The book is a product of several years of research and hundreds of interviews with many of lennons friends, acquaintances, servants and musicians. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Famed singersongwriter john lennon founded the beatles, a band that impacted the popular music scene like no other. For almost thirty yearsfrom the time i first met him at the age of six to our last meeting in 1976 at his home in new yorki probably spent more time with him than anyone else. Beatle john lennon but his namesake paternal grandfather, more commonly known as jack, born in 1855. The song is ranked 23rd on rolling stones december 2004 list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. By glaring omission in the book, my influence on his life is.
Upon hearing the news that lennon had been murdered on 8 december 1980, shotton visited harrison at friar park, harrisons home. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Not really for the faint of heart, brimming over as it is with tales of masturbation, sex, drugs and foul language all told, however, with a great deal of affection, in my life provides a vivid insight into the nonpublic aspects of lennons life throughout the 1960s. A picture of the enigmatic john lennon and his music, published to tie in with a tenpart radio l series. And in fact, the book doesnt disappoint the high expectations revealed in the intro. Where paul mccartney was content to be a rock star, lennon. Kaya john writes about john lennons effect on her life in new book. Lennon is an irish surname from oleannain or olonainand jack habitually gave his birthplace as dublin, though there is evidence that his family had already crossed the irish sea to. John lennon biography john lennon expert and biographer.
They met in 1946, when they were the tender age of 6 years old while john was living at his aunt mimi and uncle georges. A fan page dedicated to the book john lennon in my life by pete shotton and nicholas schaffner. In my life is a song by the beatles written by john lennon and paul mccartney the song originated with lennon, and while mccartney contributed to the final version, the extent of his. This biography tells the complete story of john lennon s life, including the controversial influence of his music, art, and philosophy upon the world. Pete shotton was john lennons best friend throughout his life, and this book gives a positive upbeat and revealing look at that friendship. Apr 18, 2000 john lennon, alone in his bedroom in the dakota, knelt before the television as if it were an altar. Fred seamans book is also very good about his last two years of life. His hand stretched, fingers spread, to touch the screen as a devout pilgrim might reach to touch. In late november of 2007, kessler published shoulda been there 19401961 the first historical narrative biography in the john lennon series, the result of twenty years of research into lennons life. This book is the most honest and thorough account ive seen yet.
It filled in many of the facts that i did not know about john i really enjoyed the cds of john lennon the life and i would love to hear more of johns works i want to hold your hand was the first 45 that i ever bought thank you philip norman for a very good write. In my life is one of my favorite songs because it is so much john a super track and such a simple song, martin said in anthology. John lennon, in full john winston ono lennon, born october 9, 1940, liverpool, englanddied december 8, 1980, new york, new york, u. Lennon first became famous as the founding member of the beatles, and his songwriting partnership with. John lennon and paul mccartney have differing memories of who wrote the music for in my life. Jun 25, 2019 while john lennon and paul mccartney settled their differences before johns death, it wasnt the same with george harrison. There are places ill remember all my life though some have changed some forever not for better some. Perfectly balanced this book, in my opinion after reading it twice for fun, is one of the better bios of john lennon. Aug 01, 1983 the paperback i have is called the beatles, lennon and me, previously published under the title john lennon in my life.
Albert goldmans, ray connellys and pete shottons in my life. But the extremes, both in his music and his life, were what made him fascinating. Books john lennon in his own write spaniard in john lennon a the works john lennon skywritting by word of mouth real love the drawings for sean john lennon the collected artwork japan through john lennon s eyes the john lennon letters imagine john yoko. John lennon, alone in his bedroom in the dakota, knelt before the television as if it were an altar. With a personal lennon library of over 500 books, numerous interview cds, dvds, periodicals, and interview tapes, kessler undertook seven trips to liverpool, england to interview john lennons childhood friends, early band. It consists of short stories and poems, and line drawings, often surreal in nature. John lennon, which was the soundtrack to a documentary movie that got national release in 1988. By the time the beatles appeared on the ed sullivan show in february 1964, i was madly in love with them and their music.
