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Solo forums => Paul McCartney => Topic started by: on July 14, 2004, 09:14:30 PM

Title: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 14, 2004, 09:14:30 PM
I had a couple of encounters with Paul in NYC, but I'm afraid they're not the most pleasant... Here's the first one:

In February of 1993, Paul was doing SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. I found out the hotel he was staying at, and so my wife and I hung out with about 20 other fans hoping to get an autograph.

Because I was such a lifelong Beatles fan, I stood in the February cold for two days (not consecutively, of course - I went home in between) and what Paul did was play "cat and mouse" with us all day. He would leave the hotel to get in his limo and go for a jog, then return to the hotel. We'd wait three hours, he'd come back out to go to lunch, then come back. Another couple of hours we wait -- he goes out to dinner. He comes back to the hotel, stays a while, goes back out to rehearse at NBC.

To make a long story short, during the course of the two days there'd be as many as 20 people there at some times and as little as 3 at others. Each time, Paul would say "hello!" or "good morning!" but then he'd be off, without stopping.

One time, I jokingly yelled to him (lying): "Please, Paul - I came all the way from Canada!!" -- and as McCartney climbed into the limo, he turned to me and shrugged: "Oh, did ya? I came all the way from England!" - and then the limo sped off!

As it turned out, I actually DID get Paul's authograph that weekend -- but it was only while he was inside the lobby, and he sent his PR man John Hammil outside to collect items for signing. Paul signed them INSIDE the hotel, then the items were returned to us. As Paul left for SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, he yelled to the crowd: "okay! Everyone got one?!" - and we all said "thank you's". It wasn't the best way to get his autograph, but it was better than nothing!
 
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 14, 2004, 09:25:35 PM
The really bad story occurred in June of 1995 in New York. Once again, I had heard Paul was in town from another Beatles fan I knew. This time it was a private visit, and nothing public. So when we got to the hotel, I figured I was a shoe-in for a close encounter with Mr. McCartney because nobody else knew he was coming and there were only three of us present.

However, the hotel manager begged us not to stay at the hotel. He said, "Paul's here on personal business and says he doesn't want to see any fans here when he arrives".
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: The End on July 15, 2004, 12:42:24 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=0 date=1089839670]
One time, I jokingly yelled to him (lying): "Please, Paul - I came all the way from Canada!!" -- and as McCartney climbed into the limo, he turned to me and shrugged: "Oh, did ya? I came all the way from England!" - and then the limo sped off![/quote]

That cracked me up! ;D  Great story Joe!

Regarding your 1995 encounter, I reckon you're right about the tension caused by Linda's illness. I'm sure, in hindsight you've forgiven him for being so... erm... off!

At least you got to meet him... TWICE, even if he wasn't in the best of moods!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Rowdy on July 15, 2004, 02:57:25 AM
Wow, that's weird that one girl would follow him around so much....I see no problem in how Paul acted about the situation...he's only human.

I met Paul over a year ago. Well, we didn't meet....I saw him......on the Anthology DVD.....
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 03:24:40 AM
Who knows what this girl stalking him had done for 20 years...she may well have upset him long ago and he simply did not want to ever see her again.  He was usually pretty accessible.

The cancer may have had something to do with it.

Either way, it's not as if he punched ya or anything. :)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: tkitna on July 15, 2004, 03:38:50 AM
Yeah, sorry to hear about his bitterness, but in the second instance, it was pretty clear when the guy said - "Paul's here on personal business and says he doesn't want to see any fans here when he arrives". 

You stayed anyways.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 10:09:46 AM
Living in New York, there are many opportunities. The only other time I came close to Paul was in 1992 when I had won tickets on a radio show when he was doing the UP CLOSE show for MTV. I had been calling the station for days, trying to win. Then at 2 am I was the "25th caller"! It's the only time I won anything on the radio.

When I received the tickets, they said "Floor" on them. So I figured, "well, at least the seats are going to be good". When my wife and I got to the Ed Sullivan theatre, we were told that "Floor" meant that we'd have to stand in front of the stage, no sitting.

