Taupin and Lennon on stage – special thanks to David Morrell
Information about the Beatles is of course not just limited to books written solely about the Beatles.
One of the reasons it is difficult to keep up with the information onslaught in compiling a Beatles-related library is that there is a significant amount of little-known stories and information about the band and their solo careers found with friends and associates the Beatles made over the years. These individuals, who are often superstars themselves, manage to come out with stories of their own in their respective books!
A wonderful example of that is the new book by Elton John’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin with his terrific new book entitled “Scattershot.”
There is a chapter in this book that Bernie writes about his experiences with John Lennon entitled “John Lennon’s Not So Lost Weekend.” Not to detract from the other interesting parts of the book that have nothing to do with the Fab Four or John Lennon specifically, but the Lennon chapter I found to be especially riveting as Taupin deals with both Lennon’s insecurities and his own. For example, at the famous Elton Thanksgiving concert, when it was time for the encore and John’s return to the stage to play tambourine with Taupin, they literally had to encourage and push one another to return to the stage to end the show.
Both were reticent, but their mutual fright made it easier for both of them to encourage one another to make their appearance. Bernie also tells an amusing but very sad tale about Lennon and Taupin’s encounter with Beach Boy Brian Wilson at a party. Bernie also attended a Bob Marley show with John Lennon and that is detailed in the chapter about John. Needless to say, that story gives the line, “The grass is always greener,” a totally new meaning. Bernie obviously had a lot of respect for John Lennon as did Elton John.
Some say that Bernie’s lyrics to the Lennon tribute “Empty Garden” are perhaps the best lyrics attributable to any Lennon tribute song! The Lennon/ Taupin respect for one another was obviously mutual as many people do not realize that Lennon also contributed a collage he designed for the song “Bennie and the Jets” for the book.
This is the book that the collage appears in:
Bernie Taupin’s Book
Here is the book described at the beginning of this post!
Scattershot by Bernie Taupin
Published by Hachette Books-2023
I loved this book and was so happy that I purchased it!
Bernie Taupin Scattershock
This is a signed/autographed copy that was available at Premiere Collectibles.
Signed Copy of Bernie Taupin’s Book Scattershock
Here is a brief excerpt from the beginning of the Lennon chapter in the Taupin book:
THE HOLIDAYS CAME EARLY THIS YEAR THANKS TO TWO SPECIAL PEOPLE
The holidays came early to me this year as I was able to acquire two very hard to find signatures that have a connection to the Beatles story. One is the signature of Freddie Lennon, John’s dad, which I have been seeking for more than 30 years. Through the information provided to me by renowned “John Lennon expert, Chip Madinger, who was aware that I have been searching for Freddie’s signature for a very long time. Chip informed me that the signature on this page was being auctioned off at Omega auctions.
Alf Lennon Signature
The person who was selling it said that the signature was in an old autograph book which he purchased in an antiques store in Liverpool. I had photos of two other examples of Freddie’s signature for comparative authenticity purposes.
In addition the person that helped me the most in this enterprise was my excellent internet friend, Seamus Hayes, who bid on the item for me with his Omega account. Seamus and I have been helping each other out in acquiring items for our respective collections and our trust in one another is without question. When Seamus acquires an item for me, I inform him of my price range and if he is able to secure it, I then issue the compensation for his efforts. This arrangement works in reverse if Seamus, who lives in the UK needs something from the States. This shows the importance of networking when seeking out rarities across the world.
Both Chip and Seamus have been part of the sterling network helping me to expand my Beatles collection the last several years. Acquiring Freddie’s signature has now narrowed my Beatles-related autograph want list.
Still Looking!
I am still looking for the late James McCartney (Paul’s dad), Magic Alex (the so-called Beatles electronic expert), Dick Rowe (The Decca executive who turned down the Beatles), Robin and David Lennon- (John’s two half-brothers) Ingrid Pederson, (aka Victoria Lennon, John’s half-sister that Julia put up for adoption), the Maharishi, Tommy Moore (Beatles drummer), Kyoko, Yoko’s daughter, Beatrice, Paul’s daughter, Jason and Lee Starkey, two of Ringo’s children. (I have Zak’s).
