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January 2001-December 2000-November 2000-October 2000-More News in Archive

JULIAN NEWSLETTER HINTS AT POSSIBLE PERFORMANCE 
AT JOL TRIBUTE THIS FALL IN NEW YORK CITY

(Entered April 28, 2001)

Thanks to Harry Bluebond

PAUL DREAMED ABOUT JOHN

(Entered April 28, 2001)

Thanks to Richard Joly

JOHN LENNON EXHIBIT EXTENDED AT ROCK HALL OF FAME 
IN CLEVELAND

ALSO....Stuart Sutcliffe Exhibit To be Added

(Entered April 23, 2001)

From Launch.com

The Rock and Roll  Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio has announced that due to overwhelming interest, the John Lennon exhibition, "Lennon: His Life and Work" will be extended "at least" through December 2001.

In other Rock Hall news, one-time Beatles bass player and John's best friend, the late Stuart Sutcliffe will be honored with an exhibit at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum next month. "Stuart Sutcliffe: From The Beatles To Backbeat" is a career retrospective on the life of one of the original Beatles. The exhibition provides a comprehensive look at Sutcliffe's life and contribution to the world's most famous band. 

Included in the collection are personal letters and set lists, as well as one of Sutcliffe's guitars and several of the artist's paintings. The Sutcliffe exhibition will be at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, on loan from the Beatles Story Museum in Liverpool, from May 15 through Sept. 3. 

Read IK! Stories From October 2000 Opening

JULIAN REPORTED TO BE AMONG ARTISTS TO HONOR LINDA

(Entered April 21, 2001)

From Launch.com

A number of artists including Madonna, Britney Spears, Art Garfunkel, Queen, Lenny Kravitz, the Corrs and members of Wings are said to be contributing to a two-disc album of Beatles songs as a tribute to the late Linda McCartney. Julian Lennon and Ringo Starr's son Zak Starkey will also reportedly contribute to the project, and producers have also approached the remaining Beatles for contributions. The double-disc set is expected to raise millions for the Women and Cancer charity. Linda McCartney died of breast cancer three years ago this month.

BEATLES FANS PROTEST SALE OF HISTORIC STAGE

(Entered April 17, 2001)

From Launch

When plans were announced to sell the church stage where Paul McCartney and John Lennon first met, Beatle fans were not happy.  They've been sending angry letters to Canon John Roberts of St. Peter's Parish Church in Liverpool, who wants to sell off the stage in order to fund much-needed renovations for the building. He confirmed that he's received some nasty correspondence about the plan, calling the writers "just ignorant," and pointing out, "I have gone out of my way over the years to welcome fans." John and Paul met at St. Peter's during the annual Garden Fete on July 6, 1957. John had just finished a set with his band, the Quarrymen, and was introduced to McCartney by a mutual friend.   Paul was asked to join the band soon after.  

JOHN LENNON TRIBUTE CONCERT DUE IN FALL

(Entered April 15, 2001)

A TNT all-star tribute is being planned for this fall in honor of John Lennon.  The cable network (with blessings from Yoko), is putting together a concert special at New York's Radio City Music Hall.  The event will be filmed and is expected to air on TNT on or near John's birthday, October 9.  No artists have yet been confirmed for the show, but a spokesperson for the network said the three remaining Beatles will be asked to participate.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Violence Policy Center, whose mission is to end gun violence by educating the public, the news media and policy makers about the public health costs of injuries and deaths from firearms.

IK! was set to attend the concert on its original date of May 10, and we will hopefully still be able to attend when the postponed concert finally takes place - we understand, in the early fall. 

One note about gun violence.  I heard a news story on ABC on Friday that gun sales are down significantly, which they are partially attributing to the recent school violence.

JOHN LENNON NAMED A TOP TEN SINGER OF THE CENTURY

(Entered April 15, 2001)

John Lennon was voted one of the 20th Century's "Greatest Voices" in a poll conducted by the British Broadcasting Corporation.  The BBC Radio 2 announced Saturday (April 14, 2001) that John was voted the Sixth Greatest Voice of the Century.