DO YOU THINK I MINDED???? HELL, NO!!! We were standing throughout the show right up against the stage, just about five feet to Paul's right. I remember I could see the fillings in his teeth when he was singing! This is my happiest achievment as a fan.

I also got to see RIngo at his hotel in 1995, but once again, it wasn't the best experience.
He came and went a couple of times, just mumbling unpleasant things under his breath and rushing past the fans without acknowledging them or signing anything, I'm afraid. Maybe this has something to do with what happened to John, and that this is New York. I don't know.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: The End on July 15, 2004, 01:36:13 PM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=6 date=1089886186]
I also got to see RIngo at his hotel in 1995, he came and went a couple of times, just mumbling unpleasant things under his breath and rushing past the fans without acknowledging them or signing anything. [/quote]

Wow! You have p*ssed off half the Beatles!!! LOL! ;D
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 02:54:32 PM
Well, all kidding aside, they p*ssed me off :)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 07:34:30 PM
You're being to hard on both of them.

They certainly don't OWE anyone anything.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 08:12:44 PM
Quote
You're being to hard on both of them.

They certainly don't OWE anyone anything.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Sondra on July 15, 2004, 09:00:44 PM
Can you even imagine how it must feel to constantly have people wanting something from you? Everywhere you go there's someone asking for an autograph or picture? I mean even when you're having a bad day or are not feelling the greatest people expect you to smile and do what they want! To have this be your life all of the time 24 hours a day!!! I think Paul and Ringo have handled it well considering how poorly some mediocre stars have behaved. I don't think half of us would be able to handle it so well.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 15, 2004, 09:21:11 PM
Absolutely -- I've very often thought of how awful it must be to get someone in your face, 24/7, asking for something from you. Man, that's gotta be a real pain -- However, it's part of the job of being famous and they're getting paid a King's Ransom for it. It's give and take. Accepting the bad with the good. Paul could have been a construction worker or a cook - then nobody would even care if he existed, and he could have struggled from paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet, as a working class stiff. However, he chose stardom and I'd bet he doesn't regret it. If you ever see him, ask him which he'd prefer. :)

My job is a thankless one too, and I knew what I was getting into when I took it. Only difference is, I don't get paid nearly the same amount to put up with it.

P.S> I'm just telling my true feelings on the matter. Don't mean to offend anyone. 
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 04:19:44 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=10 date=1089922364]

I appreciate your frankness, and to be honest I knew this was inevitable from someone. :)

However, I subscribe to the old school of "if I buy your records over the decades, see your movies forever, help to make you what you are, etc.."
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Sondra on July 16, 2004, 04:32:51 AM
Personally, I don't see what the big deal is about bothering these people for autographs and stuff. I live in the L.A. area and occasionally see 'famous' people and it's like exciting for about a second. Then you realize, ok, they're just people eating at a restaurant or shopping for fruit! I'm certainly not going to bother them for my own amusement! I guess it would be great to meet Paul or any other Beatle, but I'd be more excited to see them perform. That's what they do. What am I gonna say? Uh, I love your music. Like they haven't heard that a million and one times before!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Sondra on July 16, 2004, 04:34:21 AM
[quote by=misterchaz link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=9 date=1089920070]
And yes, Yoko was quite nice to me when I interviewed her in 87.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 10:02:15 AM
Quote
***And you'd still be wrong.

There is no "right" or "wrong" here, just opinion.

Quote
***Again, your unemployment is neither known to him nor relevant.

It doesn't have to matter to Paul; but it mattered to me back then. And given my situation at the time, it's part of the reason I felt I'm being more "inconvenienced" than he was and can't be expected to think he's got it so bad by my showing up to say hello to him for 10 seconds. That's some "problem"!

Quote
***That would be nice.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: The End on July 16, 2004, 01:54:19 PM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=16 date=1089972135]Paul really was wrong to grab the gift from the girl's hand and fling it out the window and onto the street and yell at her. [/quote]

Famous people understand that people are ALWAYS going to ask them for autographs, but obviously some days it's not going to be convenient or maybe they've got out of bed on the wrong side - you've just been unlucky! I'm sure there are millions of fans with great stories to tell - like that homeless hippy who John found living in his garden!

