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It's because of his hooter
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McBeardy the first time around...
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A Hard Day's Harrison
No real reason to share this photo except that I got in a lot of George photos earlier this year and I just thought it was too nice not to scan and share.
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Happy just to dance with you
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Hey Hey Hey ---Sara's review of the Paul McCartney concert in Kansas City
I wasn't supposed to see Paul in Kansas City, Missouri on July 16, 2014. I was supposed to see Paul in Louisville, Kentucky on June 26th. However, when Paul got sick and had to re-schedule the Louisville show, I was no longer able to travel down to see it. I really can't travel 6 hours south on a Tuesday in October. So I started to look for another date that worked for me in this tour and Kansas City seemed to be the best fit.
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I was not sitting on the floor for this show. I was in section 101, which is the first section past the floor seating. I had seats that were in the center and had a wonderful view of Paul the entire time. These were basically the same seats I had when I saw Paul in St. Louis in 2012. You really get a different concert from the floor and the stadium seating. When you see Paul on the floor, you are obviously part of the action. You are an active participant in the concert. He appears to make eye contact with you and those around you. Everyone stands for the entire concert and you can tell from the dancing and singing that the people with you are Paul fans and love him with the same passion that you do. When you sit up in the stadium seating, most of the people remain seated for a big part of the concert. They do stand a bit for some of the songs, but you are sitting for most of the show. There were times that I wanted to stand, but I felt like it would have been rude to those behind me. You feel so far away from Paul. While I could see him so well, there was a disconnect for sure. And you are sitting near a majority (not all) of people who like Paul because he was in the Beatles and Wings and are not familiar with any of his solo work. The plus side of having seats farther away is that you get to enjoy the show aspect. When I was sitting in the 4th row last year, I did not know that when Paul sang, "Here Today" it looked like he was standing on a waterfall. I was too close to notice it. However, by having seats farther back, it was neat to see. You can make out all of the photos farther back and enjoy the laser lights much better.
Paul sang most of the songs that he has been singing in concert the past few years. However, he has cut some of the Wings numbers to add in some songs from "New." He sang "Save Us," "New""Queenie Eye" and "Everybody Out There." I was sorry to see "Junior's Farm" and "Mrs. Vanderbilt" leave the set list. However, the songs from "New" sounded really great! I love the "New" background and Paul and the band really, really seemed to enjoy playing the songs.
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Some things that I noticed specifically to the Kansas City Show. Paul did not read any of the signs out loud. I saw all sorts of people down front holding signs, and I saw Paul pointing to them, but he did not ever look out and read any of the signs. Someone had thrown a pair of panties up on the stage and Paul picked them up and said something about how it wasn't a Tom Jones show and this had never happened before. I seriously doubt that in 2014 Paul McCartney had his first pair of women's panties thrown on the stage!! But it was a really funny part of the show. Paul seemed to be a bit more talkative between songs. He mostly stuck to his script, but there were a few little things that I think he added and he in general seemed to be a tad bit more chatty.
When he sang "My Valentine," he dedicated it to Nancy who he said was in the audience and he pointed towards her. I thought the KC crowd was extremely rude during this song. It looked like a mass exodus of people. Everyone must have thought "My Valentine" is a code song for "bathroom and drink" break. Actually, I was surprised how much people were leaving their seats throughout the concert. If it wasn't a Beatles song, it seems like people were leaving. There were some people in my row that were constantly coming and going. They were coming back with popcorn and hot dogs and who knows what else. Whenever I go to a Paul show, I stay in my seat the entire time. I do not want to miss a thing! Those tickets are extremely expensive! I can eat popcorn or go use the bathroom later---you only have so many chances to see Paul McCartney in person.
Paul messed up the words on "We can work it out." He sang, "Only time will tell if I am wrong or I am wrong...." He always seems to have a hard time with lyrics to that one. Overall Paul sounded good, but by the time he sang "Day Tripper," you could tell that his voice was getting tired. Personally I did not think "Helter Skelter" sounded very good because Paul's voice just sounded like it was ready to give out.
