The Beatle's musical comments on the break up

[BBB]

My memory of John's death is that I didn't find out until the next morning. I got up for school, turned on my stereo and got dressed. I always listened to station WPLJ "classic rock" and they were playing "Sgt. Pepper". While I got ready for school they played the entire Side 2, no talking, no commercials. I remember thinking "Cool! what a nice way to wake up!" I didn't have a clue... i had a bunch of black Beatles T-Shirts and I remember I was wearing one that had "Yellow Submarine" on it that morning.

Went into the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of Raisin Bran. My mom was in the kitchen and the radio was on in there. She always listened to station WALK every morning while we all got ready for school. It was mostly news and talk, jokes and maybe a song or 2. When I got in the kitchen
they were playing "Help!" and my mom said "Hi...Are you OK?" and I remember she looked at me funny. I was like "Yeah, why?" because I had no clue something had happened. And then I put a spoonful of Raisin Bran in my mouth and "Help" ended and the radio said (soft voice) "something-something death of John Lennon" and I just dropped my spoon and it bounced off the formica kitchen table.

I know I went to school that day but honestly everything after that pretty much was a blur... the only other memories of that day I have is that I decided to wear my "Lennon shades" (little round sunglasses) to school and kept them on all day "in memory of John", even in class. None of the teachers asked me to take them off. And my Spanish teacher Mrs. Garzione (who was about 30 yrs old and HOT) saw my T-Shirt and shades when I got to her class and tried to start the class up, but then she started to cry and said "excuse me class" and went out into the hall for like 10 minutes...

[WATCH THAT MAN]

BBB wrote:

Hi out there -
Just a few bits of insight for ya:
1)"Back Seat of My Car" (Paul) has a 'dig' at J&Y in it - the line "we believe that we can't be wrong" supposedly J&Y said this to Paul re: choosing Allen Klein as the new manager back in '69; that's why Paul repeats it over and over in the song
2) "Let Me Roll It'(Paul) was actually an apologetic song to John and yes, Paul was trying to imitate the Plastic Ono Band sound on it
3)On "Get Back" Paul had the melody / music finished but no lyrics. Paul originally penned lyrics about a news story he had read in the (British) Paper ('Daily Mail' I think) with local residents complaining about Pakistani immigrants "taking over" at a local factory. If you have ever heard "The Black Album" series of bootlegs it's even called "No Pakistanis" -
Old Enoch Powell he don't dig No Pakistanis
Taking all the peoples jobs
SO - Get Back, Get Back, Get Back to where you once belonged
Anyway, obviously he couldn't use those lyrics so he substituted some lines about Linda's ex.
Alot of people took it (John himself for awhile) that Paul was writing about Yoko. But he wasn't.
In any event, all those wounds were pretty much healed over by 1974 / 75 anyway. John & Paul actually got along better than John & George did - at least after the 1971 Bangladesh Concerts, anyway...

Thanks

I have been trying to find this thread to no avail.

I knew their was friction between John and Paul about "Get Back" thanks for clarifying the story.

George didn't get along with Paul either. After Brian Ebstein died they all thought that Paul was trying to take over.

There's one scene in anthology when Paul is critiquing George's playing and George is sarcastic to Paul.

George was jealous that John or Paul didn't give him enough exposure.

[awc]

Jon S wrote:

BBB that was the most incredible post I've ever read on here and it sounds like Yoko was very nice. I've said some things about her in the past that maybe were not fair. I guess just sticking up for Paul during the whole break-up thing. I feel that I will always defend the four of them before I defend anyone else. Anyway shouldn't have said those things about her that I did. If John loved her was enough for me.

Me too Jon.
I think of them as family.
Allen Klein did more damage than yoko.
He was the biggest crook, no wonder Paul refused to sign his papers.

[BBB]

WATCH THAT MAN wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks
I have been trying to find this thread to no avail.
I knew their was friction between John and Paul about "Get Back" thanks for clarifying the story.
George didn't get along with Paul either. After Brian Ebstein died they all thought that Paul was trying to take over.
There's one scene in anthology when Paul is critiquing George's playing and George is sarcastic to Paul.
George was jealous that John or Paul didn't give him enough exposure.

