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The old soft shoe


I've got something I can laugh about

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This is a lovely photo of Ronna Elliot and George during an interview in the late 1980's!   You will find a few other photos with her on this blog.


The John Lennon Series -- a book review

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Tonight for my "Wednesday review" I am going to review the three books in the "John Lennon Series" written by Jude Southerland-Kessler.  


Sara with author, Jude Southerland-Kessler at the Chicago Fest 2014


So far there are three books in the series, Should've Been there, Shivering Inside and She loves you.   And when it is all said and done, there will be 7 books total that chronicle the life of John Lennon from his birth until his death.     I am almost finished reading She loves you (on the last chapter and will finish it up tonight) and it focuses on 1963-the Beatles first U.S. visit in 1964.  

I am going to be honest with all of you.   I first heard about these books at a Beatlefest quite a few years ago.   And I recall hearing about them and saying, "Oh, that's nice....but I don't read fan fiction.  I like to stick to nonfiction books."  And I totally dismissed them.    And I don't like to read a whole lot of fiction and fan fiction, especially is not for me.   But my Beatle friends, I am here to tell you that these books are NOT FICTION!    I know a lot of people online claim that they are.   I am a reading teacher.    I have a master's degree in reading and I teach genre every day.   If I had to pigeon-hole these books into a category, I guess I would have to label them historical fiction, but even that isn't right because they are really in a genre all of their own and I will tell you why.

Jude Southerland-Kessler has spend years of her life researching, interviewing people and traveling to Liverpool to tell the most truthful story of the life of John Lennon as she can.   The book is written as a novel, however the facts in the book are completely true.   Almost all of the quotes and conversations come directly from words that were spoken in interviews or written in letters.  So she did not make up the story of John Lennon's life, instead she researched it in the same way that Mark Lewisohn does his research and instead of telling it like a biography, she tells it like a novel.   Her books are well-written and entertaining.   You can tell just by reading the books that the author isn't someone who just has a passing interest in John.   And when you meet Jude in person, you will quickly see that her love for John is real.   I thin the fact that I am also a big John fan is why I enjoy these books.  I am not sure if I would like them if they were written about Paul; however my mom (the world's greatest Ringo fan) also reads the books and she really enjoys them.   She has said that she doesn't care to read biographies and likes the way that the John Lennon series is read like a novel instead.  

Personally, I have to be in the right mood to read one of these books.   It isn't a quick read and you have to set aside some time to read it.  The books are HUGE (in the name of 800 pages) and so they are not easy to take with you on a long trip.  They are, however all available on kindle editions, which makes things easier for travel.   

If you ever get an opportunity to hear Jude give a presentation, do not pass it by!   Jude is a very engaging speaker and she just pulls you right into the story.   If she is talking about John Lennon in Liverpool, she paints a picture with her words that take you right down the middle of Mathew Street, or if she is talking about the Beatles on Ed Sullivan, then you want to start screaming along because you think you are there.   

Jude gives a multi-media presentation at the Fest in Chicago in 2013


Jude also has a podcast call-in radio show every week (usually on Thursday nights, but occasionally on Tuesdays).    She talks to a sorts of Beatle authors, D.J.'s and important folks.   And you can call in and ask questions (something I do a little too often!).  Sometimes there are even give aways to win.   The John lennon Hour is archived, so you can go back and listen to past shows.   click here to listen!

If you are interested in ordering the books, I would recommend Jude's website,  Please click here for more!       


Photographer reflex

Walking by a tree

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©ImageCollect.com/Globe-photos

I love the couple near John and Yoko.  The guy is trying not to notice them.   And I wonder what John has in that Kodak bag?



*Note--I have purchased a license with ImageCollect and am able to download and share a limited number of photos on this blog with my purchase.    It is stated on their page that I have the rights to do this, but no one else has the rights to take these photos and share them without paying as well.   Please do not take any of the "imagecollect" photos for yourself.   I am very sorry, but at least we can enjoy them together.    Be aware that if you do post them elsewhere, you can and most likely will get in legal trouble from Imagecollect who holds the copyright.

Writing on

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Tonight have a story to share with you from the George Harrison chapter of the Beatles fan club.  The newsletter was called the "Harrison Herald" and this story was written by Val, the London correspondent for the fan club.    The story appeared in the April 1971 edition of the newsletter, so the events in the story took place the end of February through March.   At that point in Beatle history, the Beatles had been broken up officially for about a year and they had been going to court and things were looking pretty ugly between Paul and the other three.    The fans weren't sure what to think about all of this.  And it is hard for me to put myself there in early 1971 when it was going on.   I know the outcome of everything.   But reading about the Paul suing the other three in the newspapers must have been somewhat of a shock to the fans.    So the fans in this story did what fans do...they started a petition.   


