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Post by sexysadie on Oct 20, 2008 7:57:34 GMT -5
Oh, Ringo. Worst PR move EVER. Mark "Fest for Beatles Fans" Lapidos sent out a dippy e-mail excusing Ringo's behavior as "understandable." Well, I do understand why he'd get fed up after almost 50 years of signing God-knows-what for God-knows-who, but this was handled horribly. And all the peace-and-loves in the world can't mitigate the "up-yours" tone of his message. Someone should remind Ringo who paid for the house in Monte Carlo.
Fans used to seek an autograph to take home and cherish forever. E-Bay and other such internet sites have now made it impossible to distinguish fan adoration from a money-making venture. When Paul signed DVD's in NYC a couple of years ago, people waited in line overnight for the chance to meet him. But not all of them were fans. Kids were paid to get autographs to be immediately sold on the 'net to the highest bidder. Fortunately, most of them were sussed out and asked to leave. Tip to the hucksters--if you're going to shell out some bucks to a kid to get a Paul McCartney autograph, you might want to skip the black teenagers with baggy pants who listen to rap while they wait in line. And ooze boredom. Real fans can barely stand still--and it isn't because the bathroom breaks are few and far between.
I'm glad Ringo made an attempt to atone for his sins, but coming so soon after his remarks dissing Liverpool, it's going to be hard for him to live this one down. Unfortunately, despite Steve's best efforts, the story that Paul has asked his fans to boycott McDonald's is still alive and well, so the two surviving Beatles are currently looking like they're auditioning for a remake of Grumpy Old Men.
Umm...can I ask for an explanation of "mardy-arse?" Not the arse, just the mardy will do.
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 20, 2008 8:34:06 GMT -5
In line of what you were saying about autograph dealers, Sadie...
When I went to try and meet Paul at his hotel during a very cold February in 1993 (when he did SNL) I managed to get an autograph for my own. But it was after a lot of waiting, and only when Paul's assistant came outside to collect all the fans' various items to be signed. Paul was inside the lobby and signed all the items (including mine) and then the assistant returned outside and gave everyone back their stuff. This was better than nothing, and I got a really full and bold signature from Paul... but I would have preferred more of an in-person affair. After the items were returned, Paul came outside and went into his limo (there were barricades so the fans were off to the sides), asking: "okay? Everyone got it?" which verified things for me.
Anyway -- the point about dealers which I want to get to is that there was this one really creepy autograph seller who everyone knew about, who had a child (I don't know whether it was his own son or not), and this guy made the kid speak up and say that he hadn't gotten his autograph. So while Paul was on his way to his limo, he heard this kid speak up and DID stop just for this one boy and signed his item. Now, this was luckily right near where I was standing - and as Paul signed, I stuck my hand out over the barricade attempting to shake hands with McCartney. At this moment, my wife dutifully snapped a photo and if you didn't know better, it looks like Paul is signing my autograph right there for me. So ends my personal closest encounter with one of the Beatles.
My point is that when dealers work their trickery, sometimes stars are fooled. Paul stopped for the one boy, when really it was a planted set-up for the autograph dealer to go and sell the signature. But hey, at least it resulted in a great photo of me "with" Paul. I have it framed as an 11x14 blowup. I don't know how to post photos here, and even if I did I wouldn't want myself plastered over the 'net... but with THIS photo, it's only my profile and so I wouldn't mind. Maybe I'll send OldFred a copy and he can post it here for me.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 20, 2008 9:01:05 GMT -5
I did the same with my boxer shorts: "Please wear these for a few days straight, Ringo, then sign them and send them back, thanks" Just hope there's no skid marks when you get them back. ;D LOL but still . I suspect the shorts would be more valuable! True story: Michael Jackson's underwear from his child molestation case was being sold either on e-Bay or by auction. It was a sealed piece of evidence and while I am not sure how that got out, wanting to own that would just be wrong, very wrong!
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Post by OldFred on Oct 20, 2008 9:18:10 GMT -5
Just posting this picture again to see if the photobucket.com picture saving service works. Old Fred Meets Ringo And, It works! I'm no longer a slave of AOL!!! ;D
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Post by waitrose on Oct 20, 2008 9:32:27 GMT -5
Umm...can I ask for an explanation of "mardy-arse?" Not the arse, just the mardy will do. Mardy (is a northern english expression) meaning: grumpy, awkward; un-cooperative; bad tempered; whiney; aloof; stroppy, sulking like a small child. One of the Arctic Monkeys most famous songs is called Mardy Bum (great band great song).
