The ’60s were truly a different time. Free love, the Vietnam War, lots and lots of acid, we can never truly understand what it was like. But through the testimonies and stories of those who lived through it, we can get a better idea. And then we have Paul McCartney.
As one of The Beatles, McCartney’s own experience in the ’60s was likely different than most. Touring the world and having the entire population at the tip of your finger is a humbling and interesting experience for anyone. But in a recent conversation with GQ, which was scheduled following the release of his latest solo album Egypt Station, he got very real.
Speaking to Chris Heath, McCartney expounded upon one of the more “raunchy” stories of his youth.
“What it was,” he said, “was over at John’s house, and it was just a group of us [around five]. And instead of just getting roaring drunk and partying — I don’t even know if we were staying over or anything — we were all just in these chairs, and the lights were out, and somebody started masturbating, so we all did.”
Heath continues, “As they each concentrated on their mission, anyone in the group was encouraged to shout out a name that would offer relevant inspiration.
“We were just, ‘Brigitte Bardot!’ ‘Whoo!’” McCartney says, “and then everyone would thrash a bit more.”
Eventually one of them had to troll the group.
“I think it was John sort of said, ‘Winston Churchill!’” McCartney remembers.
“I think it was a one-off,” he says. “Or maybe it was like a two-off. It wasn’t a big thing. But, you know, it was just the kind of thing you didn’t think much of. It was just a group. Yeah, it’s quite raunchy when you think about it. There’s so many things like that from when you’re a kid that you look back on and you’re, ‘Did we do that?’ But it was good harmless fun. It didn’t hurt anyone. Not even Brigitte Bardot.”
Read the full profile here.