John Lennon and George Harrison in May 1971 -- a few months after this story took place.




Writing On
By Valerie
Harrison Herald – April 1971

So much has happened since the last time my column was printed in the newsletter.    Consequently, I’m going to just tell you about one of the best times I’ve been to George’s.   I was at his house twelve times in the past month.    Anyway, the last time I saw him was the best.  I went up there with my friend Carolyn.  We first went to John’s home, really gorgeous, and then to George’s.   I had this wild idea of a petition in support of the partnership, etc. and I wanted John, George and Ringo to be the first three to sign it.   John loved it and signed right away, with a very pleased look in his eye.  The petition reads, “We the undersigned, present this petition in support of keeping the partnership form being dissolved.”    

  Anyway, George was next.  I was afraid he’d be angry with me for coming up so often (I’ve been labeled by all as the only Henley Scruff), and I really regretted going up to him until he came over.  He and Pattie and some other guy were pulling branches off a dead, overgrown tree when he spotted us walking up the road. He squatted on the ground to look to see who it was, under the branches.  He didn’t look too pleased and started to stab the ground with a stick.   I wanted to leave then, but Carolyn had to call him.  I was really frightened of his yelling at me, because I didn’t want to spoil my great relationship with him.  But, he was so sweet and gentle.  When he came over I casually pulled out the petition and explained about it, and that I didn’t expect it to help or hinder the decision, etc, but it was more or less just to show them that we, the fans, still care.   Contrary to public opinion.   He read it and almost burst out laughing.   I felt like such a fool.  But being such a nice person, he didn’t laugh, but smiled greatly and to avoid breaking up he stuck out his tongue and fell back on his other foot.   He then looked right into my eyes and said, “But you see this won’t help one way or the other.  See it’s a legal matter, and this won’t’ make any difference.”    I agreed but looked disappointed all the same.  He said, “Don’t worry about it girls, because we’re all looking for a solution.  And if Paul wants out, there’s nothing to hold him in.   We’ve all gone through so much these past two months that we just want an end to the whole thing.   And anyway, Paul won’t come out any better than the rest of us.  He’s in it just as far as we are.  All he wants is for a new receiver to be in (the new receiver had been okayed by the judge two days before).    Then, we all said together, “And it looks like he got that!”   We all laughed over this and George said “So this is a very sweet idea, and we appreciate it, but my signing this wouldn’t help, and it wouldn’t be good for me.  Do you understand?”   One thing I love about George is that he must get his point across, and wanted us to understand why he didn’t want to sign.  Is aid yes I did, but Carolyn said, “But don’t you care, being he was one of your best friends?”   George looked at us both for a moment before saying, “Sure I care, we all do.  But we have to leave him to sort out his own life.”   Carolyn then said, “Then you think Linda is to blame?  Or rather has a lot to do with it?”  He quietly said, “Yeah, sure” and looked down at the ground as though to say, “end of discussion.” 

  I changed the subject by saying “Working hard?” as he was working on the grounds.  He smiled, relieved perhaps, and said “Uh, just clearing the grounds here and there.  A few things need doing.”   I had a poster of him, which I had just made up from a small photograph of him that Carolyn took.  She had given him a copy of the photograph a long time since.   I asked him if he’d mind signing it and he said, “Oh, of course.”   I held it up and he wrote on the top, “To Val, with Love from George Harrison.”  I was so pleased.  I guess he knows my name.  Anyway, I suggested to Carolyn that we let him get on, and I said, “Well, thanks so much for being so nice to us.   I really appreciate it.”  He said, “Yeah, well thanks for everything, Tarrah then.”   Then we left.

One other time we were visiting him, I asked him about hitting the policeman. He said “Well, I got off lucky.   Of the crime I was charged with, I was guilty.  But I had no other choice.”  He said that there was traffic in the back of him all blowing horns to get through.  The light changed just as he was in the middle of the intersection.  The cop tried to make him go back but other cars were already in back of him.  He had no choice but to drive slowly.   The cop backed way and walked into his car, which was slowly moving and this happened three times.  George said the way the court worded it, he had no choice but to plead guilty.  He doesn’t care much, as he can always have friends drive him around.  Oh, nearly forgot another thing he said about the split up, “But in any case WE won’t be dissolved.  It’ll take two-three years to legally dissolve the partnership, and by then it’s 1973-74, and the thing ends in ’77, so it’d hardly be worth Paul’s trouble.”   Also on his birthday, I took a cake (chocolate) up to his house.   Well, I guess that’s all for this time!

