Give Me a Chance Read online

  The sound swelled. I saw Yoko singing with all her heart. Timothy Leary was knocking some rhythm sticks together in time to the music. Everybody clapped to the beat, or pounded on the doors, or made their own do-it-yourself drum kits out of tables. Our group sang as loudly as we could. The film cameras whirred; the stills cameras flashed all around. It was the party of all parties and the greatest show on Earth, and I had a front-row seat.

  I was shocked to remind myself that I was actually there, in the middle, being a part of it. I was there with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, making history. I wasn’t reading about this in some fan magazine, or watching it on a television show, or hearing about it on the radio. It was me, Gail, actually recording a song with John Lennon and all these stars. I was aware I should savour every second. Nothing like it had ever happened to me before or ever would again. I knew it was the event of a lifetime.

  We all kept chanting John’s chorus, truly wanting everyone to give love and peace a chance. We meant it, and we believed that what we were doing could and would make a difference. We were convinced that the world would heed John’s wise words. This was a protest, but with a difference: it was a peaceful one.

  I didn’t want the song or the feeling to end – none of us did – but of course it had to. At last John brought the number to a close. The moment it was over, everyone cheered, clapped and hugged one another tightly. We knew we had just done something special. We all looked over to John to see his reaction. He shouted out, “OK! Lights out! Let’s rest!”

  We all laughed, but I could see John was pleased. He had done what he’d set out to do. He had written a peace anthem that would stand the test of time.

  As John said, you should have been there.

  FIVE

  GET BACK

  The next morning I stumbled in, bleary-eyed to say the least. It wasn’t just the previous night’s recording session, which I’d replayed over and over in my mind till the wee hours like a favourite tape. Each night when I got home, I’d write up my diary of the day’s events, sometimes till quite late. Every moment was so precious that I didn’t want to forget a thing.

  Counting the days I’d been at the Bed-In, I suddenly realized, to my horror, that it would soon be over. Of course I knew it had only ever been supposed to be for eight days and that was never going to be enough. I couldn’t bear the thought of it ending – but on the other hand I knew I’d have lots of time to think about it afterwards. So I decided, why start grieving now? Already I knew how much I was going to miss the Lennons. I just vowed to enjoy every minute.

  When I got to the suite, I asked Derek when they’d be leaving. I had heard that they’d be going to Ottawa next, for a peace rally at the university. Derek looked surprised and gently pulled me to one side. “Shh! Not in front of the press – it’s supposed to be a secret!”

  I told him I’d just heard it on the television news, and he sighed. It was getting harder and harder to contain everything that was happening all around. The Bed-In had a life all of its own.

  During a break, Derek gave me some money and asked me to buy an extra suitcase from the shop in the lobby. The Lennons had been given so many gifts, they’d definitely need another case. As I was leaving the room, I heard a strange noise coming from somewhere in the hotel. It was an echo of feet, and shouts, getting louder and louder. I didn’t know what it was, but I didn’t like it. It sounded almost like a stampede, like the ones you hear in Westerns. Instinctively I shut the door and hurried back inside.

  I found Derek on the phone to a policeman, who had just called the suite. Derek went pale as he listened. This didn’t look good. The policeman told Derek that a group of about two hundred young people had just stormed the barriers downstairs and were making their way up to room 1742. The police didn’t have enough manpower to hold them back.

  The mob had marched from a local park on the mountain, where they were holding some sort of demonstration. When they got to the hotel, there were so many of them that they managed to crash through the barricades. They were now climbing all the way up to the seventeenth floor to see John and Yoko. As the police tried to handle the situation, all of us inside were advised to stay put.

  I could hear the crowd getting nearer, and I was scared. Who wouldn’t be? I’d never dealt with a mob before. It’s not the kind of thing you learn at school. I saw John coming up behind me with Kyoko, who was holding his hand, and I relaxed for a moment. If John was there, I reassured myself, everything would be all right. But to my amazement he was panic-stricken: “Mobs are the only things I’m petrified of!”

  I hadn’t thought John was afraid of anything, but I could see he meant it. I was aware that the Beatles had been mobbed many times in their career. John must have been only too familiar with the serious damage that hundreds of marauding people could do, to both property and people, even if they didn’t mean to. He was right to be alarmed. As the mob made their way up to our floor, we could hear their footsteps pounding and their shouts advancing. I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.

  John suddenly looked round for Kyoko – but she wasn’t there. We realized that as we’d turned away for a second to talk, she had opened the door, curious to see what all the excitement was about – and now, before we could stop her, she dashed out into the corridor. Horrified, we saw her race towards the noise.

  Faster even than John, I raced out and got to Kyoko first. I snatched her up, holding her tightly as I tried to turn back. The next moment, I felt John putting his arms round us both. He pulled us both back inside the suite, calling, “Come on!”

  He yanked us into a bedroom where Yoko, Derek, Tommy Smothers and the others had all taken shelter. Kyoko ran to her mother for protection. John yelled at us to lock all the doors, which we quickly did. He said we should stand in front of the doors and push against them, in case the fans tried to break them down. I didn’t like the sound of that but I obeyed, my heart thumping. Only seconds later, the mob broke down the door to the outer suite and we heard them cascading in. We held our breath. They were now much too close for comfort, but there was nothing we could do. We felt completely helpless.

