Class Acts
the city he loves and why he thinks it’s so special. Indian mystic philosophy that says before we’re school was solely for academics. Art was frowned
“I’m very proud of the city of Liverpool. It’s a born we’re all floating around in the infinite and upon. It catered to produce scientists, politicians,
unique place, thanks mainly to the people. I always we all choose our own families. It’s an extremely and civil servants. As a schoolboy I wanted to be a
call myself a Liverpudlian. It’s hard to describe interesting philosophy because if we make that painter or illustrator. I loved art, and still do. I was
what makes it special. You’ve got to come and see choice then it’s all our own fault! I like that. I think on another plane to that school. I have no idea
it and feel it. Liverpudlians are always taking the my brother and I were very wise because we how I got in there in the first place. Paul passed the
mickey. It’s part of our nature. We see everything chose the best parents you could ever have in your 11+, but I’m sure everyone thought I was thicker
with a sense of humour and we’re always ready to life. If you ever have a hard time with your parents, than Paul. I remember when I found out I’d passed,
take the mickey out of ourselves. It’s almost a just remember, it’s no good blaming them – you I went home and Mum was making a cake on the
religious thing.” chose them. kitchen table. She gave me the biggest hug of my
We’re also surprised that Mike has been “The only regret I have is that Mum died so life… flour all over the place. That’s twice I’ve
dropping his brother into conversation without young. I was only 12. But it’s all relative, especially talked about Mum and I haven’t cried. You are
prompting. We’d thought it a good idea to try to in the case of your parents. One of the worst things very lucky young students.”
steer away from his sibling as there was likely to in life is to have your mother taken from you at the
be some rivalry between them, but it’s the age of 12. You have to think, ‘Why did this You need hands
complete opposite. When we ask Mike if there was happen?’ I worked out that the reason must be to During our research on Mike we were surprised to
ever anything of the kind, he tells us, “Sibling make me realise how important life and living is. find out he once worked as a hairdresser. We’re
rivalry? Never. He’s just our kid same as I’m just his We were very lucky. Wonderful parents. curious to know more about what that was like
kid. Me brother.” “I think Mum and Dad would’ve been proud and whether he enjoyed it. “Before Scaffold took
Once we know that Paul and Mike are closer of us. Dad saw a lot of what we did, as he lived off, I was a ladies’ hairdresser at Andre Bernard’s in
than the average brothers, we feel more at ease until 1976. And Mum’s seen it from another Liverpool,” he says. “But I had to get out of
talking about Mike’s past, and ask about his perspective. Our kid got a Doctorship from Yale hairdressing because I’d once broken my arm at
relationship with his parents. “We had an excellent and, of course, he’s a sir. And did you say they Scout camp. I broke the humerus, which wasn’t
relationship with our parents,” he says. “There’s an dubbed me Cultural Ambassador of the Wirral? humorous at all, it bloody hurt! It affected the
I like that. Dubbing me was about the only thing nerves in my hand. I had to give up drumming, so
they didn’t do. Pete Best and then Ringo got that job. And you
We’re keen to find out if Mike enjoyed his need two working hands to be a hairdresser. I was
schooldays as much as we do. “Did I enjoy school? great at the patter, the chatting to the customers
Erm… I’m talking to two students, so I probably but I’d never have been good enough because of
shouldn’t say too much. Let me put it this way: my hand.”
school left a lot to be desired. My problem was Bringing the conversation back to photography,
that my school, the Liverpool Institute for Boys, we ask Mike if people are always willing to have
which is now a great school, catered for their photos taken. “I don’t think I’ve ever come
academics. Neither me nor my brother were across a rock star that didn’t want to!” he says.
academics. Well, he was better than me, but the “They have to be vain. Notice how I’m sitting here
with this side of my face to your cameraman?
That’s because I know if he gets the other side the
photo’s going to show a great big hooked nose!”
So what’s next for Mike? Is he ever going to sing
In the pink
again, or is he concentrating on his photography?
Mike McCartney was a
“I’m working with playwright Willy Russell on a
successful musician in
photographic book on Liverpool from the earliest
his own right with
days to today,” he reveals. “It’ll feature my
comdey band Scaffold
photographs and Willy’s words. It should be out
and refutes any
this year… or next.”suggestion of
sibling rivalry
At this point we can hear the sounds of Mike’s
cleaning lady vacuuming upstairs. She needs to do
the downstairs next, so we’re almost literally swept
out of the interview after having a thoroughly
enjoyable day. Mike seems to have advice on
everything and one of our favourite quotes from
him is, “Do it your way. That’s the only way. Don’t
be like everyone else. Be like you. If you’re ever in a
race, run backwards. Be different.”
Be sure to check out Mike McCartney’s website
at
www.mikemccartney.co.uk
Any schools wishing to take part in Class Acts
should contact Tim Quinn on tel: 01743
355332 or via his website at
www.mightyquinnmanagement.com
Country & Border Life October 2008 105
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