In my life 1 by shotton, pete, schaffner, nicholas isbn. Memories of john lennon yoko ono john lennon in my life pete shotton john lennon. Out of all the beatles, john lennon had the most interesting and frustrating solo career. In 1986, this student of history began research into the john lennon series, a 9volume work on the life of john lennon. In his own write is a nonsensical book by john lennon first published on 23 march 1964. Dec 08, 2018 nine year old john lennon 19401980 poses for a portrait with his mother julia 19141958 in the front garden of ardmore, which was the name of the home of john s cousin, stanley parkes circa. Cynthia lennon, may pang and yoko ono talk about his family life and struggle for spiritual read more. John lennon and the plastic ono band w the flux fiddlers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading john lennon. Why john lennon and george harrisons friendship fell apart. Beautiful boy darling boy john lennon official music. John and pete would remain closed friends and confidants up until john s death in 1980. In my life john lennon paul mccartney there are places i remember with these introductory lyrics, john lennon begins what most regard as a personal reflection of the first twentyfive years of his life.
Internet archive contributor internet archive language english. Free shipping and exclusive concert streaming for members. This book was absolutely filled with information about the great john lennon. In my life, beatles songs, beatles history, recording history, songwriting. Esclusive extracts from chapter 1 pete shotton begins his journey through his friendship with john with a fullhearted introduction in which he explains the reasons that brought him to publish the quiterevealing book about lennon. Stand by me john lennon official music video hd youtube. John lennons closest lifelong friend offers a fascinating ac. In my life was written by john lennon s childhood friend and original quarrymen member pete shotton. In my life is a song by the beatles, written by john lennon, released on their 1965 album, rubber soul. Stand by me when the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we see no i wont be afraid, no i wont be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me and darling. A good thing about the book, is that it focuses on the man rather than the music. The lives of john lennon is a 1988 biography of musician john lennon by american author albert goldman. Cynthia lennon, may pang and yoko ono talk about his family life and struggle for spiritual.
John lennon in my life by pete shotton home facebook. Some were also taken aback by the books lengthover 800 pages for a figure who famously lived only to age 40. Starting from their rebellious childhood antics in woolton and quarrybank we are taken on a magical mystery tour through the quarrymen formation and onto beatles superfame. Paul mccartney was the love of my yearold life, so it never bothered me that john lennon was married and had a child. Aug 24, 2010 before you cross the street, take my hand life is what happens to you while youre busy making other plans beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy. Bio bares the secret life of john lennon new york post. Oct 17, 2019 famed singersongwriter john lennon founded the beatles, a band that impacted the popular music scene like no other. A lifelong friend of john lennon describes their childhood adventures together and provides an intimate look at the beatles. For my money, the most purely entertaining book about the man yet written. This book is one of my favorites as it gives a unique perspective on. He wrote most of the lyrics after being asked why a book he wrote, in his own write, revealed more about him than his songs did.
Famed singersongwriter john winston lennon was born on october. This is an autobiographical song about john lennon s life. On a separate rolling stone listing of the beatles 100 greatest songs, in my life is ranked no. John lennon was a singer, songwriter, activist, artist, and writer whose life and work left an indelible mark on rock music and the world. The life, though they often seemed shocked at how much hate and violence could be found in one of the 20th centurys most famous proponents of peace and love.
