John Lennon was critical of many musicians, but he also had idols who influenced him throughout his career. One of these people was Jerry Lee Lewis. Lennon had admired him since childhood and thought of him as an early inspiration. When he was famous himself, Lennon had the opportunity to meet Lewis. He immediately made it clear that he adored the musician.
John Lennon was thrilled to meet his idol after a concert
In Lennon’s “lost weekend,” a period of time when he was separated from Yoko Ono, he attended one of Lewis’ concerts. During this time, Lennon drank often, which typically made him argumentative and unpleasant. At Lewis’ show, however, he showed a different side of himself.
“I had only three childhood idols, Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee, and I haven’t seen any live,” he told a friend, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
John Lennon was thrilled to meet his idol after a concert
In Lennon’s “lost weekend,” a period of time when he was separated from Yoko Ono, he attended one of Lewis’ concerts. During this time, Lennon drank often, which typically made him argumentative and unpleasant. At Lewis’ show, however, he showed a different side of himself.
“I had only three childhood idols, Elvis, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee, and I haven’t seen any live,” he told a friend, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
- 10/13/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Five years after John Lennon’s death, his family members could hardly believe a television program about his life. While some of his family members had problems with him in his life, they all agreed that the program John Lennon: A Journey in the Life did not capture him well. Here are the problems they had with the film.
John Lennon’s family was not happy about a program about his life
In 1985, the documentary John Lennon: A Journey in the Life aired. Per TV Guide, the film relied on interviews and documentary footage as well as dramatizations.
“In December 1985, in its Everyman series, BBC Television transmitted John Lennon: A Journey in the Life,” Ray Coleman wrote in his book Lennon: The Definitive Biography. “The role of John was taken by Bernard Hill, to whom Lennon had sent a good luck telegram when Hill had starred in an excellent London stage production called John,...
John Lennon’s family was not happy about a program about his life
In 1985, the documentary John Lennon: A Journey in the Life aired. Per TV Guide, the film relied on interviews and documentary footage as well as dramatizations.
“In December 1985, in its Everyman series, BBC Television transmitted John Lennon: A Journey in the Life,” Ray Coleman wrote in his book Lennon: The Definitive Biography. “The role of John was taken by Bernard Hill, to whom Lennon had sent a good luck telegram when Hill had starred in an excellent London stage production called John,...
- 10/10/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
After The Beatles broke up, Paul McCartney got used to reading John Lennon’s negative comments about the band in the press. He attacked their music, his former bandmates’ solo projects, and, often, McCartney’s personality. While the group was still together, though, any negative comments made by Lennon had the potential to hurt them. When McCartney read some of Lennon’s remarks about Apple Records, he lashed out at the journalist who recorded them.
Paul McCartney wasn’t happy about comments John Lennon made
In 1969, Lennon had already grown tired of The Beatles’ Apple Records, which they founded in 1968. He believed the company was rapidly losing the band money and needed to undergo serious changes. He told all this to journalist Ray Coleman.
“You can’t offer facilities to poets and charities and filmmakers unless you have money definitely coming in,” he said, per Coleman’s book Lennon: The Definitive Biography.
Paul McCartney wasn’t happy about comments John Lennon made
In 1969, Lennon had already grown tired of The Beatles’ Apple Records, which they founded in 1968. He believed the company was rapidly losing the band money and needed to undergo serious changes. He told all this to journalist Ray Coleman.
“You can’t offer facilities to poets and charities and filmmakers unless you have money definitely coming in,” he said, per Coleman’s book Lennon: The Definitive Biography.
- 9/29/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and his dad, Fred Lennon, had a fraught relationship for most of Lennon’s life. They went for years without speaking, and their first reunion after years apart was tense and uncomfortable. After a particularly bitter fight, Fred even believed Lennon was making plans to murder him. Despite this level of animosity, Lennon made amends with his father before his death.
John Lennon and his dad reconciled in 1976
After reuniting in the mid-1960s, Lennon and Fred fell out of contact again in 1970. Lennon had recently undergone primal scream therapy. When Fred arrived at his party, Lennon confronted him about the issues that had come up during therapy, Fred’s abandonment chief among them.
“As his voice tailed off, his rage seemed to change to anguish and for one moment I thought he might even begin to cry,” Fred’s wife Pauline wrote, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
John Lennon and his dad reconciled in 1976
After reuniting in the mid-1960s, Lennon and Fred fell out of contact again in 1970. Lennon had recently undergone primal scream therapy. When Fred arrived at his party, Lennon confronted him about the issues that had come up during therapy, Fred’s abandonment chief among them.
“As his voice tailed off, his rage seemed to change to anguish and for one moment I thought he might even begin to cry,” Fred’s wife Pauline wrote, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
- 9/28/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon made his name as a musician, but a friend said that he had early aspirations of success as an actor. Lennon realized this dream to some extent; he acted in films with The Beatles and took a handful of minor roles in other films. At no point did it seem that acting was his primary interest. According to a musician friend, though, Lennon dreamed of becoming an actor.
John Lennon had dreams of becoming an actor
In the early 1960s, Lennon met Cilla Black, another musician managed by The Beatles’ Brian Epstein. According to Black, Lennon had dreams of being an actor, even as The Beatles were rising to success.
“He talked about his songs, but the memory which stands out is the way he admitted he longed to become a famous actor one day,” Black said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
This may seem surprising,...