Regarding Paul losing it with that fan and her statue - he was obviously extremely stressed (and we've sumised why) and all of us have days when we throw our dummies out of the pram... luckily WE never make the tabloids!

I walked into a book shop once, and Pete Best happened to be doing a book-signing in there! So I rushed out and bought a camera! When I got back to the shop, he was more than happy to pose for pictures - and even re-posed when the flash didn't work for half of them!!

I have nothing at all against dedicated fans chasing autographs - if I had the time (and patience) I'd probably do the same. And if I happened to be buying fruit next to a Beatle, there is NO WAY I'm not going to dig in my pocket for a pen and paper! :)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 02:44:06 PM
1.) You're right.  It's your opinion and your opinion can neither be right or wrong.

2.) The 'p*ssed half of the Beatles' line was funny.  Indicated by smiley.  Lighten up!

3.) Yes, I understand what it would mean to make contact with a hero.  No, I don't think it's up to me to grab the chance.  Perhaps a unique NYC perspective, I don't know. 

4.) I loved the stories and appreciate your posting them.  But by doing so you open yourself up to OTHER'S (non-right and non-wrong) opinions.  You've read mine.

5.) As to the girl I have no comment as I was not there, and agreed, it sounds pretty sh*tty.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Joost on July 16, 2004, 08:30:15 PM
Sure, it seems so easy: making people happy by just signing your name on a piece of paper. That doesn't seem like such an unpleasant thing to do, right? But Paul McCartney has been herassed by people who want something from him almost non-stop for the last 40 years... I can't blame the guy if he gets fed up with it every once in a while... He's a real person and not a public property.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 09:07:39 PM
Quote
Famous people understand that people are ALWAYS going to ask them for autographs, but obviously some days it's not going to be convenient or maybe they've got out of bed on the wrong side - you've just been unlucky! I'm sure there are millions of fans with great stories to tell - like that homeless hippy who John found living in his garden!

Well, let's remember that the Lennons were filming that event, so it's easier to be cool when you're kind of playing to the camera lens. And this is especially the case with Paul. From what I've seen, he's all smiles and "public relations" when he's on camera, as witnessed in the BACK IN THE U.S.A. video where he signs a few autographs from out of his limo! :)

Don't get me wrong, I think you guys are 100% right that I just got Paul on a bad day (as we surmised) and it was indeed a risk I took. I was just unlucky that day, you're right. It's just too bad I had to witness his rage like that; it's not the one image I want to have etched in my mind of my one close encounter with James Paul McCartney, after being a Beatles fan my whole life! But that's the way it went, unfortunately.
 
Quote
Regarding Paul losing it with that fan and her statue - he was obviously extremely stressed (and we've sumised why) and all of us have days when we throw our dummies out of the pram...

Agreed.  Besides, this girl has photos posing together with Paul dating back to the early '70s. It was upon seeing her at this hotel AGAIN that set him off. I don't think he would have been thrilled  no matter WHO he saw at his hotel that day, but seeing this girl in particular seemed to inspire a bad reaction. Kind of like, "YOU AGAIN?? YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE TODAY!!" -- He really wasn't addressing me or the one other girl who was with us.

By the way, you're not going to believe this part of the story (which I left out).. After I was dissed by Paul, I walked back to catch the train and I actually saw what looked like another McCartney looking through a shop window with his girlfriend. I recognized him immediately -- he was Mitch Weissman, the "lookalike" who played Paul in the BEATLEMANIA stage show in 1978. I swear to God, true story! I just shook his hand and told him the Paul story I had witnessed only minutes earlier. It was like a TWILIGHT ZONE episode! :)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 09:17:20 PM
Quote
2.) The 'p*ssed half of the Beatles' line was funny.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 16, 2004, 09:25:14 PM
Quote
Sure, it seems so easy: making people happy by just signing your name on a piece of paper. That doesn't seem like such an unpleasant thing to do, right? But Paul McCartney has been herassed by people who want something from him almost non-stop for the last 40 years... I can't blame the guy if he gets fed up with it every once in a while... He's a real person and not a public property.

