1983
"They're not interested in me as a human being,
they are only interested in The Beatles - what guitar
I played on Sgt. Pepper and all that crap."
- George
January
 Linda's touring exhibition of photographs, drawn from her book Photographs, opens in Liverpool at the Open Eye Gallery, at 90-92 Whitechapel, where it is visited by over 8,000 people. (The exhibition has previously been seen in Australia and Germany.) To promote her new book and the exhibitions, Linda records an appearance this month for the BBC Radio 4 programme Woman's Hour. It is also reported this month that Paul, with most of the film's location work now completed, has spent time at Abbey Road Studios, working with George Martin, re-recording some of The Beatles' classic songs for inclusion in his film Give My Regards To Broad Street. Paul is now anticipating a November worldwide release of the cinema film, while his animated short Rupert And The Frog Song, is also pencilled in for a cinema release, as support for the third Star Wars film The Revenge Of The Jedi.
At the end of the month while in Australia, George visits Elton John, who has gone to see the English test cricket team in action.
Ringo arrives to collect his phone purchases at the Dixons electrical store in Bond Street, London, but he is told by the shop assistant that unless he is able to supply some identification, he cannot take the goods. He shows his driving licence and passport. Asked about the incident, a shop assistant says: "Ringo took our actions very well. He certainly has less cheek than the Duchess of Kent, who had been in our shop earlier to borrow a pair of headphones."
Sunday January 2
In England, Ringo's American TV special Ringo receives its UK premiere on Channel 4, almost five years after its US premiere on April 26, 1978. (See entry for that date for full details on the programme.)
Tuesday January 4
BBC1 screens the 50-minute documentary Beatlemania which takes a close look at past and present "Beatlemaniacs", many of whom are seen at the American and Liverpool Beatles fan conventions.
Saturday January 8
'The Girl Is Mine', a duet by Paul and Michael Jackson, reaches number two in the US chart.
Sunday January 23
While George is on his Australian vacation, a lengthy interview with the former Beatle is published in the Sunday Times. A short extract from the piece will appear in the Sun on Thursday.
Monday January 24
George, Olivia and Dhani leave Calcutta at 13:45 and arrive in Bangkok at 17:30 on Thai Airlines, flight TG312. Then, on Thai Airlines flight TG401, the Harrisons depart from Bangkok at 19:00 and arrive in Singapore at 22:10, where they stay for one night at the Mandarine Hotel.
In London, a pre-recorded interview with Yoko is transmitted on the Capital Radio programme Monday Matters.
Tuesday January 25
Yokp's single 'Never Say Goodbye', briefly featuring John shouting, backed by 'Loneliness', is released in America only.
George, Olivia and Dhani leave Singapore, on British Airways flight BA011 at 18:35 and arrive in Perth, Australia at 23:25.
Thursday January 27
The Sun newspaper reproduces an extract from Sunday's Times article, headlined: "I'm George, not a Beatle", in which he remarks about the press: "They're not interested in me as a human being, they are only interested in The Beatles - what guitar I played on Sgt. Pepper and all that crap!"
Saturday January 29
The 20th anniversary reissue of The Beatles' 'Please Please Me' reaches number 29 in the UK singles chart. Collectors are now on the lockout for a picture disc copy of Hawkwind's single 'Silver Machine', which, due a mix-up at the EMI pressing plant, features The Beatles performing 'Ask Me Why' on the B-side.
February
With the MGM/UA documentary The Compleat Beatles doing tremendous business on home video around the globe, sources close to Apple and the individual Beatles announce that their own, long mooted, Beatles history documentary film The Long And Winding Road, is now ready for release. In America, the former Beatles' aide Peter Brown, along with writer Steven Gaines, release the book The Love You Make - An Insider's Story On The Beatles. It contains several scandalous Beatles-related stories and is soon renamed The Muck You Rake by disgusted Beatles fans.
George donates his own private copy of the rarely seen 1974 Apple/George financed production of Little Malcolm And His Struggle Against The Eunuchs to a New York company who plan to screen the film at an upcoming New York festival.
Ringo and Barbara take Barbara's son Gianni to the London premiere of the film The Dark Crystal, but Gianni is sent home before the party afterwards at Hamilton's Gallery in Mayfair, London, where Ringo parties until way past midnight.
Wednesday February 2
Michael Jackson arrives in London to join Paul in shooting a promotional film clip for the track 'The Man'. During Jackson's visit, he stays with the McCartneys at their Sussex farmhouse.
Monday February 7
George's single 'I Really Love You'/'Circles' is released in America.
Also in America, Yoko releases her latest single, 'Never Say Goodbye'.
Thursday February 10
Paul, Linda and Michael Jackson attend the second annual BRIT Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. Paul receives an award as the 'Best British Male Artist of 1982' from the British Record Industry, an accolade presented to him by George Martin. The Beatles are also honoured for their Outstanding Contribution to British Music. Then, to complete a hat trick of awards, Paul is honoured with the new Sony Award, recognising his Technical Expertise. The evening is topped off with both George Martin and Geoff Emerick collecting awards for their work on Paul's album Tug Of War. Highlights of the event are covered by the breakfast station TV AM and are transmitted on the station the following morning.
Wednesday February 16
In London's High Court, a judge rules in favour of ATV Music in the case involving Paul and the executors of John's estate who had been seeking at least £5 million in additional royalties on some of their most famous compositions. A second action, filed today by Paul seeking full rights to ATV Music and therefore the complete Beatles music, is thought unlikely to reach the courts until sometime in 1984.
