Lennon Making Money "On Me Old Stuff" (1976)

 

Photo by Allen Tannenbaum

Lennon Making Money "On Me Old Stuff"

By Lisa Robinson

Waterloo Region Record

October 26, 1976

    "I haven't even got a record out." John Lennon laughed ruefully as he and Yoko Ono were besieged by TV cameramen, photographers, and well-wishers at the party given by Andy Warhol for the reopening of the New York nightclub, the Copacabana. 

    The Copa, once a fabulous nightclub in the 40s and 50s, has just debuted as what else--- a disco. John and Yoko stopped by on their way home from seeing the Broadway show For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuff.

    "I thought there was going to be a floor show here," said John, like the old Copa. "I think we goofed," he added as we watched several couples take to the dance floor, and several others surround the Lennons who for a while seemed to be the floor show themselves. 

    Ever professional, John and Yoko smiled as they posed for photos, and were introduced to the Copa's owner, who said, "I have all the Beatles albums, and they're great." Then added, "I hope you'll come back again." John, wearing a denim jacket, plaid shirt, and striped scarf, told me that he has written "hundreds of songs" at home, and worked them out on the guitar and piano. "They're all great," he laughed. 

    Doesn't he miss recording? "No, of course not. If I did, I'd just go and spend my own money. But I really don't miss all that.  I don't want to sweat all that bit on the road. I want to clear up the legal hassles. Next year, I'll be ready."

     Yoko, wearing a black flower dress, said she too has written songs and plans to record again in the new year. John admitted that he was making a lot of money "on me old stuff." He added that their son Sean, who was one year old last week, is walking. And yes, Ringo did send Cherry Vanilla, to their house to recite a poem for John's birthday. 

    "Ringo said he was sending something over, and with him that could mean anything. Then this girl walks in with skin-tight satin trousers."

     As the tension around the couple increased in intensity, John laughed. "Where's Paul? Where's Ringo?" And Yoko said that perhaps it was time to leave. "Maybe we should wait until all these lights are turned off," suggests John, noticing the TV cameras still on them. "No, let's go now," said the more practical Yoko. "Otherwise, they'll just keep them on." The Lennons then quickly exited via a handy back door.

     Missing John and Yoko by about an hour, at that party were Mick and Bianca Jagger, who arrived late with John Phillips and Bianca's sister, and look-alike Indiana.

     When I told him that Lennon had left, Mick muttered, "I don't know what I'm doing here either." Andrew Warhal's guest list quite possibly has remained the same for the last 10 years, and brings to mind the line from the film Casablanca: "Round up the usual suspects."

     Jamming the Copa Lounge were such scene makers as Marion Jarvitz Haston, Baby Jane Holzer, Egon von Verstenberg, Francisco Scavono, and more. As the paparazzi went wild over Mick, "Get rid of Jagger and get rid of the mobs." Someone shouted, and Mick, after lurking around by himself and looking trapped, left with John Phillips, only to return moments later wearing sunglasses, presumably to fetch his wife