Actually there wasn't that much friction (at that time) between John and Paul. John was just so into Yoko and couldn't understand why the other 3 weren't "into" her, too... and he was less interested in the whole Beatles thing. It wasn't so much that Paul "took over" it was that John was losing interest and Paul was left to make alot of decisions on his own.

More friction between George and Paul and George and the whole idea of the Beatles in general at that time. Yes, George felt like Paul was being too bossy but George also felt like he was being ignored in the Beatles. He was annoyed that George Martin, for example, didn't give his songs as much time and effort as Lennon / McCartney's works...

[awc]

BBB wrote:

My memory of John's death is that I didn't find out until the next morning. I got up for school, turned on my stereo and got dressed. I always listened to station WPLJ "classic rock" and they were playing "Sgt. Pepper". While I got ready for school they played the entire Side 2, no talking, no commercials. I remember thinking "Cool! what a nice way to wake up!" I didn't have a clue... i had a bunch of black Beatles T-Shirts and I remember I was wearing one that had "Yellow Submarine" on it that morning.
Went into the kitchen and poured myself a bowl of Raisin Bran. My mom was in the kitchen and the radio was on in there. She always listened to station WALK every morning while we all got ready for school. It was mostly news and talk, jokes and maybe a song or 2. When I got in the kitchen
they were playing "Help!" and my mom said "Hi...Are you OK?" and I remember she looked at me funny. I was like "Yeah, why?" because I had no clue something had happened. And then I put a spoonful of Raisin Bran in my mouth and "Help" ended and the radio said (soft voice) "something-something death of John Lennon" and I just dropped my spoon and it bounced off the formica kitchen table.
I know I went to school that day but honestly everything after that pretty much was a blur... the only other memories of that day I have is that I decided to wear my "Lennon shades" (little round sunglasses) to school and kept them on all day "in memory of John", even in class. None of the teachers asked me to take them off. And my Spanish teacher Mrs. Garzione (who was about 30 yrs old and HOT) saw my T-Shirt and shades when I got to her class and tried to start the class up, but then she started to cry and said "excuse me class" and went out into the hall for like 10 minutes...

Sounds like November 29th 2001.
Got up early for work, and turned on the news and as I was grabbing a bowl, The news person announced George had died.
I sat down on the sofa and barely cried, mostly because I was in shock.
Many thoughts came passing like the wind, Cloud Nine, The Travelling Wilbury's, Cheer Down.....
Cloud Nine "came into my life I don't know how it found me, but it did and it got me going Someplace else".
I try not to think of the emotions of losing another Beatle.
I guess losing George for me was like losing John for you.
It still saddens me, but I can still listen to George's music without being depressed.
The music lives on.

[Jon S]

the scene where Paul and Greorge were arguing was in Let it Be. I always hated that scene because it seems that how people thought their whole relationship was. It was at the end but Abbey Road went well. And look at the end result.

[Jon S]

awc wrote:

<quoted text>Me too Jon.
I think of them as family.
Allen Klein did more damage than yoko.
He was the biggest crook, no wonder Paul refused to sign his papers.

I agree awc Karma got Klein!

[awc]

I remember the mid 80's, it seemed The Beatles had become just a memory.
John was gone, George and Ringo both retired (in 1982 and 1983), Paul had just released his Broadsteet movie and album, and the fabled Sessions album was cancelled.
That's when I became a big fan, when The Beatles seemed almost a memory.
Then in 1987 George Harrison came out of retirement with a concert with Ringo for the Prince's trust fund.
Then came Cloud Nine, The Travelling Wilburys,The Russian album- choba bcccp, Paul's world tour, Ringo's first All Starr band tour, and Flowers in the dirt.
The Beatles were back in full form, such a beautiful period for me.

[Jon S]

In defense of John and Paul: They were the main songwriters for so long that when George started writing his classics John was into Yoko and Paul was trying to get things done. John and Paul did put a lot to good work in on Something and Here comes the sun.

[awc]

Jon S wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree awc Karma got Klein!

What gets me
is that when Klein heard about My sweet lord, he bought the rights to He's so fine, and then sued George.
Paul was right about Klein, he was a crook.
Klein was once the manager of the Stones and was evil then.
Mick later said he wished he would have warned them, but he found out too late.
Then comes in Heather Mills.........