John Lennon had dreams of becoming an actor
In the early 1960s, Lennon met Cilla Black, another musician managed by The Beatles’ Brian Epstein. According to Black, Lennon had dreams of being an actor, even as The Beatles were rising to success.
“He talked about his songs, but the memory which stands out is the way he admitted he longed to become a famous actor one day,” Black said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman.
This may seem surprising,...
- 9/25/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cilla Black landed The Beatles’ Brian Epstein as her manager after urging from John Lennon. He believed she was a talented artist and championed her to Epstein. Before this, Lennon scared Black to a point where she dreaded being alone with him. She once admitted this to him. Here’s how Lennon reacted.
Cilla Black was initially scared of John Lennon
Black first encountered The Beatles at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. She was a singer, and Lennon invited her to join the band onstage.
“I played truant from Anfield Commercial College to see the Beatles at lunchtime sessions,” she said, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “At that time I was singing with some of the local bands, billed as ‘Swingin’ Cilla,’ on a semi-professional basis. But this was the first time I had my chance to sing with the Beatles.”
Pattie Boyd, George Harrison, Cilla Black,...
Cilla Black was initially scared of John Lennon
Black first encountered The Beatles at Liverpool’s Cavern Club. She was a singer, and Lennon invited her to join the band onstage.
“I played truant from Anfield Commercial College to see the Beatles at lunchtime sessions,” she said, per the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “At that time I was singing with some of the local bands, billed as ‘Swingin’ Cilla,’ on a semi-professional basis. But this was the first time I had my chance to sing with the Beatles.”
Pattie Boyd, George Harrison, Cilla Black,...
- 9/23/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was initially a proponent of The Beatles’ Apple Records, but he eventually changed his opinion of the company. In an interview, Lennon spoke about how wasteful he found Apple. He expressed the belief that they had to entirely change their business model if they wanted to avoid going broke.
John Lennon thought The Beatles’ company, Apple Records, was a disaster
In 1968, The Beatles launched Apple Records. By 1969, Lennon began to question their business model.
“I think it’s a bit messy and it wants tightening up. We haven’t got half the money people think we have,” he said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman, adding, “We have enough to live on but we can’t let Apple go on like it is. We started off with loads of ideas of what we wanted to do — an umbrella for different activities. But like one or two Beatle things,...
John Lennon thought The Beatles’ company, Apple Records, was a disaster
In 1968, The Beatles launched Apple Records. By 1969, Lennon began to question their business model.
“I think it’s a bit messy and it wants tightening up. We haven’t got half the money people think we have,” he said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman, adding, “We have enough to live on but we can’t let Apple go on like it is. We started off with loads of ideas of what we wanted to do — an umbrella for different activities. But like one or two Beatle things,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Of all The Beatles, John Lennon had the most caustic personality. He frequently got into arguments and had little issue with speaking badly about his group or his bandmates. Because of this, Beatles press officer Tony Barrow had to be careful about the interviews he scheduled for Lennon. He knew that if he didn’t pick the right kind of reporter, Lennon might turn on them.
The Beatles’ press officer had to be careful when sending John Lennon to interviews
Barrow knew that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr came across as charming and likable. George Harrison, while less chatty with the press, was always polite. Lennon was a different story. He could be outright rude to people he didn’t like, making Barrow worry about introducing him to strangers.
“I was sometimes nervous of what impression he would make upon third parties, rather in the same way one sent home...
The Beatles’ press officer had to be careful when sending John Lennon to interviews
Barrow knew that Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr came across as charming and likable. George Harrison, while less chatty with the press, was always polite. Lennon was a different story. He could be outright rude to people he didn’t like, making Barrow worry about introducing him to strangers.
“I was sometimes nervous of what impression he would make upon third parties, rather in the same way one sent home...
- 9/20/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon spent most of his childhood estranged from his father. By the time Lennon had risen to fame with The Beatles, he’d gone two decades without seeing the man. This changed in 1965 when Lennon’s father, Alfred Lennon, knocked on his front door. According to Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, her husband was angry, embarrassed, and ill at ease throughout the visit.
John Lennon’s estranged father dropped in on him after years apart
In 1965, Alfred Lennon met a man who had occasionally driven The Beatles. He agreed to take Alfred to Lennon’s home, where a bewildered Cynthia answered the door.
“He was a charmer in his own way,” Cynthia said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “There was no way I could have shut the door on him. He looked like a tramp but he was John’s Dad. I had no...
John Lennon’s estranged father dropped in on him after years apart
In 1965, Alfred Lennon met a man who had occasionally driven The Beatles. He agreed to take Alfred to Lennon’s home, where a bewildered Cynthia answered the door.
“He was a charmer in his own way,” Cynthia said in the book Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. “There was no way I could have shut the door on him. He looked like a tramp but he was John’s Dad. I had no...
- 9/19/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the summer of 1974, the Carpenters sat down with Rolling Stone writer Tom Nolan at Hollywood’s Au Petit Café for a cover story. Richard and Karen Carpenter, who had spent the past four years scoring massive soft-rock hits like “(They Long to Be) Close to You,” “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Superstar,” and “Top of the World,” took the opportunity to vent to Nolan about the uncool, wholesome image that they felt the press had created for the sibling duo.
“This …thing they’ve built up, where it’s...
“This …thing they’ve built up, where it’s...
- 11/19/2021
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
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