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Here is the Freddie Lennon signature acquired and a few photos I am probably going to frame the piece with:
The Freddie Lennon signature acquired the day after what would have been John Lennon’s 83rd birthday!
Alf “Freddie” Lennon’s Signature
This photo and the following few photos I was able to find on the internet, but there was no attribution accompanying the photos. If anyone knows who these should be attributed to, please let me know and adjustments will be properly made to the post.Â
A young Freddie Lennon at the center of the photo. Appears to have been taken on a boat with his fellow merchant seamen.
Alf “Freddie” Lennon (centre)
Another photo of a young Fred
Freddie Lennon
Freddie holding the 45 he made in 1965/66 to probably capitalize on his son’s fame. Freddie actually did a lip-synced TV performance of the song on Dutch TV but no video apparently survives!
Alf “Freddie” Lennon with his Record
The rare Dutch picture sleeve of Freddie’s 45. He sang this very rare version in the Dutch language and was backed by a few (to become famous) musicians on the recordings, Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, who were to become part of Jimi Hendrix’s Experience!
Freddie Lennon’s Record
Freddie about to go to work:
Alf in the kitchen
Another Great Set of Autographs! – Ken Scott, Beatles Engineer
Abbey Road to Ziggy Stardust with Ken Scott
Magical Mystery Autograph! Whose Is It?
Below is the signed Magical Mystery Tour LP and the description of the item. What was significant to me as a collector is even though John Van Hamersveld is well-known in the art world, very rarely do you hear about his involvement in designing the Beatles Magical Mystery Tour cover. Peter Blake is acknowledged for his ornate Sgt. Pepper cover design, but the design for the Magical Mystery Tour album has been greatly understated in my humble opinion!!! I am happy to have acquired 2 of the signatures of men that had something to do with the final product!
The following description of the item is from the Ebay
seller
The designer of the Magical Mystery Tour cover, John Van Hamersveld and an engineer on the record, Ken Scott. Scott was promoted to engineer, where his first session was with the Beatles on their song “Your Mother Should Know”. His first orchestral recording session came a few days later when he recorded the strings, brass and choir for the band’s song “I Am the Walrus”. During his time with the Beatles, Scott also worked on the songs “Lady Madonna”, “Hello, Goodbye” and “Hey Jude”, as well as The Beatles and Magical Mystery Tour albums.[4]Â
Among the notable songs from those albums that he worked on are “The Fool on the Hill”, “Glass Onion”, “Helter Skelter”, “Birthday”, “Back in the U.S.S.R.”, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and “Not Guilty”, the last of which was recorded for the White Album, but not included on it.
Van Hamersveld created over 300 album covers and the iconic poster and artwork for the ultimate surfers movie, Endless summer.
And here is the signed album cover: I have never seen a signed album cover by the album cover designer before…
John Van Hamersveld’s Autograph
I hope you enjoyed this?
Have you got any Beatles autographs? What is your most treasured piece of Beatles memorabilia? Let me know in the comments.
I have been asked on numerous occasions, what are my favorite photography books about the Beatles.
I have two favorites and they both are by the same photographer, the late Henry Grossman, and both books are published by the same publisher known as Curvebender.
The first book is called Kaleidoscope Eyes and was issued in a limited edition of 1967 copies, to mark the year of the Summer of Love and also the year the majestic Sgt. Pepper album was released. Upon learning of the impending release of this book, I contacted the publishers and requested copy #1967, the last signed and numbered copy and I was successful in my request to obtain that copy. This book captures the recording session for the song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” and the photos are presented in chronological order and are breathtaking in fabulous black and white.
Limited Edition
Henry’s Photograph of John Lennon
A Day in the Life of Sgt. Pepper
Places I Remember
Places I Remember
Do you agree? Or do you know of a better book? Let me know in the comments?
Buzz
Another Great Beatles Photography Book
Bill Zygmant – Where Did You Get That Shirt? (Signed Limited Edition)
Get your copy of Bill Zygmant’s portfolio book of unique photographs covering his career from the late 1960s to the 1980s.
This will be a signed, numbered edition – maximum of 250 numbered editions.
It comes with one of Bill’s signed photographs, which usually sells for £50!
Well-known minimalist poet, Aram Saroyan, in 1970, issued the most bizarre printed work on the Beatles.
