John Lennon – Family Stories

In an earlier Buzz’s Beatles Book Blog Post, there were several books posted that were written by researcher extraordinaire, Philip Kirkland, dealing with some very interesting facets of the Lennon lineage. Additionally here is a small collection of harder to find book titles either written by a relative of John’s or about a relative of John’s.

This book was written by a kind lady who is no longer with us after a brave long battle with cancer. She became friends with John’s Aunt Mimi and had exchanged letters with her for an extended period of time as well as visiting her on several occasions. I communicated with Kathy on several occasions on Facebook.

Book Title-The Guitar’s All Right As a Hobby, John

Book Title-The Guitar’s All Right As a Hobby, John

Author-Kathy Burns Publisher-CreateSpace, 2014

John Lennon’s Uncle Charlie

This book is about Charlie Lennon, John’s uncle and the brother of Freddie Lennon, John’s dad.

I met Charlie on the site where the Strawberry Fields orphanage once stood and we had a cup of tea talking about the “Lennon” name living a long time as a result of his nephew’s music. He seemed very pleased with that distinct possibility. Several years later, I was shocked to see on Youtube a song that was posted with Charlie singing “The Ships of the Mersey.” Apparently, the late author of the book about Charlie shown below had recorded Charlie singing the song. Charlie wanted to make sure that his brother Freddie did not outshine him in displaying the Lennon proclivity for exhibiting their musical aptitude. LOL!!!

Publisher

Outskirts Press, Incorporated-2005

Book Title-Charlie Lennon : Uncle to a Beatle

Author-Scott Wheeler

John Lennon’s Sister – Julia Baird

A very hard to find title as this account written by John’s half-sister, Julia and was released in 1986. It was a shortened version of Julia’s memories of her famous brother. Expanded versions appear under several titles and one of the more recent ones appears below this title.

I was fortunate to be able to obtain a signed version of the earliest edition of this book.

John Lennon In His Own Youth in My Own Words Julia Baird-1986

River Women Press

A later edition of Julia’s  book memories of her brother

Imagine This: Growing Up With My Brother John Lennon by Julia Baird

Hodder & Stoughton-2008

What is your favourite book about John Lennon? Let me know in the comments below.

Buzz

More Books About John Lennon at The Beatles Bookstore

Chip Madinger and Scott Raile are the co-authors of the first one, “LENNNONOLOGY  |   Volume One – Strange Days Indeed.”

This exhaustive book details the work and activities of John Lennon and Yoko Ono from 1968-1980. Being meticulous and being accurate are the modus operandi and signatures of the two authors, who will certainly impress you with their revelations of previously unknown Lennon and Ono work and projects. I have learned over the years, if these two authors have verified some bit of Lennon information, you can rest assured that it is true. When Lennonology was released, I quickly bought one of the signed hardcover limited editions that was issued in a run of 250 copies. I was not disappointed and this book eagerly makes me anticipate a Volume 2 when it is ready to be issued. Chip is one of a few select authors that I hold in a special literary Beatles pantheon.

There are a few people that I hold in that high regard. Mark Lewisohn, Bruce Spizer and Ken Womack are others. I do not wish to insult others with my omission of their names as there are so many splendid Beatles book authors. I consider Lennonology to be in my top 10 Beatles-related books in my collection and with the amount of titles that I have, that is no small compliment or praise. Hardback copies of the book command premium prices as they are sold out and are in high demand among Lennon/Beatles collectors. There is some good news, however, as paperback copies of the book are still available.

BUY YOUR COPY NOW

LENNNONOLOGY  |   Volume One – Strange Days Indeed-First Edition – October 9, 2015 – 250 Copies Signed and Numbered Strange Days Indeed A Scrapbook of Madness Hardcover Book by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile.  Published by Open Your Books   Front cover of the informative and voluminous book

Lennonology – Back Cover

Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium

Another work of impeccable research is this book that came out in the year 2000 in paperback format. Lavish detail and thoroughly lengthy and comprehensive at over 700 pages. This book was also co-authored once again by researcher par excellence, Chip Madinger, and his superb collaborator, Mark Easter. Their level of detail about the sessions and activities of the solo Beatles is the ultimate source to turn to when you want to learn more about that subject.  They have also worked on a digital updated and revised version of the title which is available to purchase at the Lennonology website. The link is provided below.

