Memories of John Lennon

by Yoko Ono (Introduction)

'My first encounter with John Lennon gave me a sense of humility, which is funny in a way. The Beatles were such a big deal then - this was in 1963, before we had made a record - and we weren't really anyone.' - Mick Jagger. In this unique and evocative book, Yoko Ono, the widow of John Lennon, gathers together memories from fans, friends, and colleagues about the inspiring and influential singer-songwriter. Even in death Lennon and his work continues to inspire and enthrall. Some of the most well-respected artists, including James Brown, Marshall Crenshaw, Peter Gabriel and Dennis Hopper, share their reminiscences within these pages. Harry Benson is one of many photographers who recall Lennon's generosity and sense of humour; Cilla Black recounts how Lennon gave her her first break; activist Tom Hayden writes of how MI5 and the FBI tracked Lennon; Donovan tells of playing their guitars together at an Indian ashram; and many others tell of their excitement at hearing the Beatles music for the first time, and the impact it had on their lives. (less)

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, History, Pop Culture, Biography Memoir

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2005

About the author

Yoko Ono (オノ/ヨーコ) Lennon is a Japanese artist and musician. She is known for her work as an avant-garde artist and musician, and her marriage and works with world famous English musician John Lennon.

Reviews

[Amy Rollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really didn't know much about John Lennon prior to reading this book, but wow, what an intro to his life. Getting a peek from others' accounts of him really allows you to see the impact that his presence made on this world. If only we could have more personalities in the world like that of John Lennon Ono.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put together by Yoko, this is a compilation of memories written by people who knew John Lennon or were affected by him during his life. The only reason I gave this a 4 and not a 5 was because a few of the writers were so wordy I had to skim through their entries. Overall the book was lovely. It was like looking through glasses seeing John for myself.

[Pete daPixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three hundred pages of memories. Contributions mainly from the 'poptasic' world, luminary artists like Ray Charles, Sir Mick Jagger, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carlos Santana and Mary Wilson to name just a few. Also mother Terri Augello and daughter Alicia Keys. There are sixties Beatle people like Cilla Black, Peter Brown, Astrid Kirchherr, Billie J. Kramer and Klaus Voormann. Tom Hayden tells how MI5 and FBI tracked Lennon on both sides of the Atlantic in the late sixties and early seventies and Jon Wiener, author of 'Gimme Some Truth:The John Lennon FBI Files', recounts JL's political activism and the deportation efforts of the Nixon administration.
There are surprises too, from Tariq Ali, Norman Mailer and Desmond Morris. Memories from the press pack by Bob Gomel, (staff photographer at Life mag) and Harry Goodwin, (photographer to the stars at the BBC) and Bob Gruen, (one of rock and roll's most respected photographers.)
Close friends like cousin Mike Cadwallader and Elliot Mintz. Unfortunately there are words from Donovan, without whom none of this would have been possible.
Over seventy writers, all with affectionate impressions of times worth remembering, when such a thing as the counter-culture existed in the dream time.

[Merja Pohjola · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars... well, you really cannot rate people's memories can you? But I did enjoy reading most about the casual encounters with John, how he was in real life and how people related to him, and how he affected them and their lives. Realized I am not such a cuckoo after all, and if I am, I am not alone ;) Others who never met him have been affected by him all their lives... just like me... and I was so lucky to meet Yoko once... meeting her made me realize just how wrong people were about her, although I had nothing against her to begin with, but she really is down-to-earth and treats everyone equally. She is not just words, she means it. She doesn't have to put on airs, she is Yoko. She IS.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this was a nice tribute to John Lennon, I found it surprising that many of the contributors had never even met him. I also found it redundant when more than half the contributors began by talking about how old they were when the Beatles came to America. I actually admire Yoko as an artist, but I found this book to be very self-serving; it was as though she ONLY included essays that made her look like the be-all, end-all in John's life even though he contributed so much to the world independent of her influence. What also struck me was the conspicuous absence of those who knew John on a more intimate level like his son Julian, the other members of the Beatles, his half-sisters, and other key figures. Why were they not included in this tribute? Without their input, it's like a lobsided perspective of a multi-facted man.

