CLUB SANDWICH 69

LISTEN TO WHAT THE FANS SAID

A small, random selection from the hundreds of letters you've sent us

            Dear Paul
            I want to thank you for giving the Fun Club members the opportunity to purchase Preferred Seating tickets for your New World Tour. My husband and I flew to Atlanta for the show at the Georgia Dome, and took the underground train to the stadium. The train was packed full of people and when I looked around I saw NWT tickets sticking out of pockets everywhere. Everyone on the entire train was going to your concert.
            We got inside the Dome and began the lonnnnnnggg way down to our seats. The ushers kept pointing down, down, down. One usher even asked us how we got such good seats. I was thrilled. We finally got to our row on the floor, right in front of the stage in front of Hamish! Eleventh row - not bad!
            I looked around at all the different people. The lady sitting next to my husband was at least 70 years old. She was with her daughter. The two girls in front of me were at least 15 years old (totally prepared with signs). Another lady in front of me was really prepared - with blinking signs. A Mom and Dad were behind me with their two children, all wearing T-shirts from the '89-'9O World Tour. Hey, I was in the right place.
            The film before the concert affected me in many ways. I really enjoyed the videos of the Beatles, Wings, you, Linda and family, and the music. The animal cruelty videos made me feel the way I always feel when I see or hear of this. I get very angry. I have been a member of PETA and other animal rights organisations for a long time so I am aware what goes on. I'm sure many people in the audience were affected by this film I'm sure the film changed many people's way of thinking or gave them something to think about.
            Your concert blew me away, as I knew it would. Everything was fantastic: the music, you, the Band, the film, the artwork, the photography, the people, the time.
            Sharon Hale, Jefferson, MD, USA

            Dear Linda and Paul
            Thank you for coming to Australia - you have made this the most important, happy time of my life. Most of all, though, I want to thank you both (especially you, Linda) for helping me to decide to go vegetarian. I'm losing weight, my metabolism feels so much better and I've just about convinced my mum that all those old wives' tails about vegetarianism are not true. Thank you both for all the years of music and happiness you have brought to me.
            Greg Swan, New South Wales, Australia

            Dear Paul
            Just saw the concert in Milwaukee and, thanks to the Fun Club, had wonderful seats. It was in the 50°s and raining, we were dressed in winter coats, hats, gloves, soaked to the bone; every time we clapped you could see water spraying from our gloves. But what a fantastic show. It was all worth it. As we were leaving a guy stopped us and asked how we got such good seats. We told him it was through the Fun Club and he said "What a great thing to do." Yeah, I thought. Thanks for the opportunity. The whole night was fantastic.
            Patti Kunz, Palatine, IL, USA

            Dear Club Sandwich
            I attended Paul's concert at Earl's Court and must say that it was the best concert and had the best atmosphere than any other concert I've been to.
            Catherine Ricketts, Canterbury, England

            Dear Paul and Linda
            You have no idea what effect your opening film had on me. Just prior to the Las Vegas concert I had read Free The Animals by Ingrid Newkirk. The book made me frustrated that I couldn't let thousands of people immediately know what goes on under the guise of science and humanity. And then, not a week later, your film was doing just that! You reached thousands instantly, powerfully and most effectively. Your film alleviated a lot of my frustration — therefore it was a tremendous relief and release for me. Then, when you sang 'Looking For Changes' it just about did me in. My dream is for you to announce from the stage that every human got the message and your animal segment in the pre-show film is no longer necessary. I found the shows to be extremely healing musically, lyrically and vocally - it was just the best time of my life.
            Regina Perretta, Oakland, CA, USA

            Dear Paul, Linda and Band
            I don't suppose you will ever get to find out about this letter but I feel better for writing it. It is 3.30am and I've just returned home from seeing you at Earl's Court. This is the fourth time I've seen you, Paul, but this time it was something else. You were absolutely out of this world. Your voice was the best I've ever heard it. Keep on rocking.
            Anne Chilcott, Swansea, Wales

