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Post by cellogal on Feb 16, 2017 4:29:15 GMT -6
Thanks dreamingcurious. I've seen that particular quote and requoted it somewhere, because like you, I was intrigued by the musings and riddles of Apollo C. Could it be Aspinall? Bill? Yoko? Somebody who knew the Beatles? Or, as you suggest, some random guy behind a computer screen having a "lend of us", as the Brits say?
I'm fairly new to all of this too, and my thoughts have veered from one course of events to another.....Was Paul ritually murdered and replaced by Bill, did Paul have a serious accident which necessitated his replacement by a good replica, or did he retire, (as a young Paul suggested to David Frost during his first television interview), but became bored and stepped back into the frame?
Also, I'd be the first to admit that I become confused with the photographic evidence which is bandied about. Some post-'66 suggest Paul, others Bill, and some, a combination of both, which to my mind indicates photographic tampering. Certainly, the replacement appears to have different physical and personality characteristics. Paul was witty and self-deprecating, whilst Bill is arrogant and unlikeable, to say the least. His band mates, noticeably George, appeared to find him intolerable in many of the photographs/video footage available. I find Bill's eyes, as kittyknows on this board has previously mentioned, having encountered the man himself, "soulless". One of the most telling video evidence which is still available for viewing on YouTube, is the murmurings of Emilio Lari, the Italian photographer who started out photographing the Beatles when they were filming "A Hard Days Night". If you haven't seen this video, I'd suggest you do so before it disappears. Lari is a little drunk, but makes mention of the car crash, and about the replacement being "the devil". His spoken English has a thick Italian accent which is initially a bit tricky to understand and it may take several viewings to get the gist of what Lari is saying. There is a version somewhere, where there is an English translation.
Emilio recanted his story, (see thread on here), obviously under duress. I'd suggest he was threatened by Bill and co. to change his original story pronto. He had published a book of his photographs of The Beatles, and by the expression on Lari's face, it almost looks as if there's a gun pointing at his head off-camera.
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 18, 2017 12:05:52 GMT -6
I was one of the few he communicated with on a regular basis from 2003 to 2008. Feel free to inquire if you like.
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Post by cellogal on Feb 19, 2017 18:15:19 GMT -6
Ok, Red Lion. I'm enquiring.  Please, do tell.... |
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 20, 2017 22:17:07 GMT -6
Gladly... But please do specify if you would like the readers digest version or war and peace? It seems our original poster deleted...hmmmmm.
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Post by cellogal on Feb 20, 2017 22:20:55 GMT -6
Whichever version you feel is the most appropriate. I enjoy Tolstoy, but RD is a good enough option. Thank you Red Lion. 🙂
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 21, 2017 13:21:57 GMT -6
Here we go...just a bit of background first. It was in 2003 that I first stumbled across this topic on the internet. I had heard of the PID in the late seventies when I was in middle school, but never gave it much credence as Paul seemed to still be gracing Beatle album covers and such. The site was title "Undeniable proof that Paul McCartney is dead and replaced" if memory serves correct. It had pre and post Sept 66 photo comps to illustrate its point. Being a Beatle fan I took the time to check it out. I did, although not immediately, start to see a difference in the Paul comps and started thinking there may be something to this. Shortly thereafter, I came across a message board titled TKIN! devoted to the topic at hand. Developing an ever increasing appetite for this subject I became a frequent observer of the board. While not having a desire to contribute at that time, I found it fascinating that this topic was so polarizing. On the one hand you had the PID dead and replaced camp and on the other the PIA he's been the same guy forever camp. The infighting was rather comical as each side would endeavor to destroy the others point of view. Some would employ logic, some would create wild theories, others would just troll, while tempers would often flare. It was a side show to say the least and an entertaining one at that! Enter Apollo C Vermouth.
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 21, 2017 14:49:23 GMT -6
While the PID/PIA bickering was in full fancy, ACV made a not so subtle debut. Intimating almost from the get go that he had inside info and may himself be an insider, he more or less split the middle by offering a replacement scenario which did not include the death of JPM. While it is safe to say that no love was lost between the PID/PIA supporters, ACV drew instant animosity from both sides. Though he was never rude and actually did not post that much, he was cryptic and sometimes a bit challenging to make sense of. He offered a grounded, relatively unsensational view of what might have occurred. This did not work for most board members, who would often label him as a troll or misinformant.
