On this day in 1967, Paul McCartney sat down for an interview with the British television network ITV's news arm, Independent Television News (ITN), in the garden of his home on Cavendish Avenue in London.
McCartney was responding to a media firestorm created by comments he made that were published in the June 17 edition of the
then-weekly publication, Life. In the story, "The New Far-Out Beatles" by Thomas Thompson, McCartney talks about using the drug LSD — an unprecedented admission at that time.
"After I took it, it opened my eyes," McCartney was quoted as saying. "We only use one-tenth of our brain. Just think what all we could accomplish if we could only tap that hidden part."
During the television interview, the TV journalist presses McCartney on why he made the public admission, knowing the reaction it would cause. He also asks whether McCartney believed Beatles fans would be encouraged to take drugs, as a result of McCartney's comments.
McCartney responds to the question, savvily reminding the TV journalist that he, the interviewer — and not McCartney, the interviewee — has the power to keep the comments from reaching the public.
"I don't think it'll make any difference," says McCartney. "I don't think my fans are going to take drugs just because I did, you know. But the thing is — that's not the point anyway. I was asked whether I had or not, and from then on, the whole bit about how far it's gonna go and how many people it's going to encourage is up to the newspapers, and up to you on television. I mean, you're spreading this now, at this moment. This is going into all the homes in Britain, and I'd rather it didn't. But you're asking me the question. You want me to be honest, I'll be honest."
The interviewer responds. "But as a public figure, surely you've got the responsibility to…"
"…No, it's you who've got the responsibility," McCartney interrupts. "You've got the responsibility not to spread this now. You know, I'm quite prepared to keep it as a very personal thing if you will, too."