The High Society

This article was called "The High Society:  exclusive L.A. report"  and was written by Lisa (no last name given) for The Mess newsletter for the January 1975 issue.    L.A. was a hot spot for the former Beatles in the mid-1970s.  No wonder they needed a reporter to report back!

October 15, 1974:  Ringo (he liked being called Rich) records "Goodnight Vienna" with the help of Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Jesse Davis and 1/2 hour later Elton John.   Klaus was nice to us and Elton wasn't too bad either.  He was driven in his $40,000 gold limousine Lincoln Continental chauffeured and all -- silver English tea tray with T.V. and record layer in the back seat.  I gave Rich a glass mug I made this spring and it was funny to hear him say in his Liverpudlian accent, "Oh wow, far out!"  He looked good wearing a Guatemalan shirt, shades (of course), his hair slick back, not quite like from the movie, "That'll be the Day."  Mal Evans kept giving me occasional D.O.M. looks every time he came out to the car.  Pretty friendly that night.   

3 hours later:  Elton John left. Keith Moon walked down the street.  He was wearing a black velvet suit adorned with rhinestones, a very spacey person.  Everyone was leaving.  Rich came out with two young chicks.  He gave me a strange look though -- couldn't figure it out.  We spoke to Rich's bodyguard, Hilary.  He was telling us about garbage.  Everyone went off to have dinner at the Rainbow on the Strip.  Goodnight Rich.


October 25, 1974:  A visit with George.  he apparently was rehearsing for the concert tour.  About 3:30a.m. I was in the parking lot behind the studios sitting down and I heard a voice.  Sure enough, it was George, drinking down a fifth of booze talking to his sweetie, Kathy.  I tried not to crack up.  So I started walking around to the front when he stopped in the driveway by these girls and we came over to give him a gift.  My friend asked him if she could take a picture of him. He didn't mind.  I was surprised to hear that.  Unfortunately, the flash on her camera didn't go off.



The other nights we were there, Jim Keltner, Robbie Robertson, Bob Dylan, Shankar, Preston, a couple more odds and ends came by at the studio.  They had a beautiful dark horse out front facing George's Mercedes.  Another night we waited until 3:30 a.m. and I handed him a glass vase I made.  Then he was given a Harrison badge by my friend.  We found out later, he was wearing it at the concert in L.A. 

The next night it was the last evening at the studio, all the vans were packing up to go to Vancouver.  We waited until 5:30, he didn't stop that time.  It was the same night we went to the premiere of "That'll be the Day." 

Rich looked good.  He was wearing a little gold earring.  His hair was slick city.  We left early to follow him, but couldn't catch up with him though.  He's still living here in Beverly Hills somewhere.  At one point, all four of them were in L.A. last month.  this guy called for McCartney's room and Linda answered.  According to him, she was drunk off her ass.  She kept asking him if he had friends who knew who Linda McCartney was.  Funny.  I wish I could have been there to tape her voice.  It's nice to hear them drink occasionally.

November 12, 1974:  Harrison concert.  Sly Stone was sitting behind me.  Dylan was walking back and forth to the side stage.  Shankar was fantastic!  George looked really good.  The second concert was better.  They wore hats and costumes and whatever.  Unfortunately, George's voice was croaking.  He was sick up in San Francisco.  He gave the Cow Palace audience a bad time.  "If you don't like the Indian music, you can leave," etc.

Hari's on Tour and it is great!

Here is a fan concert review of George Harrison's concert in 1974.  It was from the Year 2 Number 9 issue of "The Mess" and was written by Laura DiPalma.

Hari's on Tour and it was great!
By Laura DiPalma

I first saw George Harrison at his Chicago concert, on the 30th of November 1974.  I had seen his plane the day before but missed him.  It was quite nice seeing George actually.  We were lucky enough to have first row seats and he looked at us a lot.

When my friends and I arrived at the Chicago Stadium, we anxiously awaited first, getting into the hall, then having George come on stage.  I was so thrilled to be actually seeing him, after waiting and hoping for so long and in the first row too!

Monty Python's Lumberjack Song came over the loudspeakers and the hall went dark and everything was absolutely still.  I couldn't bear it any longer and I just screamed out "George!!!"  Two minutes later, at 2:20pm (Central Time), he came out on stage.  I died!

He launched into "Hari's on Tour" and at this moment some very annoying people decided to pass in front of me.  This was quite difficult, as they couldn't get passed my photographic apparatus, so I had to stand up and let them climb over my seat.  It was then, whilst being crushed again the barrier board in front of the stage, that George chose to look at me, who stood there looking like a helpless idiot.  I practically was frozen by his eyes.  They were so beautiful!

During the show he would look over at me, sitting there with a decidedly silly smile on my face.  My friend Ceil and I said that we must have looked like loonies because George made some mention of a bunch of loonies up in front.