  Worst of all, we didn’t know who these people were or what they wanted. Were they friends, foes or fans? Might they be terrorists?

  There’s a basic problem with mobs: even if individually every single person is wonderful and well-meaning, together they might still cause a lot of harm. This mob was capable of hurting us whether they meant to or not. Together, they were dangerous, because they were out of control and excited.

  Matters quickly went from bad to worse when the crowd started beating on the door, which anyway didn’t look terribly strong to me. It began to shake, and so did I. That flimsy door was all that stood between us and them; I didn’t think it would hold up for long. My mind began to race. What would happen if they broke through? Would we be crushed? Might we be trampled to death?

  Kyoko clung even tighter to Yoko. Through the noise, we could hear the mob calling for John. Derek put his foot down: he wasn’t prepared to risk John going out to meet them. There was no way the Beatle could just step out into the throng and hope for the best. But Derek also knew that John was going to have to do something quickly before this turned into a tragedy.

  John told the police to quieten the group so he could speak. Then, shouting so he could be heard by the fans, he told them,“I don’t want anyone to get hurt. We’re all here for love and peace, and I know you don’t mean to do anyone any harm. But you’re frightening a lot of people, including a little girl.”

  John wouldn’t leave the room, but instead asked for a spokesman to be chosen by the group to come in and see him. He would speak to that one person only, and give him or her a message which would be passed on to the rest. We felt relieved when they finally agreed.

  We were surprised when the door opened a crack, and a young hippie girl squeezed inside. It was funny, because when she was alone she wasn’t scary at all; she was just like everyone else. She ex
plained that the group had been demonstrating for peace on the mountain, and just wanted to see John and Yoko.

  John spoke to her honestly. This uncontrolled frenzy wasn’t helping the peace process at all. Quite the contrary, it was damaging it. “You’re only giving the Establishment more reason to attack.”

  The girl felt ashamed. She knew John was right.

  He advised her, “Go back to the mountain and demonstrate peacefully.”

  John asked everyone to go back downstairs and promised that if they did, he’d broadcast a special radio message, just for them. He asked everyone to trust him, just as he had always trusted them.

  The girl apologized, saying, “We never meant to hurt you or your friends.” She looked around. “I feel so sorry for you, crowded into this room.”

  I thought that was an understatement. It was a frightening glimpse of how John and Yoko – and many other celebrities – were sometimes forced to live.

  Meanwhile John was gathering armfuls of the white flowers that were all around the room; he gave them to the girl, asking that they be shared with the others as a gift from him. She assured him they would be. John thanked her and the girl left.

  We all breathed a huge sigh of relief as we heard the crowd disperse and the noises outside quickly became distant murmurs. Suddenly all was quiet. The danger was over … for now. But I wondered if there would be a next time?

  Derek arranged for the radio broadcast to the fans that John had promised. The Lennons wanted to speak to everyone and discourage them from ever doing this kind of thing again.

  On air, John spoke about “the meaning of peace, in every part of your life. It doesn’t cover only wars, but our everyday dealings with the people around us too.” I really took what he said to heart, and I knew that the hippies from the mountain would understand too. Just as he and Yoko were finishing their broadcast, Kyoko squeezed in between them and joined them at the microphone. She wanted to speak. She spoke into the microphone like a pro, pleading sweetly, “Will you all do something for me? Please stop fighting and have Peace, just for me?” We were all amazed. Obviously Kyoko had learned some important lessons during the Bed-In. We just hoped that everyone else had too.

  But it wasn’t long before John and Yoko were called upon to be peacemakers once again. Just a few hours later, over thirty thousand people in Berkeley, California, marched through the city to protest in the People’s Park – till recently, a derelict site owned by the University of California. Wanting this neglected spot to be used for the enjoyment of the entire community, one thousand people had helped turn it into a beautiful park. Now developers wanted to build on it. Students staged a protest, while a small aeroplane flew over the city trailing a banner that read “LET A THOUSAND PARKS BLOOM”. The authorities decided to crack down and sent in 250 police officers to stop them. Feelings on both sides were running high. In that situation, with the two sides confronting each other, things could go badly wrong.

  It did, when the National Guard, a military organization, arrived with their guns and bayonets. The police lobbed tear-gas canisters into the crowd, causing injury and panic. The situation was getting dangerous.

  The peace protesters were ready for action. Once again, the Lennons took to the airwaves and counselled the Berkeley marchers to avoid violence at all costs. John advised, “Don’t kill yourselves… No bit of grass is worth that! No park is worth dying for!” He begged them not to use violence, and to retreat. He could only hope people would listen.

  After that broadcast was finished, we all slumped into chairs. It had been quite a day; we were all mentally and physically exhausted. I could see that campaigning for peace was a full-time business, and one that took a lot of guts to pursue. I admired John and Yoko, who had genuine concerns for peace and for the future of the world. They were rich, famous people who could have done nothing but have fun and enjoy the fruits of their success. Instead, they were using their talents, resources and energies to try to make the world a better place – sometimes at considerable cost to themselves. Once while we were talking quietly, John confided to me, “My biggest fear is that, one day, a nutter with a gun is going to get me.” A chill went through me and I felt as though someone had walked on my grave. It was such a horrendous idea, I didn’t even want to think about it.