Although I bought into the PID line of thinking, I was intrigued by ACV's point of view, so I dropped him a PM. It led to a nearly five year dialogue. Slowly throughout those conversations my opinion and knowledge began to change with the many small bits of research he would suggest I do. You can find many of the PM's that I and others have had with ACV on various PID websites. To give you the RD version I'll throw out some bullet points of the ACV line of thought.
JPM willfully left at least the limelight portion of the Beatles, he did not die and was very much alive at least through 2007
Billy Shepherd was the "Genesis" of the replacements more heard than seen (he is not the current Sir Paul)
Pepper was a concept (parody) album endeavoring to convey the figurative "death" of JPM, it is the alpha/omega of this mystery
JPM returned in some capacity on the WA and Abbey Rd and stayed involved behind the scenes
Obviously there are many many gaps and details to fill in here, but that is the ultra nutshell according to ACV. There is the question of his identity being that of Neil Aspinall that has ben bandied about. In mid 2007 ACV wrote to myself and a few others that "having a good death" was important. My last communication with him was February of 2008. FWIW, Neil Aspinall died of lung cancer in March 2008. Happy to answer any queries you may have as best I can.
Cheers, RL
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Post by cellogal on Feb 21, 2017 15:38:07 GMT -6
Thank you Red Lion! Very intriguing information. Neil Aspinall was at school with Paul and George, if my memory serves me right. Olivia Harrison graciously thanks him at the induction of George into the R&R Hall of Fame, mentioning how he and George would regularly slip down behind the boy's toilet block for a quick ciggie! I've wondered about replacement of JPM, due to ill-health or accident. I reposted somewhere on this forum, a quote from a former journalist, who had met both the original and the replica, (the latter when he was recording in New Orleans). This person also mentioned that his friend, who had also encountered "several" Paul's, became entirely obsessed by the mystery, and after much traveling and research, concluded that JPM didn't die, but there was another theory. This perhaps ties in with Apollo C's riddles. The video and photographic evidence often confuse me, probably due to tampering of evidence. The kicker, in my opinion, is the look and personality of the man referred to as "Faul" or "Bill". Different personality. False. Effeminate. Cold. Arrogant. Entitled. Dark. Eyes soulless. These are the words which spring to mind when I observe photos of this man. I feel that Bill is relishing in the continuing mystery of the disappearance and replacement of James Paul McCartney. It gives him more power, and massages his ego to think that we are here still debating the "magical mystery" after all these years. Thank you for your recollections, Red Lion. If there's another chapter you'd like to add re: ACV, please feel free. CG |
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 21, 2017 19:39:23 GMT -6
You are welcome! I steer clear of saying too much these days as many hard core PID'ers get very upset at the notion JPM may have lived on. So I probably wont add unless you have a specific question. If one area of this mystery has been sorely overlooked, it would have to be the replacement without death scenario. Just my two cents.
Regards, RL
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Post by cellogal on Feb 21, 2017 21:17:14 GMT -6
Red Lion, I have a few questions. Did ACV suggest that James Paul was replaced in 1966? Which month? What was the reason for him disappearing? What's Bill's background and how did "they" choose him as the replacement? If alive, where did James Paul go? Did he marry and have children? With all clues pointing to James Paul's disappearance during late 1966, then Jane Asher would had to have gone along with the charade of being Bill's fiancée, and then soon face the indignity of being cheated on and dumped for Linda Eastman. If that's the case, then Linda and Bill have Heather and 3 of their own children; Mary, Stella and James. "Sir" is seen regularly with the "McCartney" adult children. Is "Sir" supposed to be the original? If so, he looks at least 80 years old, IMO. If "Sir" is a new incarnation, do you know where and when he came into the picture? Were Brian Esptein's and Mal Evan's untimely deaths, linked to the "secret"? This forum is good, in that all of us here are genuinely interested in solving the mystery surrounding James Paul McCartney's disappearance. I have read anecdotes from other forums, where a slightly tipsy Pete Best was quoted, when asked about what happened to James Paul, said that it was "very sad", then clammed up and left. Zak Starkey was quoted, when quizzed in a bar, exclaimed that "there'll always be a Paul McCartney". BTW, are you a Scotsman? Thank you again, and sorry about my onslaught of questions. CG |
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 21, 2017 23:09:32 GMT -6
Wow! More than I expected...funny I asked many similar questions when conversing with ACV early on. As time went by my thought process and line of questioning changed dramatically. Let me try and answer some of these.
