Beatles Week - The Beatles,Paul McCartney Feature Review
Photos:Elly Roberts
Feature Review
Monday 20 November
Part planned, part co-incidence, Monday 20 –Friday 24 November was a momentous week as a music fan and journalist.
First came the much anticipated release of the ‘new’ Beatles album LOVE on Monday 20 November.
This stunning re-worked album, tailored for the Cirque de Soliel’s production at the Mirage in Las Vegas has been masterfully produced by legendary Beatles producer George Martin and son Giles. It had arrived a week before its release so I could review it on the train en route to London.
In preparation for my anticipated meeting with Paul McCartney at the Virgin Mega Store in London, I needed to grab his attention for my Beatles Commemorative Plaque Project Wales. Knowing in advance there was little time to promote my project, I had the plaque image printed on a T-shirt. I took all day to sort out but was finished by 6.30pm Monday. Just the job - it looked brilliant.
Tuesday 21 November
Down to London – a two hour 10 minute journey. On arrival I headed to the Virgin Mega Store in Piccadilly Circus, to find a small crowd of about 13 people already assembled. They had slept overnight on the pavement. Having briefly interviewed the gathering I befriended fans from the USA, Holland, Spain, Japan and England. I was still waiting for my Press accreditation from Virgin HQ to meet Macca – it wasn’t looking good. Later I was told my application had failed, even though I was representing BBC Radio Wales for a live link-up later that day. The plan was that the fans would phone me at 6am to let me know the queue situation, so I could get in line early Wednesday before the store opened at 9am. Having hung around the store for nearly 6 hours, suddenly at 9.30pm there was word that entrance tickets were being issued by store security, for the following morning. The fans, who had suddenly become friends, knew my plight, so they allowed me to join their queue even though I wasn’t sleeping out overnight. Now there was no need for my friends to call me at the hotel.
Wednesday 22 November
Awake at 6.30am, I went for breakfast, and then proceeded to Piccadilly Circus, arriving at 8.30 only to see the store had opened at 8am, with my chums already inside. After a bit of convincing about my queue ticket, number 13 as it happens, they allowed me to join them inside.
For nearly four hours we waited patiently to meet Macca. Popping out occasionally, I was interviewed by reporters from The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express and London Evening Standard. Later in-store, I was TV interviewed by the Reuters news agency. Eventually, he arrived out of our vision – we knew he was there because of the media flurry – flashbulbs going ballistic. At around 1.15pm, I was quickly given security checks and was confronted by McCartney sitting at a table. I produced my CD and DVD for signing. My moment had arrived. Knowing time would be brief, I told him that The Beatles had performed at Prestatyn 44 years to the day on Friday 24 November, and I was unveiling a plaque to commemorate it. Paul said, “It doesn’t seem that long ago since we played there, “looking at my T-shirt with approval. Then I asked him to sign the DVD to Prestatyn. He said, “How do you spell Prestatyn?.. I don’t know how to spell it.” He did it anyway and he was correct. Soon back out on the street, we wandered waiting for his later exit.
About 2.50pm McCartney emerged through the side entrance of the store. Time for some quick pictures, and he was gone. Mission accomplished!
At 3.40pm I did my link live to BBC Radio Wales, where I was interviewed by a big supporter of my project, Alan Thomson on the Afternoon Show.
Thursday 23 November
The Beatles booking agent Joe Flannery and I were interviewed by Alan Thompson at BBC Radio Wales – a live link from Cardiff to the Wrexham studio. This was a preview of the Prestatyn plaque unveiling the next day.
Friday 24 November
With all arrangement made, it was the day for the Prestatyn plaque to be unveiled.
44 years to the day, The Beatles performed on a tiny stage at the former Royal Lido Ballroom, now the Nova Centre right next to the seafront.
In front of 200 fans, the Fab Four played 2 forty-five minute spots for just £30. They were the first act from Liverpool to play there. Beatles booking agent Joe Flannery returned to the venue for the celebration, also attended by Sharon Frobisher – town mayor, Nigel Acott town clerk, Ray O’Brien, Harry Thomas ( both Beatles historians ) Tony Booth ( plaque designer ) three fans who attended the historic show, The Cavern – a Beatles tribute act from north Wales who did an hour’s set similar to the original Beatles setlist, and around 50 guests.
Joe Flannery reminisced about the night, giving a 5 minute speech to mark the occasion. Local press were in attendance to record the event.
Finally, I’d like to personally thank all the people I met during this Fab week: for their friendship, co-operation and continuing support for the Beatles Plaque Project Wales.
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