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THE ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CIRCUS – THE DRUMMER FOR THE DIRTY MAC

rock 'n' roll circus

In December of 1968, a supergroup was put together for the Rolling Stones’ Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus film with John Lennon of the Beatles as the rhythm guitarist and vocalist, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones on bass guitar, Eric Clapton from the former Cream on lead guitar and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience on drums! Yoko was also featured on one of the numbers that the band played with classical violinist, Ivry Gitlis. The group received the name “The Dirty Mac.”

The Signed Drumhead from Mitch Mitchell

The picture above is a signed drumhead from the late Mitch Mitchell, who passed away in 2008 from several medical issues he had been suffering from. I purchased the drumhead several years ago on eBay for two reasons: The “To John” personalization (not to me) and his membership in that fabled one-off supergroup. Unfortunately, the video and program of the performance at the Circus were kept unreleased for several decades until it was finally issued on VHS and DVD formats by ABKCO, the owners of the footage. This was the company that was owned by Allen Klein. After its initial release, there was a special edition released which featured outtakes performed by the many acts that did not make the original final cut. One of the highlights for me of the outtakes was hearing the Dirty Mac rehearse a version of “Revolution.”

Little did I know at the time of the purchase of the drumhead there was another M. Mitchell/ Lennon connection. In 1965/66 when John’s dad, Freddie had recorded his own 45 record of “That’s My Life, That’s My Love and My Home” b/w “The Next Time You Feel Important” to associate himself with his son’s incredible fame, many people did not know that two of the backing musicians on the Freddie Lennon 45 were none other than Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding. These two guys were to eventually join Jimi Hendrix in making musical history.

Including a few YouTube links for you to join in on their merriment!

The Dirty Mac – “Yer Blues”

“Whole Lotta Yoko”

“Revolution” (Rehearsal)

The rare Dutch Version of the Freddie Lennon song featuring Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding as backing musicians:

“That’s My Life” by Freddie Lennon

The DVD and CD releases of the Rock and Roll Circus material appear to be on sale in both eBay and Amazon locations.

Get The DVD and/ or CD From Amazon:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus Book

Rock 'n' Roll Circus Book
Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus Book

Here is some of the genius of Mitch Mitchell.

Have you seen the Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus? What did you think of the band? Some supergroup, eh?

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Buzz

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RAY CONNOLLY – A RAY OF SUNSHINE

Being John Lennon

SOME OF THE BEATLES-RELATED PRINT WORKS OF THEIR FRIEND, RAY CONNOLLY!!!

Ray Connolly was not only a friend of the band. He could be considered as a confidante. For example, he was the first journalist that knew that the Beatles had split as John Lennon had told him that the band was finished, but John asked Ray not to say anything. Then Paul announced it to the world and John expressed his regret that he had not given the OK for Ray to break the story. Ray holds the same level of regret that John had not given him the OK to let the world know about the historic scoop and event.

The book below represents Ray’s speculating about the impact of the origins of John’s restless nature, and why he never felt satisfied with the way things were or played out.  Ray discusses how John’s early life helped to ingrain that restless spirit in his nature until the end of his life, is the main theme of the book.

Being John Lennon Hardcover – November 27, 2018

Pegasus Books

Being John Lennon
Being John Lennon

Ray was so kind to send me a signed copy of his book:

Being John Lennon
Being John Lennon

A selection of many of the interviews and stories that Ray was involved with in his many interactions with the Beatles over the years-an excellent book:

The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive Paperback – July 17, 2016

by Ray Connolly  (Author) Plumray Books

The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive
The Ray Connolly Beatles Archive

Ray’s biography of John Lennon published in 1981 by Fontana publishers:

John Lennon A Biography
John Lennon A Biography

‘Sorry, Boys, You Failed The Audition’ Paperback – June 20, 2019

by Ray Connolly

Independently published-June 20, 2019
(Author)

A fantasy work of fiction by the celebrated author which speculates what might have happened if the Beatles had failed their audition with EMI/Parlophone:

Sorry Boys You Failed The Audition
Sorry Boys You Failed The Audition

Ray’s 2023 Memoir: I recently ordered a copy of this book

Born At The Right Time Hardcover – August 13, 2023

Independently Published-Available on Amazon

Born at The Right Time
Born at The Right Time

The back cover:

Born at The Right Time
Born at The Right Time

Ray as a friend of The Beatles has written some of the great interviews with The Beatles and has produced some superb books.