Oh, believe me, I understand. I do try to imagine what it's like ... Paul gets up, goes outside, there's a mob waiting for autographs. He gets into a cab, the guy wants his autograph. He then goes to a TV studio, every technician wants an autograph. Etc... Etc...
The ones who get lucky, think he's cool. The ones that are unlucky think he's not. I really get it.

But about Paul's not being public property -- who's being treated like "property" when the star says "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!"...?
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Joost on July 17, 2004, 12:26:31 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=22 date=1090013114]

But about Paul's not being public property -- who's being treated like "property" when the star says "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!"...?
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Joost on July 17, 2004, 12:38:25 AM
And another thing I'd like to add (no offense):

It's cool if you want to meet your idol when the chance is there, but I think that when you're wasting days of your life just to meet someone for a few seconds, you really degradate yourself and make some kind of supreme being of the other. It's almost as if you say to that person that those few seconds of his life are of more worth than an entire day or your own life.

I believe that all people are equal and that doesn't just mean that I think that no one is less than me or you, but it also means that I think that no one is more. Not even Paul McCartney.

Again, no offense.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 01:26:03 AM
Quote
And another thing I'd like to add (no offense):

It's cool if you want to meet your idol when the chance is there, but I think that when you're wasting days of your life just to meet someone for a few seconds, you really degradate yourself and make some kind of supreme being of the other. It's almost as if you say to that person that those few seconds of his life are of more worth than an entire day or your own life.

I wouldn't have minded investing some time to see Elvis, to be at Woodstock, to see The Beatles at Shea Stadium, to say I met JFK, etc....

I really don't think that approximately 24 hours or so - split over the course of three different days,
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 01:28:48 AM
Quote
Could it be that she has a restraining order or something?

Plus, he also could've just said "f*** off", but when you're dealing with a long time stalker, "You're not supposed to be here" sounds fairly nice, almost like an advice.

No, there was no restraining order. And the girl was very attractive, not some sort of freakizoid or anything. She wasn't hurting him. Anyway, regardless of how Paul's words read here on the computer, he YELLED in a nasty tone and threw the gift out of the window. Nothing nice about it, trust me. A real shocker.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Sondra on July 17, 2004, 03:38:55 AM
Well his friend happened to be killed by a stalker so maybe it just freaks him out. That and the fact that his wife was dying at the time probably didn't put him in the greatest mood. But yeah, how rude of him not to stop and sign another bunch of autographs! ;)

Also, I don't think a persons age has anything to do with getting how important the Beatles are. Some people just don't go in for the whole idol worship thing. I think seeing him in concert is much more exciting than seeing him get into a car or sign a bit of paper. Now if he sings to you while signing it......
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 04:25:22 AM
[quote by=Maccalvr link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=15 date=1089952461]


Huh!?! What!! That's very cool.

P.S.
Did you get her autograph? ;D

[/quote]

No, I talked to her for a few minutes, and I have a photo of us shaking hands.
She was quite gracious and nice.


Her wailing and screaming were a bit disarming tho.  ;-D

Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 04:29:49 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=21 date=1090012640]

Yes, I realize that. I wasn't annoyed, it's just that I guess I'm a stickler to "make it understood rightly". No anger here -- just that, even with the smiley and the joke, the truth is that "I" didn't do anything to them! :)

***No, of course not, and I doubt anyone except you thought that.  Which is fine, because we all read things that hit us just...wrong.



Well, it's the old "if you snooze, you lose" philosophy, no matter where you live. Say you're a big fan of McCartney, both as a Beatle and especially as a solo artist - and you know you've got a rare opportunity to possibly see him and maybe get an autograph. Do you take the opportunity or let it pass you by? To me, it's a no-brainer. It should be a natural excitement to fans as serious into the group as we are. They're not going to knock on your door, y'know! :)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 04:35:42 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=26 date=1090027728]

No, there was no restraining order. And the girl was very attractive, not some sort of freakizoid or anything. She wasn't hurting him. Anyway, regardless of how Paul's words read here on the computer, he YELLED in a nasty tone and threw the gift out of the window. Nothing nice about it, trust me. A real shocker. [/quote]

Again, pure supposition on my part, but if this has ANYthing to do with the cancer diagnosis being in that time frame, and perhaps Linda (as well as Paul) being devastated, and them trying to book off to be alone somewhere (where traversing public streets is a necessity)...well, it seems that IF all the above was true I would not have a problem with Paul's reaction.

