Paul is Dead
4 Extra Debut. Matt Thompson investigates the 1969 worldwide rumour that Paul McCartney had died and been replaced by an imposter. From 2014.
In 1969, with The Beatles in financial and creative turmoil, a strange rumour swept the world.
It began with a phone call to a US chat show - Paul McCartney had been killed in a road accident and replaced by the winner of a look-a-like competition, William Campbell an orphan from Edinburgh.
And there were clues that could only be revealed by playing the Beatles records backwards.
It sounds unlikely, but millions of fans believed it.
We speak with the man who took that phone call, the hoaxer who developed the myth, and an expert on folklore who sees uncanny parallels with ancient myths about changelings and the darker side of fairies.
What does this odd tale tell us about The Beatles' place in our cultural history?
Featuring out takes, clips from interviews and rarer versions of Beatles songs.
Producer: Matt Thompson
A Rockethouse production for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 first broadcast in October 2014.
**** NOTES ON THE MUSIC USED IN THIS PROGRAMME ****
Wherever possible or appropriate, raw sounding demo or instrumental recordings from The Beatles Anthology albums were used.
For ultra lush mixes, the remixed versions from The Beatles' Love album were used. Interludes and chit chat were from the Let it Be Naked - Fly on the Wall CD which contains out takes from the Let It Be film recordings.
Timings refer to the actual programme start.
0.00 Yesterday (alt acoustic version) (Disc 1, Track 7 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
1.08 Ballad Of Paul (Track 24 - Beatlemaniacs!!! The World of Beatles Novelty Records)
1.17 I Am The Walrus (no overdubs) (Disc 2, Track 14 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
1.37 Revolution 9 (Disc 2, Track 12 - The Beatles, The Beatles)
1.53 Ballad Of Paul (Track 24 - Beatlemaniacs!!! The World of Beatles Novelty Records)
3.17 I'm Looking Through You (Unissued version) (Disc 1, Track 15 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
4.07 Revolution 9 (Disc 2, Track 12 - The Beatles, The Beatles)
4.17 Revolution 9 (reversed by programme producer)
5.25 The Fool On The Hill (Demo) (Disc 2, Track 15 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
6.33 A Day In The Life (take1/2) (Disc 2, Track 5 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
8.16 Strawberry Fields Forever (Track 8 - Magical Mystery Tour, The Beatles)
8.24 I'm Only Sleeping (Rehearsal) (Disc 1, Track 22 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
9.02 Fly On The Wall (In rehearsal) (Disc 2, Track 1 - Let It Be...Naked, The Beatles)
9.12 Revolution 9 (Disc 2, Track 12 - The Beatles, The Beatles)
10.57 Glass Onion (Remix) (Track 3 - Love, The Beatles)
11.12 Glass Onion (Disc 1, Track 3 - The Beatles, The Beatles)
12.07 Eleanor Rigby (Strings Only) (Disc 1, Track 21 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
13.34 Strawberry Fields Forever (Remix) (Track 13 - Love, The Beatles)
14.54 Strawberry Fields Forever (Remix) (Track 13 - Love, The Beatles)
16.47 I'm Looking Through You (Disc 1, Track 15 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
17.33 John, Paul, George & Ringo (Track 1 - Beatlemaniacs!!! The World of Beatles Novelty Records)
18.13 Within You, Without You [Instrumental] (Disc 2, Track 11 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
21.21 Your Mother Should Know (take 27) (Disc 2, Track 16 - Anthology 2, The Beatles)
23.18 Fly On The Wall (Paul on piano) (Disc 2, Track 1 - Let It Be...Naked, The Beatles)
23.54 Fly On The Wall (Anyone seen John) (Disc 2, Track 1 - Let It Be...Naked, The Beatles)
25.15 Octopus's Garden / Sun King (Remix) (Track 16 - Love, The Beatles)
Last on
Music Played
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The Beatles
Yesterday
- 7.
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Beatlemaniacs
Ballad Of Paul
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The Beatles
I Am The Walrus
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The Beatles
Revolution 9
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The Beatles
I'm Looking Through You
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The Beatles
The Fool On The Hill
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The Beatles
A Day In The Life
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The Beatles
Strawberry Fields Forever
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The Beatles
I'm Only Sleeping (Rehearsal)
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The Beatles
Fly On The Wall (In rehearsal)
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The Beatles
Glass Onion (Love Version)
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The Beatles
Eleanor Rigby (Strings Only, Take 14)
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The Beatles
Strawberry Fields Forever (Love Remix)
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The Beatles
Glass Onion
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The Beatles
I'm Looking Through You
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The Bulldogs
John, Paul, George & Ringo
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The Beatles
Within You, Without You [Instrumental]
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The Beatles
Octopus's Garden - Sun King (Love Remix)
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The Beatles
Your Mother Should Know
Broadcasts
- Tue 14 Oct 2014 11:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Fri 30 Jul 2021 14:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sat 31 Jul 2021 02:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Sun 1 Aug 2021 15:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Mon 2 Aug 2021 03:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
Featured in...
Hoax and Conspiracy
A selection of programmes looking at hoaxes and conspiracies