The Top Ten:

#1- Frank Sinatra
#2- Elvis Presley
#3- Nat King Cole
#4- Ella Fitzgerald
#5- Bing Crosby
#6- John Lennon
#7- Aretha Franklin
#8- Billie Holiday
#9- Barbra Streisand
#10- Freddie Mercury

The winners were chosen from a variety of data compiled by BBC Radio 2 including votes by listeners and a panel of singers and music experts.

I remember when Yoko first re-released some of John's songs with new mixes which took out the voice echo and overdubbing, music critics wanted to know why she had done that.  Yoko said it was because John had lacked confidence in his singing ability, but she felt his voice was beautiful and honest and should be heard minus the echo and electronic gadgetry.  

SEAN SINGS BIRTHDAY LOVE SONG TO BIJOU

(Entered April 9, 2001)

(Thanks to Richard Joly-ONOWEB and ONOVOX)




Famed gossip columnist Liz Smith, wrote about Sean and Bijou Phillips' relationship on Monday (April 9).

The 21-year-old daughter of Mamas and Papas leader John Phillips, recently celebrated her birthday at Mr. Chow's in Beverly Hills.  Just a few weeks ago, Bijou lost her father to heart failure.  Among the guests at Bijou's party were sister, Mackenzie Phillips and Bijou's mother, actor-painter Genevieve Waite.

During the bittersweet celebration, Sean sang a capella, a special birthday song he had written for Bijou just two days earlier.  Bijou said, "I wish my father could be here to witness this beautiful evening.  We're all still in shock. He fought a brave fight for nine years but one is never prepared."

The tabloids have written that Sean and Bijou are engaged, but Ms. Smith says they are telling people they're " just dating."  They're currently in the Caribbean where Bijou will record a CD dedicated to her father.

NEW BOOK ABOUT JOHN LENNON DEALS WITH PROPHESY
OF HIS DEATH


(Entered April 8, 2001)



(Book Shown: Once a Man: Twice a Child by Dan Alice)


A new book will be released this month which deals with the death of John Lennon, and the belief that his death had been predicted several years earlier.

The story involves Stu Sutcliffe's friendship with John and his death on April 10, 1962..Paul McCartney's replacing Stu as bassist, then in effect, killing the Beatles by announcing he was quitting the band on April 10, 1970...and the release of six Beatles songs on December 8, 1967, which the author says "will actually serve as a prophesy to Lennon's death."

The "Paul is Dead" phenomenon is also interwoven into the author's theory.  He asks, why did no one ever admit to being responsible for starting that rumor?

Alice asks: "What if every clue about the first death of a Beatle (Sutcliffe) in 1962 actually foreshadows the next death of a Beatle (John's) in 1980?"

You can find out more and sign up to be kept informed about the book at the author's website, http://www.onceaman.com/

SEAN TO GUEST STAR ON NEW ALBUM

Sean appears on on Action Figure Party's self-titled debut album - set to be released on May 22.  Greg Kurstin, the multi-instrumentalist of the rock trio Geggy Tah, has called on his musician friends to join the party on this jazz-flavored new album.  In addition to Sean, the album features Cibo Matto's Miho Hatori, Dr. Dre, Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist, Flea and Eminem's bassist, Mike Elizondo.

"Bringing these amazing musicians together and writing music for this CD was an incredible experience," Kurstin said. "When I recorded the album I wanted to create a vibe that will suck you in and put you in another zone."

Action Figure Party is a showcase of Kurstin and his collaborators' rock, hip-hop, dub and soul influences — all smothered over a layer of funky jazz.

"I would love to expose this eclectic space-groove-jazz to people who might not ever listen to a jazz record," Kurstin said.

Action Figure Party came together from a variety of relationships. Kurstin met Lennon, who plays turntables on two tracks, and Hitori, who sings on another, when Geggy Tah toured with Cibo Matto. 

Kurstin is a veteran of the Los Angeles music scene (he played keyboards with Dweezil Zappa when he was 12) and has played with several artists around town. He played keyboards on the Chili Peppers' Californication, and convinced Flea to return the favor on bass on two tracks from Action Figure Party.

"Many of these folks come in and play at different shows also," Kurstin said. "It's always a surprise, even for me."

An Action Figure Party tour is in the works for the summer, though no dates have been announced.