Last year I lost my wife to breast cancer.  She was 47 and had it for ten years.

I remember the anguish and confusion and anger in being faced with dealing with it, especially at a young age (she was 36 initially).  And it would have been impossible for me to function as the usual Paul PR person in that time.  Needing to collect one's thoughts, as it were.

Again, a HUGE supposition on my part.  Maybe Paul, like all of us, can be a petulant a**hole.  In fact, I'm betting on it.  But sometimes...

Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 10:01:47 AM
Quote
That and the fact that his wife was dying at the time probably didn't put him in the greatest mood. But yeah, how rude of him not to stop and sign another bunch of autographs!

First of all, I have no idea that Linda had the diagnosis yet; that's just a guess on my part, after the fact. I don't know. Amazing that Linda herself was very cordial and friendly though, isn't it? She was gracious and said "hello" while Paul went into his tantrum, incidentally...
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 10:13:38 AM
Quote
Again, pure supposition on my part, but if this has ANYthing to do with the cancer diagnosis being in that time frame, and perhaps Linda (as well as Paul) being devastated, and them trying to book off to be alone somewhere (where traversing public streets is a necessity)...well, it seems that IF all the above was true I would not have a problem with Paul's reaction.

Last year I lost my wife to breast cancer.  She was 47 and had it for ten years.

I remember the anguish and confusion and anger in being faced with dealing with it, especially at a young age (she was 36 initially).  And it would have been impossible for me to function as the usual Paul PR person in that time.  Needing to collect one's thoughts, as it were.

Again, a HUGE supposition on my part.  Maybe Paul, like all of us, can be a petulant a**hole.  In fact, I'm betting on it.  But sometimes...

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife. I had no idea and I'm sorry if I stirred up something in you; I didn't mean to do that. And believe me, I'm not telling you this as someone with no potential for being able to relate... My own wife is 36 right now (we just celebrated our ten year anniversary), and I don't know what I would do if I were faced with such a blow. It's actually one of the big fears of my life. My sincere condolensces....

But I appreciate the fact that you're being more open-minded than some others about this situation with Paul. Again, I have no idea whatsoever if Linda had her diagnosis at that time or not; it was only well after the fact that I reflected and thought, "I wonder if THAT'S why Paul was so angry that day?" Perhaps I was trying to look for some sort of justification in my mind as well.

As I told the other guy, and which was a detail I left out, if Linda was indeed ill at that time, she sure was very kind and gracious before Paul was screaming. She actually smiled and said "hello" as the limo pulled in front of us, before Paul went off. Linda was on our side in the car; Paul was on the far end.


 
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 17, 2004, 04:36:26 PM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=32 date=1090059218]

I'm so sorry to hear about your wife.

***Thanks.

I had no idea and I'm sorry if I stirred up something in you; I didn't mean to do that.

***Please, no apologies.  You didn't.  I was just using it as a point, I don't know if I've ever even mentioned it here before (I think I might have, long ago).  Anyway, there's no way you could know.  I appreciate the sentiments tho, thanks.


And believe me, I'm not telling you this as someone with no potential for being able to relate... My own wife is 36 right now (we just celebrated our ten year anniversary), and I don't know what I would do if I were faced with such a blow. It's actually one of the big fears of my life. My sincere condolensces....

***Again, thanks.  And yes, until it hits you don't think about it much (why would you?) and I'm sure you and your wife wil live together for many long, happy years.  :)

But I appreciate the fact that you're being more open-minded than some others about this situation with Paul. Again, I have no idea whatsoever if Linda had her diagnosis at that time or not; it was only well after the fact that I reflected and thought, "I wonder if THAT'S why Paul was so angry that day?" Perhaps I was trying to look for some sort of justification in my mind as well.

