PEOPLE : A Beatle Maniac Petitions Paul

Beatlemania lives--at least in the heart of Carmen Salmon.

Since last August, the 45-year-old Lakeside, Calif., mother of four and self-described “first-generation Beatles fan” (pictured below) has spearheaded a petition drive to persuade Paul McCartney to perform in San Diego. As her self-imposed deadline of June 18 (McCartney’s birthday) approaches, she believes her chances are at least “decent.”

“When I called Paul’s management offices in London last year, I was told that 3,000 signatures would probably get his attention,” Salmon says. She aimed for 10,000 and has collected about 7,000. “So, I think (the McCartney camp) will have to agree that we really want him to come here.”

McCartney’s business office, MPL Communications in London, declined comment on the drive.

Salmon’s effort is only the latest, most public manifestation of her devotion: “I saw them live when they played Balboa Stadium in ‘65, and I went to both Hollywood Bowl shows (1964, 1965). At their concerts, it seemed as though everything was moving in slow motion.”

Like it or not, Salmon’s children carry her Beatles fetish through life. They are Zak, 21 (named after Ringo Starr’s son); Rocky, 14 (from “Rocky Raccoon”); Sunshine, 17 (from “Good Day Sunshine”), and Jet, 7 (from a song by McCartney’s other band, Wings).

“The kids are pretty cool about it,” Salmon said. “They like their names, and they even like the Beatles.”