Roll Music – John, She’s a woman – Paul, If I needed someone – George.  He just stands there most of the night.  Paul and John are giving most of the action.  Day Tripper – John and Paul.  John introduces it.  He says something like, “We’re going to sing a song that we wrote way back in 1948.  We think you’ll remember it.  It’s called ‘Dear Chipper.’   Baby’s in Black – John and Paul, “I Feel Fine,”- John.  He tries to get that funny buzzing effect they get on the record.  He almost succeeds.  “Yesterday” – Paul.  A sort of hush falls over us.  It is so beautiful.   “I wanna be your man” – Ringo.  His mike goes out several times he hits quite a few flat notes.  So do all of them, for that matter.  Especially John.  I don’t care thought because I love him anyway.  George, standing right near Ringo, is giving him the funniest looks.   “Nowhere Man” –John.  It comes out so gorgeous.  He doesn’t hit one flat.  I think it’s better than “Yesterday.”  The funniest thing is during the part where they play a few bars without singing; Paul comes all the way over to the end of the stage and flirts with everyone on our side.  All of a sudden, he remembers that he has to get back to the mike to sing, and half-runs, half-skips back to his place.  “Paperback Writer,” -Paul.  He is so cute, so human and so tired.  You can hear him taking breaths between phrases.  This concert finally makes me realize something that I guess I’ve known all along – that they are just people.  “Long Tall Sally”- Paul “Our last song tonight” says John.  They bow—I run back to my seat.  They go off in a car—I yell.  They wave from the car and we wave back.   Hundreds of girls leave in hopes of catching them departing.  Later I find one girl in a trance.  I ask her what is the matter and she replies, “I touched the truck.”  It’s a small thing like that that keeps the feeling alive.  The time is 11:39pm.  A plane lifts off from Kennedy Airport.  They will be back next year.  I know that. – Sue (15 years old and written directly after the concert)

Fans recall the wild night in Boston with the Fab 4

When I saw the Racetrack location on The Beatles schedule in 16 magazine, I asked a friend, who not only had his driving license but had his own car.  My uncle had a beach resort near the Racetrack.
We asked his parents if we could drive from Connecticut to Massachusetts for a weekend at this resort and see The Beatles.  His mother said okay!
The next step was to ask my relatives to try to get tickets.  After bugging him for a week, my uncle called them.  A few days later I heard that they had gotten tickets!  Soon, two tickets to see The Beatles arrived in the mail.  I couldn’t believe my luck!  Two ticket, second row yet!
When we got to the concert and sat in our second row seats, I looked around in totally anticipation … girls, girls and more girls.  It must have been 9 to 1.
The set up was odd, I thought.  We were sitting in bleacher-type seats with a fence in front of us, then the racetrack, and on the other side, maybe 50-75 feet away, was a wooden makeshift stage.  We were really close.
DJs came and introduced groups such as The Remains and The Ronettes.  While they were priming the crowd for The Beatles, I’ll never forget looking to the left of the stage and seeing light reflecting off something shiny and moving.  It was one of those real moments in life.  I noticed some figures, then John, then George, Paul and Ringo.  And even though the noise grew to some incredible level, as they came into my full focus, bouncing up the stairs and onto the stage, I heard nothing—I froze.  There they were.  Holy shit, it’s The Beatles, holy shit!
When I came back to some sort of consciousness, the crowd was wild and I picked up my 8mm movie camera and tried to film as the crowd shoved and screamed.
How cool they looked in to suits.  I tried to memorize what I was feeling forever!  And, I did.  I think I even wrote down the song list.  Then, in such a short time, it was over.  A limo pulled up to the stage, they got in quickly, and the car pulled out on the track and drove right by us.  And, for a fleeting second or two, there was John’s face, looking out the window and waving.  Again, holy shit!  Girls were crying; it was such a weird feeling as they drove away.
I had the film developed, but never having used the camera before; I didn’t know there was a filter over the lens.  I still have these films; they’re not very good, but I can see something in them no one else can!
--Mike 

I was there with four friends and had front row tickets. The girls were screaming so loud and it  was hard to hear the music. A few girls hyperventilated and passed out behind us. A couple of people jumped the fence between the track and the seats and got to the stage but not quite to them. At 14 years old it was quite something. I had no idea why it was so crazy but I loved the Beatles and knew all their songs and words back then.  – Ken