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Post by waitrose on Oct 20, 2008 9:37:32 GMT -5
Very topically Ian McNabb (of Icicle Works fame and another scouse Macca musician) has his autobiography out at the moment: "RINGO Starr, or Ritchie as he’s known to his friends, has invited Ian to play in his band for a one-off gig in Monte Carlo. Also on the scene is Ringo’s daughter, Lee, with whom Ian is growing increasingly close. It all sounded good. Mr Starkey had a few comments but basically we’d nailed it. Marianne Faithful was on the bill too and came over to introduce herself. When she got to me she dropped her cigarette lighter on the floor and bent down to pick it up. For about five seconds I had a sixties sex-goddess inches from my crotch. I had a little chortle about that one. After a nice dinner we went back to the hotel and got ready for the show. Every time I stopped moving around I noticed I was next to Lee. I couldn’t work out who was following who. The gig was a blast. We were all wearing black suits, so Ritchie christened us The Ravens. He looked cool in a purple suit and much younger than his sixty-plus years. I was playing my Hofner Violin bass (of course) and it looked left-handed in the mirror (when I pulled it out at rehearsal, Ritchie went “Oh no!”. I went to take it off and he laughed and said it was cool. He must’ve known how important this was to a kid like me). To be on stage playing this music with a real Beatle is beyond description. I’m a Beatles nut. Bernie Marsden and myself would sing “Do you need anybody?” and Ritchie would retort “I need somebody to love!” It was amazing. The next day Ritchie took us for lunch with his wife Barbara. He doesn’t smoke or drink anymore and neither did anyone else that day, except for me and Lee, so we were pushed together at the far end of the table. We all walked out into the street after the meal to take photos and within a few minutes Ritchie was attracting a small crowd. He tried to shake them off but they kept following him. Eventually he turned around and shouted “Look, I don’t know you - go away!” I was taken aback with this - it seemed harsh. He turned around to us - “You have to say that or they won’t leave you alone.” Imagine being that famous for that long. Nobody looks at anyone in Monte Carlo. Unless you’re a Beatle. We said our goodbyes and headed to the airport. This wouldn’t be the last time though. Ritchie was headlining a benefit in England later on in the year and would request our services once again. It was an incredible moment in my life as both a musician, and a fan.’ www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/capital-of-culture/capital-of-culture-liverpool-news/2008/10/20/ian-mcnabb-i-ll-never-forget-dancing-with-ricky-tomlinson-and-russian-ballerinas-wearing-high-heeled-beatle-boots-100252-22072388/2/
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 20, 2008 13:47:18 GMT -5
Oh, Ringo. Worst PR move EVER. Mark "Fest for Beatles Fans" Lapidos sent out a dippy e-mail excusing Ringo's behavior as "understandable." Well, I do understand why he'd get fed up after almost 50 years of signing God-knows-what for God-knows-who, but this was handled horribly. And all the peace-and-loves in the world can't mitigate the "up-yours" tone of his message. Someone should remind Ringo who paid for the house in Monte Carlo. Fans used to seek an autograph to take home and cherish forever. E-Bay and other such internet sites have now made it impossible to distinguish fan adoration from a money-making venture. When Paul signed DVD's in NYC a couple of years ago, people waited in line overnight for the chance to meet him. But not all of them were fans. Kids were paid to get autographs to be immediately sold on the 'net to the highest bidder. Fortunately, most of them were sussed out and asked to leave. Tip to the hucksters--if you're going to shell out some bucks to a kid to get a Paul McCartney autograph, you might want to skip the black teenagers with baggy pants who listen to rap while they wait in line. And ooze boredom. Real fans can barely stand still--and it isn't because the bathroom breaks are few and far between. I'm glad Ringo made an attempt to atone for his sins, but coming so soon after his remarks dissing Liverpool, it's going to be hard for him to live this one down. Unfortunately, despite Steve's best efforts, the story that Paul has asked his fans to boycott McDonald's is still alive and well, so the two surviving Beatles are currently looking like they're auditioning for a remake of Grumpy Old Men. Umm...can I ask for an explanation of "mardy-arse?" Not the arse, just the mardy will do. I agree that it was an awful PR move for Ringo. As for the McDonald's story, those celeb fillers are popular on the Internet because everyone assumes they're accurate. Usually not so.
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Post by waitrose on Oct 24, 2008 9:05:23 GMT -5
Mildly amusing:
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nine
Very Clean
Posts: 840
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Post by nine on Oct 26, 2008 3:48:34 GMT -5
Ringo needs a drink!
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Post by winstonoboogie on Oct 26, 2008 21:17:43 GMT -5
;D Thanks for posting that, waitrose!
