Rome • 9.30pm show

CIAO PAUL

Renata Balducci of Via di Villa Emiliani, Rome, Italy, sent us this account of her meeting with Paul. It wins her 10 gns.

THERE were only few minutes that I was in a long corridor in the hotel Parco dei Principi in Rome in front of a white door, number 402 and already it seemed to me as if it would never end.

From the room came once in a while some bursts of laughter and after, silence again. I was able to hear the voice of my friend journalist who talked with THE BEATLES, and I was waiting to go into that room, when two boys came near the door. I saw George Harrison with Neil Aspinall and they looked at me. Astonished, I looked down and they disappeared into the room.

However, the door was opened again immediately. My friend beckoned with the hand to go in.

My heart beats hard. Shyly I stood forth into the room. I saw the four boys in arm chairs looking at me. I hesitated… Probably Paul McCartney understood it and so he stood up to meet with me. He shook my hand and smiling he said to me, “Ciao!“

Afterwards he introduced me to his three fellows who stood up and, making a bow, shook my hand.

Paul and I sat down close and we began to talk.

Unfortunately I understood only a little of what he told me because I was in rapture. I heard only his voice telling he was very enthusiastic of some food he had eaten here, in Italy: especially spaghetti and ravioli. I was smiling, looking at him while he pronounced those words that should appear so unusual to him.

MEANWHILE Ringo, sunk in his arm-chair, was out of humour because he didn’t like to stand up to have his picture taken. At last, incited by John and Paul, he submitted himself.

Then the photographer took some pictures of us and Paul got ready his thin, black necktie that was on a light blue shirt, with his hand.

We talked still a little, until John came near us and pointing out his watch, made us to understand it was time to go again to the theatre Adriano.

I thanked Paul and he, smiling, shook his head saying, “No, no!” Then I greeted him. I saw them leaving the room. Paul stayed one moment on the threshold for greeting me with his hand.

I sat down in the arm-chair again and closed my eyes. What a wonderful meeting it had been.

From Fabulous208 – August 5, 1967

The night the Beatles said no!

IN Rome this week, John Lennon. George Harrison and Ringo Starr refused to attend a party thrown by Brian Epstein to meet Noel Coward. Paul McCartney attended… Who guitarist Pete Townshend has new Belgravia flat in which he writes AND records songs. He has a stereo tape recorder on which he tracks guitar, bass guitar, lead vocals and then backing harmonies. One-man pop art!

From Melody Maker – July 3, 1965