I was there too. It was hard to hear them, but I think the sound system was not appropriate, inasmuch as I don’t believe a concert was ever played there. Plus, all the screaming did not help at all. I was 15 and could not believe I was even in the same arena as the Beatles. I lived 2 streets up from the race track. I didn’t have a ticket but knew how and where to jump the fence. So, I can say, I saw them when. – Mary Jane

 I remember 6 things distinctly:
1. It was very hot and very humid, made worse by the crowd surging all around us, mostly surging towards different limos on the infield that folks thought the Beatles were in.
2. I remember Barry and the Remains, Bobby Hebb, and Cyrcle did “Red Rubber Ball” very well.
3. I remember decoy limos, not 4 limos, until the Beatles all jumped out if the same car. 4. The sound was very poor due to clipping of overdriven amps, small speakers, and lack of on-stage monitors. Technology simply had not caught up to the new paradigm of large venues and increased attendance. 5. Girls were hyperventilating and passing out, and the crowds were passing the girls to the rails where the cops would lay them down on the track, giving them some fresh air. Some enterprising young ladies feigned illness, hit the track, and headed for the stage.6. The most poignant moment: during the Beatles performance, a fan made it to the stage and was trying to just touch one of the four, I believe it was Paul. I was on the rail at that time because one of our girls was laying on the track from the heat, so I was pretty close to the stage. I remember how petrified they all looked. Great memory, my first concert   - Dana

 The way I remember it, all the opening acts came out of limos from the front. When it was time for the Beatles to play, four limos pulled up in front of the stage and the crowd went crazy and some fans touched the limos. The Beatles were not really in the limos. The cars were decoys. While everyone was focused on the cars and the melee, the Beatles were all of a sudden on the stage. I always suspected the helicopter that had landed on the field behind the stage. The girls were crazy loud but I heard all the songs. Great show!  - Ted

 I was in the lower section and right behind me were the grandstands," he said. "They were pretty good seats because the grandstands were a bit further away. So I felt fortunate to be that close, but we were probably still a couple hundred feet.  I think they played for like 25 minutes and that's seems to be in line with other people's remembrance of the show," he said. "And I was like, 'That's it?' So I was a little disappointed because I would've liked to have seen them for an hour. But the bigger disappointment is just not being able to hear them. I would've loved to have heard at least half of it and not away from where they were playing."    --Ron

In August 1966, I was living in Springfield, MA.  My birthday  wasn’t until November, but I remember my mother buying me a ticket to see the Beatles in Boston.  She came home with a special she had seen advertised which included round-trip tickets to Boston on Peter Pan bus lines and a ticket to the Beatles show all for $12.75!  I had been a Beatle fan from the first time of exposure, and this was the best thing that could have happened to me.   All of my friends who were going to meet at the bus station.   To our surprise, there were four buses in the group.  Some were decorated with “Beatles or bust” banners on the sides.  Inside, the bus was pure energy.  Everyone was signing songs and passing Beatles magazines.  Finally, we got to Suffolk Downs in Boston at 7:30pm.  People were all over the place selling souvenirs, buttons, banners, newspapers, Beatles cookies and Lennonaid.  After buying one of everything and getting inside, I bought my program and found my seat.  It was too far back, so I decided to get closer.  Impossible!  The show started at 8pm, but it was past that now and every time a limo pulled into the race track near where the stage was, the screams became unbearable.   The first act was Bobby Hebb singing “Sunny.”  Next were the Cyrkle, then the Ronettes, one of my favorites at the time.  When they finished, the tension grew.  And when The Beatles were announced, the place went crazy.   I couldn’t see too well, but I was standing right next to one of the P.A. speakers and even could hear them talking to themselves onstage.   I remember Paul telling George that a girl in the audience looked like him.  They were making all kinds of wisecracks but unfortunately, I can’t remember them.  Their portion of the show as over all too quickly. They did all the songs that are on the Tokyo video.  George Harrison became my favorite, as I got the closest to the group while he was singing “If I needed someone.”  I remember saying to everyone that he was “so cool.”   We all then headed back to our buses – girls crying and guys talking about forming groups. -- Harold