John Lennon
John Lennon (Liverpool, October 9, 1940 - New York City, December 8, 1980) was a British rock singer and guitarist, who became famous as a member of The Beatles and later had a succesful solo career. His music is praised for the creative lyrics, inventive musical experiments and deeply personal subject matter. Lennon was also a vocal activist, rallying for world peace and numerous controversial social causes.
References to Zappa
Lennon admired Frank Zappa as an artist who liked to take risks with rock 'n roll:
"Wow, I always wanted to meet him. I really, really admire him. (...) He's at least trying to do something different with the form. (...) It's incredible how he has his band as tight as a real orchestra. (...) I'm very impressed by the kind of discipline he can bring to rock that nobody else can seem to bring to it."
John Lennon & his wife Yoko Ono performed with Zappa on 06/05/71 at the Filmore East. They provided guitar and vocals for Playground Psychotics.
John Lennon/Yoko Ono Band - "Some Time In New York City" (2LP, Apple SVBB-3392, June 19, 1972)
"Frank once described an encounter he'd had with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. I don't remember the occasion, but for some reason, they were about to go on stage together in New York. According to Frank, Yoko was talking incessantly in a high-pitched voice and John was getting more and more exasperated with her. Finally, John shouted at her: 'Shut up you little Jap!' And Yoko socked him in the face. Ah, those golden days of peace and love. Frank's reaction? 'From then on, John was okay in my book.'"
A rare tape of Lennon performing Jelly Roll Gum Drop with Ono's daughter Kyoko was reportedly sold by Christie's in London, in 2002.
Yoko Ono is one of the people receiving thanks for their "very special but no less significant contributions" in The Yellow Shark liner notes.