[Angelina Scott]

Throughout reading Memories of John Lennon by Yoko Ono, I felt a lot of inspiration. John Lennon stood out among The Beatles as an inspiration and role model. For any true Beatles or John Lennon fan, I suggest reading this book. Yoko reaches out to all those that John’s life has made an impact on. This is definitely a favorite of all books that I have read. One thing I do dislike about the book is how Yoko never contributes John’s true impact on her life. In the book she states that she can simply not bring herself to write about John. His loss has not only affected his personal friends, family and wife, and former band, but also every single person who has been inspired or touch by his words, his lyrics, and his life actions.

[Ruth Soz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy John Lennon's music and think he was an important cultural figure, but I think this book is more suitable for die-hard Lennon fans. Edited by Yoko Ono, entries consist of essays, artwork and poems centering around Lennon. I found many of the entires redundant; the Beatles' first appearance on The Ed Sullivan show was indeed an important landmark on the landscape of rock 'n roll, but where people were and how it affected them was covered again and again (...and again), and I found myself getting bored, which is unfortunate to the contributions found later in the book. I also found a few of the entries self-promoting, especially by people who I didn't even know existed. All of the people in the book are either notables or connected in some way to John (although I still don't understand the connection Alicia Keye's mother had, especially when Alicia had her own entry...a little too removed for my taste).

All in all, a nice idea and I appreciate the effort. But it may be best appreciated by those who would count Lennon as one of their all-time favorite musicians.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the intimate stories about John. A few of them brought actual tears to my eyes. My only wish for this book would be that it had been compiled by a less biased eye. Any person other than Yoko Ono. It's easy to see why she selected THESE stories amongst the MANY I'm sure she received. Could she be any more self-serving? I have always been on the fence about the Yoko/John thing but this one tipped my favor into the "Yoko sucks" camp. Why couldn't the bullet miss him and hit her. He probably would have written some killer stuff.

[Brianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book for what it was -- several glimpses at John (particularly post-Beatles) as seen through others eyes.

I wondered at the inclusion of a couple names (one in particular who has previously published what I thought to be an unflattering portrayal of John and Yoko), and I was sorry for (though didn't wonder at) the lack of a page or two from Cynthia Powell.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book includes many different people's memories about the life of John Lennon. Most of the people I don't even know, and many didn't know John well. I would have happier to read memories of Yoko Ono Lennon as she apparently knew him well and might have brought things to light the public and his fans didn't know about. I was very disappointed with it.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of memories by people, both famous and not, of John. The collection is edited by Yoko (and is therefore, I think, very pro-Yoko!). Nevertheless, it was an interesting read.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of 70-some essays by the famous and the unknown. Anyone who loves John’s music, who was around at the beginning, or who learned of his immense talent later on, should find much to love in this volume. Yoko has chosen many varying viewpoints to contemplate, with resulting emotions and responses released after reading: sadness, joy, wistfulness, even laughter. Few will leave this book unfinished. A new favorite of mine!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are 73 remembrances of John Lennon here, with the somewhat general rule of thumb being the most interesting are from the folks you least know. Editor Yoko Ono made the right decision to steer the content beyond her husband’s Beatle years.

[Stephen Lillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ενα βιβλιο καθαρα εξυμνητικό που επικεντρωνεται στις θετικες πτυχες του καλλιτεχνη,ανθρωπιστη,πολιτικου ακτιβιστη και οικογενειαρχη Lennon.Tο χαπι θα μπορουσε να ειναι ασημενιο αντι για ολοχρυσο αλλα την επιμελεια την ανελαβε η Yoko οποτε και η εμμεσοι χαρακτηρισμοι του Lennon ως εκκεντρικο και ολιγον εγωκενρτικο ον ειναι αρκετοι.Μεσα απο τις αναμνησεις των 72 ανθολογημενων φωνων παρατιθενται χιουμοριστικα στιγμιοτυπα απο την ζωη του μεγαλου καλλιτεχνη αλλα και ενα καθαρα ιστορικο ημερολογειο που επικεντρωνεται στην πολιτικη αντιπαραθεση του Lennon με το κραταιον καθεστος και την κουλτουρα της εποχης.Τελος θα μπορουσε να απουσιαζει η συμβολη ατομων που δεν τον γνωρισαν ποτε απο κοντα και απλα πλεκουν ενα ασκοπο εγκωμιο σε αυτον και στους Beatles και να υπηρχε μια δηλωση η εστω ενα ενθυμημα σχετικο με τον Lennon απο τους δυο εναπομεινοντες Beatles. Αν καποιος εχει ακουσει καποιο τραγουδι περα απο το Imagine και επιθυμει να σχηματισει μια σφαιρικη ιδεα πανω στη ζωη και στον θανατο Του απο ατομα που εζησαν τις ιδιες δεκαετιες και στα ιδια μερη με Αυτον τοτε καλα θα κανει να το προσθεσει στη βιβλιοθηκη του.Στους σκληροπυρηνικούς απλα θα προσθεσει μικρες λεπτομερειες σχετικα με τη καθημερινοτητα του που μονο οικεια του προσωπα ηταν δυνατο να γνωριζουν γεγονος που ειναι αρκετο για να το αγορασουμε και να το βαλουμε και μπροστα μπροστα στη μουσικη μας βιβλιοθηκη!

[Liliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book I thought I knew everything there was to know about John Lennon. I was proved wrong, very wrong. And I'm glad I did read this book because despite the long perspectives and insights from all these famous people. I realised they all had the same views about the person John was. I read through each sentence carefully and I learned about the many personality traits that John Lennon had. Some stories made me laugh and some made me cry. These stories were so personal and it gives you the outlook that John Lennon had.


My outcome of reading this book was to learn something new and I did indeed. But mostly I feel proud. I feel proud to call John Lennon my idol, my working class hero, whatever. He was simply just a man. But he was a man who changed our worlds by doing spectacular things. I'll be forever thankful that we had him for as long as we did. If only he was still here, sharing his words of wisdom to help us find peace..he may not have had all the answers but he sure did help us see the future light. Thank you John for everything. And mostly a huge thank you to Yoko for creating such a lovely book to share with our souls.

[Mary Narkiewicz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always read books and articles about John Lennon that are written by Yoko Ono with a bit of objective distance. But I'm enjoying the anecdotes and thoughts of various celebrities which they have shared for the publication of this book. Cilla Black, John's cousin, David Geffen, etc..

There seems to be a smidgen of Camelot myth making involved.. He did have his dark side, as we all do. and then there's his first son Julian, and his first wife Cynthia.. I haven't seen if Julian contributed anything to "Memories of John Lennon"..he is usually excluded from any concerts and such.

Upon reading more of the book, I was esp. touched by the accounts of the lady who lived in the Dakota building at the same time that John did. She describes looking through a window and seeing him sitting , reading his newspaper and drinking coffee.. And later, she describes hearing sounds which her son identified as gun shots.. terrible..

Eliot Mintz also wrote a revealing and poignant portrait of memories.

John was a genius.. and his music .. well, all permeating, for all time.. I listen to Beatles music every single day.

[written&read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read almost all of this. To be fair, I skimmed a few pages with political subjects. Overall, it was an interesting book. We checked it out for my Dad but I opened it--just for a quick look--and ended up reading the whole thing over a period of a few days.

I enjoyed learning more about Lennon. He was interesting--he had his good and really, really horrible sides. The different testimonies were an interesting way to do this. I guess, for me, it lacked oomph. I couldn't connect with it.

Honestly, he sounded downright miserable most of his life. It was really tragic. The changes he made later in life, according to the testimonies, seemed to make him happier. But all of his political movements and his campaign for peace seems a bit far-fetched, perhaps a bit too complicated for me.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Included in this book are, not surprisingly, people’s memories of John Lennon. Those included range from his cousins, to close friends, to musicians, to people who never met him. They all write very well; even the people who only manage one sentence show the depths of their emotion in missing Lennon. My only issue with this book is that, with Ono being the editor, there are quite a few essays that go on and on about her greatness. Yes, I think she affected Lennon’s life and should be included. No, I do not think a book about John Lennon should have hero worship about Yoko Ono. That having been said, I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I'm actually still reading this (the Holidays, you know, not much time), but everytime I read a little memory from one of the Lennons' friends, or from Yoko, I get all choked up. Why can't I have an amazing romance like this?, I think! The pictures are beautiful, and the contributors are some of the greatest people of our time, and some that recently passed, Norman Mailer included.
Highly recommend it!

[Daniel Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall pretty disappointing but I did learn how to properly make rice without a rice cooker. Though this book never sought to be a proper biography, the "memories" mostly seem to be told by casual acquaintances who don't really seem to know John Lennon very well. It felt a bit like a bunch of people being like, "I saw John one time at the grocery store. We shook hands and I told him how much Revolver changed my life. He smiled and nodded."

