Trevors Tales
This is where I shall share a few of my, I think, interesting stories...
I will let you be the judge!
George meet Ted...Ted meet George
I had the pleasure of introducing an ex-Beatle to an ex-Prime Minister in November 1976.
George Harrison had just finished a pre-recorded interview with my friend and colleague Tony (Anthony H) Wilson for the Granada TV programme on which we both worked, Granada Reports. I was due in studio next to interview Ted Heath about his latest book on music. (I had interviewed him the year before about his book on sailing, and I was told that he specifically wanted to be interviewed by me a second time for his music book.) As we were all in the green room together, and I had already been introduced to George, I decided that the two should meet. Not least because George had written a song, which became the opening track on The Beatles' 1966 summer release, “Revolver” - a song called “Taxman” in which George references Mr Heath and the then Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.1966 was a little before George renounced materialism and studied eastern religions and sitar under the great – some would say the greatest – sitar player, Ravi Shankar. But back to 1966…and the highest rate of income tax at that point was 95%. Which meant that The Beatles, in their highest earning pay day to date, were paying the equivalent of 95p for every £1 they earned. George was not happy, hence the song. The opening line goes: George : “Let me tell you how it will be - Taxman" John & Paul: "Mr. Wilson" George: There’s one for you, 19 for me - Taxman" John & Paul: "Mr. Heath” © Words & Music, G Harrison I brought George over with me to meet Mr Heath and said: “Hello Mr Heath – I’d like you to meet George Harrison…” No response. Blank. Take two: “George used to be a member of The Beatles…” at which point Mr Heath lit up…he had heard of them collectively, if not individually. So I carried on: “In fact George wrote a song about you…” At which point George (jokingly and very lightly) kicked my shin. Undeterred I press on. “It was the opening track on their 1966 album, Revolver.” I took it no further and as far as Mr Heath was concerned I had switched, mid-sentence, into speaking a foreign language. Introductions over, I said goodbye to George, both of us wearing wide grins, and poured the ex-Prime Minister a modest Glenfiddich whisky on ice.
Photo credit: Granada Television
On holiday with Lennon & McCartney
On holiday with Lennon & McCartney
In 1976, Cynthia Lennon, long since separated from ex-husband John, wrote an autobiographical book called “A Twist of Lennon”. A good pun given its meaning by the fact that she had married another John: Twist who, as I recall possibly inaccurately, was part of a soft drinks company based in St. Helens on Merseyside. Cynthia and I got on well and met up a few times for a drink and a natter, sometimes with Mike McGear of the legendary poetry, music and satire trio, Scaffold. Mike is of course Paul McCartney’s brother and the McCartneys are all over Liverpool. Many of whom were referenced in Paul’s song “Let ‘em in”. And indeed cousin Ian was a doorman at Granada TV's offices and studios in Liverpool down by the Albert Dock. Mike and I worked together a few times on TV and socialised round and about Liverpool. Anyway…we all got on well and Cynthia one day suggested that I and my girlfriend, should spend the Easter holidays with her and new husband John plus Mike and his wife, Ange. This would be at her place in Ireland, 20 or so miles south of Dublin. “And bring your guitar…” Well…what a request! Go away on a 5-day break with a Lennon and a McCartney and “bring your guitar”! I did, of course…I took it everywhere and any excuse to play…especially if I’m actually asked! We had a lovely few days and yes they did keep asking me to play and sing – and they would all join in. But it was difficult not to break out into a Beatles song. Most of my impromptu/informal sessions featured many Lennon/McCartney songs…but hardly appropriate in this setting!! So, I mostly sang skiffle songs, folk songs, blues, Everlys, Elvis, Eddie Cochrane, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Buddy Holly, other Merseybeat groups’ repertoires…but nothing by John & Paul…how could I? As the short break came to an end, Cyn took us back to the ferry and her parting words were: “That was great Trev…you sounded just like John when I first met him”. I took that as a compliment. We kept in touch even meeting up when we both were, coincidentally in New Zealand for New Year 1983 into ’84. Cynthia would reveal the occasional confidence and on one occasion told me the true story behind John's 'Norwegian Wood' which, as it was told in confidemnce, albeit after a couple of glasses of wine, I'm not about to divulge here…that would be tasteless, indiscreet and a betrayal. Sadly, Cynthia is no longer with us, but I am very occasionally still in touch with Mike. Thank U Very Much!
Photo: Granada TV
When The Big 'Un from Wigan met The Greatest
I had the great thrill and pleasure to interview Muhammad Ali in October 1976.
I had the great thrill and pleasure to interview Muhammad Ali in October 1976. I spent the afternoon with him, not at Granada’s studios in Manchester, but at ITN’s studio at Wells Street in London’s West End. I guess he didn’t want to be schlepping all over the country promoting his new book…you could say the mountain – or in my case, the mole hill - had to come to Muhammad!! He was lovely company, generous with his time and conversation, eager to make and retain eye-contact and courteous to a fault. He signed a copy of his book to me and my son Michael, to whom Ali was a hero. Mr. Ali’s handlers were not intrusive, nor all over me demanding to know the nature of my interview. Mr. Ali was famed for being able to look after himself on all fronts, not least when confronted by a relatively new media hound like me. The interview was conducted, like I said, at ITN’s London studio and I learned on my return to Manchester that evening, that so many of the Quay Street staff at GTV HQ were watching the ‘live’ feed coming up the line from Wells Street. Of course, I didn’t see the interview go out as I was travelling back to Manchester while Granada Reports was being transmitted and never had the chance, somehow, to see it later, even though it was on tape. Perhaps I was too busy - hard to imagine. A year before this interview, I had dedicated my Friday Sports programme to the Ali-Frazier fight – their third. It was dubbed “The Thrilla in Manilla!” I made such rhymes a running “joke” throughout the show…I can’t remember them to be honest, but it could easily have been along the lines of a transfer of players out from Oldham Athletic: “They Sold ‘em in Oldham” or when giant Rugby League club, Widnes were on a winning run, but the crowds stayed away: “No witness at Widnes”; and so on…“There’s freckles in Eccles”…”The rhythm of Lytham” …”Don’t be poorly in Chorley” whatever. But I signed off by repeating the details of the big fight in the Philippines and bidding farewell from me, “The Big ‘Un from Wigan”. Of course, I didn’t mention that to Mr Ali.