  In one quiet moment, Derek took me aside for a chat. He told me that he and the Lennons would be moving on, taking their peace campaign to Ottawa and Toronto next – and they all wanted to know if I would like to join them.

  I’d never been so flabbergasted since the last time I was flabbergasted (it seemed to be happening a lot these days). I’d been trying hard not to feel upset about the thought of the Bed-In finishing; I didn’t know how I was going to find a way to say goodbye to all my new friends. Now it seemed I might not have to. I had absolutely no idea what to say.

  Derek explained that I could carry on doing what I’d been doing for the past week, giving a hand wherever necessary. I would enjoy travelling with the group, staying in the best hotels with them and seeing new places. Yoko also had said it would be lovely if I could come, because I’d built up such a good relationship with Kyoko – whom I adored.

  Derek hinted that if things worked out after Ottawa and Toronto, and everyone was happy, maybe I could join the entourage full-time. That shocked me even more; I had never thought of making a career out of this. He looked to me for an answer. What did I think?

  I knew that my holidays were coming. It wouldn’t be as if I’d be missing any school – although of course to me that would have made the offer even more attractive. And I’d never felt so flattered; I couldn’t believe they all wanted me to become part of their group. This seemed such a huge step. And anyway, even if I wanted to go, would my parents let me?

  Thoughtfully, Derek offered to ring my mother. Over the past week I had told each of them so much about the other that they chatted like old friends. Derek assured Mum that everyone promised to look after me well. By now, my mother trusted Derek and the Lennons. She had seen me come to no harm; quite the contrary, in fact – she’d seen me take on responsibility and have the time of my life. She discussed it with my father.

  After what seemed an eternity, Derek handed me the phone. I was waiting for some kind of verdict to be pronounced from on high when Mum, to my everlasting surprise, said something I’d never expected in a million years. She said it was my choice.

  I thought I hadn’t heard right. Could this really be my parents?

  This was something new; until then, I’d always been told what to do by everyone in my life. At home, the rules were clear. I knew when I was supposed to get up, go to bed, eat, study, walk the dog and clean my room. At school, there were yet more rules. I was told what I was expected to wear, study, write and even think.

  Now I felt as if I was being released into the wild … the choice was going to be mine. I was excited, but also scared. I realized this was the first really big decision I’d ever had to make.

  I saw that Derek was still looking at me curiously, waiting for my reply. I told him honestly, “I don’t know!”

  He laughed – but I swore it wasn’t that I was playing hard to get. There was so much to think about, so many people to talk to and plans to work out. The whole idea was overwhelming, although in a happy way.

  Derek told me to take my time, but that they’d have to know tomorrow, before they left. I said I would sleep on it.

  Naturally I didn’t sleep a wink that night.

  SIX

  HELLO, GOODBYE

  I arrived at the hotel early the next morning because I had a lot to do. Outside room 1742, George and I greeted each other sadly. I had grown fond of him over the past eight days, and I knew I would miss him. I was sure life would become a lot quieter for him now – maybe too quiet. He told me that in his long career he’d taken care of kings, queens, stars and other VIPs, but this time had been the most memorable.

  George had already said his goodbyes to the Lennons. John h
ad called him over to thank him for the great week. He also wanted to know what George thought of “Give Peace a Chance”. John was eager for his first review – I guess stars are as insecure as the rest of us.

  George told him that he’d served with the Canadian Army in Korea, so he fully backed John and Yoko’s peace message. Touched, John gave him a Yellow Submarine album which he and Yoko had signed specially for him.

  Just before I went in, George confided to me, “You’ll never realize how closely you were watched with Kyoko that first day. Everyone was afraid of a kidnapping plot.” I was glad I’d passed the audition. But I was also reminded of yet another aspect of celebrity life.

  Inside the suite, John and Yoko were getting ready to go. I was taken aback to see them wearing their casual street clothes. John was wearing his white linen suit again, only this time with a smart black shirt and colourful tie. He looked oddly respectable. Yoko was in her white trouser suit. I couldn’t help saying, “My, you scrub up well!” I’d seen them only in white silk pyjamas or white nighties for the last eight days; funny how you get used to things. But now they were ready to re-enter the world.

  Derek greeted me and asked where my bag was. I took him to one side. Even I couldn’t believe what I was saying as I stammered, “I’ve never been so flattered in all my life. And thank you – but I’m not going to come.” Derek listened intently as I went on. “Don’t get me wrong, I’ve thought about nothing else all night. And I’ve loved every second and everyone. But I don’t think it’s right for me.”

  Derek nodded as I tried not to cry. I could scarcely believe I was giving up this golden opportunity to spend more time with my heroes, to travel and to go on meeting famous people. If I chose, I could still be with them as they lived their exciting lives. But there was the problem: I wanted to live my own exciting life.