This happened in 1963 when I’d just left school and was hoping to get into Art College; my form teacher thought I had real talent. However, it was the summer holidays and having nothing better to do, decided to try and earn some pocket money. Which is when I began working in a coffee bar called the Kubiklub situated in Birkenhead on the other side of the River Mersey. Problem was, I lived on the Liverpool side and my only (cheap) way of getting to work was by hitching a lift through the Tunnel. This was normal practice; wait for the car to pull up at the pay-booth and then ask the driver for a lift to the other side. Luckily, I lived a five minute walk from the Tunnel main entrance.
It was a long time ago, but I can still remember the excitement when we heard the Beatles were appearing at the Majestic Ballroom that was a mere 50 yards down the road from the Kubiklub. I can also remember the moment the owner of the bar (a guy from Preston called Clive Kelly who knew I was a big Beatles fan) told me to drop what I was doing and follow him outside. We then skirted around the waiting crowds, slipped down a side street and watched an emergency exit door open a fraction, thus allowing us both to slip inside. (Cliff knew the head doorman and we’d done it quite a few times in the past.)
To my amazement, the Beatles were already on stage and I could just about hear Paul McCartney singing ‘Until There Was You’ above the screams from the packed crowds. We stayed and watched the whole show and once over, returned to the Kubiklub. We were also about to close up for the night when a roadie tapped on the door and said the Beatles wanted to have a late night coffee. Sure enough just after 11 pm and with the lights turned down low, a small party that included Paul Georgel and Ringo slipped through the door and I rushed off to make them coffees. This was also when my problems began.
Normally, I would finish at 11 pm and head for the Tunnel, so as to make sure I could hitch a lift; any time after that and the cars were scarce and you could be waiting a long time and so it proved to be. I was so excited at what was happening, I decided to stay and listen to the conversation. When I eventually left the KubikKlub it was nearly 12oclock, just the one pay booth open and someone else waiting to hitch a lift. To make matters worse there was no queue of vehicles heading for the Liverpool side.
Forty five minutes later and I was beginning to think I would never get home when a shiny blue Ford Classic car appeared in view, It slowed to a halt and as usual, the driver wound down the window ready to pay. So you could just imagine my surprise when I saw it was Paul McCartney and his girlfriend. “Any chance of a lift, Paul?” I asked, thinking he would remember me from earlier, but to my disappointment heard him say. “Sorry, mate, no can do.” Seeing the look of despair on my face, his girl immediately took pity on me and said “Oh, go on Paul, he’s only a kid.” Realising he didn’t have much choice, Paul rolled his eyes and asked. “OK, what’s your name and where you going?”
“Jim and just the other side.” I replied.
“Right Jim, hop in the back!”
That’s when I discovered the car was so new it still had the protective plastic covers on the seats.
“Brilliant show tonight” I said.
Paul glanced in his rearview mirror “Were you there?” he asked, thinking I wasn’t old enough to be on licensed premises,
“Yes, I sneaked in with Cliff from the Kubiklub.“
“Ah that’s where I remember you from.” said his girl “You served our coffees.” “That’s right.” I replied with a satisfied grin.
Paul laughed out loud. “So you think we were good tonight?”
“Fantastic!” I enthused. “The guitars and harmonies were superb.”
Paul smiled again and asked. “Who’s your favourite band member?””
“You of course!” I declared.
Paul began to chuckle. “Funny, I thought you might say that,”
Five minutes later and after them both wishing me good luck, I climbed from the shiny Ford Classic on the Liverpool side of the Tunnel.
Two minutes later and I was whooping and clicking my heels all the way home! What a night, what a memory!
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