John Lennon wrote a prolific number of songs in his time with The Beatles and his solo career. He won seven Grammys and picked up even more nominations. Despite all this success, Lennon constantly worried his well of creativity was drying up. According to one of his closest friends, Lennon dealt with lingering paranoia that he would never write another good song.
John Lennon worried that writer’s block would keep him from writing another song
Lennon met his friend Pete Shotton at school, and they remained close for life. Lennon bounced song ideas off of Shotton. As a result, Shotton had an intimate view of Lennon’s songwriting process. He admitted that doubt played a significant role in Lennon’s creative life. He only wrote when he felt inspiration or if he was facing down a Beatles deadline. Often, he dealt with writer’s block while trying to stay on schedule.
John Lennon worried that writer’s block would keep him from writing another song
Lennon met his friend Pete Shotton at school, and they remained close for life. Lennon bounced song ideas off of Shotton. As a result, Shotton had an intimate view of Lennon’s songwriting process. He admitted that doubt played a significant role in Lennon’s creative life. He only wrote when he felt inspiration or if he was facing down a Beatles deadline. Often, he dealt with writer’s block while trying to stay on schedule.
- 7/24/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was the first Beatle to get married, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing other women, including, to a certain extent, Pattie Boyd. Boyd married Lennon’s bandmate, George Harrison, in 1966, but they began dating in 1964. As a result, Lennon knew her for years. In this time, he reportedly harbored a crush on Boyd. According to Lennon’s longtime friend, Pete Shotton, Lennon didn’t always do a good job of hiding this.
John Lennon had a crush on Pattie Boyd
Long before he met Boyd, Lennon developed a crush on Brigitte Bardot. She became his ideal type, and he encouraged his wife, Cynthia, to change her appearance to look more like Bardot.
“Of course, as a teenager, my sexual fantasies were full of Anita Ekberg and the usual giant Nordic goddesses,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “That is, until Brigitte Bardot became the love of...
John Lennon had a crush on Pattie Boyd
Long before he met Boyd, Lennon developed a crush on Brigitte Bardot. She became his ideal type, and he encouraged his wife, Cynthia, to change her appearance to look more like Bardot.
“Of course, as a teenager, my sexual fantasies were full of Anita Ekberg and the usual giant Nordic goddesses,” Lennon said in The Beatles Anthology. “That is, until Brigitte Bardot became the love of...
- 7/23/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
For years, John Lennon’s biggest celebrity crush was Brigitte Bardot. He developed crushes on women who looked like her and encouraged his girlfriends to dye their hair blonde. Because of his fame, he finally got a chance to meet his longtime crush. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t go over well. He took acid to soothe his nerves, but it kept him from being able to make conversation.
John Lennon didn’t make a great impression when he met his celebrity crush
After over a decade of having Bardot as his biggest celebrity crush, Lennon finally got the chance to meet her in 1968. Beatles press officer Derek Taylor organized a dinner for them.
“John, needless to say, was beside himself with excitement at the prospect of actually encountering in the flesh the woman he’d been fantasizing about for nearly fifteen years,” Lennon’s friend Pete Shotton wrote in the book The Beatles,...
John Lennon didn’t make a great impression when he met his celebrity crush
After over a decade of having Bardot as his biggest celebrity crush, Lennon finally got the chance to meet her in 1968. Beatles press officer Derek Taylor organized a dinner for them.
“John, needless to say, was beside himself with excitement at the prospect of actually encountering in the flesh the woman he’d been fantasizing about for nearly fifteen years,” Lennon’s friend Pete Shotton wrote in the book The Beatles,...
- 7/22/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles spent hours in recording sessions, and they had pent-up energy when they got out. They found it fun to speed around in their cars, racing and using microphones to call out to one another. While this was entertaining to the musicians, it was less so for the residents of the towns they drove through.
The Beatles raced cars through villages after recording sessions
Once John Lennon got a driver’s license, he outfitted his Rolls-Royce with oversized ashtrays, a record player, a custom horn, and a microphone system with speakers in the wheel wells. He used the microphone frequently.