He issued a 300-copy work called “The Beatles.” Fifty of the copies of the book were signed copies. In my days of getting virtually everything print-related concerning the Beatles I bought one of the signed copies for $40.00. Years later, some of the people who laughed and scoffed at my purchase at the ridiculous price of $40 are singing a different tune as I have seen copies of the work command $300 and getting it, or even more. These prices also highlight the concept of how “value” is determined in any collectible.
Four Pages Long
Saroyan’s work about the Beatles is only 4 pages long and all it does is mention the names of the four Beatles. Most rational people would say that is ridiculous and one must be crazy to buy something like this.
However when one pays thousands of dollars for a Jackson Pollock painting that has paint arbitrarily thrown on a canvas and is passed off as a work of art, any different? Value is often determined by what the person is willing to pay and the status and reputation of the person creating and selling the work. What constitutes true art and value have various interpretations by all of us who consider ourselves consumers, or fools, depending on your viewpoint. Yoko Ono has been said to have a minimalist perspective in many of her art pieces. For example, a half-a-chair sculpture, where you need to imagine the other half of the chair.
Avant-Garde
Some people are critical of anything termed “avant-garde” or as several Beatles have mentioned over the years that the term gives the artists “avant-garde” a clue as to what is going on and are only putting on the public.
Some people say this type of art is designed simply to get a reaction from the audience. I have yet to see an all-encompassing definition of what constitutes or defines true art for me. Some people will pay thousands of dollars for a Salvador Dali painting of a melting timepiece, yet others would not waste their time buying something so surrealistic. I suppose one could say this wide-ranging definition is what makes the subject so interesting.
Have provided a link for the definition of minimalism below. This is followed by my signed copy of the Beatles book by Saroyan. Hope it brings a smile and a laugh to your faces that I actually spent $40 on a 4 page book!!!
The Website “Pen and the Pad” helps to define what minimalist poetry is and Saroyan is mentioned as one of the main contributors to this form of communication.
A few interesting John Lennon print items I was able to acquire on eBay in the last 5 years:
The first item is an educational guide printed by the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame intended to help educators in the task of being able to teach youngsters about the life and contributions of John Lennon to both music and culture.
John Lennon His Life And Work A Guide For Educators Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame
Guide to Lennon His Life and Work
Contents
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame
This is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Lennon catalog summarizing John’s life and contributions to worldwide culture. This wonderful book is available both at the Hall of Fame in Cleveland, at their website, and through such organizations as eBay.
Lennon His Life and Work
John Lennon Tribute Tribute Concert 1990
A wonderful Lennon tribute concert program from Liverpool in 1990. This is the program that was available at the event. I love items like this as it serves as a memento of the concert even if you were not fortunate enough to be able to attend. There was a DVD, laser disk, and VHS release of this concert, with actor Michael Douglas serving as the narrator/host.
Before I departed Facebook, the announcement came across the medium that Lizzie Bravo had passed away from heart problems at age 70. I was fortunate to have had the good fortune to have many communications with the very prominent and celebrated Lizzie on Instant Messenger on Facebook. She was a wonderful lady with a warm heart and so many great memories of her travelling from her native Brazil in the sixties to London, to be present during the Beatles golden age of musical creations.
Across The Universe
She was also one of two fans, Gayleen Pease was the other, who was invited to sing backing vocals on John Lennon’s song “Across the Universe” in 1968. I firmly believe “Across the Universe” is one of the Beatles’ most underrated numbers. Several years ago, Lizzie published her Beatles memoirs in a book that was published in her native Brazil. I was able to purchase a signed copy from her.
Lizzie’s Inscription for John
I loved the photos, but I am not knowledgeable of the Portuguese language, so I missed out on most of the stories behind the photos. At the end of her life, Lizzie had completed her English translation of her book and was seeking out the best publication arrangement that she could find for its release.
Lizzie Bravo’s Book
Several months after her passing, I contacted Lizzie’s daughter to ask her if she had plans to complete her mom’s wish to one day issue the book in English. She promised me that she would eventually issue her mom’s book in English as that would ensure a much wider audience for the book by the prominent Beatles fan. I have included several photos here of the Brazilian edition of the book and I am sure we will all look forward to the day when her family is able to produce the English language edition for Beatles fans everywhere.