***Yes.  I have no knowledge of the time frame of this, I only remember someone commenting on the possibility of a recent diagnosis and threw it out there.  Like I said, maybe on occasion, in public, the guy can be a prick.  :)

As I told the other guy, and which was a detail I left out, if Linda was indeed ill at that time, she sure was very kind and gracious before Paul was screaming. She actually smiled and said "hello" as the limo pulled in front of us, before Paul went off. Linda was on our side in the car; Paul was on the far end.


 
[/quote]

***She might have been embarassed for him.  Especially as the world knows what a huge 'gotta love me' type person Paul is, one who is so locked into a lifelong PR campaign that he simply cannot pass up an opportunity to glad hand someone.  Maybe to her it was a barometer of just how upset HE was and she decided to calm him by being clam herself.

Like I say, ALL pure imagining on my part, so it may all be just p*ssing in the wind.

Still some pretty cool stories tho!  :)

Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Joost on July 18, 2004, 06:37:17 PM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=25 date=1090027563]

Maybe being 25 (I just checked your profile) you don't have the same sense of importance and relevance as I do regarding the Beatles, and that would make a difference, I think.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 18, 2004, 11:36:53 PM
Quote
I'm very well aware of the fact that Paul McCartney is the greatest living musical legend at the moment (since Elvis and John Lennon are both dead) and that pretty much every single person in the civilized world knows him...

I'm not talking about "being aware of it," I'm talking about living it over the decades, having grown up with The Beatles and their music while they were doing it.

Quote
I do look up to him and idolize him to a certain level, but that doesn't mean I would lower myself (again, no offense) by almost begging him to give me some attention. I just feel too good for that.

Good for you. But as far as I'm concerned, it's not "lowering" one's self, but that's your problem if you derive no excitement over it (no offense). In my mind, I'm not "lowering myself" in the least, and that's what matters to me.

Quote
And I don't think that has anything to do with age, I used to be a very fanatic autograph collector as a kid, I had hundreds of autographs, but I completely grew over that.

I'm sorry to hear that. Glad I haven't. (no offense)
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: An Apple Beatle on July 19, 2004, 09:57:24 AM
[quote by=misterchaz link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=30 date=1090038942]

Again, pure supposition on my part, but if this has ANYthing to do with the cancer diagnosis being in that time frame, and perhaps Linda (as well as Paul) being devastated, and them trying to book off to be alone somewhere (where traversing public streets is a necessity)...well, it seems that IF all the above was true I would not have a problem with Paul's reaction.

Last year I lost my wife to breast cancer.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 19, 2004, 10:37:09 AM
Quote
when dealing with that kind of loss, it is'nt a surprise that he may have had a moment.

I think I should clarify again that I have no idea whether or not Linda even had her diagnosis yet. All I can tell you is, she was in a good mood and was gracious and cheerful, while Paul was the party pooper.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: An Apple Beatle on July 19, 2004, 11:06:10 AM
I'm hearing you. We'll never know for sure eh? He could have just felt real protective of her. It still does'nt warrant the behaviour though. Just a simple explanation from him may have helped.
Oh well. No use crying over spilt milk...etc. etc.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 19, 2004, 03:56:19 PM
Quote
No use crying over spilt milk...

... or a crystalized gift :(
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Joost on July 19, 2004, 08:59:36 PM
Joe, I really think that it is cool that you have such a big passion for something and I certainly don't want to judge you (hell, most people don't understand most of the things I enjoy doing in my spare time), and I certainly don't feel 'better' than you when I say that I feel to good for something that you enjoy doing (I realize now it may have looked like that was what I was saying... Sorry).
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: number14 on July 26, 2004, 04:41:29 PM
Thats awesome that you took that much time to even see paul mccartney. i cant blame paul especially the second time you saw him, his wife has cancer and fans were still following him espicially one that has following him for 2o years, ive never seen any of the beatles, You are realy lucky.

