Last Days of John Lennon - A Beatle Book with a Misleading Title

 

The death of John Lennon was in the news recently as 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of his murder.  James Patterson is a prolific writer best known for his fictional works.  When I saw the announcement of this book, I presumed the entire book was devoted to the days leading up to his murder.  I started reading the book and noted that it was a history of the Beatles from the Quarrymen days to 1970 and of John Lennon as a solo recording artist.  Between the chapters describing the history of the Beatles, there were small chapters describing the events of December 6-8, 1980 starting when the murderer (I refuse to write his name) boarded a plane in Hawaii with his gun in his suitcase intending to murder Lennon.

Almost all of the material describing the Beatles is common knowledge to long-time fans.  There are very long bibliographies for each chapter which shows Patterson's book was well researched.  Less than 20% of the book is devoted to John's murder and the events leading up to it.  Eyewitness to the Death of John Lennon: A WABC-TV special provides more information on the tragic event.

This book is only suited for a very casual fan of the Beatles and John Lennon.  I would not recommend it for avid Beatle fans.

John Lennon was a Red Sox Fan

Yesterday we took a short drive to the Kew Gardens Cinema to see the movie U.S. versus John Lennon.  This small theater shows many independent films that are not shown in our local multiplex.  Back in the early 1970s tricky Dick Nixon wanted to do anything to be re-elected with a big landslide.  Back then John Lennon assosciated himself with political radicals such as Abby Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and others.  Lennon was convicted of marijuana posession in England some years bag.  Nixon and his stooges like J. Edgar Hoover did everything to get John deported.  This was the theme of the movie.  There was a scene in the movie showing John and Yoko as hosts of the Mike Douglas show with Bobby Seale as the guest.  John was wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform during the show.  Hopefully this film will be shown in Prescott or Pagebyrner will have to wait until it comes out in DVD.

Happy Birthday John Lennon

Today would be the 72nd birthday of John Lennon who was tragically taken away from us on December 8, 1980.  We never know what wonder music John would have created had he lived.  Bob Dylan collaborted with George Harrsion in the early 1970s, but never worked with John.  On the new Tempest CD there is a tribute called Roll on John.

Back in the 1960s there was a documentary produced called Eat the Document which was supposed to be seen on ABC television, but was only shown on Channel 13.  I have a bootleg copy of it on VHS tape.  Anyway below is an excerpt from that film showing a conversion between Bob Dylan and John Lennon.

Nowhere Boy - Excellent Movie with the Wrong Title

Today we took a short drive to the Kew Gardens Cinema to see Nowhere Boy about John Lennon at age 15. Over the years I have read several biographies of John Lennon and the Beatles. The film certainly confirmed what I have read. I enjoyed the movie but I would change the title to Quarryman. I recall the lyrics of the Beatles hit Nowhere Man as follows:



“He’s a real nowhere man sitting in his nowhere land making all his nowhere plans for nobody.”


The young John Lennon certainly was a mover and shaker. We see how he was influenced by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly and others during his formative years as a musician. He met Paul McCartney and formed the Quarrymen. We also observe John’s difficult family situation with his Aunt Mimi and mother Julia. It ends with his taking his group to Germany for a gig. The name Beatles was never mentioned, but if I remember my music history correctly the name was changed from Quarrymen to Beatles at that time.


I recommend it for everyone who is familiar with the popular music of the 1950s and 60s.

John Lennon 1940-1980

It is hard to believe that it has been 29 years since John Lennon was tragically taken from us. Back then I was working at Schering-Plough and had to wake up very early in the morning. I must have gone to sleep about 10:30 PM and didn't find out about the tragedy until 6 AM the next morning, The photo above was taken by Bob Gruen. The video below of Bob Dylan and John Lennon was taken in 1966 and is an outtake from the film Eat the Document. Facebook friends may see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8OkqwY0tvc

Today Would be John Lennon's 80th Birthday

 

It is hard to believe that John Lennon would have been 80 years old had he lived.  Sadly he was murdered by a crazed fan at age 40.  In December it will be 40 years since he died.  He certainly left us some excellent music as a solo artist and as part of the legendary Beatles.  We'll never know what music he would have done had he lived.  Would all 4 Beatles have united?

There were several tribute songs written about him:

• Here Today - Paul McCartney
• All Those Years Ago - George Harrison
• Empty Garden - Elton John
• Roll on John - Bob Dylan

My favorite of the 4 is Empty Garden

42 Years Ago, Today John Lennon was Murdered

 I have posted several John Lennon songs in this journal over the years.  My favorite was Beautiful Boy.  I found on YouTube a video of John talking to Bob Dylan in the back of a taxicab.  This video, which is 28 minutes long, was taken from the documentary Eat the Document.  I believe it includes outtakes.