Ringo's £500 grant towards the repairing of a roof on the stable block and the renovating of statues and ornaments in the gardens of his 79-acre Tittenhurst Park mansion estate, is rejected by the Windsor and Maidenhead District Council. (The claim had been filed on December 8 last year.)
Sunday February 26
The Sunday Mirror publishes an interview with Paul in which he denies rumours that his marriage is on the rocks.
The Sunday Times publish an article called The Beatles And Us, which takes a fond look at fans who reminisce about seeing The Beatles at the Cavern Club in Liverpool.
March
Under a "Freedom of Information Act" request, Jon Wiener of the University of California in Irvine, obtains a series of heavily censored FBI files relating to the agency's actions against John in 1972. Wiener also receives 26 pounds of immigration data dealing with John's lengthy battle to remain in America, and sues the FBI to obtain the relevant information deleted from the files. The information he uncovers form the basis of his book Come Together published in 1984. (In 1991, an American court ruling orders the FBI to turn over the deleted files to Wiener.) Reports released this month indicate that May Pang is writing a memoir about her relationship with John between 1973 and 1975. The book features a provisional title of Was It Just A Dream?
EMI in the UK schedule for release The Beatles single 'How Do You Do It?' backed with 'Leave My Kitten Alone'. (The release fails to materialise.) In Manchester, Granada Television announce that they have completed editing a Beatles documentary, comprising archive Sixties film clips that had been languishing in their film library for almost two decades. The show's producer, Johnny Hamp, who worked with The Beatles at the time, reveals that, "Granada may well transmit the programme later in the year or release it straight to home video," adding that the show will "dispel a few myths". On completion of the production, preview VHS videos of the show are sent out to Paul, George and Ringo for their approval. Granada reveals that its first ITV screening will take place during October. (Its first public airing will actually take place in America on Tuesday July 12 - see entry.)
Saturday March 12
Ringo goes into a London hospital for a checkup and has to cancel a planned interview with a US TV film crew who are informed that "Ringo is unwell". Shortly afterwards, Ringo's secretary Joan Woodgate reveals: "He has passed his checkup with flying colours."
Friday March 18
In London, a compulsory winding-up order for Denny Laine Ltd. is served.
Wednesday March 23 (until Wednesday March 30)
The San Francisco Bay Guardian newspaper prints a fascinating series of articles entitled John Lennon And The FBI Files, in which they look at how the US Government were harassing John in the early Seventies. The reports also include reprints of various Government memos.
Saturday March 26 & Sunday March 27
George spends two days at the Long Beach Grand Prix.
April
Paul re-records the 1978 song 'Theme From Twice In A Lifetime', later heard at the close of the 1985 film of the same name starring Ann Margaret. Location filming for Broad Street resumes this month, with scenes filmed at an empty Royal Albert Hall in London and at the BBC's London headquarters, at Broadcasting House, in Portland Place. In addition, at a disused warehouse in London's West End, Paul, along with Ringo, Dave Edmunds and Chris Spedding, films an all-day jam session, which includes performances of classic Fifties rock songs as previously performed by Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly and Little Richard. All this extra work means that Paul is forced to delay the release of the album Hug Fo' Love until October.
The American publishers Simon & Schuster reveal that Fred Seaman has been paid a $900,000 advance for a "warts and all" expose book on his working life with John Lennon.
Wednesday April 6
Paul wins two awards at the first American Video Awards (AVA), one for 'Ebony And Ivory' as the best soul video and a second award for which former Monkee Mike Nesmith inducts him into the Video Hall Of Fame.
In Germany, a court orders Paul to pay the American equivalent of $282 per month to Bettina Huebers, a 20-year-old German woman who had filed a paternity suit in September 1982, claiming that she was Paul's illegitimate daughter. In order to disprove her claim, Paul offers to submit to blood tests or to any other tests determined by the German courts. Although Paul insists that he was not Miss Huebers father, the court orders that he continues to make the payments until the case is settled. Later, Bettina Huebers, besides making lucrative appearances on German TV chat-shows, also poses nude for an adult German magazine, claiming she did so because, in her words, "I needed the money after Paul had not made any payments to me." (See entry for Friday October 14.)
Sunday April 17
In the UK, following heavy television advertising the night before, the Sunday People newspaper prints a three-page article by Denny Laine's wife Jo Jo about her time spent with the McCartneys.
Tuesday April 19
London's Victoria & Albert Museum write to George at Friar Park expressing their interest in buying a Burne-Jones window they had seen during a recent visit to George's mansion in Henley-on-Thames.
Thursday April 21
The Daily Express reports that, "Ringo turned up at his son Jason's school fete with nothing but £50 notes for the 5p entrance fee. His chauffeur was sent home and found nothing, so instead ended up plundering Jason's money box for the coin."
Wednesday April 27
At the St. James Club in London, Paul and Linda join Ringo and Barbara to help celebrate the latter's second wedding anniversary.
Saturday April 30
The 20th anniversary reissue of The Beatles' 'From Me To You' reaches number 40 in the UK singles chart.
May
The McCartney/Stevie Wonder hit 'Ebony And Ivory' receives the award for International Hit Of The Year at the prestigious annual Ivor Novello Awards ceremony, held at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. This month also sees Paul winning an award for his album Tug of War at the German Phono-Academy Awards, called Bambi.
In the English countryside, near Henley, Handmade Films begin shooting the comedy Bullshot, starring Billy Connolly.
