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| Photo taken by "Blonde Brenda" |
I found this story in the July 1980 issue of "With a Little Help From My Friends." And it just seems off to me. According to the note before the article, it was originally published on June 4, 1980, in the Soho News, which was a Milwaukee newspaper, and was sent to the fanzine by Curt Merwin.
As I read the story, I realized I knew it—it was Brenda's story. If you ever read Fred Seaman's book, then you might remember Brenda. I have met Brenda numerous times at Paul McCartney concerts, Beatles conventions, and even had a nice get-together at her home a few years ago. She has told me her story about meeting John in 1980 -- I specifically recall the part about talking to him about Beatlefest and him sitting in his limo, chatting with her. I also remember her talking about meeting John on Yoko's birthday and bringing her flowers.
So either Brenda used an alias of Marsha and said she was from Wisconsin instead of Minneapolis when talking to whoever wrote this article, or Marsha stole Brenda's story and claimed it as her own.
Stranger still -- no writer is listed for this story, and when I Googled "Soho News in Milwaukee," there is nothing listed. Nonetheless, I am going to reproduce the article just as I discovered it.
Thunder, lightning, the rain is coming down in sheets. Umbrellas collapse. Traffic stands still. Pedestrians run for cover, but a teenage girl yells joyfully into a payphone on Central Park West, oblivious to the downpour. "I saw him!" she shouts. "I talked to him. I got his picture!"
Marsha Salzberg, 18, has just finished talking to John Lennon, 40, former Beatle. For two years, this slender girl with the round, flushed face and slightly crooked teeth has been coming from her home in Middleton, Wisconsin, for one purpose-to wait for John Lennon in front of the Dakota, where he lives with his wife, Yoko Ono, and their son Sean.
"I guess I've talked to him more than anyone else," says Marsha.
Are there many others?
"Oh yeah, one girl from Pennsylvania, a couple from Queens, mostly from New York. I'm friends with lots of them. I get their addresses out of the Beatles fan magazines. Write to them, then come out and visit."
She drifts back to the moment. "He talked so much today. He wouldn't shut up." She shakes her head at the wonder of it all. "He's moody, though. Some days he's the sweetest guy, but others, like the first time I saw him in January of '78, we've been waiting six days, and I was about to leave for the airport when he and Yoko came out of a cab. I said "hello", and he said "hello...goodbye," and that was it.
I tried some other times, but nothing happened until February of '79. It was Yoko's birthday. I had all these gifts and flowers for her. First, John came out. He was adjusting his hat and smiling. Then Yoko came out with friends. I kissed her, and she said, "That's very kind, thank you." Then I hugged John, and he said, "That's very nice." I'd brought him a plant.
"It all started about seven years ago. I saw a TV special on the Beatles, and I couldn't believe how the girls were reacting. I had to find out what was going on. Paul was my favorite at first. Then I remember listening to Rubber Soul, and realized I liked John better.
"I've been to New York five times, and I've seen him 17 times. Mainly, it's just small talk. I never know what to say because I don't want to offend him."
But this time was different, and as Marcia speaks, her eyes are blank. Part of her is still with John, still living the most important 10 minutes of her life. She speaks without emotion, almost clinically determined to remember everything-not for mere self-glory, but for the love of history.
"Today I didn't recognize him at first because he changes his look so much. He had his hair pulled back with a ponytail in the middle and a full beard and a mustache that kind of went up at the end, and I said, "John, do you remember me?" And he said, "Yes, you're the girl from Wisconsin. Are you the one who's been waiting five days?" And I said, "Yes, I can't believe you came out". And he said, "My dear, after waiting five days, you deserve it."
"Then he sat inside his limo, and I knelt down beside him, and we talked. I said, 'Can I give you a kiss?' And he said, 'No, I don't want to get into that. Here, shake my hand or something.' So I took his hand and held it. I asked what he was doing, and he said, 'According to everybody, all I do is stay in my apartment and sleep, and I'm bald.' And I said, 'Well, you're definitely not bald. You look really good,' and he smiled. And then he said, 'Are you here for the Beatlefest?' And I said, 'Yes'. And he said, 'I've always wanted to go to one of those. They have photos I've never seen before. I saw this one of us at Hamburg, me and Stu, the dead beetle, and Paul and George, and this pimp.' Then he said, 'Are you one of the new generation of Beeale fans? You weren't around when we first came out. 'And I said, 'You probably think I'm crazy.' He didn't say anything. Then I said, 'John, can I take your picture?' And he said, 'Yes.' I took it, and then a secretary came out and saw me and said, 'John!' He said, 'It's okay. She's been waiting five days to get it.' I took a second one, and John said, 'Okay, that's enough.'
"Then Sean came out with his nanny and Yoko's mother, and they got in the car. John said to Sean, 'Watch out for the baby's fingers', as he closed the door. Then Yoko came out, and I said hi, and she said, 'Please don't bother John. He wants to relax.' And I said, 'Okay.' She kissed John goodbye, and they left. And she waved."
Marsha wants to be alone to walk in the rain, knowing that she's been part of John Lennon's life this morning, and that he is now part of hers forever. She can't think anymore or analyze. "I don't know why I do it. It's just that people worship him. It's a thrill. As John left," she says. "He said, 'See you next time.' I said, 'If I come out again, but I probably will, but I didn't want him to know that."
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