Steven Wine April 06, 2021 - 7:49 AM In 1968, the year âHey Judeâ hit the charts, Richard Thompson turned down an invitation to Paul McCartneyâs birthday party. On other occasions over the years, Thompson shared the stage with Jimi Hendrix. He also pranked Buck Owens. Those are among the fun facts found in Thompson's new memoir, âBeeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967â1975." The British guitarist and singer-songwriter, who has long had a small but devout following, revisits his role as observer and participant in a consequential era of rock music. âI'd been wondering whether I was capable of writing something other than a three-minute song for some time,â he said in an interview from his home in Montclair, New Jersey.