Buzz

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June Furlong and Helen Anderson – Memories From The ’50s 

Helen Anderson's sketch of John Lennon

A Spotlight on June Furlong and Helen Anderson

When John’s mom, Julia, was killed in 1958, he was justifiably very depressed. Following this event at the Art School, the Liverpool model, June Furlong, who often posed for art students such as Helen Anderson, Cynthia Lennon, and John, recalls a story of John following the death of his mom. He was walking near an open elevator shaft at the school and June noticed the severely depressed mood John was in and tried to talk him out of his despair, and got him away from the elevator shaft and if memory serves me correctly, she encouraged John to have a drink to get his mind away from the sadness he was experiencing.

 June speaks highly of John in her book which is pictured and mentioned below!

Helen Anderson, John’s art school classmate and who is also a member of this blog, is interviewed along with June Furlong, in this YouTube piece.

Helen Anderson is a wonderful, very talented person, who I often communicate with via email. She does wonderful sketches among many other artistic pursuits. I have acquired one of her sketches of John for my collection. Some great information about Helen is provided at this site: Helen Anderson – Helen Anderson Designs

Helen Anderson’s Sketch of John Lennon

Here is an edited abbreviated version of the sketch Helen did of John with the glasses that helped him with his terrible vision and his prominent Roman nose!  I was able to obtain from her the full sketch signed by her which made me very happy. I still want to obtain a copy of the hat that she designed for John which he wore prominently in the “Help” film. She offers the hat for sale on her website at the link just above

I am trying to encourage Helen to write her memoirs and to record her memories for posterity, and I am pleased to say that she seems genuinely motivated and anxious to do so.

Helen Anderson's Drawing of John Lennon
Helen Anderson’s Drawing of John Lennon

This is June Furlong’s book published in 2000 by AMPL. detailing her life in Liverpool and her long modeling career. She passed away in November of 2020 at the age of 90.

June a Life Study about June Furlong
June a Life Study about June Furlong

The back cover of the June Furlong book co-written with Jill Block:

June a Life Study about June Furlong
June a Life Study about June Furlong

Buzz

Want to find out more about John Lennon?

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The Sad Legacy of “Fame” and “Living on Borrowed Time”

Andy Newmark signing Borrowed Time

Two of the signatures of musicians that were on the original recording of “Borrowed Time” appear here on sheet music of one of the final songs that John Lennon would ever write. The song would appear posthumously on the LP Milk and Honey. The photo below is the sheet music with the sad revelation that we all indeed are “Living on Borrowed Time.” The printed signature of Double Fantasy and Milk and Honey drummer, Andy Newmark, appears on the sheet music, and one of the lead guitarists that was on the original track, Earl Slick, also signed the piece.

The poignant aspects of this song are revealed by Double Fantasy producer, Jack Douglas, who in several interviews after John’s death stated that John believed he would pass away at a young age. There are also stories that Jack deleted a specific studio tape that upset him so much that he felt compelled to erase it because of what John states on the tape. (Only Jack knows what was said on that erased tape).

The other lead guitarist on “Borrowed Time” was Hugh McCracken who is now deceased. Earl Slick was also to play on the recording of David Bowie’s song “Fame” in 1975, where John Lennon was given a songwriting credit for Bowie’s first 45 to reach #1. 

The signed sheet music was obtained by me on eBay.

Sheet Music for "Borrowed Time"
Sheet Music for “Borrowed Time”

The provenance of the authenticity of the signatures is provided here being signed by Andy Newmark – photo provided by the seller:

Andy Newmark signing "Borrowed Time"
Andy Newmark signing “Borrowed Time”

Sheet music of Earl Slick signing the sheet music provided by the seller:

Earl Slick signing Borrowed Time
Earl Slick signing Borrowed Time

Buzz

John Lennon Books at The Beatles Bookstore