“You could ask people to cross the road a bit faster which scared the daylights out of them,” Beatles associate Tony King said, per Rolling Stone.
Lennon encouraged his bandmates to race him in their cars. The Beatles did this after recording sessions, despite the fact that it was often past midnight.
The Beatles raced cars through villages after recording sessions
Once John Lennon got a driver’s license, he outfitted his Rolls-Royce with oversized ashtrays, a record player, a custom horn, and a microphone system with speakers in the wheel wells. He used the microphone frequently.
“You could ask people to cross the road a bit faster which scared the daylights out of them,” Beatles associate Tony King said, per Rolling Stone.
Lennon encouraged his bandmates to race him in their cars. The Beatles did this after recording sessions, despite the fact that it was often past midnight.
- 7/21/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When The Beatles made it big, John Lennon used his new flow of money to buy cars and began encouraging Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison to race him. Lennon’s longtime friend, Pete Shotton, said these races were exhilarating but terrifying. They always seemed to be at risk of a crash. The risk didn’t bother Lennon at first, but he watched Starr narrowly avoid a deadly accident. The experience shook him so much that he stopped asking his bandmates to race.
John Lennon almost watched Ringo Starr get into an accident while racing
While visiting Shotton on Hayling Island, Lennon suggested they race cars. He brought his Ferrari and thought the small island would make a perfect race track.
“We then set out on the most hair-raising drive of my life,” Shotton wrote in the book The Beatles, Lennon, and Me. “Only a few miles out of Hayling Island,...
John Lennon almost watched Ringo Starr get into an accident while racing
While visiting Shotton on Hayling Island, Lennon suggested they race cars. He brought his Ferrari and thought the small island would make a perfect race track.
“We then set out on the most hair-raising drive of my life,” Shotton wrote in the book The Beatles, Lennon, and Me. “Only a few miles out of Hayling Island,...
- 7/18/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Lennon-McCartney songwriting credit appeared on Beatles albums for years, even when Paul McCartney and John Lennon primarily wrote songs alone. The partnership was an enormously successful one. They sold millions of records and, at least early in their time with The Beatles, relied wholly on one another to finish songs. They worked more independently in the latter half of the 1960s, but Lennon’s longtime friend Pete Shotton said he still liked the Lennon-McCartney credit. He was too insecure to solely have his name on a song.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney used the Lennon-McCartney songwriting credit for years
In their early days with The Beatles, Lennon and McCartney spoke about writing “eyeball to eyeball.” They relied on one another to write hits. As they grew as musicians, though, they began writing independently and turning to each other for feedback. While they were highly competitive, Shotton said Lennon was...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney used the Lennon-McCartney songwriting credit for years
In their early days with The Beatles, Lennon and McCartney spoke about writing “eyeball to eyeball.” They relied on one another to write hits. As they grew as musicians, though, they began writing independently and turning to each other for feedback. While they were highly competitive, Shotton said Lennon was...
- 7/18/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When John Lennon first heard a Bob Dylan song, his songwriting changed entirely. He took a great deal of inspiration from the American artist. Suddenly, Lennon’s lyrics held more introspection and depth. According to Lennon’s longtime friend Pete Shotton, the musician hadn’t previously considered the fact that his lyrics should have meaning.
John Lennon changed his perspective on songwriting after he heard Bob Dylan’s music
When The Beatles first heard Dylan’s music, they began listening to it at every chance they got. Shotton, who had known Lennon since they were in school together, had a firsthand look at the way Dylan influenced his friend’s writing.
“My personal association with John’s songwriting began at a time when he was first starting to repudiate the greeting-card sentiments of the Beatles’ early hits,” Shotton wrote in his book The Beatles, John Lennon, and Me. “In this...
John Lennon changed his perspective on songwriting after he heard Bob Dylan’s music
When The Beatles first heard Dylan’s music, they began listening to it at every chance they got. Shotton, who had known Lennon since they were in school together, had a firsthand look at the way Dylan influenced his friend’s writing.
