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 for world peace and numerous social causes.
"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."[1]
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."[2]
John Lennon & Yoko Ono performed with Zappa at the Fillmore East in 1971 recordings of which can be heard on Lennon's album Some Time In New York City and on Zappa's Playground Psychotics. The Zappa/Lennon concert can be heard on the tracks Diphteria Blues, Well, Say Please, Aaawk, Scum Bag and A Small Eternity With Yoko Ono.
A tape of Lennon at home singing songs and making up stories was sold by Christie's in London, in 2002[3]. There are claims that the tape includes Lennon singing Jelly Roll Gum Drop.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono are also mentioned and thanked in the liner notes of The MOFO Project/Object (2006) album. [4]