John winston ono lennon mbe born john winston lennon, 9 october 1940 8 december 1980 was an english singer, songwriter and peace activist who gained worldwide fame as the founder, colead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the beatles. When george harrison published his autobiography, john lennon spoke of how hurt he was by it. With these introductory lyrics, john lennon begins what most regard as a. It became in my life, which is a remembrance of friends and lovers of the past. In john, cynthia recalls those times with the loving honesty of an insider, offering new and fascinating insights into the life of john lennon and the early days of the beatles. How elton john helped john lennon and yoko ono rekindle their. John lennon in my life hardcover august 1, 1987 by pete shotton author. Book is in nf condition with trace rubbing to edges, faint crease to top cornerfront cover else a bright and solid copy. John lennon miscellaneous in my life there are places ill remember all my life, though some have changed some forever, not for better some have gone and some remain all these places had their moments with lovers and friends, i still can recall some are dead and some. After all these years, its surprising that another book about the beatles could be so amazing.
If you want a detailed look at lennons music released and not, this is it. It describes john as a human being, with his many positive traits, and his faults. A detailed map of liverpool anticipates the first chapter called. If you love john as i do, its wonderful after all of these years to own and read a book that tells us all, at last, who and what john lennon was. The paperback i have is called the beatles, lennon and me, previously published under the title john lennon in my life. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. In my life 1983, republished later as the beatles, lennon and me, which told the story of their friendship, from the age of six until lennon. It told so much about his childhood and the road to the beatles as we knew them. The book s numerous key informants and interviewees include sir paul mccartney, sir george martin, sean lennonwhose moving reminiscence reveals his father as never seen beforeand yoko ono, who speaks with sometimes shocking candor about the inner workings of her marriage to john. Beginning in liverpool in the 1950s, the film concentrates on the early life of john lennon philip mcquillen as he struggles to become a successful musician in. The best book on lennon that i have ever read though is called the art and music of john lennon. For in my life, i had a complete set of lyrics after struggling with a journalistic vision of a trip from home to downtown on a bus naming every sight. The life and the history of the beatles shout the beatles in their generation. I have read lennon biographies by albert goldman and ray coleman, and beatles biographies by philip norman and hunter davies.
This book is almost completely free of the schmalz that ruins other biographies. John lennon was absolutely devastated of losing his mother. Millions of posters, photographs, tshirts, vinyl, magazines and more spanning over 50 years. Lennon was capable of inspired, brutally honest confessional songwriting and melodic songcraft. And with the perspective only years can provide, she also tells the compelling story of her marriage to a man who was to become a music legend, a cultural hero, and a. John lennon in my life book by pete shotton, 1983 at wolfgangs. In my life was written by john lennons childhood friend and original quarrymen member pete shotton. I am a long time beatle fan, i have read tons of books on the group and each individual beatle. Math proves john lennon wrote in my life john lennon and paul mccartney have differing memories of who wrote the music for in my life. The soundtrack album was released on october 10th, 1988 and included nine beatles songs, this being one of them. Of those, i would say that normans book was the best. The british music magazine mojo named it the best song of all time in.
The book is a product of several years of research and hundreds of interviews with many of lennon s friends, acquaintances, servants and musicians. Not really for the faint of heart, brimming over as it is with tales of masturbation, sex, drugs and foul language all told, however, with a great deal of affection, in my life provides a vivid insight into the nonpublic aspects of lennon s life throughout the 1960s. Dec 18, 2016 stand by me when the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we see no i wont be afraid, no i wont be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me and darling. John lennon the life by philip norman paul and yoko might not like it, but this is the best beatles biography yet, says sean ohagan. In my life was understandably included on the album imagine. He is the author of the bestselling biography john lennon. To my friends who were ardent lennon fans, this fact was unacceptable. Norman has also published biographies of buddy holly, the rolling stones, and elton john, as well as six works of fiction and two plays, the man that got away and words of love. Did john lennon or paul mccartney write in my life.
It consists of short stories and poems, and line drawings, often surreal. The book was the first solo project by one of the members of the beatles in any creative medium. In my life paperback august 1, 1983 by pete shotton author. The life is so rich and enveloping that it demands to be readits a cleareyed and compassionate study of a man. Lennon is an irish surname from oleannain or olonainand jack habitually gave his birthplace as dublin, though there is evidence that his family had already crossed the irish sea to become part of liverpools.