That Was All I Heard (1979)

George at the press conference, right before the fan telling this story, met George

 That was All I Heard

By Stefania Catone

The Harison Alliance

March 1979

    On March 7, 1979, three days after my 25th birthday, I came back from school hot and tired, and decided to watch the telly. After 10 minutes, a CBS local news break came on, saying, "We are working on these stories for the 4:30, 5:00, and 6:00 news, and Pat O'Brien will have an interview with former Beatle George Harrison."

     That was all I heard. I thought, 'I must call the clan'. I called Laurie; she wasn't home. Sandi, she was at work. Oh God, Selita. "Ah, Selita, get right over here! I have a color TV. George is going to be on TV, and bring your camera, please."

     Now, to get a tape recorder to record the interview.  I found three, and of course, none were working. I was a wreck!

     I called Laurie again. She said to call the station and find out if the interview was live or had already been taped. I found myself talking to the CBS Newsroom, asking them where they were located, and asking at what time the George Harrison interview would air. They transferred me to the office of Pat O'Brien. After several rings, his secretary answered. She told me that Pat had been working on the interview with George for a couple of days now at Warner Bros.

     I finally asked if he was still being interviewed. She said that he had just finished and that the interview would be on the last two minutes of the 6 o'clock news. After hanging up, I called Warner Brothers to speak to DHR, but there was no one there, so they transferred me to the desk. The woman said there was no one at DHR because a press conference George had called had just started. I asked her where it was being held and how long ago it started. To my surprise, she told me! Bless her! She said it was in the building, and it had begun about 20 minutes ago. 

    Well, needless to say, at this point I was emotionally gone. Saletta kept me together and told me to grab a camera. We spoke to Laurie, drove over, and then flew to Burbank. I just had time to grab the first photo I found of him. We left at five, and Laurie, I think, broke a land speed record. 

    We arrived in Burbank around 5:20. My heart was pounding as soon as I saw the building, not quite sure whether it was from fear of having missed him or of finally meeting him. As we reached the studio after parking the car, I began to notice a lot of people exiting from the front doors carrying George's new LP and some new releases. "My God, we're too late," was my first thought. I asked someone walking out if the press conference was over, and if George was still in the building. He turned and said very sourly, "George left a long time ago." My heart sank, but I wasn't going to give up, not now, not being so close.

     A few seconds later, Laurie's friend came out and said that George was still in because he went to talk to Mo Osten. All there was left to do was wait and pray that he was indeed still in, and there was no other way out. So, wait we did. At 6 o'clock, people were starting to leave, as that's the time Warner Brothers closes. Every time that door opened, my stomach knotted. I had no idea how I was going to react, and that frightened me. 

    I was looking for a car in the lot that could be his, and the first one my eye went to was a brand new Bentley. It was bronze and gorgeous. Sure enough, the security guard, (who was an absolute doll), told us that was George's, and that George would have to come out of that door. He said that George went in, carrying a cane and limping. I almost died. What could have happened? Now I had yet another worry to add to my list. We thanked him and began to talk amongst ourselves. When we heard from the guard, "Here he comes." I turned around, and it really was him coming down with someone else. I cannot convey the feeling going through my body. The man I had loved since I was nine years old was walking towards me, and all I could think of was how beautiful he was.

    I took my first real look, and he was limping a lot. He was really supporting his leg with a cane. My God, he is so beautiful. He was wearing beige cords with blue flaps. His left foot was in an ace bandage. We started to walk up to him and stopped. He smiled. The first thing I asked was, "What happened to your leg?" "Oh, I just hurt my foot."

     Laurie asked if he would sign a couple of photos for us, and he, with that sweet, soft accent, said, "Oh, sure", and smiled one of those melting smiles. I just wanted to hug him. I had a million things to say, but was so taken that all I could do was look and ask him if I could take a few pictures. Again he smiled and said, "Sure, if you can be quick." "Thank you", I said, and started to take pictures. I heard him say, "Where did you find this one?" Really checking out the picture that I had brought for him to sign. "Oh, I got it from a Japanese calendar. It's great." He seemed really pleased, and asked, What was my name? Laurie said "Stefania". He looked puzzled as how to spell it, so I said "Stephanie", and Laurie said "It's Italian", and he smiled. 

    He was in a marvelous mood. I don't remember much of what happened after, except that he would look right into my eyes every so often so I could take a photo, but every time he did, I couldn't get a clear focus. His good looks just blew me away. He has short hair and the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. I've never seen him look younger, not to exaggerate, but he looked about 25 years old. He didn't have but one laugh line. He's thin, but not too thin. Pictures just do not do him justice. 

    The next thing I remember is George getting into the car, the Bentley, on the passenger side. I asked how Dhani was, and that brought the biggest smile yet. "Oh, he's just fine." And Olivia? "She's fine too."

     Laurie asked if he would be touring. "No, not touring, not this time." We told him we loved the album, and his face slid up again. "You really like it?" "Of course." "Do you have the album yet?" "Yes. And 'Blow Away' is marvelous."

     Laurie said, "'Blown Away' is playing on AM -- knock those Bee Gees off the charts!" George just about cracked up. He just looked and said, "Oh well" and I made a gesture like "we'll try." He and his driver were ready to go, so we said, "Thank you and goodbye."

     He could not have been any nicer or more gentle. I couldn't understand why I was feeling so peaceful, calm, and totally contented. Until Selita pointed out that it was like meeting a friend, she was right. He had no airs about him, didn't make us feel like fans at all. He was up, inquisitive, and sweet. I swear, he has an aura about him, something that calmed me. After George ----Nirvana! 

     It was everything I had always hoped it would be. I hope everyone will have a chance to meet George the way I did. It could only help you to understand his depth, beauty, and gentleness. Waiting so long paid off, making this birthday so special. To top off a wonderful day, we reached home just in time to catch him on the news. He was lovely, even when they asked him about the Beatles again. He said it was very happy just going home and being with his family. We were then treated to part of the 'Blow Away' promo video, a part in which he spoofs Elvis with baggy pants, knock knees, and a guitar hanging low. It was such a wonderful, perfect day.