McCartney Interview Releases

The McCartney Interview

Label Parlophone
Catalogue No. CHAT 1
Release date 23rd February 1981
Total time 54:13
U.K. Album Chart Detail : Entry Date : 7th March 1981
Highest Position : 34
Weeks in Chart : 4

Sleeve Notes : The Beatles were more than just the greatest pop phenomenon of our time - through their music, inspiration and example they became a kind of spiritual catalyst for our generation that helped to liberate our creative energies and open up new possibilities to us. So when Columbia Records offered us at "Musician:Player and Listener" magazine the chance to interview Paul McCartney, we were delighted - but also a bit sceptical, since the ex-Beatles are notoriously reluctant to talk about their time together.
Happily, the interview that took place in McCartney's London office was everything that we could have hoped for - and more.
For reasons he fully explains in the interview, Paul decided that afternoon to finally break what he called "the voodoo against talking about the Beatles". It was a fast-paced and cathartic conversation, ranging from the group's early struggles in Hamburg on through their conquest of America, including insights into "Sgt. Pepper", "Abbey Road" and McCartney's solo career.
After the interview was published in the August 1980 issue, Columbia suggested making it available on record, first as a promo disc for radio, and then in this limited edition for the general public.

Detail : This album was released on the 23rd February 1981 and deleted the SAME DAY !
This is the ONLY interview album featuring Paul to enter the U.K. chart, where it reached number 34.

The album features two photographs of Paul taken by Linda.

Secret Message
It is widely reported that this album has a "secret" message at the end of it. The U.K. edition does NOT have any such message. BUT, I do have a copy of the original U.S. issue on Columbia (PC 36987) and this edition DOES have a "secret" message in the run-out groove at the end of side 2.
It comprises just four words and confirms what John told us in Glass Onion.

Side 1 (29:38) - Paul Discusses :
McCartney II
Negative criticism of the Beatles and Wings
His influences
Venus and Mars - Wild Life
Band On The Run
Musical direction - Ringo - George - "Hey Jude"
"The White Album" - Tension - Helter Skelter
Abbey Road
Musical background - Trumpet, guitar, piano - Learning bass in Hamburg
Early Beatles mixes - Motown and Stax influences
The Sgt.Pepper story - The Beach Boys "Pet Sounds"
Rubber Soul - Revolver
Fame and success - Paul and John's reactions
Stage fright during the Beatles and Wings
How Wings started
New Wave - Early Beatles
Creating the Beatles sound - "Love Me Do" and early songs
Side 2 (24:35) - Paul Discusses :
The Beatles conquest of America
Beatles haircuts and image
Paying dues in Hamburg and Liverpool - Early tours
Weathering pressures - The break-up
Video of "Coming Up" - Reliving the Beatle image
Playing bass
Lennon-McCartney songwriting - Dislike of formulas
Beatles Imitators
I Am The Walrus - The Black Carnation - Sgt.Pepper L.P. cover
New Wave - Bowie, Ferry, Elvis
Pop music and radio
Getting Married - Changing perspective - Waterfalls
Give Ireland Back To The Irish, Hi Hi Hi - Banned songs - Children's songs - Mary Had A Little Lamb

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Paul McCartney Interview

Label Baktabak
Catalogue No. BAK 2003
Release date January 1987
Detail : A picture disc album featuring an interview with Paul made in September 1986 by Chris Salewicz of "Q" magazine.
The interview was also printed in "Musician".
It was re-issued later as Chat With The Stars: Paul McCartney ZUFG 003

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London and Rome Press Conferences

Label Wax
Catalogue No. BAND ON THE 1 / PM 7
Release date 22nd January 1990
Total Time 56:25
Detail : The Rome press conference is recorded 15th June 1989 at the Teatro Delle Vittorie, before Paul and his band appear on the RAI TV show Saint Vincent Estate '89 and lasts 29:36.
The London press conference is recorded at 1 o'clock p.m. on 27th July 1989 prior to a concert at the Playhouse Theatre and lasts 26:47.