[BBB]

awc wrote:

<quoted text>Sounds like November 29th 2001.
Got up early for work, and turned on the news and as I was grabbing a bowl, The news person announced George had died.
I sat down on the sofa and barely cried, mostly because I was in shock.
Many thoughts came passing like the wind, Cloud Nine, The Travelling Wilbury's, Cheer Down.....
Cloud Nine "came into my life I don't know how it found me, but it did and it got me going Someplace else".
I try not to think of the emotions of losing another Beatle.
I guess losing George for me was like losing John for you.
It still saddens me, but I can still listen to George's music without being depressed.
The music lives on.

Yeah, the big difference to me was the "shock" factor of John's death. I remember reading Newsday at work in summer of 2001 and there was a small article on like page 20 that claimed George was ill with terminal cancer and had a McCartney quote denying he was dying. I guess in hindsight he really was. At the time I just shrugged it off.

After 9/11, there was alot of talk about New York losing alot of money because tourists were afraid to go there; mayor Guiliani was asking people to come back to the city. My wife and I thought it might be nice to take the kids into NYC to the Museum of Natural History. We decided to take a day off and make a day trip out of it with the family.

When I got up on that morning it was all over the TV news. They kept showing the promo for "Something" over and over. It was sad but I don't recall being shocked like when John was killed.

Anyway, we took the train into the city and walked up to the Museum. I puposely got us off the subway near the Dakota so I could show the kids where John Lennon lived and maybe go over to Strawberry Fields. When we got there the moasic had a nicely drawn pencil sketch poster of John & George together propped up on it, a note that said "We'll miss you George", one of those votive candles lit up, and a green apple (apple records?) on it. There were maybe 10 - 15 people standing around the moasic. Not saying too much. I explained to the kids that "Beatle George" had died and that's why the people were there. My 9 year old daughter kneeled and said a prayer and my wife snapped a few pics of the scene and we left.

By the time we came back down from the Museum there were thousand of people there; police, news vans, you could hear guitars and people singing...we didn't even try to get near it again.

But as "sad" as that day was I remember I thought it felt "cool" to be there at Strawberry Fields that day.

[awc]

One of the reasons the Beatle's story is so interesting is the fact that they had to work hard to get where they became.
Each part of their story is an interesting chapter within itself.
I find the early years very interesting ( 1957-1962) and so much happened.
I wish I could find a copy of the 1979 movie, Birth of the Beatles,
Though I like the 1994 movie, Back Beat.
I recomend them both but mostly the Beatle's anthology video series and Pete Best's Best of the Beatles dvd.
Plus there's a dvd on the life of Stuat Sutcliffe, has anyone seen it?

[awc]

BBB wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah, the big difference to me was the "shock" factor of John's death. I remember reading Newsday at work in summer of 2001 and there was a small article on like page 20 that claimed George was ill with terminal cancer and had a McCartney quote denying he was dying. I guess in hindsight he really was. At the time I just shrugged it off.
After 9/11, there was alot of talk about New York losing alot of money because tourists were afraid to go there; mayor Guiliani was asking people to come back to the city. My wife and I thought it might be nice to take the kids into NYC to the Museum of Natural History. We decided to take a day off and make a day trip out of it with the family.
When I got up on that morning it was all over the TV news. They kept showing the promo for "Something" over and over. It was sad but I don't recall being shocked like when John was killed.
Anyway, we took the train into the city and walked up to the Museum. I puposely got us off the subway near the Dakota so I could show the kids where John Lennon lived and maybe go over to Strawberry Fields. When we got there the moasic had a nicely drawn pencil sketch poster of John & George together propped up on it, a note that said "We'll miss you George", one of those votive candles lit up, and a green apple (apple records?) on it. There were maybe 10 - 15 people standing around the moasic. Not saying too much. I explained to the kids that "Beatle George" had died and that's why the people were there. My 9 year old daughter kneeled and said a prayer and my wife snapped a few pics of the scene and we left.
By the time we came back down from the Museum there were thousand of people there; police, news vans, you could hear guitars and people singing...we didn't even try to get near it again.
But as "sad" as that day was I remember I thought it felt "cool" to be there at Strawberry Fields that day.