 Does yoko live in New York?
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 26, 2004, 09:28:51 PM
Yes, Yoko still lives at the Dakota. I met her there twice in 1994 and she was very, very gracious and sweet. Smiled and posed for photos, signed autographs...
Amazing, really, when you consider what happened to John - right at that very location.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on July 26, 2004, 09:57:05 PM
Joe, I dont know what you mean when you say that younger fans dont understand the emotional connection that fans like yourself have.  Younger fans like myself love the Beatles too so dont hate on us. 

PS Awesome stories ;DEven if some didnt turn out so great, you still got to see him and thats something right there.  That concert sounds amazing.  I envy you greatly
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 27, 2004, 01:41:20 AM
The argument of first-gen's vs. the kids who came after has been a raging Beatle argument for decades, with no real resolution.

I *think* all that Joe is saying (and feel free to correct me if wrong) is that we went through their growth in real time, and so it gave us a *different* perspective than people who came to them later.  It was watching and being a part of that development, not only with the Beatles but the exploding music scene all aorund us at that time, and how they all meshed together.

To me if I wanted to get into Glenn Miller music I wouldn't know what came first nor would I care, I'd have the whole canon to pick and choose what  I like.  But the grandparents who were there went thru this same sort of development (tho Miller never changed his sound as radically as the Fabs) and could identify certain aspects just from remembering having been there.

So if the first thing a person here's nowadays is Hey Jude, then maybe Come Together, then maybe Twist & Shout...there is no real continuity to that (not that a fan needs it, it's just another way of knowing and listening). 

That's really the only difference.  I know kids (my daughter for one) who could tell you Paul's birthday, for one, but I sure couldn't.  She's more knowledgable about a lot of Beatle things.  She's 21, a fan since she was 4. 

Me?  I was living thru it, but somehow I developed that short-term memory thingie.....:D
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on July 27, 2004, 03:39:00 AM
well, you may have lived during the most explosive era for music, thought and rebbelion, but I'll still be kicking it in 2075!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 27, 2004, 06:19:52 AM
[quote by=Herecomesyoursun link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=45 date=1090899540]well, you may have lived during the most explosive era for music, thought and rebbelion, but I'll still be kicking it in 2075!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 27, 2004, 10:33:09 AM
Yes, Mr. Charlie (or is it Alan, as I thought I read somewhere?) your obervations put it very well. That's what I meant.

Yes, being born in 1962 there was some continuity. But what I mainly was referring to was with regard to the solo Beatles' careers. I watched them develop and you have to keep in mind that who we're really discussing here is Paul McCartney as an individual.

I don't mean to start offending a lot of the younger people here. I was getting pretty roasted early in this thread because of my situation with Paul in New York, and it was specifically when fans couldn't "understand" how I could "waste my time" wanting to meet any of The Beatles that I started to suggest that perhaps they don't have as strong a bond or indentification with them, being younger and looking at a lot of their career(s) through books or as a thing of the past. I suggested that maybe they don't feel as strongly about the group as I do. Of course, this isn't either all black or all white for every individual. I just can't understand how a big fan wouldn't want to meet any of the Fabs, that's all.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: An Apple Beatle on July 27, 2004, 10:52:22 AM
Joe I understand.

Theres a lot of b****in on here at the moment. First time I've come across it. On further investigation, I see theres quite a few hum-dinger rows going on. What is the obsession with some on here spouting their 'Gospel' truth? Surely we all just like The Beatles? Seems that some hover and bide their time to attack anyone who slips up on a fact. Is'nt it about sharing Beatle knowledge? Maybe I'm in the wrong place.

Anyway without 'kissing butt' theres some sound sorts on here, long may this forum thrive.

Spread some love!!!!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: pc31 on July 27, 2004, 10:52:42 AM
[quote by=Herecomesyoursun link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=45 date=1090899540]well, you may have lived during the most explosive era for music, thought and rebbelion, but I'll still be kicking it in 2075!
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: pc31 on July 27, 2004, 10:54:49 AM
sorry if i seem mad.i probally am.we need to nip this sun punk b4 he gets to full of himself............
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: tkitna on July 27, 2004, 10:57:45 AM
[quote by=Joe_Karlosi link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=47 date=1090924389]
 I watched them develop and you have to keep in mind that who we're really discussing here is Paul McCartney as an individual.
[/quote]

Not to open up the furnace door again, but who are we really talking about,,,,Paul or Joe?

