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!
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Joe_Karlosi
July 14, 2004, 9:25pm
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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". Now, I had no way to be sure whether or not this guy was lying or not, so we three stayed.
Eventually, the limo pulls up and we walk to the car. Linda is in the back seat on "our" side, while Paul is on the other side. I have a copy of the RAM album with me for a possible signing, but Paul recognizes one of the girls who's followed him around for 20 years (and has the photos to prove it!). When he sees her again, Paul yells -- and I mean YELLS -- "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, HONEY!!"
As it turns out, this girl doesn't want anything from Paul. She has a little crystalized statue she wants to give him as a gift. Paul screams: "NO!! I DON'T WANT YOUR GIFT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!"
So, the girl decides to hand the gift to Linda. Paul, furious, grabs it from his wife's hand and flings it out the window, onto the street. "I DON'T WANT YOUR GIFT BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE!!!"
At that point, I just backed off in shock. Paul went into the hotel and that was it. I guess it's one of the chances you take in getting disappointed when you try to meet your favorite stars. Now, I can't be sure about this, but in retrospect it's a possibility that the McCartney's might have been in New York regarding Linda's cancer. It was shortly after this that I think the public found out about it.
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Quoted from Joe_Karlosi, posted July 14, 2004, 9:14pm at here
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!
That cracked me up! 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!
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.
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".
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.
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Quoted from Joe_Karlosi, posted July 15, 2004, 10:09am at here
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.
Well, all kidding aside, they pissed me off The first case of Paul in 1993 was just his being stubborn. It took 2 days for him to finally sign autographs FROM INSIDE THE LOBBY after we fans waited in the freezing cold for several hours each day. Walking right passed, in and out, only saying "hello". Ever see Paul when the camera's on him, like in BACK IN THE U.S. ...? All of a sudden, in the spotlight, he's Mr. Accessible! That was the difference between him and John.
The second time, in '95, I guess Paul was agitated because the familiar girl was still there after 20 years of stalking him. Still, it's not cool when a Beatle throws your gift out the car window and onto the ground and shouts: "YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, HONEY!" - I mean, we're Americans, he's from England, for Chrissake! Who's not "supposed" to be where? Anyway, he was yelling at the girl, not me; I was too shocked and backed away.
Ringo just didn't want to be bothered with any fans. Amazing from a guy who's always got that peace sign in the air and shouts, "peace and love".
I never met John, unfortunately. At the time he was alive, I wasn't used to traveling into the city by train. However, when he was recording DOUBLE FANTASY I went with some friends to the Dakota but he wasn't around. It haunts me that ever since his death I became very much an avid city autograph collector and subsequently went into Manhattan many times to see celebrities. I know that if John was still alive while i was older I would have seen him. But I hadn't been a frequent visitor to the city when he was still with us.
Now YOKO, on the other hand, was a joy to meet. It was in 1994 and she was as gracious and sweet as can be. Smiled and signed for everyone who was at the Dakota that day, and posed for pictures with us. That lady is really living an unjustified bum rap.
Never met George, although I very nearly went to his hotel in '92 when he was here for the Bob Dylan tribute.
They certainly don't OWE anyone anything. And everyone, yourself included, has bad days.
It's a shame he wasn't more gracious those two few times you saw him (and Ringo too) but it doesn't really mean anything. Neither one told people to wait around in the cold for two days. I'm afraid fans came up with that idea on their own.
And yes, Yoko was quite nice to me when I interviewed her in 87.
They certainly don't OWE anyone anything. And everyone, yourself included, has bad days.
It's a shame he wasn't more gracious those two few times you saw him (and Ringo too) but it doesn't really mean anything. Neither one told people to wait around in the cold for two days. I'm afraid fans came up with that idea on their own.
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.." you do kind of, well ..... owe me at least several seconds.
I know everyone has their bad days; I certainly am one of them -- in fact, in 1995 I was unemployed and had to borrow money to go to the city to try to meet Paul that time when he was inconvenienced by three people eager to say hello to him. The least a multi-millionaire can do is sign an autograph.
I know what you're saying, believe me. But as far as fans choosing to wait in the cold themselves, I'm afraid we don't have much choice unless Paul would like to schedule us in sometime on a spring afternoon between lunch and dinner What I'm getting at is, we have to take advantage of whatever meager opportunity is there, when it's available. These stars act like you can always come back another time when they're in the mood; well, it doesn't always work that conveniently. If I live to be 100, those two encounters with Paul McCartney may be the only opportunities I'll ever get.
I know this sounds harsh and I apologize for that. When I first posted the stories my aim wasn't to "prove anything," but merely to tell interesting stories to Beatles Fans on the Beatles Forum.
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.
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.
Quoted from Joe_Karlosi, posted July 15, 2004, 8:12pm at here
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.." you do kind of, well ..... owe me at least several seconds.
***And you'd still be wrong.
I know everyone has their bad days; I certainly am one of them -- in fact, in 1995 I was unemployed and had to borrow money to go to the city to try to meet Paul that time when he was inconvenienced by three people eager to say hello to him. The least a multi-millionaire can do is sign an autograph.
***Again, your unemployment is neither known to him nor relevant. My point stands.
I know what you're saying, believe me. But as far as fans choosing to wait in the cold themselves, I'm afraid we don't have much choice unless Paul would like to schedule us in sometime on a spring afternoon between lunch and dinner
***That would be nice. Seriously, tho, the choice is not to.
What I'm getting at is, we have to take advantage of whatever meager opportunity is there, when it's available. These stars act like you can always come back another time when they're in the mood; well, it doesn't always work that conveniently. If I live to be 100, those two encounters with Paul McCartney may be the only opportunities I'll ever get.
***Which is still more than the vast majority of his fans will ever get.
I know this sounds harsh and I apologize for that. When I first posted the stories my aim wasn't to "prove anything," but merely to tell interesting stories to Beatles Fans on the Beatles Forum.
***I understand, and agree...I enjoyed your stories immensely. I did not feel you needed to prove anything...but (here it somes)...neither does Paul.
***Like George said, they gave their nervous systems. Like John said, the fans got it all, there was nothing left for them to give. So why demand that they do?
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!
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Great story Joe!