“My personal association with John’s songwriting began at a time when he was first starting to repudiate the greeting-card sentiments of the Beatles’ early hits,” Shotton wrote in his book The Beatles, John Lennon, and Me. “In this...
- 7/17/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In Liverpool in the 1960s, finding other young people who shared a passion for rock n’ roll music was hard. The pair immediately bonded when Paul McCartney first met John Lennon, thanks to their shared love of music and songwriting. They would later bring in George Harrison, but they became a dynamic duo that led The Beatles to international stardom. McCartney recalled the day he met Lennon, saying one thing, in particular, impressed him the most.
Paul McCartney was impressed that John Lennon was making up music on the spot John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Bettmann / Contributor
In an interview with This Cultural Life podcast, Paul McCartney recalled the first time he met John Lennon. While Lennon was older than the young singer, they had a mutual friend who decided they would be a good match. At the time, Lennon was part of a band called The Quarrymen, who were...
Paul McCartney was impressed that John Lennon was making up music on the spot John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Bettmann / Contributor
In an interview with This Cultural Life podcast, Paul McCartney recalled the first time he met John Lennon. While Lennon was older than the young singer, they had a mutual friend who decided they would be a good match. At the time, Lennon was part of a band called The Quarrymen, who were...
- 6/11/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and John Lennon go way back. They lived in the same neighborhood as teenagers and started playing music together shortly after meeting one another. During those first few years, the duo wrote over 100 songs together. Today, those songs are lost. Here are two accounts of what happened to them, and a look back at the early days of Lennon and McCartney.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images Young Paul McCartney and John Lennon were very different, but got along great
When McCartney met Lennon, they couldn’t have been more different. McCartney got good grades. He had a strong moral compass, bordering on self-righteous. Lennon, on the other hand, was a trouble-maker. He had emotional outbursts and could be cruel to his peers and authority figures alike. Plus, there was a two-year age difference between them. But the boys’ interests drew them together. They were both incredibly passionate about music,...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Fox Photos/Getty Images Young Paul McCartney and John Lennon were very different, but got along great
When McCartney met Lennon, they couldn’t have been more different. McCartney got good grades. He had a strong moral compass, bordering on self-righteous. Lennon, on the other hand, was a trouble-maker. He had emotional outbursts and could be cruel to his peers and authority figures alike. Plus, there was a two-year age difference between them. But the boys’ interests drew them together. They were both incredibly passionate about music,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When John Lennon was in his late teenage years, he had one thing on his mind and one thing only — rock and roll. He was obsessed with music, Elvis in particular, and getting his hands on a guitar. Here’s the story of his first guitar, and the story of his first group, the Quarrymen.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
- 4/30/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles had an extensive catalog of songs, and some of them are quite confusing. Fans of the band pored over their lyrics and attempted to pull meaning from their music. Sometimes, they were able to find the meanings behind the songs. Other times, though, it was completely impossible. The band wrote at least three songs with the intention of confusing listeners.
The Beatles | Fiona Adams/Redferns ‘I Am the Walrus’
John Lennon wrote the song “I Am the Walrus” with the help of a childhood friend, Pete Shotton. He asked Shotton if he could remember a nursery rhyme they used to sing as children. Shotton responded with, “Yellow matter custard, green slop pie, all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, 10ft thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick,” (per The Times).
After working part of this rhyme into the song,...
The Beatles | Fiona Adams/Redferns ‘I Am the Walrus’
John Lennon wrote the song “I Am the Walrus” with the help of a childhood friend, Pete Shotton. He asked Shotton if he could remember a nursery rhyme they used to sing as children. Shotton responded with, “Yellow matter custard, green slop pie, all mixed together with a dead dog’s eye. Slap it on a butty, 10ft thick, then wash it all down with a cup of cold sick,” (per The Times).
After working part of this rhyme into the song,...
- 4/9/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and his childhood friend Pete Shotton remained close for years, even after Lennon’s success in The Beatles. Shotton admitted that Lennon changed his life by giving him a new career path. Eventually, though, he decided to quit working for Lennon. He became Lennon and Yoko Ono’s personal assistant and resented the fact that they treated him like a servant.