I guess with George, we all knew something was wrong.
There was just too much talk about his impending death to not listen.
George was prepared, he passed in his bed with Olivia and Dhani near, John had no idea.
Even though I knew it was getting close, I still held out hope.
Sad that 9-11 over shadowed George's death.
People seem to forget something else tragically happened in late 2001.
I hate to say this, but George's death hit me a million times harder than 9-11.
It was a very sad period, but thanks to Paul for his beautiful Concert for nyc, especilly hearing him sing I'm down and Freedom.

[BBB]

awc wrote:

I remember the mid 80's, it seemed The Beatles had become just a memory.
John was gone, George and Ringo both retired (in 1982 and 1983), Paul had just released his Broadsteet movie and album, and the fabled Sessions album was cancelled.
That's when I became a big fan, when The Beatles seemed almost a memory.
Then in 1987 George Harrison came out of retirement with a concert with Ringo for the Prince's trust fund.
Then came Cloud Nine, The Travelling Wilburys,The Russian album- choba bcccp, Paul's world tour, Ringo's first All Starr band tour, and Flowers in the dirt.
The Beatles were back in full form, such a beautiful period for me.

The 80's also had the biggest "What If?" in music history in the form of Live Aid.

Obviously you know that Paul closed out the show at Wembly. Did you know he really did ask George and Ringo to join him? Ringo made up some crap about injuring his right hand and not being able to play drums (soryy Ringo I love ya but you LIED); George later on admitted that "me and Ringo turned it (LiveAid) down because we were terrified we'd be next (to get shot)..."

Well, the "What If?" in all of this is "What if John had not been shot and killed in 1980?"

I think, in that case, the following would have happened:

1) John would have played Live Aid in Philly with his good friend Elton John.

2) Impetuous guy he was, John would have gotten on that Concorde with Phil Collins, Elton, etc. to play Wembly as well.

3) George and Ringo would have had nothing to be "terrified" about -

4) Mac wouldn't have closed out Live Aid...

***THE BEATLES*** would have closed out Live Aid.

And it would have been un-FREAKING-believable...

I'd bet the house that's what would have happened.

[Jon S]

awc wrote:

<quoted text>What gets me
is that when Klein heard about My sweet lord, he bought the rights to He's so fine, and then sued George.
Paul was right about Klein, he was a crook.
Klein was once the manager of the Stones and was evil then.
Mick later said he wished he would have warned them, but he found out too late.
Then comes in Heather Mills.........

Good point awc what a piece of work Allen Klein was. I always wanted to punch him the face for suing George. My sweet lord is a fav of mine.

[carmen-patricia]

BBB wrote:

<quoted text>
Yeah, the big difference to me was the "shock" factor of John's death. I remember reading Newsday at work in summer of 2001 and there was a small article on like page 20 that claimed George was ill with terminal cancer and had a McCartney quote denying he was dying. I guess in hindsight he really was. At the time I just shrugged it off.
After 9/11, there was alot of talk about New York losing alot of money because tourists were afraid to go there; mayor Guiliani was asking people to come back to the city. My wife and I thought it might be nice to take the kids into NYC to the Museum of Natural History. We decided to take a day off and make a day trip out of it with the family.
When I got up on that morning it was all over the TV news. They kept showing the promo for "Something" over and over. It was sad but I don't recall being shocked like when John was killed.
Anyway, we took the train into the city and walked up to the Museum. I puposely got us off the subway near the Dakota so I could show the kids where John Lennon lived and maybe go over to Strawberry Fields. When we got there the moasic had a nicely drawn pencil sketch poster of John & George together propped up on it, a note that said "We'll miss you George", one of those votive candles lit up, and a green apple (apple records?) on it. There were maybe 10 - 15 people standing around the moasic. Not saying too much. I explained to the kids that "Beatle George" had died and that's why the people were there. My 9 year old daughter kneeled and said a prayer and my wife snapped a few pics of the scene and we left.
By the time we came back down from the Museum there were thousand of people there; police, news vans, you could hear guitars and people singing...we didn't even try to get near it again.
But as "sad" as that day was I remember I thought it felt "cool" to be there at Strawberry Fields that day.

