Paul McCartney graced the Budapest Arena stage in 2003, much to the delight of fans. Tickets ranged from a modest HUF 10,000 to a hefty HUF 50,000. Between shows, Macca, as he's affectionately known, embraced the local culture. He took to the streets on his bike, exploring Margaret Island, and even squeezed in some Hungarian lessons with photographer Eszter Gordon in his dressing room, keen to greet the crowd in their own language. He also indulged in a vegetarian feast at the legendary Boxutca restaurant, once a haunt of the famous Hungarian boxer István ‘Koko' Kovács. Fast forward to 2011, and it was Ringo Starr's turn to take the stage at the Papp László Budapest Sport Arena. The former drummer, who enjoyed a successful solo career after the Beatles' break-up (and even scored a number one hit before John Lennon!), proved that the beat goes on.
However, the Beatles' story has a surprising Hungarian connection that goes beyond their members' solo visits:
Ringo Starr attends Liz Taylor’s 40th birthday party
Imagine this: Elizabeth Taylor, the Hollywood icon, celebrating her 40th birthday in Budapest. It's 1972, and the Duna Intercontinental Hotel is the place to be. The guest list reads like a who's who of stardom: Grace Kelly, Michael Caine and his future wife Shakira Baksh, the stunning Raquel Welch, and even Victor Spinetti, who you might remember from the Beatles' film Help! And who else was there? None other than Ringo Starr himself, accompanied by his wife Maureen Cox. Why Budapest? Liz's husband at the time, the legendary Richard Burton, was filming Bluebeard in the city. And Burton chose the Duna Intercontinental for the party. It was a bold move, as it was one of the first hotels in Hungary to offer buffet-style dining, a real novelty back then. The hotel staff pulled out all the stops to accommodate the star-studded guest list. However, they couldn't quite persuade the city to illuminate the iconic Chain Bridge in honour of the birthday girl. Liz probably didn't dwell on it for too long, though, as Burton presented her with a truly spectacular gift: a heart-shaped Taj Mahal diamond necklace, centuries old!
Sam Havadtoy, Yoko Ono's partner after John Lennon's death in 1980
Sam Havadtoy, Yoko Ono's confidante and close collaborator, had Hungarian roots. Born in London to Hungarian parents, he emigrated to Hungary in 1956. However, Sam's journey was far from over. He found himself in New York, working in an antique shop. There, he discovered a passion for interior design and eventually opened his own gallery, Greet. Fate, it seems, had other plans. The Lennons walked into his gallery, drawn to an Egyptian chair. A friendship blossomed, and Sam became a trusted confidante to the couple, even designing their iconic Dakota apartment. After John's tragic death in 1980, Sam became Yoko's rock, supporting her through her grief and becoming her closest advisor, spokesperson, and friend, though the nature of their relationship remained private.
Yoko's first public appearance in Hungary after John's death was in 1986, following a successful concert at the National Millennium Exhibition. In 1992, she and Sam founded Galéria 56 in Budapest, a name imbued with a powerful message of hope. Inspired by the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, they aimed to ignite a revolution in Hungarian art. The gallery became a significant force, showcasing works by renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, and even hosting an exhibition of John Lennon's lithographs in 1998.
While Ono and Havadtoy eventually parted ways in the early 2000s, her connection to Hungary remained strong. She returned to the country several times, most recently in 2022 for a captivating exhibition at the National Museum titled War is Over! If You Want It – Tribute to Yoko Ono, showcasing her most iconic works.
Dezo Hoffmann, the band's Hungarian-born photographer
Dezo Hoffmann, while not directly connected to Budapest, deserves a place in this story as a Hungarian-born photographer who played a pivotal role in shaping the Beatles' image. Born in Banská Štiavnica (then part of the Kingdom of Hungary, now in Slovakia) in 1912, he was one of the famous Beatles photographers, alongside Annie Leibovitz and Astrid Kirchherr, and was their only official photographer until 1965. His iconic image of the band leaping for joy in Sefton Park, Liverpool, remains a timeless classic. In fact, you could say Hoffmann helped define the Beatles' early image – the cover of their Live at the BBC album is his work.
Paul McCartney himself acknowledged Hoffmann's talent, calling him 'the best photographer in the world.' However, their professional relationship eventually soured. As the Beatles' fame skyrocketed, they grew increasingly wary of those around them, and Hoffmann, unfortunately, fell victim to their suspicions. Despite this, Hoffmann's career flourished. He worked with a dazzling array of stars, including Marilyn Monroe, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Charlie Chaplin, Marlene Dietrich, Cliff Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, and The Rolling Stones.
Hoffmann's life was a whirlwind of adventure. He joined the International Brigades during the Spanish Civil War alongside Ernest Hemingway and Robert Capa. He documented communist Yugoslavia for Marshal Tito and built a successful career in London, working for renowned publications like the Daily Express and Record Mirror.
Dezo Hoffmann passed away in 1986, but his impact on music photography remains undeniable. And as a final testament to their early connection, Paul McCartney himself paid for his funeral.
Sources:
- A Beatles fotósaként lett világhírű a szlovákiai magyar fotóművész, Hoffmann Dezső
- Elizabeth Taylor 40. születésnapja Budapesten
(Cover photo: Getty Images)
