John Lennon Remembered
John Lennon was murdered by Mark David Chapman, an obsessed fan, in front of his apartment building in NYC 25 years ago. It doesn't seem that long ago, but it is and I can remember when I met him and Yoko in Toronto.
I was never a Beatles fan, I must say from the start, but I was in Canada, staying at the same hotel when one of those incredible whims hit me. He had just published a book, I was working for a trade magazine and I might get an interview. How much chutzpah can one have?
Never thinking twice, I picked up the house phone, called his room and got one of his close associates. I explained what I wanted, a private interview, and he said he'd get back to me. Being a native New Yorker, I thought that was as likely as snow falling in June, but I figured I'd try anyway.
My phone rang back and they asked if I could come up to the suite at 4 PM and I said, "Sure, may I bring a photographer?" They said I could. Now my problem became getting a photographer in a city where I knew no one and this photog had to keep quiet about where he was going. He also had to believe I was not out of my mind and this was some kind of crank call. He agreed to my demands, no telling anyone, just meet me in the lobby at 3:30 PM.
Yes, I got the interview and I have to say that John Lennon was one of the most pleasant, gracious people I've ever had the good fortunate to meet. Forget the fact that he was fabulously wealthy, world renowned and didn't need anyone like me. He was wonderful and I spent about 45 minutes with the two of them as the photog took candid shots all over the place.
Today, he's gone but his message of serenity and peace lives on with a new generation who is beginning to know him through his music. I still have the proof sheet of photos to prove I really did meet him in person and in private.
Related Topics: Age of (Even More) Anxiety, Introduction to Yoga
I was never a Beatles fan, I must say from the start, but I was in Canada, staying at the same hotel when one of those incredible whims hit me. He had just published a book, I was working for a trade magazine and I might get an interview. How much chutzpah can one have?
Never thinking twice, I picked up the house phone, called his room and got one of his close associates. I explained what I wanted, a private interview, and he said he'd get back to me. Being a native New Yorker, I thought that was as likely as snow falling in June, but I figured I'd try anyway.
My phone rang back and they asked if I could come up to the suite at 4 PM and I said, "Sure, may I bring a photographer?" They said I could. Now my problem became getting a photographer in a city where I knew no one and this photog had to keep quiet about where he was going. He also had to believe I was not out of my mind and this was some kind of crank call. He agreed to my demands, no telling anyone, just meet me in the lobby at 3:30 PM.
Yes, I got the interview and I have to say that John Lennon was one of the most pleasant, gracious people I've ever had the good fortunate to meet. Forget the fact that he was fabulously wealthy, world renowned and didn't need anyone like me. He was wonderful and I spent about 45 minutes with the two of them as the photog took candid shots all over the place.
Today, he's gone but his message of serenity and peace lives on with a new generation who is beginning to know him through his music. I still have the proof sheet of photos to prove I really did meet him in person and in private.
Related Topics: Age of (Even More) Anxiety, Introduction to Yoga
Tags:
0 Comments:
Post a Comment