—Reported to MTV news by Corey Moss

http://www.mtv.com/sendme.tin?page=/news/headlines/

JOHN LENNON'S PIANO DID NOT SELL AT AUCTION

(Entered April 6, 2001)

(Launch) - A private sale is likely for John Lennon's Steinway piano and his custom-made Mercedes Benz limousine that failed to meet reserve prices at a London auction Tuesday. Auction house, Fleetwood Owen (owned by Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood and his partner Ted Owen) hosted the auction at the Hard Rock Cafe in London.

The custom-made white 1970 Mercedes Benz 600 Pullman limousine car had a
reserve price of 200,000 British pounds, but the high bid was £190,000 pounds. The black upright Steinway piano, purchased by Lennon in 1979, which came from Lennon's apartment at the Dakota building in New York City, had a reserve price of £1,000,000, with the top bid reaching only £750,000 pounds.

A spokesperson for the event said Wednesday that there is an interested party for the limousine in California and another interested in purchasing the piano. Fleetwood Owen considered the event a success, despite the fact that the two key items didn't sell.

YOKO TO RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREE FROM U OF LIVERPOOL

(Entered April 4, 2001)

(Thanks to Paul Boyd)

Jaan Uhelszki reported for Rolling Stone that Yoko will receive an honorary degree from the University of Liverpool this summer. According to a spokesperson for the school, the degree, making Yoko a "doctor of laws," is in recognition of her artistic work and patronage of a scholarship fund she founded at the school in memory of John Lennon in 1991.

Though John did not attend the university, he studied at the Liverpool Art Institute from 1957 to 1960, prior to Beatlemania. The degree will be bestowed upon Yoko at a ceremony in Liverpool's Philharmonic Hall in July. "I'm very honored and excited," Yoko told Rolling Stone.

This is the latest honor in what has been a busy year for Yoko. New York City's Japan Society and Minneapolis' Walker Art Center mounted a forty-year retrospective of her work titled "Yes, Yoko Ono," which began on March 10th and runs through June 17th. The exhibit marks the first complete survey of all of Yoko's art.

The Walker Art Center also plans to reenact Yoko's famous "Cut Piece" performance art project and will host a class on the artist, "Waiting to Meet Yoko Ono," which runs April 11th through April 25th, as part of the University of Minnesota's Compleat Scholar Program.

JOHN AND YOKO ITEMS AT AUCTION

(Entered March 1, 2001)

IK! has been informed by Fleetwood Owen that bids are being accepted online at http://www.fleetwoodowen.com for a Rock and Pop Legends Auction. This will culminate in a 'live' auction on the 27th March at the Hard Rock Cafe, London.

Included are John Lennon's Steinway piano from his home at the Dakota Building,
New York, a large black and white photograph of John Lennon and Yoko Ono,
circa 1969, as well as numerous items relating to Lennon and the Beatles.

Descriptions From the Catalog:
John Lennon's Steinway piano from his home at the Dakota Building, New York.
The ebony finish, Steinway piano, model F-15, serial number 46234, from the
studio at John Lennon's apartment in the Dakota Building, New York. This is believed to have been the only piano in the Lennon's apartment during this time and it is probable that John Lennon and Yoko Ono used the instrument while composing the album "Double Fantasy."

£900,000-1,100,000

(Background information about the piano):

On 15 January 1979 John Lennon personally placed an order for an ebony upright instrument at Steinway Pianos, Long Island, New York. On 9 May the piano, together with its accompanying ebony finish bench, was delivered to John Lennon's home, 1 West 72nd Street.

The piano remained there until 1984 when Yoko Ono and PolyGram Records entered into a promotional arrangement with Yoko - the 'John Lennon / Yoko Ono Piano Give-away', the upright Steinway being the prize. The promotion amassed 70,000 fans, each buying a copy of Yoko Ono's album, and by doing so, receiving entry to the competition. The prizewinner, a lady from North Dakota, sold the piano to the current owner around ten years ago and it has remained in their possession ever since.

