Launch party for Mary Hopkin’s album “Post Card”

On this day, Apple Records organized a launch party for Mary Hopkin’s album “Post Card“, produced by Paul McCartney. The exclusive event took place at the top of the Post Office Tower in Central London and was attended by an impressive guest list, including Paul McCartney, accompanied by Linda Eastman, who would soon become Mrs. McCartney. Other notable attendees included Donovan, George Martin, Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Tony Visconti, Eric Clapton, and many more.

My family came down from Wales and in the throng of people we lost my 80-year-old grandmother, Blodwyn. When the crowd parted we saw her in the corner talking to Jimi Hendrix. Afterwards she said she had been talking to ‘a nice little boy’ who had been asking about milking the cows and feeding the chickens. I think he was fascinated by this funny little Welsh lady.

Mary Hopkin – The Daily Telegraph – From 13 February 1969: Launch party for Mary Hopkin’s album Postcard (beatlesbible.com)

Billy Butlin, owner of the Butlin’s holiday camps our little gang had gone to with our families as kids and where Ringo played with Rory Storm, ran the restaurant at the top of the Post Office Tower. It revolved, and as you ate you could watch London unfold in a magnificent panorama. The first time Paul had gone, shortly after the restaurant first opened, he was still living at the Ashers’ house in Wimpole Street. Dr Asher decided he wanted the full guided tour and arranged for the entire family to go, including Paul.

Sometime later I was sitting in the restaurant, having dinner with a girlfriend, when Bobby Butlin, Sir Billy’s son, came over to my table and told me all about Paul’s earlier visit. He said, ‘If there’s anything I can ever do for you, or Paul, or Apple, let me know.’ When we launched Postcard the question of a location for the launch party arose. Paul said, ‘Hey Tone? Do you think by any chance they would let us have the Post Office Tower restaurant?’

I acted nonchalant and said, ‘Oh, I dunno. Hang on and I’ll have a word with then.’ I picked up the phone, quickly made the arrangements. Paul looked at his watch and said, ‘Great. Tell you what. Why don’t we do some location scouting?’ So we all went off to lunch at the Tower. We had a smashing time, and suitably oiled, Paul and I decided to have a race down the stairs to the door. It was a very stupid idea, especially after a big lunch. There are some photos somewhere of us lying at the bottom gasping for breath and probably trying to light a cigarette.

The launch party for Postcard was marvellous, with a really good turnout of rock stars. Jimi Hendrix came and Brian Jones and Donovan, as well as Mary’s future husband, Tony Visconti. I was going out with Mary at the time but he fancied her too, and eventually they got married.

Tony Bramwell – From “Magical Mystery Tours: My Life with the Beatles“, 2005

The Press Officer [Derek Taylor] surveyed the scene. Everything was perfect. The buffet table was a glutton’s delight and a drunkard’s joy. There was a lot of open floor space for the 300 invited guests to circulate, and there was still plenty of light left in the sky. There was all of London for a view. […]

The arrival of Paul McCartney and a handsome blonde American girl, Linda Eastman, formed a natural focal point for the photographers’ attentions and the journalists’ questions. The Press Officer now had more front to cover.

Paul was there to give Mary away to the press. He did it gracefully and without the slightest touch of show-business artificiality. On the one hand, he satisfied the photographers scrambling for the obligatory picture of him and Linda, and at the same time politely reminded them that this was Mary’s reception and neither the time nor place for resurgent Beatlemania. He posed with Mary, hamming and hugging his way through a back file of camera faces and postures guaranteed to please the boys from the Street of Ink.

“A little closer, Paul!”

“Mary, over this way and down a little more!”

“Give us a smile, love!”

“Go on, kiss her!” […]

Paul and Linda’s presence was not simply a token guest appearance. They held out until the very last hour, giving an air of confirmation to the reception which said, “This is a record company that is also a family.” Jimi Hendrix turned up as the party was on the last lap for a drink and some talk with Paul, and good-naturedly fenced with the journalists and photographers grown bored with taking Mary’s picture. […]

From “The Longest Cocktail Party: An Insider Account of The Beatles & the Wild Rise and Fall of Their Multi-Million Dollar Apple Empire” by Richard DiLello

Everyone was there – even the postman!!

UP IN the revolving restaurant of the Post Office Tower Apple launched Mary Hopkin’s first LP ‘Post Card’ (S/APCOR 5)., on St. Valentine’s Day.

Mary was there looking like the young, fresh Welsh girl she is. Or as the handout put it: “… only eighteen and her accent and attitudes intact”.

Paul McCartney was there because he produced the album. He was minus beard and looked almost as innocent and angelic as he did five years ago.

Linda Eastman, Paul’s alleged fiancee, was there because she took the photographs on the sleeve. (Appropriate that, in view of her family connections).

Donovan was there because three of his songs are on the LP: ‘Lord Of The Reedy River’, ‘Voyage Of The Moon’ and ‘Happiness Runs’. He sang us a song all about love and Valentines.

George Martin was there because he arranged several of the tracks.

Various executives of Valentine Cards were there because Paul had rung them up about three weeks ago and suggested they might like to join forces to promote the album. (Post Card, get it?). They have printed about 50,000 post cards featuring a coloured picture of Mary which are being distributed with the albums.

All the national newspaper photographers were there dutifully photographing Mary, but saving their film for Paul and Linda. “Give it a little more schmoom darling,” called the Evening News man. Schmoom?

Several of Mary’s relatives from Wales were there because Derek Taylor had invited them.

Ron Kass was there because he runs Apple.

No, Allen Klein wasn’t there. Unless he was in the kitchens counting the canapes.

And postman Arthur Danger-field was there because… why was he there? Oh yes, because he had just received a British Empire Medal so therefore he was invited to present Mary with a Gold Disc for ‘Those Were The Days’. I think. You can never be too sure with Apple press officer Derek Taylor…

From Record Retailer, February 19, 1969

APPLE ARRANGES FIRST CLAS DELIVERY FOR ‘POST CARD’ 520ft above London

A star turn-out helped Mary’s debut LP “Post Card” at a lavish reception she hosted in London last week in the revolving restaurant of the GPO Tower, 520 feet above London. Pictured at the party (from l. to r.) are MARY with PAUL MCCARTNEY, who produced the album; NME’S ALAN SMITH and Assistant Editor JOHN WELLS discussing some of the tracks with Mary; presentation of Gold Disc by Postman ARTHUR DANGERFIELD for million sales of “Those Were The Days”; dj KENNY EVERETT and DONOVAN talk about the album.

From New Musical Express – February 22, 1969

Guess who we found at the top of the GPO tower? It’s Paul and Linda!

THE protective arm belongs to Beatle Paul McCartney. The blonde is Linda Eastman, the girl he is expected to marry (if he has not done so already!). They were caught by the camera atop London’s GPO Tower at a party to launch Mary Hopkin’s first LP “Post Card” released tomorrow (Friday). But the Beatle remained tight-lipped about the romance, and Apple say simply “No more news.”

Beatles are now looking for an American base for their Apple business. Ron Kass, head of Apple music, has returned from the States after searching for suitable premises around Hollywood. “But there is no truth that the Beatles themselves plan to buy homes in Beverly Hills,” say Apple.

And Allen Klein, the American impresario signed by the Beatles to investigate their business affairs, returns to London next Monday (24). He will stay with Apple “indefinitely.”

From Disc & Music Echo, February 22, 1969

Going further

Tom Ruocco • 4 years ago

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