At Tittenhurst Park, Ringo completes the two-month periodical taping of the ABC-FM American radio series Ringo's Yellow Submarine - A Voyage Through Beatles Music, which is scheduled to begin transmissions on Saturday June 4. This month, the American National Enquirer magazine reports: "Ringo Starr ran up a $700 dinner bill for himself and pals at La Eaterie and then refused to give a tip. 'I don't believe in tipping,' he told dumbfounded waiters."
Sunday May 8
Filming concludes at the Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, on Paul's film Give My Regards To Broad Street. To celebrate, a huge party is thrown on the set for the cast and crew, with everyone present being given a crystal cut glass tumbler inscribed with the recipient's name and the line: "With Love From Paul & Linda". (Additional brief post-production filming on Broad Street is still required, and scheduled for July 16 [see entry] and 26.) It is reported that Twentieth-Century Fox will be the distributors for the film, which is scheduled for an America premiere on October 25, 1984, and in the UK in Liverpool on November 28, 1984.
Monday May 9
The Beatles' producer George Martin, promoting his new book Making Music, is a guest on this morning's TV AM breakfast show Good Morning Britain.
Wednesday May 11
In England, the Daily Mirror newspaper publishes an exclusive picture of Paul and Ringo, dressed in Fifties style, at a re-creation of London's Lyceum Theatre, performing in concert for the film Give My Regards To Broad Street.
Saturday May 14
George Martin appears on BBC Radio One plugging his new book Making Music.
Monday May 16
In Hollywood, California, Ringo and Barbara are pictured on the set of the made-for-television two-part mini series Princess Daisy, based on a story by Judith Krantz. They play the roles of gay fashion designers.
In England, an interview with Paul is published in the Daily Mirror in which he explains how he writes a song.
George Martin appears on BBC Radio One where he talks about working with Paul on the Give My Regards To Broad Street film.
Friday May 27
In an American courtroom, Fred Seaman pleads guilty to charges of grand larceny. He is sentenced on July 14 to five years probation on the condition that he never reveals the contents of John's documents and manuscripts that have been in his possession.
Sunday May 29
A revised edition of the two-hour radio special The Beatles At The Beeb is syndicated in America. This version features tracks that had not been heard on the original broadcasts.
June
After much discussion, Paul re-signs with CBS Records in America. The deal includes two more albums, one of which is Pipes Of Peace. This month, an interview with Paul is published in the American Parade magazine.
In the States, Johnny Carson's Carson Productions purchase from Yoko the exclusive rights to produce the TV film Imagine - The Story Of John Lennon & Yoko Ono. This will not be announced publicly until August.
Seel Street in Liverpool is chosen as the sight of Beatle City, the planned permanent museum dedicated to The Beatles. The provisional opening date is January 1, 1984.
Friday June 3
It is announced that this summer Abbey Road Studios will be throwing open its doors to the general public for the first time.
Saturday June 4
In America, Ringo's 26-week ABC Radio Network series, entitled Ringo's Yellow Submarine, featuring the former Beatle in the role of DJ reminiscing about The Beatles, begins transmissions. (The DJ links were recorded at his Ascot home during April and May of this year.) One memorable show features Ringo spinning the original Capitol Beatles "open-ended" interview disc from February 1964, while asking the questions himself. (The final broadcast takes place on November 26.)
Sunday June 5
A live interview with Paul, carried out on the set at Shepperton Studio, is transmitted on MTV in America.
Monday June 6
George earns praise in the Soviet newspaper Sovietskaya Rossiya for his musical abilities and concern for the Third World. The paper notes his 1971 charity concert for the people of Bangladesh.
Tuesday June 7
As Paul's train pulls into London's Charing Cross station, he spots an elderly woman struggling with a heavy suitcase and volunteers to help. Climbing into his waiting chauffeur driven silver Volvo car, he calls out to her, "You'll be all right now" as the car drives away. The lady, thinking Paul was a porter, had given him a tip.
Thursday June 16
Ringo's album Old Wave is released in Germany. A single featuring the tracks 'In My Car'/'As Far As We Can Go', is also released today in the country. The album is also released in several other countries as well, including Canada on June 24 but not in the US or UK.
In England, at BBC Broadcasting House in London, Paul records an interview with Simon Bates for his BBC Radio One show, during which he talks about Broad Street, his upcoming Pipes Of Peace album and also sings the Radio One jingle. (The feature is transmitted the following day, on Friday June 17.) Paul spends the rest of this month recording in London at George Martin's AIR Studios.
Saturday June 18
In America, the Westwood One radio station celebrates Paul's birthday by transmitting in its Startrack Profile series, a special programme entitled Paul McCartney - The Solo Years.
Monday June 20
An interview with Yoko is published in the New York Post.
Sunday June 26
An interview with Paul is published in Parade magazine.
July
At the Hit Factory recording studios in New York, Yoko returns to the Double Fantasy leftover tracks with a view to issuing them as an album.
George appears in the American magazine Ford Times, in which he is seen sitting on the bonnet of Ford's new 4-wheel drive Bronco II car in Hawaii.
Paul records an interview intended for airing on London hospital radio stations only. The programme is called Paul McCartney's Bedside Manners.
Monday July 4
Paul is seen at AIR Studios in Oxford Street, London. On the completion of these sessions, he flies off to Montserrat to record at George Martin's studios, where he records a demo of 'My Darkest Hour' for Frankie Miller.
