Meeting a Beatle

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 7:27 am

I got asked this question on a different thread, and rather than go off topic, I'll just respond here:

I met Paul McCartney in the fall at a book signing he did in Seattle for his children's book. It was a typical seattle rainy day and I was #164 in a line of about 700 people. We were told that about 300 people would get signed books, but that time was short because he had a show that night in Portland. We kept on waiting and waiting and losing hope in line because the line never seemed to move. Finally I got in the bookshop and inched closer and closer. Once I got to shake his hand and see hello, I understood what was taking so long.

I introduced myself and said that I was going to see his show in a month with my mom and gma. He said "Well, we better make sure we practice then, won't we." We chatted about a couple other things and he was just so nice and friendly and looked you directly in the eye. He handed me my signed book and I said thanks. I didn't want to take up a whole lot of time because I knew everybody was anxious behind me.

He stopped at #205 or something like that, but ended up getting in his car at the front of the store and standing up and waving to everyone for a good couple of minutes...so if you didn't get to meet him, everyone that was stuck inside still got to see him.

I met amazing fans in the queue...one lady had seen the Beatles' last show, while others were just lifetime fans.

Anyway...that's my story

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:46 am

Great story, great experience!

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 8:49 am

That should have been "say" hello, not "see" hello

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:33 am

If I met PM I'd have trouble seeing or saying. You were very lucky to meet Paul in such a civilized setting. It would seem that most of the time he's doing about 80 through life. Great story.

Wash you hand yet? Maybe you could do the Jackson one glove thing.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:45 am

No...I've got the book though. They were so strict about cameras (they told everyone to leave purses, phones, etc to leave them in their cars). There was a huge video crew there and the press. I wanted to just grab the camera man and say "I don't care how much the tape costs, just give me a copy!"

firstbassman · Post by **firstbassman** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 10:09 am

My PMac encounter is chronicled here:

http://www.rickresource.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi?pg=next&topic=63229&page=87299

helterskelter · Post by **helterskelter** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 4:28 am

Dad and a work colleague met him back in 1967 while doing some maintainance in one of the studios

beatlefreak · Post by **beatlefreak** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:34 am

I would love to be able to meet Paul or Ringo - Just to shake hands and say, "Thanks for all the years of great music!"

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:41 am

That's a great story Alisha.

I have one question. Never mind what has been published, how tall is he really? I have always wondered why celebrities fudge their height. Musicians, actors, hockey players, football players etc do it to some degree.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 6:52 am

He was sitting down at a table when I met him...but I did see him afterwards when he left the bookshop....I'd say 5'10 tops.

winston · Post by **winston** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:29 am

OK so he's in range of his published height. Good, so he's pretty down to earth on that score.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:37 am

Yeah. Paul was incredibly great. He had an additional book signing in Los Angeles and they told people down there that they couldn't speak with him and just to say thank you and move along (I guess to increase the number of people who could meet him). I can't say enough good things about him and our brief conversation. He's the only famous person that I've ever met...

I do know from a buddy who met Tom Cruise that he is 5'6 max.

brammy · Post by **brammy** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 9:40 am

>>> I'd say 5'10 tops.

and Paul was the tallest Beatle

>>> Tom Cruise is 5'6 max

yup if that, Cruise is a shrimp... not down there with Danny deVito, but still pretty short.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:01 am

I met Cruise about eleven years ago at his studio, when I was on my way into a licensing meeting. Having been in contact with them on a regular basis from the time I was about 30, I never acquired a worshipful attitude, but the person whom I was with nearly flipped when she saw him--and she worked at the studio! So introductions were made. I'm 6'0", and he's about 5'5" or 5'6"; I was surprised, of course.

There is apparently a clause in his contracts which refers to camera angles which cannot be used in filming him. He also has approval on co-stars, to avoid the inevitable showdowns.

Off-topic:

I have also been in meetings with OJ (pre-'95) and Schwartzenegger (pre-gov). Both are giants, and I can't say who has the edge there in size. OJ seemed very gentle at the time, but Arnold, despite being in a corporate non-smoking conference room with at least 20 of us, sat down and immediately lit up a big Cohiba. Half the people in the room turned green within 10 minutes; there was no way to open any window.

leesh · Post by **leesh** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:28 am

Very cool Paul!