Ringo Starr to join Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney in Recording This Summer

I read the news today oh boy! Ringo Starr will be joining Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan as they record this summer. It is just too said that George Harrison and John Lennon will not be there to join them. Bob played with George and Ringo in 1971 at the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden. As far as I know he never played with John Lennon, but in the documentary Eat the Document about Dylan's 1966 tour of England there is a long scene of Bob and John taking in the back seat of a limosine. See below:

Yellow Submarine - John Lennon on Vocals

 

I found this version of Yellow Submarine with John Lennon on lead vocal on YouTube.  I have a talent for finding things accidentally.  It is not AI generated.

2022 remix with Ringo Starr on lead vocal

Happy Birthday John Lennon

Today would have been John Lennon's 73rd birthday.  Although he was tragically killed in 1980 his music with the Beatles and as a solo artist lives on.

It is a Shame That Bob Dylan and John Lennon Never Recorded Together

About two years ago I reported in this journal that Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney would record together.  This never came to pass.  Bob and George Harrison recorded together on several occasions.  Sadly Bob  and John Lennon never collaborated.  That would have been some duo.  The Youtube video is a conversation between the two that occurred in London in May 1966.  It was a clip taken from the documentary Eat the Document.  I highly recommend that fans of either of these icons watch this 12 minute video.  My readers can see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94yx1VtVHGg

John Lennon Quote

You can listen to Breakfast with the Beatles any time of the day or night.  The late John Lennon once said "A conspiracy of silence speaks louder than words."  It applies to something I did at work today.

Review of Petula Clark at BB Kings on December 26

I must say that at age 85 Petula Clark is not getting older, she is getting better.  She really wowed the audience at BB Kings on December 26 as she sang in front or a jammed packed club.  She sang many of her hits including Downtown, Don’t Sleep in the Subway, I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love, My Love and This is My Song.  She told some anecdotes about meeting Charlie Chaplin and John Lennon and Yoko Ono.  I was surprised to hear her cover the Beatle’s Blackbird and John Lennon’s Imagine.  She also sang a few songs from her forthcoming CD Living for Today.  There were many younger people in the audience.  Last night’s concert completes a tour that started in Modesto, California on November 12.

Watching the Wheels - John Lennon Song of the Day

It is hard to believe that it is 35 years snce we lost John Lennon.  Watching the Wheels reflected the years that he stayed home as a house husband and cared for Sean while Yoko took care of his business affairs.  We never now what music he would have created had he lived.  He is still sorely missed after all these years.

Bob Radil's 60s 70s Show Has Returned

After a hiatus of almost five years, the 60s 70s show has returned on Pop Gold Radio.  Bob has a Listeners Lounge where people can make requests.  He played Subterranean Homesick Blues for me.  Below is the set list for the show on Friday, July 5.

5:59:22 PM "Do It Again" by Steely Dan

6:03:28 PM "Do It Again" by The Beach Boys

6:14:03 PM "Welcome Back" by John Sebastian

6:16:51 PM "Back Together Again" by Daryl Hall & John Oates

6:20:14 PM "Join Together" by The Who

6:24:29 PM "Back In The Saddle" by Aerosmith

6:29:10 PM "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder

6:36:27 PM "A Day In The Life (The Last Chord)" by Beatles

6:39:51 PM "That's All Right" by Elvis Presley

6:41:48 PM "Subterranean Homesick Blues" by Bob Dylan

6:44:03 PM "Walk-Don't Run" by The Ventures

6:46:08 PM "Playground In My Mind" by Clint Holmes

6:48:53 PM "No Good To Cry" by The Wildweeds

6:53:10 PM "Back In The U.S.S.R." by Beatles

6:55:38 PM "Rock The Boat" by The Hues Corporation

7:07:42 PM "Shape Of Things To Come" by Max Frost and the Troopers

7:09:28 PM "Shapes Of Things" by The Yardbirds

7:17:28 PM "Will It Go Round In Circles" by Billy Preston

7:21:09 PM "All Day Music" by War

7:29:43 PM "How Long" by Ace

7:33:00 PM "Dirty Water" by The Standells

7:36:05 PM "Good Thing" by Paul Revere and the Raiders

7:39:09 PM "Making A Good Thing Better" by Olivia Newton-John

7:42:53 PM "Getting Better" by Beatles

7:48:15 PM "Life In The Fast Lane" by The Eagles

7:56:55 PM "A Girl Like You" by Young Rascals

7:59:47 PM "With A Girl Like You" by The Troggs

8:01:55 PM "Waiting For A Girl Like You" by Foreigner

8:06:30 PM "Love Is The Answer" by England Dan and John Ford Coley

8:11:10 PM "Out In The Country" by Three Dog Night

8:19:06 PM "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-With A Little Help(inst)" by The Beatles