Before the intermission, George put in a plus for us all to buy programs, so I grabbed mine and waved it like a maniac and he grinned at me.  I tell you it was such a good feeling.

The second Chicago concert was just as good as the first one.  Geroge must have recognized us, in the first row again, as he kept grinning at us and even smiled for my movies and photos quite a bit.

After the second show, I had to fight a roadie for Geroge's guitar string, which I got and treasure it.  I was also interviewed by another roadie who came over to ask me some questions and my friends all joined in.  I said some very silly things and then found out that these interviews were supposed to go to George (arggh!)  I managed to convince the guy to turn the machine on again and we all told George how much we loved him and we'd be seeing him again.  It was fun.  I even managed to get a Dark Horse button from another roadie.

I went back home the next day and waited for is Long Island concerts to come up.  I got all of my film developed in the meantime and they came out beautifully.  Well, we weren't as lucky in New York as far as the seats went, but we did manage to get into the orchestra for the first show, with 25th row which is pretty good for the Nassau Coliseum.  George spotted us on our seats dancing and laughing at us a bit.  During the intermission, we saw George's Dad and Olivia Arias.  We couldn't get over to talk to them as a guard blocked or way but Olivia gave us a smile.   the second show was great and we walked all around the auditorium.  I was really annoyed at all the people who left the hall during the Indian segments.  Ravi wasn't with the show here, as he had taken ill following the Chicago concerts.

The New York City concerts at Madison Square Garden were next on my agenda.  At the Thursday night show, I noticed that George's voice had improved a lot.   He was very happy and Ravi was back on the tour.  During the Indian segments, Geroge would sit off to the side of the stage, deeply into the music.   The Friday afternoon show as fantastic.  George really put a lot into the little kick-dance thingy that he and Bill Preston did.  I got some great pictures of that in Chicago.

The last show on Friday night was also the last show on the tour.  I cried nearly all through the show.  We were in the orchestra again but this time in the second section. I did manage to get to the barrier though when the house lights were turned up, people started climbing onto them trying to get a better view. I started waving at George and he squinted at me across the distance, then he smiled and waved back.  He ended the show with "See you in another eight years!"  I hope not George.

Many of you know the line-up of songs so I shan't go into that, but I will say that he performed all the songs beautifully.  Remember he doesn't sing from his throat, he sings from his heart.  And to all those critics who panned him, well, they didn't pay for their tickets, they didn't even want to be there so if they can't understand the feelings, what right do they have to criticize?  Forget those critics, all of you who loved George's concerts, and just remember the feeling that it gave you.

An added note:  While George was in New York, we managed to get up to his floor in the Plaza, as I found out what room he was in.  But alas, only to be escorted away by a tremendous bouncer.  We managed to meet John Lennon though, which was all quite nice and he posed for a photo for me.  We stayed by the Plaza the whole day following the show, but George managed to get away without being seen by any of us.  But I did go home with happy memories of George and I can't wait until I see him again....sometime.  I will.

John Lennon meets Linda Reyna

This  little story was originally published in the Year 2 Number 9 issue of "The Mess" fanzine, which must have been from early in 1975.   The woman that wrote this story had some TERRIBLE things happen to her on her solo trip to NYC.   She experienced a whole lot of criminal things that I can't even imagine on this trip and yet she had one little bright spot -- she met John Lennon

The photo does not go with the story -- just another photo of  John and May from the time period. 

John Lennon meets Linda Reyna

By Linda Reyna

I recently flew to New York City and met John.   I still cannot get myself to believe it.  It was the peak of my life.  John was very kind.  I only spent five to ten minutes in his presence.  May Pang was at his side and kept hassling him to hurry up. 

He could sense that I was very nervous.  (I dropped my cigarette several times).  He started imitating me in a rather amusing way and I finally loosened up and had to laugh.  Then he remarked, "After all,  y know, it's not as if I'm The Beatles!"  Everyone laughed.  

John if you read this:  thanks for stopping!  I didn't say it then, but I will not.  Te Amo!   Finally Satisfied!

So thanks for the Memories

Tonight's fan memory came from the fanzine, "The Mess" the November 1974 issue and was written by Becky (no last name is given).  The writing style is obviously different, but I think it is fun to see how some fans wrote at the time (trying to be Lennon-like maybe?)

Jean and I arrived in London on a typical soggy night.  With no money in our pockets and no food in our bellies, we found our way to Maida Vale.  Much to our horror, our flat was still being occupied by some weirdos, so we spent the night in a hold in the ground and fed 5 pence to a box for heat (every 45 minutes to an hour).  Luckily a box of McDonaldland Cookies kept us from starving.