John Lennon | Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images John Lennon gave his friend a new career path in the 1960s
Lennon and Shotton met as children and hit it off immediately. Per Billboard, another friend, Michael A. Hill, said Shotton quickly became Lennon’s “partner in mischief and mayhem.” They played in a band together and remained close throughout their school years.
Pete Shotton, Rest in Peace.
Pete was John's childhood best friend from the age of 6.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family. pic.
John Lennon | Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images John Lennon gave his friend a new career path in the 1960s
Lennon and Shotton met as children and hit it off immediately. Per Billboard, another friend, Michael A. Hill, said Shotton quickly became Lennon’s “partner in mischief and mayhem.” They played in a band together and remained close throughout their school years.
Pete Shotton, Rest in Peace.
Pete was John's childhood best friend from the age of 6.
Our thoughts and condolences are with his family. pic.
- 4/9/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Before forming The Beatles, John Lennon found himself in a complicated position with a bandmate. He founded the group The Quarrymen in the 1950s with some of his school friends. By the time Paul McCartney joined the group, it was clear that Lennon was ready to move on to other, bigger things. He fired one of his bandmates and longtime friends by smashing an instrument over his head.
John Lennon | Helmut Reiss/United Archives via Getty Images John Lennon worked closely with a bandmate in The Quarrymen
Lennon spent some of the earliest days of his music career in The Quarrymen, a skiffle band he formed with school friends. The original lineup was Lennon, Eric Griffiths, Bill Smith, and Pete Shotton. They named the group after their school song.
Lennon and Shotton were particularly close friends, having met in school and discovering that they had similar senses of humor.
“My...
John Lennon | Helmut Reiss/United Archives via Getty Images John Lennon worked closely with a bandmate in The Quarrymen
Lennon spent some of the earliest days of his music career in The Quarrymen, a skiffle band he formed with school friends. The original lineup was Lennon, Eric Griffiths, Bill Smith, and Pete Shotton. They named the group after their school song.
Lennon and Shotton were particularly close friends, having met in school and discovering that they had similar senses of humor.
“My...
- 4/9/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1968, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr founded Apple Corps Limited. The multimedia company handled The Beatles’ business affairs. One of the corporation’s early business ventures was the Apple Boutique, a store. It lasted six months and, according to manager Pete Shotton, Lennon and McCartney were at least partly responsible for its collapse. The way they approached the store was representative of the problems The Beatles were facing at this time.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty The Beatles opened a boutique in London
At the end of 1967, The Beatles opened the Apple Boutique, a store that sold a variety of products. Lennon explained that they initially decided to open the boutique to avoid taxes.
“Clive Epstein or some other such business freak came up to us and said you’ve got to spend so much money, or the tax will take you,...
John Lennon and Paul McCartney | Bettmann/Contributor via Getty The Beatles opened a boutique in London
At the end of 1967, The Beatles opened the Apple Boutique, a store that sold a variety of products. Lennon explained that they initially decided to open the boutique to avoid taxes.
“Clive Epstein or some other such business freak came up to us and said you’ve got to spend so much money, or the tax will take you,...
- 4/7/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon reconnected with one of his closest childhood friends while he was in The Beatles. Though they hadn’t seen each other in years, he made his friend a promise. Not long after, Lennon followed through on his promise, completely changing the course of his friend’s life. Here’s what he did to support his friend, who admitted he was going down the wrong path.
John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images John Lennon met a close friend while growing up
In 1983, Pete Shotton wrote a book about his friendship with Lennon in which he admitted that he couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t know the musician. They met as children and quickly grew close.
“My memories of the two of us go back so far that I barely remember a time when there was no John Lennon in my life,” he wrote, per Billboard.
Pete Shotton,...
John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images John Lennon met a close friend while growing up
In 1983, Pete Shotton wrote a book about his friendship with Lennon in which he admitted that he couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t know the musician. They met as children and quickly grew close.
“My memories of the two of us go back so far that I barely remember a time when there was no John Lennon in my life,” he wrote, per Billboard.
