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Interview
John Babcock, in association with Al Wiman
And Roger Christian of radio station KWFB, Hollywood, CA
One critic tried to explain their success by saying
They have a sound which is today's version
Of the eternal cry of the youth
Still other critics place a lesser value of their musical appeal
And attribute their success to their physical appearance
The group's most distinguishing characteristic: the haircut
A cardinal rule, never show the forehead
I asked Paul if the group ever visits the barber shop
"You know, you notice when you've had a haircut
But you don't notice when we have
Well, you know, it's sneaky haircuts. Ah, those sneaky haircuts"
Those who would analyze the reasons
For the fantastic appeal on The Beatles often say it's their sound
Their accent and so forth, still everyone agrees
That The Beatles are successful. And of success
Paul McCartney says, "It's fabulous, the success and all that
But I wish people wouldn't think that because we're successful
That we're unapproachable. It is not true
It really bothers Paul that some people think he has changed
Since The Beatles became the rage of England"
I really can't quite explain it but when
I meet some of my old mates
They don't seem to be the same
They have a different attitude toward me
Perhaps they think that we've all gone big time since getting
Into the charts. I really don't know. But I know they're wrong
The Beatles have been exposed
To hecklers despite their popularity
In some cities The Beatles have been met with a few jeers
But they shrug it off philosophically as part of the game
Of showbusiness. On at least one occasion, however
The jeering got out of hand and three delinquents
Or 'teddy boys' as The Beatles would call them
Hurled objects at the stage
On this subject all spoke for one and one
Beatle spoke for all when it came to reaction
"It was just a minor group that threw them, you know
And we had four of them in the room in Melbourne
And they, they decided at the end it was a stupid trick
We brought them up and said
"Well, why did you do it?" and they said
'Well, every time we turn the radio on your records are on
So what can you say to that?"
Many a successful group of the past has fallen victim to what has
Become the established rule rather than the exception
Splitting up to individually pursue careers
I asked Paul if his group
The Beatles was really a compatible combination
"Well, we've been each other's friends for years now, a long time
And you know, I knew George and John at school
Nd so, we're just we are each other's friends, so we get along
We get along as well as best friends do which is lucky."
Is it luck, talent, timing, the breaks? I think it's a combination
Of all these things. And many, many more factors
But they all add up to spell success
And this very tangible commodity
Can often change one in the limelight
But I doubt very much whether it will change Paul McCartney
He still holds the same ideals high, still likes
The same things that he did when he was a boy
He's still very fond of art. In Paul's words
"I got my diploma in art
And I'm still very interested in this subject
I often sketch while we're on tour
That is when I'm not writing songs
Or go go-carting." And he hopes someday to earn enough
Enough money that is, so he can invest in a business
His brother's business. It's a hairdressing business!
Song snippet
Twist and Shout, Recorded live Sunday 8-23-64
At the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California, USA
Ahhhhh. Ahhhhh. Ahhhhh
Ahhhhh. Whoa! Ow! Ow!
Well, shake it up baby, now (shake it up, baby)
Twist and shout! (twist and shout)
Come on, come on, come on, come on, baby, now (come on, baby)
Come on and work it on out (work it on out, whooo)
Well, you twist, little girl
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