Sneaky Haircuts And More About Paul

[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. And 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!
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Song snippet: Twist and Shout, Recorded live Sunday 8/23/64 at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, California, USA

[Intro]
Ahhhhh
Ahhhhh
Ahhhhh
Ahhhhh
Whoa! Ow! Ow!

[Verse]
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....