The next day.
Let's all get up and dance to a song that was a hit before your mother was born.  What a way to start off a day.  A KNOCK KNOCK on the front door to our hole and who could it be?   None other than the head of St. John's Wood Retreat.  Greetings all around a report from the front.  It seems a blue mini was spotted in the vicinity of Cavendish Avenue with two, very suspicious looking characters occupying it.  Further investigation showed that one of the two is known to be President of McCartney Ltd, a small colony of followers off the face of this earth.  Very interesting.

Meanwhile, Jean and I were left holding the baggage while the group set out on its daily dozen.   After dethroning the previous occupants of our flat, we unpacked a bit and made our way to a bank for some lunch.

And then and then, what a trip to London would be complete without a stroll down Abbey Road (and vicinity).  Jean and I admired the scenery in St. Johns Wood, so lovely.  We happened to come across an absolutely marvelous little house, in a very posh neighborhood (so they way), it was inconspicuously painted all the colors of the rainbow.  Very nice.  We learned from a passerby that the owner of the mansion is a bit eccentric.  They say he has a habit of driving Nova Scotch till all hours of the morning and he is frequently seen terrorizing the neighborhood on a Honda motorbike. But, I learned from someone very close to myself, that his wife and children are perfectly charming.

Well, I must say, it was a bit of a surprise to us both when we came to the end of the rainbow and found the group in full pursuit.   Our hellos were combated with goodbyes and Jean, and I found we could not withstand the determination of their forces.  We were asked (?) to wait at the corner while they sought the pot of gold.

The gold arrived in a chauffeur-driven car, and I caught a glimpse of its brilliance from across the road.   Later, we had soup with glasses, and I began to see things in a different light. 

End of part one.
Part Two.

Things and people and places did not always prove to be as negative as day one.  I recall the day I first spoke to Linda again after one year had elapsed since our last meeting.  I was with my friend Alex.  We had first met in the summer of '69, also the year I first met Paul and Linda.  Alex and I decided to go back to Abbey Road and Cavendish Avenue for sentimental reasons.

We first went to Cavendish.   I had a birthday card for Linda that I was going to slip into the mail slot.  And I did.  We decided to sit on the wall across the street from the mansion and reminisce. 

No sooner had we sat down, and the green Rolls comes zooming towards us.   Paul stopped the Roll right in front of us and let Linda out.  I was feeling a little shy and embarrassed about being caught sitting right in front of his house, so I never really got to see Paul when he gave Alex and me a wink.  But Alex did, and he waved back.   I looked up to see Paul driving away leaving Linda at home.   She waved, and we waved back. Then I called to her and asked her if she remembered me. When I came across the street to her, she said, "Oh, Becky, I didn't recognize you.  how are you?"   I was feeling great.  My hair was a year longer and frizzed besides, and Linda noted that I had "gone Hippie."  We had a chance to chat for five minutes or so, I guess.  I won't go into all of it, but she extended an invitation to me to come back anytime, and I can't help feeling good about it.

That same night:
After Alex and I had left Linda, we walked to Abbey Road and found the green Rolls parked in the EMI parking space much to our excitement.

I immediately called Jean, who was back at the flat soaking her feet and told her to hustle down to EMI.

It was about a 1/4 to nine when Paul and Linda came out of the studios.  We sat quietly across the street.  Paul stopped before he pulled out into the traffic and spotted us, turned his bright lights directly on us.  I was blinded for a moment.  Then the Rolls came by with Paul honking the horn and both of them waving goodnight.

There was one other time we saw Paul and Linda together.  Once again it was at EMI.  They were doing some mixing in the studio.  It could have been Junior's Farm.  It was raining and raining and cold.  I was feeling excited and crazy, so I ran down to the corner pub and bought them a bottle of wine.  Swiped three marigolds from a florists window box and ran back to EMI. 

In the meantime, I drank a bit of the wine while we waited.  We didn't have to wait long, and we were rewarded with a spontaneous photothon and a little bit of conversation besides.  Then it was a good-night and good-bye.  The last time I saw Paul.

WFIL Helping Hands Marathon with Special Guest Star John Lennon

I just can't get enough of the stories from the fans that met or saw John Lennon in 1975 at the Helping Hand marathon.    This story comes from issue 10 year 2 of The Mess and was written by Rosemary Tully .

Photo by Rosemary

Every year, one of the local radio stations in Philadelphia, WFIL holds the "Helping Hands Marathon."  It raises money for 23 different charities in Philadelphia.  Several personalities usually come to help out.

This year someone from WFIL management decided to ask John Lennon to help.  He went to New York, had dinner with John and talked it over.  John agreed. 

A friend of mine who works at WFIL told me about John's upcoming appearance.  I got really excited and asked if there were any way I could get in.  He said sure if I would like to help out and answer phones.  Of course, I agreed.   I also got my best friend, Cindy, in.   She nearly died when I told her!

The marathon took place on the weekend of May 16, 17 and 18.  We found out two weeks in advance.  The longest two weeks I ever spent.