Pete Shotton,...
- 4/2/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1971, John Lennon released the song “Jealous Guy” about insecurity and possessiveness in relationships. The song is personal and reveals a side of Lennon that those who knew him likely recognized. Lennon had a jealous streak, proven by these four instances.
John Lennon | Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images He didn’t like that a classmate was performing better than him
When Lennon was in school, one of his best friends was Pete Shotton. Shotton showed early talent in math and, according to biographer Hunter Davies, Lennon was “jealous of Pete’s interest in math, which he could never do, and always tried to spoil it for Pete.” He constantly tried to throw Shotton off by distracting him.
“He always tried to ruin my concentration by putting drawings in front of me,” Shotton said, per Davies’ book The Beatles: The Authorized Biography. “Some were obscene, but they were mostly...
John Lennon | Harry Benson/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images He didn’t like that a classmate was performing better than him
When Lennon was in school, one of his best friends was Pete Shotton. Shotton showed early talent in math and, according to biographer Hunter Davies, Lennon was “jealous of Pete’s interest in math, which he could never do, and always tried to spoil it for Pete.” He constantly tried to throw Shotton off by distracting him.
“He always tried to ruin my concentration by putting drawings in front of me,” Shotton said, per Davies’ book The Beatles: The Authorized Biography. “Some were obscene, but they were mostly...
- 3/23/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Even Paul McCartney thinks the origin of The Beatles‘ name is “clouded in mystery.” However, he does have his theories about where his band’s name came from.
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ first name was The Quarry Men
Interestingly, the first permutation of The Beatles’ name was The Quarry Men, which is nothing like The Beatles. John Lennon formed the skiffle group in high school. The Quarry Men came from his grammar school, Quarry Bank High School.
In the summer of 1957, Paul McCartney saw John and The Quarry Men perform at a Village Fete at St Peter’s Church in Woolton. The two musicians met that day, and Paul played “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran, his “party piece.” John was impressed.
Days later, John had bandmate Pete Shotton ask Paul to join the band. Paul took a week to decide. In his book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present,...
The Beatles | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The Beatles’ first name was The Quarry Men
Interestingly, the first permutation of The Beatles’ name was The Quarry Men, which is nothing like The Beatles. John Lennon formed the skiffle group in high school. The Quarry Men came from his grammar school, Quarry Bank High School.
In the summer of 1957, Paul McCartney saw John and The Quarry Men perform at a Village Fete at St Peter’s Church in Woolton. The two musicians met that day, and Paul played “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran, his “party piece.” John was impressed.
Days later, John had bandmate Pete Shotton ask Paul to join the band. Paul took a week to decide. In his book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present,...
- 3/19/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney took a week to decide whether or not he wanted to join The Quarry Men, later The Beatles. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be in a band yet or specifically that group. Thankfully, he joined in the end.
Paul McCartney | Keystone/Getty Images John Lennon had someone else ask Paul McCartney to join The Quarry Men
Paul first saw The Quarry Men perform at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church on a hot July day in 1957. His friend Ivan Vaughan had invited him to see the band perform. In The Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. The frontman seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
John was the only interesting thing about The Quarry Men. They played The Del-Vikings’ “Come Go With Me.
Paul McCartney | Keystone/Getty Images John Lennon had someone else ask Paul McCartney to join The Quarry Men
Paul first saw The Quarry Men perform at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church on a hot July day in 1957. His friend Ivan Vaughan had invited him to see the band perform. In The Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. The frontman seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
John was the only interesting thing about The Quarry Men. They played The Del-Vikings’ “Come Go With Me.
- 3/5/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the late 1950s, before The Quarry Men became The Beatles, and years before Ringo Starr joined the band, completing what would become the Fab Four, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Colin Hanton, and John “Duff” Lowe recorded their first-ever recording.
Although some might think “In Spite of All the Danger” is an early John song, Paul initiated it with George’s help. Therefore, it is the only song with a “McCartney-Harrison” writing credit.