Quote
I just can't understand how a big fan wouldn't want to meet any of the Fabs, that's all.

I'd love to meet one of the Beatles, its just that i'm not going to let it interfere with my daily life, i'm not going to suffer in the cold weather, and i'm not going to impose upon them and feel betrayed later because they came off a tad p*ssy. I've had my chances to try when I was in my late teens and didnt do it. I've had my chances last year when I was in my early 30's and didnt do it. I dont think that waiting and stalking for an autograph or handshake measures what kind of Beatle fan a person is. Some crave that type of stuff, some dont. I'm in the latter.

It doesnt bother me in the slightest that you waited for him, and it doesnt bother me that he came across as an @ss. Lets just claify what we're justifying.

Ok, i've said my peace and remember,,,,,i'm neither a lover nor a fighter.

Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: An Apple Beatle on July 27, 2004, 11:00:14 AM
new thread yet?
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on July 27, 2004, 02:01:22 PM
[quote by=pc31 link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=50 date=1090925689]sorry if i seem mad.i probally am.we need to nip this sun punk b4 he gets to full of himself............[/quote]

too late ;D








(hows that for some f***ing content >:()
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on July 29, 2004, 02:12:50 AM
I'm no diaper-roo
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: sexy sadie on July 29, 2004, 03:29:54 AM
i understand what everybody is saying, but...let's just put it this way. the beatles wouldn't be making their living if it wasn't for the fans. the fans are the ones buying the albums, movies, records, casettes, going to the shows, sending them things. although they do deserve privacy, they are the beatles...they should expect that with the size of their fame they're going to have a billion loving fans. like it was said b4, it's a give and take situation. i understand both sides, but since i'm a fan i think we just look @ it in our point of view, u know what i mean?
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 29, 2004, 10:47:07 AM
Quote
I'd love to meet one of the Beatles, its just that i'm not going to let it interfere with my daily life, i'm not going to suffer in the cold weather, and i'm not going to impose upon them and feel betrayed later because they came off a tad p*ssy.

I'll repeat that it's some of the best time I ever spent, when I waited for Paul in the cold in February, 1993. I have a wonderful framed shot of Paul and Linda, signed by each of them, hanging right here in my computer room for the rest of my life as the result. It was time well spent, and the effort I put into it was only a drop in the ocean of my entire life.
The end more than justified the means. If you expect to effortlessly "bump into" Paul one day while shopping at your local supermarket, you'll have a long wait.

In 1995, Paul was more that just a "tad" p*ssy. MUCH more.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 29, 2004, 02:16:08 PM
[quote by=sexy_sadie link=Blah.pl?b=mccartney,m=1089839670,s=55 date=1091071794]i understand what everybody is saying, but...let's just put it this way. the beatles wouldn't be making their living if it wasn't for the fans. the fans are the ones buying the albums, movies, records, casettes, going to the shows, sending them things. although they do deserve privacy, they are the beatles...they should expect that with the size of their fame they're going to have a billion loving fans. like it was said b4, it's a give and take situation. i understand both sides, but since i'm a fan i think we just look @ it in our point of view, u know what i mean?[/quote]


Sorry, sadie, but that's Grade-A bullplop.

They chose to make music.  We chose to like it and buy it.  They owe us nothing, in fact they gave us some of the best aural memories of our lives. 
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Herecomesyoursun on July 29, 2004, 05:03:13 PM
i feel like I owe them a lot.  In fact if Paul McCartney ever wanted my autograph I would gladly give it.
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: Val on July 29, 2004, 07:10:59 PM
I never went to many autograph signings.  The other people I've seen were all very nice. 
Title: Re: My New York experiences with Paul
Post by: on July 29, 2004, 08:46:49 PM
Quote
Sorry, sadie, but that's Grade-A bullplop.

They chose to make music.