[Ben John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed reading about a man whose prophetic lyrics have touched so many. While it's difficult to know how 'real' their 'take' on Lennon is - I mean what else would you say, are they really being honest? - but who cares, if they guy was a dick then he wouldn't have written 'Imagine', simple as that. It's interesting his interest in Primal Therapy, you don't delve that deep unless you're one deep dude.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book features a collection of people's memories of John Lennon. Very few of these accounts are interesting and worth reading, however there are some interesting photographs and drawings of Lennon scattered throughout. A biography of Lennon would probably be a better place to obtain a better understanding of Lennon and his impact on the lives around him that he touched.

[Cathryn Hrudicka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am fortunate to have a copy of the I corrected proof, which may have more intimate memories by a greater variety of contributors than the published version. This, I'm giving it one or two more stars than the average Goodreads review. The proof really includes some lesser known stories that capture the essence of John's life...and I like the drawings and photos.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

As George said, It's All Too Much. Person after person tells about how much John meant to them, how they met/didn't meet him, how they loved him, how he inspired them. There are some good stories, but they're buried under all this well-meaning mush which quickly becomes repetitious.

Too bad. At half the length, it could've been much more interesting.

[Farah Gh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it!
this book is a collection of memories that were told by people who effected by john ..
these collection was edited by yoko ono..
and i'm happy to know more about how john was in real life and how people related to him ..
however, i'm sad cause no one of the other beatles was a part of it,therefore i give it 4\5 !

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan since I was nine years old, when the Beatles performed on the Ed Sullivan Show. For people like me, the wealth of personal details and perspectives in this book bring the period and atmosphere of the sixties and seventies to life and make us realize that it wasn't just our imagination: John Lennon really was a unique and powerful person.

[Robert Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me miss the musician and poet more than I ever have. A masterful tome edited by (guess who) Yoko.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, the only regret is that none of the Beatles were a part of it. Mentioned, but not a part of it. But over all this is a great book.

[Jay Budzilowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Memories of John Lennon
Edited by Yoko Ono
2005
——————————————
Summary:
A collection of personal anecdotes about John Lennon from actors, musicians, artists, journalists, friends, and others.
—————————————
Excerpt:
"John and I drifted into each other's lives for about two years. I was terrified of meeting him because of his biting wit and musical genius. but it was like meeting an old friend. He was warm, sweet and very funny. We played onstage together and we recorded together-two events in my career that I cherish. But it was the man who impressed me most. He was so kind to my family, my band, and my friends. There was no attitude, no swagger-just humility, and warmth. It was as if for two years the sun shone directly on me and that heat has stayed with me forever. I loved him and will never forget him.
~Elton John
(113)
———————————
Review:
I learned much about Lennon through these personal stories. There is so much I missed about his life since I was born 3 years after his death. Some of these stories are very lengthy and insightful, while others are short and sweet, covering the musician, performer, activist, father, and husband that Lennon was. These stories do not overlook his (many) faults while also celebrating his eccentricities.

[Jose Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recuerdos de John Lennon, de 4 estrellas

El libro esta dedicado a los recuerdos de John Lennon de varias personas que lo conocieron y otras que no lo conocieron pero sintieron su influencia en su vida.
Hay recuerdos o anécdotas muy interesantes de leer de aquellos que lo conocieron y una que otra que la influencia de John Lennon fue importante.

Lennon al ser una persona tan conocida influenció de maneras inimaginables que se relatan en el libro pero a mi gusto prefería que fuera solo de personas que lo conocieron pero el libro se disfruta bastante y esta un 80/20 de personas que lo conocieron a los que no.

En el libro hay personajes como Sir Mick Jagger, Peter Brown, Klaus Voormann, Elliot Mintz, Astrid Kirchherr o Sir Elton John.
Son 71 personas que relatan su vivencia o el recuerdo de Lennon en el libro, algunas son extensas; otras son algunos párrafos o solo un dibujo como Bono
Las hay entrañables, ocurrentes, emotivas o "de cajón" que no encuentro el motivo por incluirlas en el libro.

Y si te lo estas preguntando: No, no tiene un recuerdo de los otros tres exBeatles.

El libro no lo encontré publicado en español, solo lo he visto en inglés.
No podría considerarlo un libro obligatorio para un fan de John Lennon pero si lo encuentras, dale una oportunidad.