Jim Mccartney - Tumblr Posts
When Paul first invited the Quarry Men to rehearse at his house - and to meet his dad - he met them in town to walk them over. On the way back they ran into a sailor returning home on leave, who was really excited to meet a band, and insisted that they come to the pub and play him a song.
Colin Hall (the book's narrator) writes:
"It was an offer the boys could not resist, although Paul's face immediately dropped. This was the last thing he needed. He was reluctant to accept the invitation because he knew his dad was waiting to meet the Quarry Men for the very first time. To turn up at home with a bunch of lads about whom he'd told Dad so much, and whom Jim was keen to meet, but who were now likely to arrive 'half cut' was Paul's worst nightmare."
Colin Hanton explains how they had a couple of pints and sang the guy a song as they left. He then says:
"Paul was clearly anxious that his dad would smell the beer on our breath and frustrated that there was nothing he could do about it. John reassured him we would be alright, it was half a mile at least to number 20 and the walk in the fresh air would take away the smell of the pub and beer. Reassured, but not entirely convinced, Paul walked ahead of us while we followed."
I know it's nothing but I love Paul being "clearly anxious" around these early days and John being okay about it instead of awful.
The meeting with Jim and Mike went fine though, and Colin mentions: "We also learned that their mum, Mary, had passed away a few years earlier."
"After about an hour, as would become the norm for our many rehearsals at Paul's, the glass doors opened and Jim popped his head round to ask if we were ready for a cup of tea. He was very obliging like that and always struck me as a very pleasant, sociable, and friendly man. After Jim served us tea, we carried on for another half hour before calling it a day. I think, despite the beery breath, we had passed the audition. Jim certainly didn't throw us out or make any comments about the smell of beer, he couldn't have been more hospitable. Indeed we were invited back many times to rehearse. Being a musician himself and a former band leader, Jim understood the importance of a good rehearsal space in which you felt at ease. Rehearsing at Paul's house was always enjoyable, Jim was always encouraging, and his warm welcome allowed us to relax and focus on the music."
Pre:Fab! by Colin Hanton and Colin Hall
father & son // hard times - ethel cain
FROM MIKE MCCARTNEY’S EARLY LIVERPOOL
Cousin Bett, her son Ted, Paul and Jim McCartney at the beach in Filey, Yorkshire (August 1957).
Hunter Davies bio - Chapter 8: from Quarrymen to Moondogs
Jim Mac, tactful as ever:
"'I never thought much of the music Paul was interested in,' says Jim. 'That Bill Haley, I never liked him. There was no tune to it at all.
"'But one day I came home at 5.30 and heard them in the house playing. I realized then that they were getting good, not just bashing about. They were making some nice chords.'"
He tries to help but his musical aid is not appreciated, so he cooks for them:
"He found to his delight that although his own two, Paul and Michael, were very choosy about their food and were poor eaters – and when Paul was busy, he wouldn't eat at all – John and George turned out to be gluttons who would eat anything at any time. 'I used to work off all the stuff on to them that Paul and Michael had left.'"
Love this for them.