The History of “Paul is Dead”
What began (most
likely) in a drug-soaked dorm room or four came to full fruition on October 12,
1969, when detroit DJs Russell Gibb and Headly Westerfield broadcast the
"news" for the first time over the airwaves. Various "reports"
had been circulating in certain newspaper articles, but WKNR's decision to read
one of them over the air kicked the murmuring into high gear. Long before most folks imagined that JFK had been killed by more than
one man, this conspiracy theory took hold of American ears, and hasn't let go
yet.
The
hoax persists (even though it was disproven all those years ago) mainly because
it's a terribly fun parlor game. So much so, in fact, that fans of other
bands have started their own versions of PID, using their favorite musicians as
faux-conspiracy fodder. Phony murder plots as recreation? It's got Kevin
Baconization and Twister beat all to hell. Even in the field of weird parlor
games, the Beatles were there first. (Three of them, that is.)
History
- Paul
Is Dead?!? The best overall history of the hoax,
compiled and edited by saki and visible at The
rec.music.beatles Home Page.
- Keener13.com:
Tom Zarski The college student who kickstarted the "Paul
Is Dead" rumor speaks! Gives a full history of the hoax and its
origins.
- The
AFU and Urban Legends Archive A more in-depth look at the
possible origins of the myth, also presented by saki.
- Paul
is Dead Hoax Audio clips that prove two disc jockeys were at
the center of it all, not the band themselves. From the Ottawa Beatles
Site.
- Another
Clue For You All... This CD claims to be the exclusive
autobiography of the hoax. A description from Harald Gernhardt.
"Clues"
- He
Blew His Mind Out In A Car This site treats the Paul
"accident" as a continuing investigation and establishes a
bureau to sniff out theories and clues. Intentionally hilarious (and
psychedelic!)
- Paul
Is Dead Simply titled, and a good place to get the most popular
clues, album by album.
- THE
KING IS NAKED! An extensive comparison of photos that
"proves" Paul's death (as well as an extension of the myth)!
- is
paul dead? Debunks some myths, raises some other questions.
- Luna's
Paul Is Dead Clues available in George's "When We Was
Fab"?!
- The
New Clue Recently unearthed "evidence" you can hear
for yourself on Dave Haber's Internet Beatles Album.
- The
"Paul Is Dead" Story A large block of text that may
be the most complete set of clues yet. From The Obituary Page.
- The
Secrets Found In Beatle Albums A number of "original
clues": almost enough to convince you that someone was trying to pull
something.
- The
Yellow Submarine: PID The best description of the
"accident." Some unique interpretations, including some
interesting twists on the Pepper cover.
- Paul
is Dead... Not! Does the best job yet of debunking all the
major clues, not to mention the myth as a whole. From Amuse Yourself!
Miscellany