The Tuesday before the marathon, I managed to sprain my ankle.  The doctor and my parents didn't want me to go to the weekend.  I refused.   We had a big argument and it turned out we both won.  I would only be allowed to go if I wore crutches.  I thought that would be the end!  Everyone would stare at me, plus I'd feel like an idiot! (They did, I did.)

Friday finally arrived and so did we.  We went into the wrong end of the radio station and with a little help from a guard, we found our way to the loading dock where the marathon took place. 

We were told to fill in the tables in the back where nothing could be seen!  that is where the crutches really came in handy.  Cindy and I were allowed to sit up front, in perfect view of John and the rest of the crowd.

At 3pm, things got underway.  Phones started ringing, people started out materials (sic) and heads started spinning.  I'm not sure why, but John was late.  Word got round that he'd arrive about 4pm.  So we all kept our minds on work.

At a quarter to 4, there was a slight rumble towards the back entrance, everyone turning around and there he was, John Lennon.   He was being mobbed right and left.  Cindy got up and went to get some autographs.  And he made his way toward the front, I flagged him down and asked him to sign my shirt (a Beatles shirt, of course!)  He didn't say anything, just started signing.  I couldn't believe it!  John Lennon!  On my back!  I was truly on Cloud 9.  Then I started to take some pictures.  The girl across the table from me just kept saying, "I can't believe it."

Soon John had to leave to broadcast over the radio.  He was telling everyone to send in their pledge.  We all went back to work.

Every hour, John would come down for about 15 minutes.  He posed for the T.V. cameras, talked to some people on the phone and took pledges from the crowd.  Outside he autographed everything from posters to album covers, sneakers to shirts, and books and arms.

Other celebrities like Yoko Ono Lennon, Neil Sedaka, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, and Flip Wilson called in or stopped by (Paul and Yoko only called).


To raise extra money, auctions were started.  John auctioned off his stars and stripes, red white and blue socks for $50.  Later, he auctioned another pair of red ones for $50 again.  I painted a poster of the Yellow SUbmarine and characters for the auction.  John was just supposed to sign his name but he wrote, "To Ro, Luv John Lennon."  Now it's on my ceiling.

The rest of the weekend went along fantastic.  John was so great about everything.  He really went crazy on the phone.  "Hi this is John Lennon, send in your money" was one of his calmer remarks.  It was all fantastic! 

Four months have passed since then and I still feel like I'm just waiting to see him.   That one little weekend seem to go so fast.  I still can't believe, I met John Lennon!

The Mal I knew

I am not sure how I really feel about this story about Mal Evans.  The personal relations between Mal and the fans is something that has been alluded to several books, but has always been a bit "hush-hush" and now just in the last week I have read two accounts of Mal having a relationship with fans.   Mal is no longer around to answer to these stories, so we might not ever know what really was going on.

The Mal Evans I met

By Beck

The Mess (issue 11)

It was on July 22, 1969, the day I first met Mal.  Not surprisingly enough, I first met Paul, John, George and Ringo the same day.  Beautiful!

The summer of Abbey Road.  The wind gently teasing the trees.  And all the first name-only best friends to the Beatles teasing the girls outside.  One of them was Mal.

Before I encountered Paul, Mal introduced himself to me.  I wasn’t the first to know, “if you really want to meet Paul, you’ll have to do it through me.”   I was quite sure I could do it on my own, but some girls weren’t as sure.

I remember meeting a girl from the South who naively believed Mal’s words to be the truth.  Rumor has it, she went home with him that night.  I never saw her again.  Initiation was too much for the girl.

For those of us who could handle the lines, meeting Paul came just as easy.  But we didn’t get to know Mal as well, so to speak.

At any rate, my fondest memory of Malcolm did happen on that very day.

A notorious little green Mini came roaring and colliding into several fans and made a sudden halt in the EMI studio lot.  When much to my surprise out popped Paul McCartney.  At age 16 I was more than impressed at the great hulk of a hero and I was caught by surprise, speechless.  I managed to throw some blossoms his way and received a “thank you” note.

I followed the man up the drive, leaped the steps closely behind and proceeded to tail him down the ivy halls of EMI.  But alas, as fate has it, I met with the mighty hand of Mal Evans.  It seems that not everyone is eligible to enter the EMI kingdom and I qualified.   But I wasn’t easily convinced and got in a couple punches as I was dragged to the door.  I gasped and muttled and fought the mighty Mal but he had a good grip on me.  The fight paid off though because Paul had forgotten some pressing business with Mal and had decided to come back and see us.   To this day I cannot recall a word that was exchanged between Mal and Paul for those few minutes that day.  I do remember gazing lovingly at Paul and admiring the closeness of his being.  As he turned to leave, he held some flowers up to me and waved acknowledgement that meant the very world to me.  Thanks Mal.  Thanks Paul.  And in the end….