Meet A Beatle

[Pearlie]

Someone tweeted me this heartwarming story off the Huffington Post:
(copied and pasted)


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Seth SwirskyPosted: June 16, 2010 12:53 PM BIO Become a Fan Get Email
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Meet the Beatle!

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Share Comments 5 Dear Sir Paul,

I thought you might enjoy a story of what it's like when a very
longtime fan of yours has the opportunity to meet you, unexpectedly.

When I saw you running on the treadmill at my gym, it didn't register
for a good, long moment that it was you in the flesh. I couldn't help
but walk over -- not to get an autograph or a picture -- but to see if
the treadmill next to you was taken (it wasn't) in hopes that you
would allow me a "hello" or something.

Could you ever really know how deeply you affected so many people's
lives like mine? I was born to 18 year-old parents in 1960. They
bought Beatles records from the beginning in 1964, so I "got" it all
at a very young age.



A drawing of Paul I made at age 7, right after the release of Sgt.
Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.

By 7 years old, in 1967, I was taking guitar lessons already knowing
what I wanted to be when I grew up: you! By 8 years old, I was playing
"Hey Jude" and "Yesterday" in front of my entire grade school
assembly. At that age, I thought John was very cool, I liked George
just fine and Ringo sang "With a Little Help From My Friends" and
"Yellow Submarine," both of which made me feel as good today as they
did back then. But, you were the absolute coolest.

Inspired by you, I became a staff songwriter with Warner-Chappell
Music and EMI Music for over 20 years, writing hits for a number of
artists and becoming a recording artist myself. So, to have a chance
to even just say "hello" to you would have been a major life thrill.

So, back to the treadmill. I got on the one next to yours.
Inconspicuously. But I made sure I wasn't giving out the vibe that I
was just another fan looking for an autograph or something.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that you had turned up the speed
on your machine to seven miles an hour. That is really fast for
someone even half your age (nearly 67 at the time). I was impressed
and felt I had to at least match that!

So, I put the speed of my treadmill up to seven miles an hour and
scrambled in my mind for something I could say to you if you gave me
that ½ a second "opening."

Now, for the past five years I've been making a documentary called
Beatles Stories, which consists of filmed interviews I've done with a
myriad of people who have a cool story about themselves and The
Beatles. While trying not to fall off the treadmill, I was thinking of
who I've interviews who would impress you. Graham Nash? No. I needed
someone more personal to you, Sir Paul. Perhaps, Sir George Martin?
No. You've known and worked with him for so long. Mention of his name
wouldn't intrigue you. Sir Ben Kingsley, Art Garfunkel, Justin
Hayward? My mind was scrambling as I noticed you ramping down your
machine. Six miles per hour, five miles per hour...I had better think
of someone quickly...

Then, as your machine stopped and you started toweling yourself off, I
noticed you turn slightly towards me as if to say, "Ok, you look like
a Beatle person. I'll give you a chance to ask me a question."

That's when I turned to you and said, "Sir Paul, I'm making a
documentary and a few years ago I interviewed your original engineer,
then 83 year-old Norman "Hurricane" Smith (Norman was not only at The
Beatles audition in June, 1962 -- in which he re-mic'ed Paul's amp so
that they would pass the audition -- but he was their main recording
engineer for every song they did up to and including the Rubber Soul
album. In short, Norman helped make "the sound" of The Beatles).

I can still see how your eyes lit up, Sir Paul, at the mention of
Norman's name! I told you, that I really understood how 'you guys' --
as I said it -- could love someone like Norman, because, in my
afternoon at his home in Sussex, England, I too had instantaneous,
great affection for him. I remember telling you that my impression of
Norman was that he was like a favorite uncle that you loved because he
let you do stuff your dad might not. He'd be mischievous with you.

Then, you said, as we stood face-to-face: "Yes, you're exactly right.
We were young guys (as I'm thinking, THIS IS PAUL MCCARTNEY TALKING
ABOUT THE BEATLES!!!) that took a great liking to Norman. He was, as
you say, like an uncle to us, very playful and fun."

We talked a bit more about Norman and you stayed facing me, never
giving me the feeling of "Okay, you've had your Beatle moment now, now
move on."

Then, unexpectedly, you asked me my name as you put out both your
hands and took my hand and shook it. Then you said to me: "Thank you
very much for bringing up this memory for me today. It was a real
gift."

I couldn't believe that the man who had been the great influence of my
life was so decent, so kind, so human.

So, thank you, Sir Paul, not only for your unparalleled music but also
for being the really cool person I hoped you would be if I ever got to
meet you.

Sincerely,

Seth Swirsky


Seth Swirsky is a hit songwriter and recording artist, whose new
album, Watercolor Day, has just been released.>>>

[marcus]

<snip>

Very very cool!!!