What's the scope on the "Paul is dead" hoax? Why did he want to be dead?

Question

I know Paul McCartney is not dead. But why the hoax and conspiracy?

Answer 1

From the Sunset Strip website on Geocities dedicated to this story:

HOW IT ALL STARTED

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the 'Paul Is Dead' hoax. Some believe the Beatles and Apple Records started the rumor as a marketing ploy to sell albums. That John Lennon started it out of jealousy. That overzealous fans conjured up the idea. Or that Paul McCartney is actually dead, and this was the way it was announced.

We may never know the true origin of the hoax. However, we do know how it was brought into public knowledge.

In 1969 Russell Gibb, a radio Disc Jockey in Detroit, announced that Paul McCartney was dead. His proof: evidence strewn throughout the Beatles' songs, movies, and album artwork. Newspaper and television reporters picked up the story and the news quickly spread across America.

THE STORY OF PAUL'S DEATH


The story states that Paul McCartney was involved in a car accident. Apparently "he hadn't noticed that the lights had changed." The accident occurred at 5 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. Cause of death was massive head trauma. So severe were his wounds that dental records were useless for identifying the body.

No accident report was made public due to pending investigation of the occupant. Beatles' insiders learned it was Paul, but kept silent. Understanding the ramifications of such news, the remaining Beatles hatched a cover-up.

A Paul McCartney look alike contest was held. William Campbell won first place, but the results were never announced. Campbell's prize was to be made a clone of Paul for photos, videos, movies, etc. Plastic surgery was used to smooth out the minor differences. They failed to fix a scar on Campbell's upper lip - this is how you can tell authentic McCartney photos from the Campbell ones.

Answer 2

in 1968 was a roumor about paul was dead in a car accident, thats why the beatles put lot of signs in the covers eg. the hand over pauls head in sgt pepper's and walking barefoot in abbey road, also there is a VW that the plate says 28IF (pauls age if he were alive in 1969). There is a song from lennon that says "Those creeps was right when they said... you were dead)... many people of press roumored that pauls has a robot or his brother replace him in that time...there is other clues that beatles take to reforce the idea to paul dead.

very sorry about the grammar :)

Answer 3

no one really knows. the beatles deny it, but i think it was just a joke to stir up hype. not sure if you know this, but there are clues all over their album covers and songs that may or may not be deliberate. either way, it's really interesting stuff!

Answer 4

it is just media propoganda. you cannot hide messages into recordings by playing them backwards. someone just wanted to start a fuss.