8:24:04 PM "Sgt. Pepper (vocal)" by Beatles

8:25:39 PM "With A Little Help From My Friends (vocal)(stereo)" by The Beatles

8:33:04 PM "Walk Away Renee" by The Left Tops

8:36:08 PM "Get Ready (stereo)" by Rare Temptation

8:39:25 PM "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" by Marvin Clearwater

8:50:57 PM "People Are Strange" by The Doors

8:51:45 PM "Washington Square" by The Village Stompers

8:56:24 PM "Stop!" by The Moody Blues

8:58:30 PM "Black On White" by North Atlantic Invasion Force

9:01:24 PM "When She Was My Girl" by The Four Tops

9:07:38 PM "This Little Girl" by Gary U.S. Bonds

9:11:14 PM "Come Back When You Grow Up" by Bobby Vee

9:15:15 PM "Everybody Loves Somebody" by Dean Martin

9:18:00 PM "Groovy Situation" by Gene Chandler

9:21:14 PM "Rock and Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers(version 2)

9:24:27 PM "Rock And Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers

9:29:46 PM "Rock And Roll Heaven" by Climax

9:34:12 PM "Cab Driver" by Mills Brothers

9:38:53 PM "Love Is Like A Rock" by Donnie Iris

9:46:20 PM "Things Will Be Better" by Byrds

9:48:31 PM "Supernatural Thing-Part I" by Ben E. King

9:51:46 PM "Garden Party" by Rick Nelson

9:57:29 PM "(Just Like) Starting Over" by John Lennon

It was Literary Friday for me

Today is known a Black Friday when everyone goes shopping. There was a tragic incident in nearby Valley Stream where a a Wal-Mart employee was literaly trampled to death by shoppers breaking down the doors trying to get bargains. What was especially sad was that the agressive shoppers actually jumped over the medics who were trying to save the poor man. Anyway, I wanted no part of shopping malls today, so I spent some time reading.

Let's start out with John Lennon by Philip Norman. There have certainly been numerous biographies over the years written on the group and its individual members. This current tome with over 800 pages certainly presents some revelations that I never read about or just didn't remember from previous accounts. This volume was certainly well researched and provides details of Lennon's personal and professional life. This book is so heavy that I couldn't schlep it on the subway, so I had to read it at home. I have about 150 pages to go.

Noted sportswriter John Feinstein wrote this book about the pitchers Mike Mussina and Tom Glavine during the 2007 season. This season was disappointing for both. Glavine won his 300th game during the season for the Mets but collapsed as the Mets blew a 7 game lead in the National League east with 17 games to go. In the last gaem of the season he gave up 7 runs in the first inning.

Just today, I went to the library and picked up "A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity" a biography of infuenetial TV personality and author Bill O'Reilly. For more information on Bill I suggest my readers check out Dave DuBrow's World Journal File. I hope that Dave with his very busy schedule will find time to read it.

The Jim Irsay Collection was On Display at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC

 

Jim Irsay is best known for being the owner of the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL.  He assembled a robust collection of historic and culturally significant artifacts over several decades.  This collection was on display at the Hammerstein Ballroom which is on 34th Street just west of 8th Avenue.  One nice thing was that there was no admission charge.  I used my cell phone camera to take photos of some of the exhibits.

John F. Kennedy's Rocking Chair

Jim Irsay's collection of guitars was the most popular exhibit.

Johnny Cash's Guitar

Bob Dylan's 1965 guitar (upper center)

There were two pianos of interest

John Lennon's Piano

Elton John's piano

DVD of the Day

When I ordered the DVD of the Byrds I also requested the DVD John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.  This  video described how John's first album after the breakup of the Betles was made.  It includes interviews with Jann Wenner, Yoko Ono, Klaus Voorman, and Ringo Starr among others. Since there were no Met or Yankee games on TV tonight, we had time to watch it.  It is sad to think what music John would have made had henot been tragically taken away from us on December 8, 1980.

John Lennon - 77 If

Woman was on the Double Fantasy album which was released shortly before his death.  Today is the 77th anniversary of his birth.  We will never know what songs he would have written if he had lived.  Would there have been a reunion of the 4 Beatles?  Would he have collaborated with Elton John, Bob Dylan or anyone else?

RIP John.  You left us some wonderful songs as a Beatle and a solo performer.

Random Comments of the Day

Today is the 36th anniversary of the tragic murder of John Lennon.  I don't want to repeat what I said in previous years so I'll refer my readers to these posts about John.

It was announced on Bob Dylan's official web site that the Never Ending Tour will come to the United Kingdom in May 2017. Hopefully it will come to NYC over the summer.

It was announced today that astronaut and Senator John Glenn died at age 95.  I remember back in February 1962 as a student at Russell Sage Junior High School many kids brought in transistor radios to monitor his three orbits around the earth.