These press conferences were actually released on a variety of special editions :
BAND ON THE 1CD - Limited to 500 copies, this box contained a CD, and two 5x7 colour photographs.
BAND ON THE 1 - Limited to 500 copies, this coloured vinyl L.P. added a 7" single (PM 7).
BAND ON THE 1P - A picture disc L.P. which without the single, did not include the full recording.
PM 7 - Limited to 250 copies, the single was released on it's own, on red, blue and orange vinyl.

The box is a 7" plain white cardboard box with two small stickers on the front. One is a 2"x3" copy of one of the free photographs, the other just has the edition number (mine is numbered 384).
The C.D. is in a normal jewel case within the box, and the two photographs are 5"x7" good quality glossy pictures

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Press Conferences: Madrid and Los Angeles

Label Wax
Catalogue No. TUGA 4
Release date July 1990
Detail : Side 1 - 23:25
The Los Angeles press conference is recorded 27th November 1989 at The Los Angeles Forum.
Paul refers to the recent Apple settlement with E.M.I. and actually states that the Beatles might perform together again. Paul also says that he has never written with George and would love to do so.
The following day George issues the following statement :
"There will be no Beatles reunion as long as John Lennon remains dead".
Side 2 - 21:28
The Madrid press conference is recorded 2nd November 1989 at the Palacio de Sportes, Madrid.
On the C.D. version ONLY, the Detroit press conference is added.
The Detroit press conference is recorded 1st February 1990 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

The album features two photographs of Paul taken by Linda.

These press conferences were actually released on a variety of special editions :
TUGA 4 - A white vinyl L.P.
TUGA 4P - A picture disc L.P. with a bonus 7" single
TUGA 4CD - A C.D.
PM PACK 1 - This is a set of four singles which add a further interview recorded in Rotterdam, released separately below.

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Rotterdam Press Conference

Label Wax
Catalogue No. PM 10
Release date August 1990
Detail : A 10" coloured vinyl L.P. featuring the Rotterdam press conference recorded 11th November 1989 at the Ahoy Sportpaleis in Rotterdam.
This interview was broadcast on Radio 1 over Christmas 1990.

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Liverpool Press Conference

Label Wax
Catalogue No. FORNO 1
Release date 14th December 1990
Detail : A release containing a press conference Paul gave in Liverpool on 28th June 1990 at half past 5.
During his conversation Paul talks of his plan to include a surprise tribute to John during the live show he will be giving that evening in the Kings Dock in Liverpool. He also discusses the Performing Arts School, Yoko's tribute concert, the Get Back film, and Friends of the Earth.
It is released in Coloured vinyl edition, a picture disc, and a C.D.
The C.D. is boxed in a 7" plain white cardboard box with two small stickers on the front, both can be seen above. It is released in a limited edition, mine is numbered 571.
The C.D. is in a normal jewel case within the box, and contains three 6"x4" photographs

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Press Conferences: Tokyo/Chicago 1990

Label Discussion
Catalogue No. LMW 281F
Release date December 1991
Total Time 34:45
Detail : The Tokyo press conference is recorded 1st March 1990 at the MZA Ariake Theatre, which is attended by 800 people and lasts 24:25.
At the start of the conference Paul sings "Matchbox".
This event is also broadcast live on Japanese T.V. show Super Time.
The Chicago press conference is recorded 29th July 1990 at Soldier Field, Chicago it lasts just 10:17. It is recorded before the concert which will be the last date of Paul's ten month Tripping The Live Fantastic tour.
This event is also shown on MTV.

Released on Vinyl and on C.D.
The C.D. is boxed in a 7" plain white cardboard box with two small stickers on the front, both can be seen above. It is released in a limited edition, mine is numbered 695.
The C.D. is in a normal jewel case within the box, and contains two 5"x7" super glossy photographs

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Press Conferences: London and New York

Label Discussion
Catalogue No. BROADS 003
Release date July 1992
Detail : Two press conferences, the first in London in 1991 and
A press conference on 24th August 1989 at Lyceum Theatre in New York, broadcast live by Westwood One.
Released on red vinyl and on C.D.
The C.D. is boxed in a 7" plain white cardboard box with two small stickers on the front, both can be seen above. It is released in a limited edition, mine is numbered 820.
The C.D. is in a normal jewel case within the box, and contains two 5"x7" excellent glossy photographs, one of which is a much bigger version of the rear cover above. The other shows Paul and Linda eating hamburgers !