They have also published a remastered edition, which is available to purchase as a .pdf at the LENNONOLOGY website. (click this link)

The softback copy of the book, published in 2000

Publisher: 44.1 Productions, LP

Publication Date: 2000

Eight Arms to Hold You: The Solo Beatles Compendium Paperback – October 1, 2000

by Chip Madinger (Author), Mark Easter (Author)

There is an ultra rare hardcover edition of “Eight Arms to Hold You.” Long since sold out, there were only 9 copies made of the hardcover. Quite a treasure if you have one of the nine!!!

Summary and conclusion:

In this information age in which we live, these two books help set the standard to the way  research books should be written. Taking great care to verify the accuracy of the information provided, and verifying detail with extraordinary precision. The only criticism I have is not of the work in the books, but in the nature of information itself. 

As the years pass, new material, sometimes not previously known, has a way of turning up from out of the blue. For example, who until recently knew that an hour long 1963 tape of the Beatles performing at a boys school at Stowe in the UK, existed? Research books have that one drawback, like discographies, in that new discoveries and recordings keep turning up every “Now and Then”, pun intended, keeping the need for many book revisions and updates.

Highly recommend the two titles shown above and if you are fortunate enough to purchase the hardback editions, you will not regret it. Happy Hunting!!!

Buzz

2 FANTASTIC BOOKS AND A SPECIAL PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN LEATHER-BOUND EDITION

Would like to take this opportunity to highlight two excellent books about a couple of legal conflicts that John Lennon experienced while living in the USA after having moved permanently here to New York in the early Seventies.

Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer: The Untold Story Paperback – May 1, 2022

by Jay Bergen (Author), Bob Gruen (Photographer)

Publisher-DeVault-Graves Agency (May 1, 2022)

The first book is by Jay Bergen who was John’s legal representative in a case involving Morris Levy, a controversial music industry figure who used a copyright entanglement regarding a line used by John in the song “Come Together” which Levy claimed was a copyright infringement on a Chuck Berry song that Levy held the rights to.

John apparently had agreed to record 3 other Levy-controlled published songs to settle their disagreement and over time the legal case became a virtual legal spider web of claims as Levy eventually took it upon himself to release a collection of Lennon recordings called “Roots” without the permission of Lennon’s recording company that held the rights to the recordings.

Bergen’s excellent book tells the fascinating story of all the legal wranglings that went on which eventually led to John winning a significant legal victory thanks to taking his attorney’s wise advice. John’s full testimony in court is included in this book and offers a fabulous insight into the man’s great mind.

Congratulations are extended to Jay Bergen for winning the 2023 IPPY Silver Medal Award for Best First Book Non-Fiction for this wonderful book:

LENNON, the MOBSTER, & the LAWYER  The Untold Story

Silver Medal Best First Book Non-Fiction 2023 IPPY Awards

John Lennon vs. The U.S.A.: The Inside Story of the Most Bitterly Contested and Influential Deportation Case in United States History Hardcover – August 7, 2016

by Leon Wildes(Author), 

Michael Wildes (Foreword)

This excellent book released in 2016 is by noted and well-respected immigration attorney Leon Wildes and his son, Michael Wildes, who has taken up the mantle of his dad’s immigration case expertise. This book describes John’s conflicts with the US government as a result of John’s marijuana possession conviction in the UK in 1968.

That conviction was to cause a multitude of heartaches for John and Yoko and it led to harassment and surveillance of the couple because of a fear by the powers that be that John would use his influence with the youth to affect US political outcomes. Lennon was at the risk of being deported on several occasions but Leon Wildes was able to protect the rights of his clients to live in this country and his legal defense is considered to be groundbreaking.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ American Bar Association (August 7, 2016

John Lennon vs. the USA Leather Bound – January 1, 2020

By Leon Wildes

Gryphon Editions

I was not aware of this special leather-bound edition of the Wildes Lennon book until I recently stumbled across one on Amazon. I quickly purchased a copy to add to my library. A wonderful addition to the collection!!!

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More Books About John Lennon