BBB! I'm carmen-patricia I was invited by awc to join this forum and i'm so glad I did.After resding all you posts ,one not better than the other,your comments clarified some unclesr facts about The Beatles' life,personally I did not Know.It makes me think more than yesterday why they never came together again.You're sad day when John' was killed touches my heart even we experience different sad feelings around the world.Same for George.We have a small Beatles 'club in Venezuela and on sunday we have a radio station which plays from 7pm through 8-The beatlemania's hour.I never miss it.9/11 shows to the entire how vulnerable the world can be.Many people were affected seriously,I'm really sorry for your near experience specially becuse of your daugter. We had a friend who works at the trade center,He died.I had a cousin who used to work for one of the airlines and I had to call to know if she was in one of those airplanes..That day I was at the hospital very early,a father's friend had spinal column surgery.We were at his room the operation lasted 12 hours so when I turned the TV on I cound'nt believe and realized what was happenig.Husband saying goodbye by their, cell phones all those sad images one worst than the other I'llnever forget.BBB we are happy you joined us, I'm sure some of my friends too.Carmen-patricia.

[carmen-patricia]

carmen-patricia wrote:

<quoted text>BBB! I'm carmen-patricia I was invited by awc to join this forum and i'm so glad I did.After resding all you posts ,one not better than the other,your comments clarified some unclesr facts about The Beatles' life,personally I did not Know.It makes me think more than yesterday why they never came together again.You're sad day when John' was killed touches my heart even we experience different sad feelings around the world.Same for George.We have a small Beatles 'club in Venezuela and on sunday we have a radio station which plays from 7pm through 8-The beatlemania's hour.I never miss it.9/11 shows to the entire how vulnerable the world can be.Many people were affected seriously,I'm really sorry for your near experience specially becuse of your daugter. We had a friend who works at the trade center,He died.I had a cousin who used to work for one of the airlines and I had to call to know if she was in one of those airplanes..That day I was at the hospital very early,a father's friend had spinal column surgery.We were at his room the operation lasted 12 hours so when I turned the TV on I cound'nt believe and realized what was happenig.Husband saying goodbye by their, cell phones all those sad images one worst than the other I'llnever forget.BBB we are happy you joined us, I'm sure some of my friends too.Carmen-patricia.

BBB I'm sorry about some misspellig words I do not have the time to correct them.If something I wrote is not clear for you, let me know.Have a good day ! Carmen.

[Toothless In Seattle]

I want to just add a quick comment directed to carmen-patricia and BBB. It's GOOD to see new post-ers and have enjoyed BOTH of your comments! People come and go here so quickly, that sometimes the only thing you can say is, "We hardly knew ye".
..But, there has been some post-ers here who subtly try to instigate and irritate, not by offering unpopular opinions, but by disrespecting the forum and each other, and by misrepresenting themselves as friends, who only want to childishly confound and disrupt a friendly place of common interest.
It's not my place to do this but........WELCOME!

[carmen-patricia]

Toothless In Seattle wrote:

I want to just add a quick comment directed to carmen-patricia and BBB. It's GOOD to see new post-ers and have enjoyed BOTH of your comments! People come and go here so quickly, that sometimes the only thing you can say is, "We hardly knew ye".
..But, there has been some post-ers here who subtly try to instigate and irritate, not by offering unpopular opinions, but by disrespecting the forum and each other, and by misrepresenting themselves as friends, who only want to childishly confound and disrupt a friendly place of common interest.
It's not my place to do this but........WELCOME!

Yes it is because awc,Jon ,Greg consider you a good friend,,Thanks Toothless we miss your comments yesterday.I know what you mean I have had that experience myself.People who disrup a peace between a friendly place.I hate it.I'm glad you write to BBB and me.Nobody has welcomed me never since I post in topix as you all did.A friendly hug for you.carmen-Patricia

[carmen-patricia]

carmen-patricia wrote:

<quoted text>Yes it is because awc,Jon ,Greg consider you a good friend,,Thanks Toothless we miss your comments yesterday.I know what you mean I have had that experience myself.People who disrup a peace between a friendly place.I hate it.I'm glad you write to BBB and me.Nobody has welcomed me never since I post in topix as you all did.A friendly hug for you.carmen-Patricia

It's anyone place who feels like you do, thanks, Toothless.carmen-patricia