Friday July 8
In London at 12:30pm , introduced by the Abbey Road Managing Director Ken Townsend, the first public airing of The Beatles At Abbey Road video presentation takes place in Studio 2 for the benefit of 200 members of the press and TV. The 75-minute (two-part) show features narration from the Capital Radio DJ Roger Scott, and a host of previously unheard Beatles studio outtakes and rarely seen archive film clips. Among the American television crews invited are MTV and ABC TV. (The show will not open to the general public until Monday July 18.)
In the UK, Warner Home Video release, on rental only, Ringo's 1981 comedy film Caveman.
Monday July 11
Two days after unveiling the tracks for the press, EMI's Abbey Road Studios in London announces the "finding" of some previously unreleased Beatles recordings, namely 'How Do You Do It?', 'That Means A Lot', 'If You've Got Troubles' and 'Leave My Kitten Alone'. Of course, they had not just been "discovered" at all: this is all part of the promotion for the upcoming The Beatles At Abbey Road studio presentations. (See entry for Monday July 18.)
Tuesday July 12 (until September 17-3 shows a day)
Granada Television's Beatles archive clips documentary, now titled, The Beatles Early Days, receives its world premiere screening at New York's Museum of Broadcasting, at One East 53rd Street. Accompanying the programme is a compilation of Beatles films from the Museum's own personal collection, such as their Ed Sullivan Show appearances (1964-1966), and excerpts from The Beatles performance in Washington on February 11,1964.
Saturday July 16
In the early hours of the morning, outside London's Leicester Square tube station, near the Talk Of The Town, Paul, sporting a three-day growth of beard and dressed in a pair of dirty jeans and T-shirt, is filmed "busking", with an acoustic guitar for a scene intended for the movie Give My Regards To Broad Street.
Monday July 18
"Abbey Road Studios Presents The Beatles - Come and experience the magic of Number Two studio where The Beatles recorded from 1962-69. This is a unique opportunity for a limited period to see an exciting and unusual video with original sound recordings of The Beatles At Abbey Road. Recording equipment will be on display, records, books and souvenirs on sale, and refreshments provided." - EMI Promotional handout.
In London, EMI open Abbey Road's Number Two studio to the general public for a special 75-minute video programme, entitled The Beatles At Abbey Road, which is presented three times daily (10:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm) for a limited period until September 11. (Tickets are priced at £4.50 each.) The presentation includes the first public airing of two of the four tracks ('How Do You Do It?' and 'Leave My Kitten Alone') allegedly discovered by EMI just one week previously. The show also offers a chance to examine the original recording equipment used by The Beatles during their time at the studios in the Sixties. In the audience at the opening night are members of Paul's MPL staff and the parents of Olivia Harrison. As the Abbey Road show continues, Paul, once enthusiastic about the presentation, becomes distressed because Beatles fans gather outside his Cavendish Avenue home before and after the shows. As a result, Paul offers to buy up all the remaining tickets for the shows.
According to the sleeve notes on the back of the Sessions bootleg album: "On one particular night, after Paul McCartney had finished work at EMI's new penthouse studio, he quietly slipped into the audience after the lights had gone down and watched most of the show, making sure to disappear in time before the end. He apparently enjoyed listening to The Beatles' classic material, and alerted George and Ringo who were treated to a private viewing. After George had listened to himself recording the first take of 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', he immediately asked EMI to release the track as soon as possible."
Saturday July 23
Linda's Photographs exhibition opens at the Barry Stem galleries at 12 Mary Place, Paddington, New South Wales, Australia. It will run until August 12.
Monday July 25
Paul, George and Ringo are seen enjoying a quiet drink together in the bar of the Gore Hotel in Queen's Gate, Kensington, in London.
Tuesday July 26
Paul returns to the Elstree Film Studios in Hertfordshire to supervise the brief post-production shooting of scenes for inclusion in Give My Regards To Broad Street.
Sunday July 31
MTV in America broadcasts an interview with Peter Brown and Steven Gaines to promote their new Beatles expose book The Love You Make.
August
In America, Johnny Carson's Carson Productions announce plans for a three-hour TV film about John's life with Yoko, tentatively titled Imagine: The Story Of John And Yoko. American publishers Simon & Schuster announce that they will not be publishing Fred Seaman's memoirs of his life working with the Lennons. Seaman, meanwhile, announces that he will assist Albert Goldman on his biography on John.
At the start of the month, important members of the EMI staff are invited to MPL's Soho Square offices to hear Paul's new album, which will now be titled Pipes Of Peace. In the second week of the month, Paul and Linda visit Hampton, New Jersey, where he is seen jogging around the town. This month, an interview with Paul is published in the Liverpool music paper Break Out while his former musical partner Denny Laine is declared bankrupt, apparently with debts totalling $40,000.
Ringo and Barbara are found in the Caribbean, discussing plans for a multi-million pound development to provide holiday hideaway homes for extremely rich celebrities. Also this month, Ringo joins George at the London premiere of the film Superman III starring Christopher Reeve.
In England, Titbits magazine runs a story publicising the existence of a priceless audio tape featuring The Beatles and Elvis Presley, recorded during their famous meeting at Elvis' rented Bel Air, California, home on August 27, 1965.
Thursday August 4
The Baldwin/Wallace college radio station BW88 in Berea, Ohio, Texas, broadcasts a Yoko Ono marathon programme, which includes an exclusive interview with the Lennons' personal assistant Elliot Mintz.
