An Interview with Lawrence Gilmour - No Other Baby

You can't really imagine what it must be like to look like one of the worlds most loved musicians - Sir Paul McCartney. Can you imagine just going about your daily business and suddenly passers-by cause a scene, because they think you're Paul McCartney? I'd like to introduce you to the man, we all know and love - Lawrence Gilmour.

How did you first discover that you looked like Paul McCartney?
The midwife noticed on the way out!! No not that early, but it was quite early. I was about 6 and I was watching my brother's band rehearsing Beatles songs and one of the band turned and said "Hey, Lawrence looks like Paul!" I had a little Beatle fringe then!!

When was it that you were told that you could sing like him?
I have always gone around singing his songs at home, but one night in the 70's I got up in a club for laugh and sang 'Mull of Kintyre' - which was number one at the time. There was no Karaoke in those days - it was live band, and all my mates said I sounded like Paul McCartney.

I remember watching you on Stars in your Eyes! How did it feel?
It was the first time that I had done Paul in public - I was a little disappointed with the make-up - I think that I look more like him naturally now, but it was a great experience which you could say, changed my life. I started to work on my act AFTER that! Also, I know now that Paul saw me on it cause he told me himself when I worked with him.

Do you often get mistaken for Paul when you are out and how does it feel?
People do comment that I look like him but it has happened. Once an American woman walked into a hotel and went "Oh my Gawd! It's him!" Then she realised that it wasn't. Recently when flying to the USA the flight attendant was checking my passport and started laughing and said "It look's just like Paul McCartney!!" I like that kind of feedback because it sort of justifies me doing him. Sometimes I don't think I look like him and then when people say that I think 'Well I must look like him after all!'

What is your favourite Paul song and which do you enjoy performing the most?
I love 'Long and Winding Road', 'Hey Jude','Little Lamb Dragon Fly', 'Maybe I'm Amazed', 'Oh Darling' and I like to play 'Little Willow' on my acoustic.

The most burning question that I have to ask you, being a major fan of Paul, what was it like meeting and working with him on 'No Other Baby'?
I can't describe it in words - it would take too long to try. Let's just say at times it was anxious, sometimes very relaxed, always interesting. Singing with him was probably the highlight, but there were many.

Unfortunately, Lawrence will not be attending Beatleweek this year - he is off to the States (they don't know how lucky they are!!). We here at The Word Is Love want to wish Lawrence and his family "All The Best" for their new future. We'll miss you!! We will keep all you readers of TWIL up to date on how Lawrence is getting on!!

Jo Rishton
TWIL Issue One July 2000