Of course the real treat of the night was Paul performing "Kansas City (Hey Hey Hey )" which he did instead of "Hi Hi Hi." He sang the "Beatles" version of the song with the crowd all doing the echo part. This might be one of my favorite personal Beatle memories of my life. Just something about singing the song Kansas City along with Paul in Kansas City----you just can't beat that!
If you haven't seen Paul during this tour, you have to go! I know it is extremely expensive. I know it is often in the middle of the week. But you will regret it for the rest of your life if you miss out on this tour. If you go and happen to have sensitive eyes, you will want to bring along some sunglasses. There are a lot of bright lights and strobe lights that go out into the audience. My mom has eye problems and the lights were really hurting her eyes until she got her sunglasses out of her purse and then she could see Paul and not be blinded. So if any of you have eye problems....I thought I would pass along that advice.
Have fun out there!
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*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt. Please ask before you use these photos elsewhere (and I always say yes!)
I was not sitting on the floor for this show. I was in section 101, which is the first section past the floor seating. I had seats that were in the center and had a wonderful view of Paul the entire time. These were basically the same seats I had when I saw Paul in St. Louis in 2012. You really get a different concert from the floor and the stadium seating. When you see Paul on the floor, you are obviously part of the action. You are an active participant in the concert. He appears to make eye contact with you and those around you. Everyone stands for the entire concert and you can tell from the dancing and singing that the people with you are Paul fans and love him with the same passion that you do. When you sit up in the stadium seating, most of the people remain seated for a big part of the concert. They do stand a bit for some of the songs, but you are sitting for most of the show. There were times that I wanted to stand, but I felt like it would have been rude to those behind me. You feel so far away from Paul. While I could see him so well, there was a disconnect for sure. And you are sitting near a majority (not all) of people who like Paul because he was in the Beatles and Wings and are not familiar with any of his solo work. The plus side of having seats farther away is that you get to enjoy the show aspect. When I was sitting in the 4th row last year, I did not know that when Paul sang, "Here Today" it looked like he was standing on a waterfall. I was too close to notice it. However, by having seats farther back, it was neat to see. You can make out all of the photos farther back and enjoy the laser lights much better.
Paul sang most of the songs that he has been singing in concert the past few years. However, he has cut some of the Wings numbers to add in some songs from "New." He sang "Save Us," "New""Queenie Eye" and "Everybody Out There." I was sorry to see "Junior's Farm" and "Mrs. Vanderbilt" leave the set list. However, the songs from "New" sounded really great! I love the "New" background and Paul and the band really, really seemed to enjoy playing the songs.
Some things that I noticed specifically to the Kansas City Show. Paul did not read any of the signs out loud. I saw all sorts of people down front holding signs, and I saw Paul pointing to them, but he did not ever look out and read any of the signs. Someone had thrown a pair of panties up on the stage and Paul picked them up and said something about how it wasn't a Tom Jones show and this had never happened before. I seriously doubt that in 2014 Paul McCartney had his first pair of women's panties thrown on the stage!! But it was a really funny part of the show. Paul seemed to be a bit more talkative between songs. He mostly stuck to his script, but there were a few little things that I think he added and he in general seemed to be a tad bit more chatty.
When he sang "My Valentine," he dedicated it to Nancy who he said was in the audience and he pointed towards her. I thought the KC crowd was extremely rude during this song. It looked like a mass exodus of people. Everyone must have thought "My Valentine" is a code song for "bathroom and drink" break. Actually, I was surprised how much people were leaving their seats throughout the concert. If it wasn't a Beatles song, it seems like people were leaving. There were some people in my row that were constantly coming and going. They were coming back with popcorn and hot dogs and who knows what else. Whenever I go to a Paul show, I stay in my seat the entire time. I do not want to miss a thing! Those tickets are extremely expensive! I can eat popcorn or go use the bathroom later---you only have so many chances to see Paul McCartney in person.
