These are a few pictures from my 1986 pilgrimage to London. I was living in Notting Hill Gate and teaching English (yes, they brought an American to London to teach English -- you figure it out...) to Syracuse University juniors and seniors. And, of course, I was haunting all the Beatle Shrines I could find.
I was teaching in London and decided to take a few of my students (the ones who showed an interest, that is) on a Beatle Tour on a cold December day. There were about 6 of us and we started up at Abbey Road (where we took each other's pix crossing the road), then to the house (nobody home!), then to the old Apple Headquarters, and then to Soho Square. After that we were scheduled to attend Michael's exhibit at the Photography Center off Charing Cross -- but we never got there.
It was about 5:30 and we were tired and chilled (plus, December in London is dark AND cold). We looked at the MPL building and were about to leave when three Japanese fans, who were waiting outside, kept motioning to us. They didn't speak a word of English, but it was obvious what they were trying to say -- especially then they motioned to the BIG silver Mercedes with the MPL plates parked right in front!
I huddled with my students and they ALL voted to wait and see what happened -- as I hoped they would! One of the guys, Gary Friedman, was a photo-journalism major and had an excellent camera, so we appointed him as the one most likely to catch a good shot of THE MAN as he -- we assumed -- was hustled by. After about 45 minutes a man came out and sort of cleared us back (there weren't that many of us, just my students and the Japanese guys), then went and started up the car.
We held our collective breath and Paul came down the stairs into the lobby. Someone opened the door for him -- we all stood back and waited for him to dash -- But he stood in the doorway and went -- I swear! -- "Ta Da!" And opened his arms out! We all dashed up to him like a bunch of puppies! . He was dressed for a dinner engagement in a gorgeous grey suit, silk tie, and long coat. He was laughing and started joking with the Japanese guys in Japanese (I wonder were he learned it!?). and signed for them (they had been waiting all afternoon, after all). And then he turned to us. He put his arms around my students and signed and posed while we babbled about what we were in London for.
"So, States, you're the teacher, huh?" (Yes, he called me "States").
"Yes, we're getting our Ph.D. in The Beatles!"
He thought this was a riot (he was in a VERY good mood!)
I shuffled through my Land's End bag for paper and a pen -- and pulled up my home-made compilation of Beatles songs circa 1965-66. I had made a couple of tapes to last me though the long plane ride to England and was carrying them to get me in the mood for the Walk. I pulled the insert out and there was a space at the bottom. I handed it over to Paul and he stopped and held it up and started reading off the selections and commenting on them all! The last one was "I'm Down" (one of my favorite songs) and he said, "Do you like that song?"
I said, "I LOVE it!"
"I haven't thought about that one in a while -- " And he started up: "You tell lies thinking I can't see -- You don't cry 'cause you're laughing at me -- I'm Down!" And he's SCREAMING the "Down" part! And my students are jumping up and down at this little concert!
"That song's for you, States!" And he signed the insert right next to "I'm Down" -- Gary took the photo at that moment -- gave me a little squeeze -- and then was hustled into the Mercedes. He got into the front seat next to the driver, rolled down the window, and waved and yelled "Bye! Have a great evening!" as they drove off. A true gentleman, if not yet a Knight!
My student were convinced that I had set it all up! "I couldn't have been a coincidence!" they kept saying. "He almost acted like he KNEW you! It MUST have been planned!" And, you know -- it felt as if they were right! A few years later "I'm Down" resurfaced in his live show -- I like to think I may have at least called his attention to it after all those years!
Photo by Gary Friedman, my friend and student.
I call this picture "My Date With Paul" -- he's singing a little bit of "I'm Down" here because he is signing my home-made cassette insert right next to that very song! The little white button on my coat is a "Help!" badge -- he noticed and commented on THAT, too -- the guy doesn't miss a trick, I think. Photo by Gary Friedman.
I took this photo at Michael McCartney's signing party for his book, "The Macs," and for his photographic exhibit at the Gallery off Charing Cross. Michael gave a fabulous slide show/lecture/comedy performance that night, as well as being his charming and gracious self to a number of grateful fans. That was the night that he "signed over" the usage of the name "McGear" -- which I had been using in my musical pursuits since my Poptart days -- to me "officially" -- I have endeavored to wear it proudly ever since!
Here is a link to my first attempt at "Fan Fiction " -- "Another Yesterday" -- It's an "alternative history" story and I hope you'll enjoy it.
Here is a link to my article "'Your Own Sweet Boys': The Beatles as Teen Idols" -- it's a paper I gave on the Fabs at a conference at Florida State University. If you are a fan of A HARD DAY'S NIGHT or the Beatlemania Era, you might find it interesting.
I am a proud member of MACCA-L, the Paul McCartney Listserv. Here are a few vital links for the Maccaholics among you -- and you MUST be if you are browsing here --
The Paul McCartney List Home Page
Colin Barratt's MACCA-L Member Picture Page
SendGaelMcGear@aol.com any comments. I will try to respond to all questions if I can!