There's a terrific profile of Paul McCartney in The New Yorker this week. It was written by John Colapinto. When asked who's your favorite Beatle, I've been pretty consistent in saying " It's Paul. "
Even though I know it would be cool to say, " John. "
John was the dark side of The Beatles phenomenon. Paul was the light. After founding Wings, he morphed into his Lite period.
But I've always been drawn to Paul. I've had dreams about him. About meeting him at parties and seeing him boarding a train. In the New Yorker profile, Colapinto writes of the role Paul played during the filming of Let It Be.
" McCartney is shown repeatedly trying, and failing, to inspire comaradarie and excitement in his bandmates. "
Joseph Campbell, who wrote about myths and gods, wrote that John Lennon was ( and probably still is ) a god. But for me? Paul is that, too. He has a new CD on the shelves next Tuesday. I'll be buying it.
11 comments:
Terry--Several months back, there was a huge flap about someone from a gossip column daring to suggest that Paul McCartney, SIR Paul, that is, had been violent with his estranged wife (perhaps ex-wife by then), Heather Mills (that gold digger...).
I attended a public forum on domestic violence locally, and the writer and former prosecutor Linda Fairstein, featured speaker, called attention to this piece which had appeared in the Daily News. She called Paul her favorite Beatle, and like everyone else, she dismissed this as a personal attack with no basis. How could anyone ever take such an outrageous statement seriously?
I remembered way back to the summer I hitchhiked around Europe, 1971, and found myself in London at the flat of some people I had met on the boat from Ireland. One of the guys was somewhat involved with the Liverpool music scene, and he casually mentioned that the word out in that inner circle was that Paul had been beating Linda up...all was not well with everyone's favorite, genial, charming Beatle. No one reacted, this being 1971...
I didn't remember this conversation until I read about this Mills accusation so many years later. Now that I know so much about the issue of domestic violence, it isn't surprising that EVEN Paul McCartney could be an abuser...
Linda Fairstein's jaw dropped.
Like so many of the stories out there of women who have suffered at the hands of their controling (mental and physical) abusers, people tend to disbelieve those who tell their stories...
The issue of domestic violence is so complicated, and yes, I have no idea if Paul McCartney is an abusive person...
Just thought I'd share that one with you!
My favorite Beatle was Pete Best. How's that for cool?
Very interesting. I recall from my police beat days how the demographic of domestic violence isn't what many think it is. It cuts across class lines. Yes, even Sir Paul could be guilty of this. It's ironic. The rich/famous have the luxury of being able to say, " Oh that's just one more lie they're telling about me in the tabloids. " And leave it at that.
And, of course, they pay people millions to maintain a certain image. Who knows, who really knows, what kind of man ( and husband ) Bruce Springsteen, for instance, is? What we know is what we see. And what we see is controlled. Sir Paul has been doing this media thing for 50 years. The New Yorker profile kinda gets closer to the bone, but still. It's apparent, reading it, that McCartney is ( almost ) in complete control of the interviews and the context in which they're conducted. Thanks very much for your story. And, you being the daughter of a newspaperman, and one who teaches a college communications course, your information - including that from your source from Liverpool - is valuable indeed.
Pretty cool, Terry ( The one from Connecticut, western CT ) And my favorite British football ( soccer here ) star was George Best. Wonder if they were related? George, when I was living in England, was a rock star himself. A Tyrone Power lookalike out with a differenct " bird " every night. Alas, he died young and in disgrace a few years ago.
Pete Best! There's a great flick out about the Beatles years in Germany, performing in Hamburg, getting to know the fashion designer who suggested that they wear their hair that way...
I think it's " Backbeat. " Check it out. Pete Best is in it ( Guy playing him that is. )
Your right about Backbeat, it's a great movie. My favorite Beatle was George Martin. Without him I don't think the arrangments would be the same. Electronics and all that. It's was funny being in England five years after A Hard Day's Night. I felt I'd been there before. With the train stations and all that. Coo-Coo a Choo. Fred
I count myself in the Lennon column on fave Beatles. But my loyalty to him was sorley tested by revelations in the Goldman (?) book years ago- especially HIS treatment of women and his "don't you know who I am?" attitude, All our idols have feet of clay as they say In Paul's case, despite the lack of gravitas, who couldn't love him. However it's obvious he's had tons of "work" and colors his hair (meow) and that to me says a lot. If John were still here would he have had a face lift?
Paul admits to dying his hair, but a face lift? Pick up the latest New Yorker. The profile has a photo of him. If he's had work on that puss, he should sue for malpractice. He has more lines than Morey Amsterdam ( bad joke ) and the jowls of a bloodhound. And I recall you mentioning that book about Lennon. I'm still meaning to read it.
during the Queen's jubilee for whatever, oh 'bout six years ago. sir paul was standing about three people to her right. The lighting was just so. I am an expert in picking out nose jobs and face lifts- a rare but occasionally useful talent. Paul's face was like a Parkinson's patient yet his neck was like a turkey's- an indication that it wasn't the best work to begin with. These lifts don't last THAT long but I'll bet you that he has had it done...maybe a kuggle search?
Who would have thought back in the sixties that you, in Jacksonville, and someone like me, in Rhode Island, would one day be debating whether or not that " cutest " of Beatles has had face lifts. And there's a clip, if you Google Sir Paul, showing him being interviewed in 1963 or 64. He is, at one point, asked if he plucks and shapes his eyebrows.
Same as it ever was
you are exactly right- who would have thought we be dishing the dirt about one of our loveable mop-tops but that's what it's come down to and I'm the first to think it's pathetic...but kinda fun too. After all what else we got...talk about the grand kids?
Ya got that right.
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