Paul messed up the words on "We can work it out." He sang, "Only time will tell if I am wrong or I am wrong...." He always seems to have a hard time with lyrics to that one. Overall Paul sounded good, but by the time he sang "Day Tripper," you could tell that his voice was getting tired. Personally I did not think "Helter Skelter" sounded very good because Paul's voice just sounded like it was ready to give out.
Of course the real treat of the night was Paul performing "Kansas City (Hey Hey Hey )" which he did instead of "Hi Hi Hi." He sang the "Beatles" version of the song with the crowd all doing the echo part. This might be one of my favorite personal Beatle memories of my life. Just something about singing the song Kansas City along with Paul in Kansas City----you just can't beat that!
If you haven't seen Paul during this tour, you have to go! I know it is extremely expensive. I know it is often in the middle of the week. But you will regret it for the rest of your life if you miss out on this tour. If you go and happen to have sensitive eyes, you will want to bring along some sunglasses. There are a lot of bright lights and strobe lights that go out into the audience. My mom has eye problems and the lights were really hurting her eyes until she got her sunglasses out of her purse and then she could see Paul and not be blinded. So if any of you have eye problems....I thought I would pass along that advice.
Have fun out there!
*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt. Please ask before you use these photos elsewhere (and I always say yes!)
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Paul Limo watching --- What to expect
Part of what I like to do with this blog is to explain what happens in events that seem to be a "secret" in the Beatles community. I personally get frustrated by the lack of information that appears to be out there (pun intended) about some pretty basic things. So I try to tear down the walls of secrecy and get the information available to other fans. In Kansas City I waited for the "limo watch" for Paul and I thought I would let you all know what to expect if you wanted to "limo watch" in your town.
First of all, Paul does not arrive in a Limo. Everyone calls it "limo watching," but really it is "SUV watching." What happens is that Paul rides in an SUV (although who knows....it might be a Limo) into the venue. He will roll down the window and wave to the crowd. In total it will take about 10 seconds.
Paul usually drives into the venue around 5:00pm the day of the concert. So you need to get to the venue around 4:00pm and your first task is to figure out where Paul's car will be entering the venue. This really isn't that hard of a task because most venues only have a few choices and security guards standing around will most likely tell you the correct location. Or you can just look for a small gathering of people wearing Paul t-shirts.
The next task is to pick a side to be on. This is always a hard decision. What side will Paul be on? Will Nancy (or someone else) be on the other side and you won't see Paul at all? Pick your side and wait---and wait---and wait---
Eventually a man named Brian will come out Brian is Paul's security manager. He has worked for Paul for a long time and has said that Paul won't let him retire until Paul retires. Brian will inform the crowd of what time Paul is to be arriving. He might also tell you how many more minutes until he arrives.
Before Paul comes, you will heard the police sirens. Yes----Paul McCartney is escorted by the police to the venue. So, you can hear that he is arriving. As I said, the entire thing only lasts a few seconds, but it is extremely exciting. And if you are lucky (like I was) you can see him and get a few good photos.
I had my camera set to where it took 5 photos at a time in hopes of getting a few good shots. There were some people in front of me, but I was able to lean way over to the side and get my photos right before he went inside.
Here is some advice: there is no reason to bring albums to get signed. Paul is not going to stop the car to sign anything. Also there isn't any reason to bring a huge sign that you hold up over your head. Paul most likely will not have the time to read it and it just blocks the view of other fans.
It is extremely exciting to see Paul waving and to experience the entire thing and it adds to the fun of the concert! Have fun!
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First of all, Paul does not arrive in a Limo. Everyone calls it "limo watching," but really it is "SUV watching." What happens is that Paul rides in an SUV (although who knows....it might be a Limo) into the venue. He will roll down the window and wave to the crowd. In total it will take about 10 seconds.