We've arrive and to prove it we're here

Out in the streets

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Photo from the collection of Vincent Vigil.  Posted with permission.


Paul and the world's smallest guitar

The Georgie Scruffs

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Photo taken by Sharon U.


Here is a great fan photo of George.  It was sent to me by Brian V. and it is part of his collection.   I think I may have posted this photo before, but it wasn't as complete (had the fan cropped out).   On the back of the photo, it is written "Sharon U", so we believe that is the photographer.    He really likes this photo and is curious for more information if anyone has any.  

Pre-peace and love era

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©ImageCollect.com/Ralph Dominguez/Globe Photos,inc.
Ringo Starr at Abc Hosted Party at Century Plaza Hotel ,1981


*Please note that this is an "Imagecollect" photograph and therefore cannot be shared on any other blog or site.   Please enjoy this photo for yourself only.   Thank you for your understanding.   

Happy Apple

Another Beatles Christmas show

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It was 50 years ago that the Beatles were the stars of Another Beatles Christmas Show.   They weren't too excited about performing and doing pantomimes through the holiday season and into January.   1964 was a long year for the Fab 4.  

Another Christmas Show ran for 20 nights.  It went from December 24 until January 16.  Most of the days (all except two days) had an afternoon and an evening performance.   The Beatles did the show 38 times for about  60,000 people in all. 

The Cast of Another Beatles Christmas Show

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The Beatles were obviously the headliners of the Christmas show of 1964, but they weren't up there doing this crazy stuff alone!   The host was British radio and now famous creeper, Jimmy Savile.  Also on board were Georgie Fame, Michae Haslem, the Yardbirds (with Eric Clapton), Freddie and the Dreamers, Elkie Brookes, and Sounds Incorporated. 

Poor Elkie (the only female in the bunch) has a bad memory of the concert:

I'm doing this really lovely jazzy version of a Christmas Song and there's all these girls screaming all the way through it.  They were not appreciating it at all -- even though I was giving it rock all.  No, they were just saying, 'Get off, get off, we paid to see The Beatles.  We don't want to see you--you soppy tart, get off.'



All information came from The Beatles Christmas Book by Belmo and Gary Marsh

The pantomimers

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What made the Beatles Christmas shows different than a regular Beatles concert is that besides just singing, you would also get to see the Beatles act.   Pantomime is a popular form of entertainment in England at Christmas, especially in the 1950's and 1960's.    And while it was extremely cheesy and goofy, the Beatles tried to have fun with it.    The truth is that the Beatle fans in the audience did not care what the Beatles were doing on the stage.   They just wanted to see John, Paul, George and Ringo.

For the 1964 shows, the Beatles dressed up as Eskimos and they were supposed to be in Antarctica searching for the Abominable Snowman.    Their dialogue was projected on the background during the sketch.  This was done because everyone always screamed so much when the Beatles were on stage.  They also had points in the show where the Beatles held up cards with words on them and there was a lot of miming action because of the screaming.  

The Beatles in Eskimo-land

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The Beatles dressed up as Eskimos for the Christmas show and they looked pretty darn adorable in their Eskimo outfits.  They looked so cute, that a ton of photos were taken and have been used for many, many years to come for all sorts of reasons.  Here is Ringo's thoughts on the costumes

We picked up Eskimo gear because Eskimo-land seems to be about the only place we haven't visited this year.  I think it's in Greenland or somewhere.

What is this?

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If the Beatles were supposed to be Eskimos, then what on earth is John Lennon wearing in this photo?  And why was he wearing it?   Was there some other sketch?  Did he just put it on to be funny?   This photo has baffled me for years

Another Beatles Christmas Show concert memory

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very old scans from when I had that scanned that had a green tint




The only memory that I can find is from The Beatles Christmas Book by Belmo and Gary Marsh.  It is a quote by Lulu

" One of the most exciting things that ever happened to me in my life was going to a gig at the Hammersmith, standing on the side of the stage, watching them running off and on.  And all of a sudden John Lennon goes, "ooh it's Lulu!"  I can't say how excited I was.  And then they took me into their dressing room, and I actually watched and will never forget Paul McCartney putting his head under the tap and just flicking his hair around.  It looked gorgeous and so did he.  I was fifteen or sixteen -- totally in awe and I melted completely"

Art Backstage

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Ringo backstage with some artwork that a fan sent backstage for Ringo during the 1964 Christmas show.  Not a bad job!

A Hard Day's Christmas

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During the Christmas season of 1964, some theater's re-released the "Hard Day's Night" movie as you can see see from this newspaper ad.
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