Saturday August 6
Paul returns to Liverpool where he has lunch with his brother Mike at the Armadillo tea rooms in the city. Paul later flies on to New York where he begins legal action against bootleggers who have released The Beatles' unreleased 1964 version of 'Leave My Kitten Alone'.
Saturday August 13
In Hawaii, George is sued for £26 million by two of his neighbours, who claim that he has ruined their reputation. After the hearing, which involves a "rights-of-way" path near his property, George screams to reporters: "Have you ever been raped? I'm being raped by all these people." Apparently, George had requested that the path in question be moved to one side of his 24-acre Hawaiian property, but the judge rules that the path, which is currently 60 feet from Harrison's residence, should be moved, but only 125 feet from George's house. After the hearing, the former Beatle remarks to the reporters: "Privacy is the single most important thing in my life!"
Monday August 22
A rare television screening of the 1965 concert film The Beatles At Shea Stadium occurs when several Public Broadcasting Stations in America screen the 48-minute programme.
Friday August 26 (until Friday September 2)
Paul joins George Martin for recordings at AIR Studios in Oxford Street, London.
Sunday August 28
At the annual Mersey Beatle Convention in Liverpool, original bricks from the Cavern Club in Mathew Street are sold to raise money for the Strawberry Fields children's community home in Liverpool. At the conclusion of the convention on Monday August 29, Paul, Linda and family arrive in their car at the Adelphi Hotel where they had arranged to pick up Victor Spinetti who was a guest speaker at the convention.
September
Exasperated by the media's addiction to scandalous tales about John, Yoko and Sean briefly settle in San Francisco, California.
At the end of the month, Ringo and Barbara are seen in the audience at the Hard Rock Cafe in London at a benefit concert for former Small Faces and Faces bassist Ronnie Lane, who has been struck down with multiple sclerosis. To help the cause and to aid fellow MS sufferers, Ringo and Barbara bid £1,250 for a ride on the train, The Orient Express. Also in attendance this evening are Ringo's former wife Maureen and her new husband, Isaac Tigrett, the Hard Rock's co-owner.
In Los Angeles, a few local cable stations begin screening a version of The Beatles' 1968 film Yellow Submarine complete with the 'Hey Bulldog' scene intact, a scene usually trimmed from US transmissions. Also this month, it is reported that the MGM/UA 1982 video documentary The Compleat Beatles has been certified gold, with American sales totalling over 25,000.
Thursday September 1
In England, the children's charity single, 'The Celebrity Selection Of Children's Stories', is released by Warwick Records and features sleeve notes by Paul and Linda.
At the Sotheby's auction in London, John's battered red and black Broadwood piano sells for £8,000 to an anonymous American buyer.
Tuesday September 6 (until Monday September 12)
In London, Paul and Linda host their annual Buddy Holly Week extravaganza.
Friday September 9
In England, The Sun newspaper reports that George is ready to fork out £50,000 for a greenhouse at an auction at Stanbury Park farm in Reading, Berkshire. The greenhouse was originally built in 1902 for a South African diamond millionaire.
Saturday September 10
The 20th anniversary re-issue of 'She Loves You' reaches number 45 in the UK singles chart.
In America, at 10pm (EST), the 1979 Concert For Kampuchea show, featuring Wings, is transmitted on MTV.
Monday September 12
George, who has not been seen on UK TV since he was interviewed by the DJ Nicky Horne on February 19,1979 (see entry), makes a very short filmed appearance on the BBC1 show Film '83, where he is seen on location in Henley being interviewed about his new Handmade movie Bullshot starring Billy Connolly.
Linda's book Photographs, previously released in hardback in September 1982, is released in paperback in the UK by Pavilion Books.
Tuesday September 13 & Wednesday September 14
A play about The Beatles called John, Paul, George, Ringo is staged at London's Young Vic Theatre.
In America, there is a Beatle rumour that the Beverly Hills designer Sidney Altman has installed a $3,000 carved oak toilet, somewhat like a church pew, in Harrison's Hawaiian hideaway home. Apparently, the ceramic seat of the toilet has been painted with flowers, on one side of the toilet a candle holder hangs and on the other side a gold chain hangs which is connected to a bell. To top it all off, when you lift the toilet seat, it plays John's 1967 Beatles' tune 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'. (During George's April 1986 Today show interview, he will take great pains to point out that this story was just not true!)
In Liverpool on Wednesday, proposals to make The Beatles Freemen of the City is condemned as an "insult" to the previous recipients of the award, which dates back to the nineteenth century. The plan, proposed by Liberal Councillor Miss Rosemary Cooper, a former Cavern Club member, angers fellow council member Eddie Rodsrick, who says: "This is an insult to the men and women, living and dead, who hold the title of Freemen." John Chambers, chairman of the Liverpool based Beatles Appreciation Society, welcomes the move, saying: "It is a tremendous idea. The Beatles deserve it!"
Thursday September 15
Ringo and Barbara are seen out socialising in London again, this time at a televised Variety Club party to celebrate Tommy Steele's 25 years m showbiz.
Monday September 19
An interview with Paul, comprising pieces left out of the August Break Out magazine, is published today in the Liverpool Echo.
Thursday September 22
Paul and Linda, alongside Ringo and Barbara, Eric Clapton and former Monkee Micky Dolenz, attend The Everly Brothers' comeback concert at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Wednesday September 28
The war over whether or not The Beatles should be honoured with The Freeman of Liverpool rages on. Paul's brother Mike has this to offer: "The Beatles may refuse the Freeman of Liverpool offer because the honour by Liverpool City Council has been so long in coming."