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Post by Joe Karlosi on Oct 28, 2008 5:18:03 GMT -5
I was at my in-laws recently and they brought up Ringo and his nasty message. They thought he was a real jerk, and it just goes to show how Ringo's actions here affected him. Everyone thinks less of him as a result.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 28, 2008 7:36:38 GMT -5
Check out the update today about the Ringo autograph situation at abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/1011noautographs.html . I received a response from his press office in answer to the question "Does the video mean he won't be signing at all anymore?" The answer to the question, in short, is "No, it doesn't." You can see what I wrote there.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 28, 2008 13:39:22 GMT -5
Check out the update today about the Ringo autograph situation at abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/1011noautographs.html . I received a response from his press office in answer to the question "Does the video mean he won't be signing at all anymore?" The answer to the question, in short, is "No, it doesn't." You can see what I wrote there. I wonder if that means Ringo will lighten up during chance encounters with polite fans who ask for his autographs nicely and at appropriate times, i.e., when Ringo is not eating, watching a movie, or a show, etc. Any of us here could prove to Ringo quickly that we are "true fans"(the people that he claimed he didn't want to hurt per his second statement) and would cherish his autograph and not turn around and sell it. Just namecheck Time Takes Time or Vertical Man and Ringo will know that you're for real!
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 28, 2008 14:44:05 GMT -5
Check out the update today about the Ringo autograph situation at abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/1011noautographs.html . I received a response from his press office in answer to the question "Does the video mean he won't be signing at all anymore?" The answer to the question, in short, is "No, it doesn't." You can see what I wrote there. I wonder if that means Ringo will lighten up during chance encounters with polite fans who ask for his autographs nicely and at appropriate times, i.e., when Ringo is not eating, watching a movie, or a show, etc. Any of us here could prove to Ringo quickly that we are "true fans"(the people that he claimed he didn't want to hurt per his second statement) and would cherish his autograph and not turn around and sell it. Just namecheck Time Takes Time or Vertical Man and Ringo will know that you're for real! I wouldn't hazard an outright guess, but I think the idea is that in-person signings aren't totally off limits. But it'll depend on the situation, it appears.
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Post by ursamajor on Oct 29, 2008 3:42:04 GMT -5
Check out the update today about the Ringo autograph situation at abbeyrd.best.vwh.net/news/1011noautographs.html . I received a response from his press office in answer to the question "Does the video mean he won't be signing at all anymore?" The answer to the question, in short, is "No, it doesn't." You can see what I wrote there. I wonder if that means Ringo will lighten up during chance encounters with polite fans who ask for his autographs nicely and at appropriate times, i.e., when Ringo is not eating, watching a movie, or a show, etc. Any of us here could prove to Ringo quickly that we are "true fans"(the people that he claimed he didn't want to hurt per his second statement) and would cherish his autograph and not turn around and sell it. Just namecheck Time Takes Time or Vertical Man and Ringo will know that you're for real! And if that doesn't work you could always tell him that Pete Best's new album got 5 stars in Rolling Stone and your's didn't even get a review. Then mimic a Pete Best drum roll.
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Post by superhans on Oct 29, 2008 5:47:19 GMT -5
D'you know what worries me? Ringo is one of the key decision makers at Apple. One of the four 'King Pins' around which all forward planning and Beatle-related product decisions are made. What does he do at Board meetings -- just flash a load of peace signs around, whilst spouting incomprehensible babble like this? It's probably more like a convention for the bewildered. It's no wonder nothing ever comes out of that place.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Oct 29, 2008 7:52:29 GMT -5
D'you know what worries me? Ringo is one of the key decision makers at Apple. One of the four 'King Pins' around which all forward planning and Beatle-related product decisions are made. What does he do at Board meetings -- just flash a load of peace signs around, whilst spouting incomprehensible babble like this? It's probably more like a convention for the bewildered. It's no wonder nothing ever comes out of that place. I think the public Ringo and the private Ringo are different.
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Post by John S. Damm on Oct 29, 2008 11:56:05 GMT -5
I wonder if that means Ringo will lighten up during chance encounters with polite fans who ask for his autographs nicely and at appropriate times, i.e., when Ringo is not eating, watching a movie, or a show, etc. Any of us here could prove to Ringo quickly that we are "true fans"(the people that he claimed he didn't want to hurt per his second statement) and would cherish his autograph and not turn around and sell it. Just namecheck Time Takes Time or Vertical Man and Ringo will know that you're for real! And if that doesn't work you could always tell him that Pete Best's new album got 5 stars in Rolling Stone and your's didn't even get a review. Then mimic a Pete Best drum roll. LMAO! That would be priceless! Steve, I hope that you're right about Ringo acting differently in private. One would hope that means acting like he has some brain cells left in private. If he is a calculating prick in private so be it and I would welcome that over his public persona which is grouchy brain-fried hippie with absolutely nothing new to say, ever.
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Post by superhans on Oct 30, 2008 3:23:56 GMT -5
...a grouchy brain-fried hippie... LMAO! I doff my cap to you JSD.....brilliantly put. ;D
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Post by mrjinks on Jan 30, 2009 19:48:21 GMT -5
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