            Dear Club Sandwich
            As a Paul McCartney fan of the past 30 years I waited months with great enthusiasm for the New World Tour to reach Orlando. The day finally came — and what a great concert! The fans were busting at the seams with admiration for Paul's spirit, musical talent and energy. He appears to sing to the fans with great feeling and identity. Whether intended or not, Paul's musical performance invites us into the world of our own soul and brings awareness of the importance of people and each other to mind. Often we get caught up as individuals and do forget the world as a whole.
            Sandy Doyle, Casselberry, FL, USA

            Dear Linda
            I think the work you do to help animals and save our planet is brilliant. Good luck with your campaigns. I went to see you, Paul and the Band at Earl's Court and the show was absolutely wonderful. Just one thing: next time could you do 'Cook Of The House'?
            Sian Lambert, Notts, England

            Dear Mr McCartney
            I recently attended your concert in Minneapolis. It was breathtaking. Many of the fans were in their teens and twenties and they shared the love of your music. Most importantly, I asked them their reactions concerning the awareness you have generated, in concert, in your songs and in the media.
            To sum it all up, they fully support these concerns as well. You created this awareness. In concert you showed them the terrible state this world is in and that we must all pull together to correct it. They were indeed impressed. Please continue to spread this awareness for many years to come.
            Janice Shenko, Chicago, IL, USA

            Dear Paul
            I went to Earl's Court and want to thank you so much for everything - the band was wonderful, the concert was incredible, the whole evening was inspiring and uplifting. I totally agreed with the pre-show film about animal cruelty. It did shock me - I was shocked because it made me realise that I'm not doing enough to stop the appalling maltreatment of our friends. You reminded me that I do have a voice.
            Rebecca Cook, Dorset, England

            Dear Club Sandwich
            I saw the Minneapolis show and it was the most exciting and touching event that I ever attended - there is no doubt that it was the highlight of my senior year at high school. Although I am only 181 look up to Paul as a role model, an activist and, of course, the greatest songwriter and entertainer of all time. Most people my age listen to the rap and hip-hop scene of processed groups who cop negative and violent attitudes. McCartney, on the other hand, is a regular guy who likes to make music. Sure he has a lot of power but I've never seen him act like a demi-God or better than anyone else.
            Steven Mattson, Duluth, MN, USA

            Dear Sue
            I'm so happy! I went veggie in July - the film at the beginning of the concert was it. I went back and forth before but now I finally did it and it feels so good!
            Caren Felzer, USA

            Dear Club
            I attended two shows (Gothenburg and Stockholm) and, needless to say, it was fabulous to see and hear Paul and the Band again. But having read the "My Brave Fate" piece in CS67 I feel a need to defend what might seem a lack of interest. '
            Us Scandinavian folk are not known to be very ardent or spontaneous but this doesn't mean we don't feel as much as our fellow humans. Personally, I sang along in every song and certainly didn't sit down during the rockers. I didn't feel, however, like standing up and waving my arms for two hours on end. I don't like to feel that I have to act in a special way. Standing up and waving my arms is not our way of showing our love for the music and the artists. I do hope that Paul and the Band didn't find us too stuffy and didn't think we weren't interested - I lost my voice from shouting so much.
            Nina Lundholm, Gothenburg, Sweden
            PS. Please give Hamish a kiss and hug from me - I really enjoyed watching him play and sing. I was in the fourth row in Gothenburg and got a really good look at him: he's actually cute and should have a fan club of his own...

            Dear Fun Club
            From the time Paul walks out on stage until the time he leaves he creates so much happiness and joy that it's really hard to put it into words. I just hope he doesn't stop touring for a long time to come. To do what he does, and for so many people, and for putting up with the press after all he's given and all he done and keeps doing, it's amazing.
            Mark Pecho, Glenview, IL, USA