Thursday September 29
In America, Rick Smulian, the founder of R/S Distribution record company, announces that he is going to release a 30-minute Beatles album entitled John, Paul, George And Ringo, which features the Christmas messages The Beatles sent out to their fan club members between 1963 and 1969. Smulian reveals: "The project is strictly on the level, as the tapes were acquired from Pete Bennett, who was The Beatles' promotions man." (Asked about the tapes, Bennett claims they were given to him by John.) Smulian continues: "The Christmas messages were previously released on an album called Happy Michaelmas in 1981 by the Adirondack Group in Houston, Texas and their release never had any problems!" The Beatles are most unhappy about this new release. Yoko, through her spokesman Elliot Mintz, releases the brief statement: "The plan to release the record is illegal." Neil Aspinall of Apple in London, has this to offer: "The Beatles' Christmas material is still licensed. EMI owns all the Capitol material, but this is not EMI material. The Christmas records were given away, so the copyright is still owned by Apple and therefore The Beatles." He insists: "It cannot be used without permission of the four individuals, with one person (Yoko Ono) representing John's estate." (Shortly after Neil's statement, it is announced that representatives of The Beatles are to sue those involved with the R/S Distribution release of John, Paul, George And Ringo.)
October
Back in London, Paul gives a 40-minute interview for Radio GOSH, a British hospital radio station based at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. He also records a one-hour special for the British Hospital Radio Association.
Paul films a cameo appearance with Tracy Ullman for the video They Don't Know'. He is seen driving a three-wheeled Reliant Robin, with Ullman sitting beside him. (Tracy had asked Paul to appear after she had guested in his Broad Street film.)
The planned ITV network premiere of the Granada TV documentary, now titled The Early Beatles 1962-1965, fails to materialise, even though Paul has given his "Thumbs up" to the project. Both George and Ringo remain quiet on the subject. Asked about the non-appearance, a spokesman for the station announces that the delay is due to "finding more Beatles footage in our library, which we would like to use in the programme". (Soon afterwards, the station says a Christmas screening across the ITV network is now likely.)
After a delay of a year, Thorn-EMI finally release on home video in the UK Apple's 1971 film The Concert For Bangla Desh. As before, Ravi Shankar's section is severely cut.
Monday October 3
Paul's single 'Say Say Say', featuring a duet with Michael Jackson, backed with 'Ode To A Koala Bear', is released in both America and the UK, along with a 12-inch single featuring 'Say Say Say' (extended remix), 'Say Say Say' (instrumental) and 'Ode To A Koala Bear'.
Tuesday October 4 (until Friday October 7)
Over four days on various locations in Los Alamos, about 70 miles from Los Angeles in California, working with the director Bob Giraldi, Paul, Linda and Michael Jackson shoot a promotional film for 'Say Say Say'. For the clip, which features a production cost of over $500,000, Paul utilises nearby locations, including the Union Hotel where Paul is seen playing pool. Heather McCartney makes a cameo appearance in the children's foster home sequence.
Wednesday October 12
In Liverpool, after much deliberating, it is announced by the City Council that Paul, George and Ringo, and Yoko, on behalf of John, are to be invited to the city to personally collect their Freeman of the City awards.
In a spoof of the Compleat Beatles video sleeve, Palace Video in the UK releases the home video The Compleat Rutles, featuring the wonderful 1978 Rutles TV special, starring Eric Idle and Neil Innes. Shortly after the initial copies are released, the videos have to be recalled on the insistence of MGM/UA, who feel that the similarity between their Compleat Beatles and the Compleat Rutles are too close for comfort. Palace Video subsequently issues The Rutles video in a totally different sleeve.
Thursday October 13
Liverpool City Council, following the initial proposal by Councillor Rosemary Cooper, passes unanimously the idea to give to The Beatles the honour of being made Freemen of the City. (It is hoped that their investiture will take place in May, 1984, to coincide with the opening of the Liverpool Garden Festival.)
Friday October 14
At BBC Broadcasting House in Portland Place, London, Paul records an interview promoting 'Say Say Say' for the BBC Radio One programme Saturday Live Show. He talks about the forthcoming Give My Regards To Broad Street film and how he loves The Beatles' Revolver album. (The session is transmitted on the station the following day, October 15.) Also today, blood tests carried out in London prove that Paul is not the father of Bettina Huebers. Professor Volkmar Schneider, who flew in especially to carry out the tests, confirms to reporters: "There is no mistake," adding, "Paul has been most helpful in assisting me with the tests."
Monday October 17
The release of Paul's album Pipes Of Peace is delayed in the UK. Sources close to Paul reveal he wishes to coincide the UK release with that in America, which is scheduled for October 31.
Tuesday October 18
In America, The Enquirer magazine reports that Paul has bought for Stevie Wonder, at a cost of $100,000, a huge hand-crafted bed, featuring a built-in stereo system with speakers at each of the bed's four-comers.
Thursday October 20
In London, Handmade Films' Bullshot, starring Billy Connolly and featuring a theme tune sung by "Legs" Larry Smith, formerly of The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, opens at the Classic Cinema in the Haymarket.
Tonight's edition of Top Of The Pops on BBC1 had been scheduled to include 'Say Say Say' but, due to Paul being unhappy with the soundtrack of the clip, he suggests its UK TV premiere should take place on October 27. An announcement to this effect takes place during tonight's Top Of The Pops broadcast.