The lot is accompanied by:
- A handwritten note from Yoko and Sean.
- A letter on STEINWAY headed paper confirming the piano was indeed the one
ordered by Lennon in January 1979.
- A letter from PolyGram Records, addressed to the winner of the
competition, dated 27 March 1985 confirming the delivery of the piano to its new owner.
- A letter on KIMMELMAN, SEXTER & SOBEL headed paper - the attorneys representing the Estate of John Lennon and Yoko Ono - confirming its authenticity.

John's 1970 Mercedes-Benz

John Lennon's 1970 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman four-door limousine.
A white finish, seven / eight seater vehicle.
 
£400,000-500,000

(Background information about the vehicle)

In October 1969 John Lennon ordered this car via Woking Motors U.K. It was one of only 428 Mercedes 600 Pullman limousines ever manufactured. Each car was built to the owner's exact specifications, and in this case John Lennon personally requested black velvet upholstery as opposed to the standard leather interior. 

In February 1970, the vehicle was delivered to Apple Corps. Ltd. When John and Yoko moved to New York he sold the car on to fellow Beatle George Harrison who in turn sold it to Mary Wilson of the Supremes in 1975. Wilson used the car on the Supremes tours in the U.S. until 1979. At this time the car was registered in the name of Wilson's husband Pedro Ferrer and was modified to U.S. standards.

The car was re-registered in Europe on 1 March 1984 and in April 1989 Wilson
sold the car through Christies Auctioneers in London, where it was purchased
by its current owner.

The car has been exhibited at the Mercedes Museum in Stuttgart, Germany, and
in December 2000, was exhibited in Japan and featured on a TV series there.

Eminem Protester Asks "Where's John Lennon?"

(Entered February 24, 2001)



(Reuters Photo)

The Grammy Awards this year were anxiously anticipated by news media because of an unusual pairing of singers: Elton John agreed to sing a duet with controversial rap artist, Eminem.  Eminem is notorious for his lyrics which degrade gays and women, for their violent content and all-around putridness.  Eminem says "don't take me seriously" - his supporters say he's simply reflecting what's going on in the world today.   Eminem's supporters include, amazingly enough, Pat Boone (!) and apparently, Elton John.  John, who has spoken out against homophobia, was a strange choice to sing a duet with Eminem, but he claimed he wouldn't have performed with the young rapper if he thought he was a truly hateful person.  Boy George said Elton J. was doing it for the publicity and to try to look cool to Eminem's younger fans.

Outside the auditorium on Grammy night, about 100 protesters held signs opposing hate-music and Eminem in particular.  One person held a sign, "Where's John Lennon When You Need Him?"  

We watched the Elton John-Eminem performance and as my husband said after it was over, "Elton John's verses sounded good."

Eminem was nominated for Album of the Year, but won Grammys in the rap categories only.

Beatles Are Rolling Stone Cover Story - Yoko Featured

(Entered February 8, 2001)

The Beatles are the cover story on the latest Rolling Stone magazine. The article discusses the stories behind their hits, as told to Rolling Stone by people who were there, including Yoko Ono, George Martin and engineer Geoff Emerick...plus peers and fans have their say.  Ray Davies of The Kinks, Bono of U2 and Billy Corgan all give their views of the Beatles and their amazing music.

The online edition features an exclusive video and a favorite song poll, plus a photo gallery.

BEATLES Top Earning Act of 2000!

(Entered February 1, 2001)

(Launch) - The Beatles have topped yet another list - that of the highest-earning British stars of last year. More than 30 years after they broke up, the Beatles earned an estimated $80.2 million in 2000, thanks to the sales of their current chart-topping album, "1."

The 1999 top earners, the Rolling Stones, land at No. 4 on this year's list. Other top money makers for 2000 include Irish rockers U2 ($72.9 million), Elton John ($51 million), the Rolling Stones ($40.1 million), David Bowie ($29.1 million), Sade ($14.5 million), Tom Jones ($12.4 million), Phil Collins ($8.7 million) and girl group Spice Girls and boy group Westlife (tied with $7.2 million).

The results were compiled by U.K. magazine Heat. "2000 was the Beatles' biggest money-making year yet - which is just incredible 30 years after they split," Heat editor Mark Frith told BBC News. "And really all they did was say 'yes' to the release of a compilation. That was a very profitable decision."

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