Replaced in 66?
I never directly asked that question, but we do know the last time JPM is seen publicly was at the MMA estimated to be sometime in early Sept of 66. After that any "Paul" photo or footage shows a very lanky, gangly, moustached looking individual not quite at all resembling JPM. The first interview we have of "Paul" is Dec of 66 and that clearly is not JPM. So it would appear that the original exits sometime in the fall of 1966.
Reason for disappearing?
ACV put it a couple of ways "an extended holiday, one that could have quite endless"..."chasing waterfalls"
Bill's background?
Here's where we need to be VERY careful. "Bill" is attached to at least three last names, Shepherd, Shears, and Campbell. Of which you have two or more distinct and separate entities. Let's deal with Shepherd first as he is the most interesting of the lot. Billy Shepherd was a singer, songwriter, musician and author. He had a band named Billy Pepper and the Pepperpots. Billy Shepherd also wrote the "Beatles true story" paperback book and was a regular contributor for the Beatles monthly book all the way up until, you guessed it, the fall of 1966. Shepherd is the original studio replacement. Heard but never "seen"....my gut tells me he did at least a few "Paul" songs on SPLHCB. He should not be confused with Sir Paul who is also referred to as a "Bill."
Billy Shears, is introduced as a singer in Pepper, only he does not sing, Ringo does. Yet in Ringos solo tune "I'm the greatest" he seems to poke fun at Billy Shears and even mentions his age as being 32. Jury still out on that one.
Bill Campbell is the winner of the alleged JPM lookalike contest......we still don't know if that actually ever happened.
Getting late where I am...........I will finish up in a few days.......oh and I'm American.......
Cheers, RL
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Post by cellogal on Feb 22, 2017 17:37:08 GMT -6
Thanks Red Lion. Apologies, your pseudonym (to my understanding), had pegged you as a Scotsman, as the Scottish Royal flag has a red lion rampant upon a yellow background. Some of the information which you shared, I have heard before. I'm personally not sure about the multiples theory though. The IAAP videos have alluded to James Paul's death, but also "reincarnation" or reappearance of the original. Have you seen Emilio Lari's video yet? In the first video, Lari also alludes to a car crash, and probable death of JPM, and states that Bill is "the devil". Did ACV mention the occult interests of the Beatles? The influence of Crowley? The mystery continues....... |
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 22, 2017 19:05:35 GMT -6
You are again welcome! My board name comes from the title of a book. As far as the multiples go, ACV was very consistent in saying MANY were used for certain specific things. Not much into IAAP as he is more "show" than substance. Have not seen the Lari vid. The car crash theory for me has always been about Tara Browne...he and JPM were pretty tight. ACV always used lyrics to emphasize his points. ADITL,Dont Pass Me By and Venus and Mars all allude to Tara's passing... it was a very big deal to JPM. Crowley was a John thing according to ACV.
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Post by cellogal on Feb 22, 2017 19:48:14 GMT -6
Red Lion, I'll see if I can post the Emilio Lari video link. Definitely worth watching. He was the photographer for "A Hard Days Night" and "Help". He later recanted his statements in a second video, and appeared to be under a great deal of stress whilst doing so.
I try to avoid IAAP for several reasons, but there are bits and pieces that seem pertinent to the disappearance and replacement of James Paul.
That's interesting about John being more into Crowley than the other three. We know that Yoko is a witch. Bill appears to worship that awful man, flashing up images of him during his concerts and incorporating AC quotes into his lyrics.
Thanks again for your info on ACV. Interesting.
CG
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Post by Red Lion on Feb 22, 2017 21:31:58 GMT -6
CG,
You may be interested to know, as I mentioned earlier there were a few of us that ACV would communicate with back in the day. One poster was a screenwriter in L.A., who was working on a project which involved aspects of PID. While showing his writings to some of his senior colleagues he was a bit suprised at the winks and nods he would get about the details he included. He was told that it was an open secret in Hollywood in the late 60s/ early 70s that there were two Pauls. He was also given a bit of insight into JPM's character, and that his code word after his departure was the "sun". You can find this referenced in several tunes post Revolver, and not in a "good" way. This poster also mentioned to me that Klaatu was signed to Capitol (I believe) because it was "McCartney's" band. Now just which McCartney I do not know, but fascinating nonetheless.
RL
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Please, do tell....