Friday October 21
Yoko is awarded a court settlement of £120,000 from a neighbour who accidentally flooded her New York Dakota apartment. The neighbour, Janet Paterson, had forgetfully left her bath water running while she went out shopping.
Saturday October 22
A pre-recorded interview with Paul is transmitted on the BBC Radio One programme Saturday Live.
Thursday October 27
Even though an announcement was made the previous week saying that tonight's edition of Top Of The Pops on BBC1 would be screening for the first time the 'Say Say Say' video, the broadcast of the clip fails to materialise because the song has slipped down the UK singles charts.
Friday October 28
The video for 'Say Say Say' is finally shown for the first time on UK TV when it is transmitted on Channel Four's The Tube. Meanwhile, at the Milburn Galleries, in Brisbane, Queensland, another exhibition featuring shots from Linda's Photographs book, is open to the public. This will run until November 19.
Saturday October 29
Paul and Linda, in an exercise aimed at getting the film of 'Say Say Say' aired on BBC TV, make their first live television studio appearance since Wednesday December 19, 1973 (see entry) by appearing on the variety show The Late Late Breakfast Show, hosted by the DJ Noel Edmonds and transmitted from the BBC TV Centre in Wood Lane, London, on BBC1 between 5:50 and 6:35pm. They partake in a light-hearted question and answer session with Edmonds and introduce, as planned, a screening of the 'Say Say Say' promotional film. Unfortunately, Paul's first live television appearance in years is somewhat disappointing. Fans of McCartney blame Edmonds for asking Paul and Linda uninteresting questions, while television critics accuse Paul and Linda of ducking questions set by the host. Either way, the appearance does the trick and in the UK singles chart 'Say Say Say' rises from number 14 to number three.
Sunday October 30
In the States, Ringo and Barbara plug the new Princess Daisy TV film by giving an interview for the Dallas Morning News newspaper.
Monday October 31
As planned, Paul's new album Pipes Of Peace is simultaneously released in the UK and in America.
EMI's 18-month-old mid-price label Fame releases The Beatles' 1966 compilation album A Collection Of Beatles Oldies... But Goldies, featuring the exact same track line-up and cover design.
November
Paul appears in a pre-recorded interview transmitted on LBC, the London Broadcasting Company radio station.
The children's television producer Britt Alcroft visits Ringo at his Tittenhurst Park mansion to discuss narrating the new series Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends for ITV. Ringo, feeling that children today are more interested in stories about "dinosaurs with handguns", initially declines the offer but finally agrees to record for Britt sample narrations of five Thomas stories.
Tuesday November 1
Paul, Linda and family arrive back at Heathrow, fresh from their visit to Los Angeles, California.
Wednesday November 2
Ringo's wife Barbara talks about Ringo being a good father in the UK magazine Family Circle.
Thursday November 3
An interview with Ringo and Barbara promoting Princess Daisy is published in the newspaper US Today.
Friday November 4
In the UK, BBC Radio Four transmits a 20-minute documentary profile on Derek Taylor. Peter Marshall presents the programme.
In the UK, Paul Simon releases his album Hearts And Bones, which features 'The Late Great Johnny Ace', his tribute to John.
Monday November 7
In America, Ringo appears in a brief interview on the CBS TV show Entertainment Tonight to promote Princess Daisy. Later, the concluding part of the two-part NBC made-for-TV film, starring Ringo and his wife Barbara, is screened on American TV.
Friday November 11
Ringo records an interview in the gardens of his Tittenhurst Park mansion in Ascot for a special feature on Marc Bolan, for the Channel 4 music show The Tube in the UK. The item, which is transmitted in two weeks time on Friday November 25, also includes clips from Apple's 1972 film Born To Boogie.
In America, MTV announces that Paul's next single will be 'The Man', his duet with Michael Jackson.
The NBC TV programme Friday Night Videos transmits a newly re-edited promotional film for The Beatles' track 'A Hard Day's Night', which features a clever combination of the beginning and the end of the film.
Tuesday November 15
Paul writes the theme music to Richard Gere's film The Honorary Consul.
Saturday November 19
Tom Evans, former member of the Apple band Badfinger and half of the Ham & Evans songwriting team, is found hanged at his home in Surrey.
Monday November 21
Picture Music International and Dave Clark International release the first home video compilation from the legendary Associated Rediffusion/ITV pop series Ready, Steady, Go! This includes The Beatles' March 20, 1964, appearance performing 'You Can't Do That' and 'Can't Buy Me Love' and being interviewed.
Thursday November 24
An interview with Paul is published in the UK teenage pop music magazine Smash Hits.
Saturday November 26
The 20th anniversary reissue of The Beatles' 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' makes number 62 in the UK singles chart.
Tuesday November 29
In the early hours of the morning, Yoko and Sean arrive at Heathrow Airport from New York. It is Sean's first visit to John's homeland.
December
A low-quality CD of The Beatles' 1969 album Abbey Road is released in Japan by EMI-Toshiba, several years before EMI officially release The Beatles' albums on compact disc. This unapproved release, which is deleted in 1985, thus becomes the first Beatles album to be issued on CD.