Paul usually drives into the venue around 5:00pm the day of the concert. So you need to get to the venue around 4:00pm and your first task is to figure out where Paul's car will be entering the venue. This really isn't that hard of a task because most venues only have a few choices and security guards standing around will most likely tell you the correct location. Or you can just look for a small gathering of people wearing Paul t-shirts.
The next task is to pick a side to be on. This is always a hard decision. What side will Paul be on? Will Nancy (or someone else) be on the other side and you won't see Paul at all? Pick your side and wait---and wait---and wait---
Eventually a man named Brian will come out Brian is Paul's security manager. He has worked for Paul for a long time and has said that Paul won't let him retire until Paul retires. Brian will inform the crowd of what time Paul is to be arriving. He might also tell you how many more minutes until he arrives.
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| Brian is the short man in this photo |
Before Paul comes, you will heard the police sirens. Yes----Paul McCartney is escorted by the police to the venue. So, you can hear that he is arriving. As I said, the entire thing only lasts a few seconds, but it is extremely exciting. And if you are lucky (like I was) you can see him and get a few good photos.
I had my camera set to where it took 5 photos at a time in hopes of getting a few good shots. There were some people in front of me, but I was able to lean way over to the side and get my photos right before he went inside.
Here is some advice: there is no reason to bring albums to get signed. Paul is not going to stop the car to sign anything. Also there isn't any reason to bring a huge sign that you hold up over your head. Paul most likely will not have the time to read it and it just blocks the view of other fans.
It is extremely exciting to see Paul waving and to experience the entire thing and it adds to the fun of the concert! Have fun!
*All photos were taken by Sara Schmidt. Please ask before you use any photos elsewhere (I always have said yes)
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At the Paramount
What brought the fans into the paramount? The Beatles in A Hard Day's Night or the air conditioning?
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Between takes
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Studying his script
I have found another photo of John looking at his script---
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What way to make a livin'
As I have mentioned before, I am in a play this summer and we have came to the time where I have dress rehearsals and performances for the next few weeks. It will be in my best interest to take a break from the blog for a short time and focus on the play. I might update things if I can, but I am not making any promises.
The play I am in is "9 to 5: The Musical." I am not a fan of country music at all, but there is something about Dolly Parton that I like. She is a very talented song writer and I really do like the songs from this musical. I am playing the part of "Kathy" who is one of the secretaries that work with the 3 main characters. It is a smaller part, but it is larger small part if you can follow that. I have lines and I get to sing and dance. If you live in the St. Louis, MO area and are interested in seeing "9 to 5" here is the link to order tickets and to get more information. http://www.altonlittletheater.org/?page_id=203
One geeky thing that I enjoy about this play is that it takes place in 1979, and so every night I get to "go back in time" to that year. John is still alive as and I get to wear oversized glasses and polyester. It is just a fun time period.
Anyhow----I will return soon. I just hear from so many people who check this blog every day and I do not want anyone to think that I am closing down shop.
Peace and Love
Sara S (aka Starshyne)
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Movie time
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| Dee is going to see A Hard Day's Night! photo used with permission |
While researching some things about "A Hard Day's Night" in 1964, I found this adorable photo of a young fan with her movie ticket. I was able to track down the girl in the photo and she sent me a message allowing me to post her photo and she said, "I was 12. We watched the movie in a beautiful old theater in Erie PA." Here name is Dee and she went on to tell me that she bought all of the Beatles records, but sadly lost them to her ex many years later. She still loves the Beatles is is happy to share her photo with all of you.
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First grader is Ringo's new brother
The best meeting the Beatles for Real story of the week goes to King Tobias. King is currently 5 years old and is heading for the first grade in the fall. As an elementary school teacher, I guess I have a special soft spot for first grade Beatlemaniacs. I just think King is a sweetie-pie and I would love to have him in class. Although, now that I think about it---being his teacher might not be the best thing because all I would want to do is talk Beatles with him. Haha!