The Beatles | Hulton Archive/Getty Images How The Quarry Men formed
In the late 1950s, John formed a skiffle group called The Quarry Men, named after his school, Quarry Bank High School. Later, in July 1957, the band performed at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church. They were playing The Del-Vikings‘ “Come Go With Me” when Paul arrived.
Eric Griffiths was on the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo,...
Although some might think “In Spite of All the Danger” is an early John song, Paul initiated it with George’s help. Therefore, it is the only song with a “McCartney-Harrison” writing credit.
The Beatles | Hulton Archive/Getty Images How The Quarry Men formed
In the late 1950s, John formed a skiffle group called The Quarry Men, named after his school, Quarry Bank High School. Later, in July 1957, the band performed at the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church. They were playing The Del-Vikings‘ “Come Go With Me” when Paul arrived.
Eric Griffiths was on the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo,...
- 3/4/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney Got the Feeling John Lennon Didn’t Want to Associate With Him the First Time They Met
Paul McCartney got the feeling John Lennon didn’t want to associate with him the first time they met in 1957. The “Yesterday” singer was two years younger than the Quarry Men frontman.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Paul McCartney thought John Lennon was ‘ingenious’ the first time he saw The Quarry Men perform
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
Luckily, the pair had a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan. He invited Paul to the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church on a hot July day in 1957 to see John and his band, The Quarry Men, perform. Paul initially agreed to go because he wanted to “pick up a girl.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Paul McCartney thought John Lennon was ‘ingenious’ the first time he saw The Quarry Men perform
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
Luckily, the pair had a mutual friend, Ivan Vaughan. He invited Paul to the Woolton Village Fête at St Peter’s Church on a hot July day in 1957 to see John and his band, The Quarry Men, perform. Paul initially agreed to go because he wanted to “pick up a girl.
- 2/26/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney thought John Lennon was “ingenious” the first time he saw him performing with The Quarry Men. There was something about John that Paul instantly connected with, and they became bandmates soon after.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney had seen John Lennon around before they officially met
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
“I’d seen him a couple of times and thought, ‘Wow, you know, he’s an interesting looking guy,'” Paul told John’s youngest son Sean Ono Lennon during a BBC Radio 2 special commemorating what would have been John’s 80th birthday.
Then, Paul saw John at a fish and chips shop and...
Paul McCartney and John Lennon | Gab Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney had seen John Lennon around before they officially met
In The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, Paul wrote that he’d seen John around Liverpool before they officially met in 1957. Paul said he thought John looked cool, but he doesn’t know if they’d have started talking to each other.
“I’d seen him a couple of times and thought, ‘Wow, you know, he’s an interesting looking guy,'” Paul told John’s youngest son Sean Ono Lennon during a BBC Radio 2 special commemorating what would have been John’s 80th birthday.
Then, Paul saw John at a fish and chips shop and...
- 2/18/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney said it was typical that John Lennon had someone else tell him he could join The Quarry Men. The future songwriting partners met in 1957 and instantly connected.
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a village fete in 1957
On a hot summer’s day in 1957, Paul and his school friend, Ivan Vaughan, attended a village fete (garden party) at St. Peter’s, Woolton’s Parish Church in Liverpool. When they arrived, they saw a band performing, John’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men.
During an interview for Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. He seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
Eric Griffiths played the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo, Pete Shotton a washboard,...
Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images Paul McCartney and John Lennon met at a village fete in 1957
On a hot summer’s day in 1957, Paul and his school friend, Ivan Vaughan, attended a village fete (garden party) at St. Peter’s, Woolton’s Parish Church in Liverpool. When they arrived, they saw a band performing, John’s skiffle group, The Quarry Men.
During an interview for Beatles Anthology, Paul remembered that he landed eyes on John immediately as he came to the church’s field. He seemed “cool,” wearing his checkered shirt and playing a guitar “guaranteed not to crack.”
Eric Griffiths played the guitar, Colin Hanton played the drums, Rod Davies a banjo, Pete Shotton a washboard,...
- 1/26/2023
- by Hannah Wigandt
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
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