Iain Johnstone interviews Paul at AIR Studios in Oxford Street, London, for the American CBS TV show Entertainment Tonight. Further interviews carried out by Paul this month include the 26-minute American special MTV In London and interviews for BBC Radio 1 with both Richard Skinner and Simon Bates, the latter for the programme Paul McCartney Now. During the early part of the month, Paul, working with producer Hugh Symonds, films a promotional clip for 'Pipes Of Peace' at Chobham Common in Surrey, which movingly recreates the famous Christmas Day truce of 1914 between English and German troops in France. The filming, which starts at 8am and utilises the services of 100 extras, lasts two days. On the first day, Paul, who had his hair cut especially short for the filming, arrives on the set at 6am and spends two hours in make-up. Away from the video, Paul records an interview with Capital Radio in London, in which he reveals that the mothers of both Pattie Harrison and Brian Epstein were most upset by Philip Norman's book Shout! Linda sends a £1,000 Fortnum & Mason Christmas hamper, and a note of encouragement, to the women anti-nuclear protesters camped outside Greenham Common air base.
Ringo signs an agreement to narrate 26 five-minute episodes of the animated children's show Thomas The Tank Engine And Friends for Central Television, the Midlands based area of the ITV network. An added incentive in the deal is that Ringo acquires lucrative shares in the Thomas The Tank Engine character.
Thursday December 1
An eight-hour meeting takes place in Yoko's eighth-floor suite at London's Dorchester Hotel with Paul, George and Ringo, reportedly in order to conclude the affairs of Apple. John's widow, in Britain for the first time since his death, has turned the plush suite into a mini fortress as she and the three former Beatles discuss how to split their multi-million pound empire. Yoko tells reporters: "I have decided I don't need all my possessions and am giving much away to charity." At the end of the meeting, at approximately 9pm, the three Beatles leave the building individually. Ringo, climbing into the back of a Rolls Royce with Barbara, is asked: "Are The Beatles going to get together again?" His reply is most direct: "Don't be daft!" Paul and Linda are the last to leave, climbing into the back of their Mercedes without uttering a word. The following morning, Yoko and Sean travel on to Tokyo, Japan where they spend Christmas at a seaside resort.
In America, the first of a two-part interview with Paul is transmitted on CBS TVs Entertainment Tonight. (Part two is aired on Sunday December 4.) Still Stateside, a further interview promoting Pipes Of Peace is aired on the WGCL Cleveland radio programme The Source.
Saturday December 3
Paul gives a one-hour interview to the DJ Simon Bates for inclusion on his BBC Radio One morning show, where he talks about Pipes Of Peace, track by track. Paul reveals that he burned his copy of The Beatles' expose book The Love You Make written by the former Beatles' aide Peter Brown.
Monday December 5
The album Heart Play - Unfinished Dialogue, featuring excerpts from John's September 1980 Playboy interview, is released in America. (The UK release takes place on December 16.)
Paul and Michael Jackson's single 'Say Say Say' reaches number one in America. Paul's single 'So Bad'/'Pipes Of Peace' is released in America. (In the UK, the single is released with the A and B-sides reversed.)
Tuesday December 6
Another exhibition for Linda's Photographs takes place at Molly Barnes Gallery in Los Angeles, California. This will run until January 15,1984.
Thursday December 8
On the third anniversary of John's tragic death May Pang, his former lover, is a guest on TV AM, the breakfast show serving the ITV network.
Sunday December 11
In America, MTV broadcasts their recently conducted interview with Paul in a 26-minute special programme called MTV In London.
WGCL in Cleveland rebroadcasts, in a special programme called John Lennon - A Day On The Radio, John's February 13, 1975 radio interview with Scott Muni on the New York radio station WNEW.
Tuesday December 13
In the UK, Paul appears in a pre-recorded filmed interview to promote 'Pipes Of Peace' on the Tyne-Tees children's ITV Network pop programme Razzmatazz (broadcast between 4:21 and 4:44pm).
Wednesday December 14
Paul appears, in a pre-recorded filmed insert, on the BBC1 programme Harty, hosted by Russell Harty. During his appearance, Paul is seen with George Martin mixing the track 'Pipes Of Peace' at Martin's AIR Studios in Oxford Street, London.
Friday December 16
Paul is interviewed by Leslie Ash on the UK TV Channel 4 pop-music show The Tube (broadcast between 5:31 and 6:59pm). The feature begins outside AIR Studios in Oxford Street, where Paul joins Leslie in a London cab, which arrives at Regent's Park. The interview concludes with Paul giving her a guided tour of the zoo in the park.
Polydor records, in the UK, release the album Heartplay - Unfinished Dialogue, which features a 42-minute extract from John's marathon 22-hour Playboy interview in September 1980 (see entry).
Sunday December 18 (until Saturday December 24)
London Wavelength's BBC Rock Hour broadcasts over seven days, as further promotions for 'Pipes Of Peace', a pre-recorded one-hour interview with Paul carried out by Sarah Ward of WMMS Cleveland, Ohio.
Friday December 23
In America, NBC TV broadcasts the first half of a pre-taped interview with Paul on the show Friday Night Videos. The programme also includes the promotional films for both 'Say Say Say' and 'Pipes Of Peace'. The second half of the interview is transmitted on Friday January 27, 1984.
Sunday December 25
A pre-recorded Christmas interview with Paul, carried out by Allan Banks, is transmitted across Europe on the German BFBS Radio station.
Monday December 26
A one-hour Boxing Day radio special entitled The Beatles At Christmas is transmitted in England on BBC Radio Two between 1:00 and 1:59pm.
Saturday December 31
A pre-taped 40-minute interview with Paul is transmitted on the Signal radio station.
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