King has been a Beatles fan since he was two years old. He only wants to listen to Beatles music and he is learning to play Beatles songs on the guitar. His bedroom is full of Beatles items. Why does he like the Beatles so much? Well--this is what he said in a recent interview, "I like them because they have good music." "They make music that's loving people, and don't want to hurt people."
King mom, Cali, has been battling breast cancer for the past 13 years and has recently learned that she also has ovarian cancer. My heart just breaks for her, and I pray that she remains strong and is able to pull through this with the help of the right doctors and medication. Cali, wants to make memories for her young son. So she got tickets to see Ringo in concert with King at the recent show in San Jose. Well---somehow phone calls were made and she was able to pull the right strings to get to go backstage and meet Ringo Starr!! Whoo hoo!!! Way to go King and Cali!
When King met Ringo, he said "Hey, brother, give me a hug." He told the young man that they were now brothers. And how he went from having zero brothers to four. Then Ringo allowed to play his drums! Ringo asked Cali how long had King been playing the drums, and when he heard that it was his very first time playing them, he couldn't believe it.
What a sweet story and what a memory for this boy to have of meeting one of the Beatles with his mom. I am sure that it is a memory that King will cherish for his entire life. The mother and son are going to see Paul McCartney in San Fransisco next month and King got special permission to miss the first day of 1st grade to attend.
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Hear me on the radio tomorrow!
I realize that this is a bit of short notice, but I have been super busy, as you all know. I wanted all of you to know that I am going be on the radio tomorrow at 3pm (central time) and it is going to be a live broadcast with call in questions! Lanea Stagg of Recipe Records is going to be interviewing me for her blogtalk radio podcast.
I will be talking about this blog and telling some of my favorite stories that have appeared on it. If you miss the live broadcast, it will be saved and you can listen to it later.
Here is a link about the information and how you can listen! Lanea really makes me sound like someone super special!
http://rockblocks3.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-sara-schmidt-real-school-teacher.html
I gotta run---it is the opening night of the musical and I need to be there in 15 minutes! Ahhhh! Where did the time go?
I will be talking about this blog and telling some of my favorite stories that have appeared on it. If you miss the live broadcast, it will be saved and you can listen to it later.
Here is a link about the information and how you can listen! Lanea really makes me sound like someone super special!
http://rockblocks3.blogspot.com/2014/07/meet-sara-schmidt-real-school-teacher.html
I gotta run---it is the opening night of the musical and I need to be there in 15 minutes! Ahhhh! Where did the time go?
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I got my ticket
I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you an item from my Beatles collection. I bought this off ebay earlier this year and it is a ticket stub from a showing of the movie, "A Hard Day's Night." I love the fact that it is ripped a little bit, because it shows that it was actually used by a real fan and someone ripped the small part off the ticket before she went in to see the film. I also loved the tickets back then! They sure do not make neat tickets like that today!
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But what I really love about the ticket stub is that the fan wrote on the back of it who she went to see the movie with. Little things like this make Beatles memorabilia so awesome to me.
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In for the long-haul
These fans were ready to spend hours waiting to see the premiere of a Hard Day's Night! They have Beatles in magazines and maybe someone has a radio? Good fun!
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Screaming at the movies
Can you imagine going to see a movie and girls scream through the entire film? Can you imagine paying to see a film over and over and over again just so you could scream through the entire thing? I can easily imagine screaming through a concert and not being able to hear the band perform. However, when it comes to screaming through "A Hard Day's night," I don't really get it. Sure I understand being so excited that you scream at the beginning and even at some other sections. But the Beatles could not see you or hear you at the movie theater, so to scream through the whole thing just makes for a hoarse throat. However, while I say that in my rational part of my mind, I also know that there is just something about the Fab 4 that makes you want to scream. It is something that can't be explained, although many psychologists tried in the 1960's. The Beatles bring an excitement that no one else seems to bring. It just seems like the only thing you can do is either cry or scream. So all of you who screamed throughout the Beatles movies----you are forgiven.
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Beatles First Flick a Squealing Success
By Jack Jelsel
That singing quartet of moptops, the Beatles, will be at the Convention Hall in person on September 2. So the premiere of their first flick, "a Hard Day's Night" at area movie theaters yesterday was just a preview of coming attractions.
But what a preview!
Take the 69th Street Theater for instance (If it's still standing).
It drew some 1,600 fans of the British exports, including a 67 year old grandmother. They lined the pavement in two directions form early in the morning until the doors opened at 11:50am. the movie went on at 1:30pm.
During that 100 minutes a lot of money was made. A concession in the lobby sold Beatle buttons, Beatle pins and Beatle portraits in color. The largest color photos (24 x 28) were being snapped up at $1 per shot.
Purchasing such was Mrs. Selma Daniels, 67. She brought her granddaughter, Nancy, 9, to the opening.
Does she dig the longhaired Liverpoolers?
"Yes. They're clean cut kids," said Mrs. Daniels, above the din of another "We want the Beatles" chat by the anxious audience.
"Of course I did feel a little funny standing in line for tickets," the grandmother admitted. "I was afraid someone I knew would see me."
Patrolman Bill Gala was on the scene, just in case the pandemonium got beyond the squealing stage. "No trouble," said Gala, "they're really good kids."
An usher at the theater, Jim, 16, held onto the balcony guard rail as the first wave of wailing kids scrambled for seats.
The masses were 99.44 percent female, though an occasional fan of the opposite sex raised his head. John, 15, was one boy who braved the odds.
John, who sported a semi-Beatle haircut, explained over a bag of popcorn why he was there, "I like the way they sing."
Candy, 16, had another reason. "I guess it's just because I'm at the age when I need somebody to idolize," she giggled. "I think they're cute.;"
Her date squirmed. He wasn't a Beatlemaniac.
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| These photos were taken by newspaper photographers of fans inside of the movie theater watching "A Hard Day's Night" for the 1st time |
Beatles First Flick a Squealing Success
By Jack Jelsel
That singing quartet of moptops, the Beatles, will be at the Convention Hall in person on September 2. So the premiere of their first flick, "a Hard Day's Night" at area movie theaters yesterday was just a preview of coming attractions.
But what a preview!
Take the 69th Street Theater for instance (If it's still standing).
It drew some 1,600 fans of the British exports, including a 67 year old grandmother. They lined the pavement in two directions form early in the morning until the doors opened at 11:50am. the movie went on at 1:30pm.
During that 100 minutes a lot of money was made. A concession in the lobby sold Beatle buttons, Beatle pins and Beatle portraits in color. The largest color photos (24 x 28) were being snapped up at $1 per shot.
Purchasing such was Mrs. Selma Daniels, 67. She brought her granddaughter, Nancy, 9, to the opening.
Does she dig the longhaired Liverpoolers?
"Yes. They're clean cut kids," said Mrs. Daniels, above the din of another "We want the Beatles" chat by the anxious audience.
"Of course I did feel a little funny standing in line for tickets," the grandmother admitted. "I was afraid someone I knew would see me."
Patrolman Bill Gala was on the scene, just in case the pandemonium got beyond the squealing stage. "No trouble," said Gala, "they're really good kids."
An usher at the theater, Jim, 16, held onto the balcony guard rail as the first wave of wailing kids scrambled for seats.
The masses were 99.44 percent female, though an occasional fan of the opposite sex raised his head. John, 15, was one boy who braved the odds.
John, who sported a semi-Beatle haircut, explained over a bag of popcorn why he was there, "I like the way they sing."
Candy, 16, had another reason. "I guess it's just because I'm at the age when I need somebody to idolize," she giggled. "I think they're cute.;"
Her date squirmed. He wasn't a Beatlemaniac.
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The Fab Four Wizards
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French Art
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Sorry we hurt your field, mister!
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John is looking at you!
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