Enjoying the music

 

John and Andy

 

Hot August recording sessions

 

Playback

I am sure I've posted this before, but this photo seems to be clearer and larger.

Shadow Dancin'

A Hard Day's Double Fantasy

Hit Factory photo day

October 24, 1980 was a happy day for John Lennon.   He got to hear his first new single in five years, (Just like) Starting over, on the radio!    It seems that he posed  for  photos with just about everyone that worked at the Hit Factory that day.  I think this is the 4th or 5th shot I have of John with someone.  John was very kind to take time out to get photos with those that helped him at the Hit Factory and those who were there were very fortunate to get their photos taken.  

Lennon's Memory Shines on

One of my favorite items in my Beatles collection are the Beatles scrapbooks that I own.   I love the fact that some fan spent hours collecting articles and photos of the Beatles and taping them into a scrapbook and writing dates and notes.   I was looking through some of my scrapbooks from the solo years and I can across this article about John Lennon's security guard from 1980.   I know that I have posted his photo on this blog in the past, but here is a little more about him.

I found this article, which was written in 1981 to be sad.   I hope this man hasn't spent the rest of his life thinking "if only I...." when it comes to John's death.  Really I doubt there would have been anything he could have done if he was with John.   Please note that in respect of the wishes of Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney and my fellow John Lennon fans I have removed the name of John's killer from the article and have just referred to him as "the killer."   I have maintained not to post his name on this blog or post his photograph, however if someone chooses to do so in the comments section, I will not stop their freedom of speech to do so.   Thank you for understanding. 

Lennon’s Memory shines on

By Bill Carlton

The Daily News December 22, 1981

John Lennon inspired a lot of people with his music, but he inspired the Rev. James McClain with his life as well and gave him the extra strength he needed to make his own music.  

In the last few months before Lennon’s death, McClain was his personal bodyguard at the Hit Factory recording studio on W. 48^th St.  McClain worked as a security guard there and was assigned to protect Lennon and Yoko while they were making the “Double Fantasy” album.

Lennon refused McClain’s offer to travel with him and guard him around the clock.  So the former Beatle, who never carried a weapon, was defenseless against the gunman when he arrived home at the Dakota just over a year ago.

“If only I had been there, maybe I could have helped” are words that have haunted McClain ever since.

The big, burly, 41 year old minister is an ex-convict who once served a three year stretch for bank robbery.  He became a born-again believer in Lewisburg Prison and on his released in 1974, was ordained a Pentecostal minister in Harlem.

After meeting John Lennon, however, McClain says he was inspired and encouraged to record an album of his own gospel music and thereby fulfill a life-long ambition.

“He didn’t know how much he helped me,” McClain says.  “He left a big impact on me as far as songwriting is concerned.  He found out I was a musician and I sang him a few bars of gospel.”   “Wow, James!” John said, “You have a nice voice.  I want to hear your record.  You got some stuff I can hear? “  So I gave him a tape of 13 songs and he liked them so much he carried the cassette around.  He told me to make sure he got a copy of the single I was working on, ‘Somebody Somewhere need the Lord’.  But he died a month before it was finished.”

In mid-summer of 19890, when the recording session began for “Double Fantasy,” McClain’s job was to meet John, Yoko and often their son, Sean, when their limo arrived at the Hit Factory near Ninth Avenue, usually late in the afternoon.  He made sure they got safely through the crowd of fans, into the building and up to the sixth floor suite prepared for them.  He escorted them back into the limo when the session ended, often at 3 or 4a.m.

“Security came first,” says McClain, an imposing man who doesn’t carry a gun.  “There were always crowds of people outside the building but we never had any problems.  I check out everybody who was waiting and if they looked suspicious I would immediately question them.  ‘Who are you?  Why are you waiting so long?  Let’s see some ID.’  I encountered quite a few suspicious people.  When I saw the pictures of the killer, I had the feeling I’d seen him before, outside the Hit Factory.  But I wasn’t sure.”

Sometimes a mob of 50 or more people would be waiting when the limo pulled up.  “the young girls would cry and go to pieces,” McClain remembers.   “John would kiss them on the cheek and pose for pictures, always with Yoko.  Once he came and nobody was there.  He was shocked.  He lived for the fans.  He didn’t always want to be bothered, thought.  One day he ran down the hallway to escape them and get in quick.  He was very fast on his feet.  If he could have gotten a few steps on his killer, I’m sure he’d be alive today.”

Milk & Honey

This photo is new to me.   It is a Bob Gruen photo of Jack Douglas and the entire "Double Fantasy" band with John and Yoko.    Not the best photo in the world, but I take what I can find.   I do see some familiar faces in that crowd. 

Another one from October 1980

This photo must have been taken right before or right after the photo I posted the day of John with a man in a "Hit Factory" t-shirt.   John is wearing the exact same clothes and hold what appears to be the exact same mug.   But this time we know who the other man in the photo is.   It is James, who was John's bodyguard while at the Hit Factory.   I would guess that his responsibility was to make sure people didn't sneak into the studio, especially while they were recording.

*edit:  I realize that I meant to include James' facebook page (where I found this photo in the first place).   Sorry this originally was left off.      James' facebook page

Enjoying a cup at the Hit Factory

Anyone know who the guy in the Hit Factory shirt happens to be? A worker?  A fan? A worker that is also a fan (most likely).  I would venture to say that this photo was taken in October 1980 because I have other photos of John in that shirt and overshirt from that month (exact day unknown).

I'm never going to see him again.

This is a great story of some fans who met John outside of the Hit Factory Studio on August 30, 1980. What an exciting time for John fans, especially those who met him in New York while he was recording Double Fantasy. This story appears in the November/December 1981 issue of The Write Thing and was written by Margie Paturso. The photos were by Ann Bruno and they are new ones to me!


It was the summer of '80, August to be exact. My penpal, Tommy, from Liverpool, was visiting his aunt in Westport, Conn. and came to spend a week with my family. The previous week, he had gone to New York and had seen John and Yoko at the Hit Factory. He had told me all about it, calling me that night, as he was so excited.

John had been exceptionally nice to him. He had especially gotten a kick out of the fact that Tommy was from Liverpool. He laid on a thick Liverpudlian accent, exclaiming to Yoko, "He's from Liverpool, my hometown!" He gave Tommy his autograph and even posed for picture with Tommy and Yoko. John looked great kin the picture. He was so cute, so vulnerable. His arm was around Tommy and he had the cutest look on his face.

Needless to say when Tommy arrived at my house, we knew we would be going to New York at least once to try and see John. We went on Tuesday, August 26th. No luck. We took Tommy to see the Dakota and did the usual tourist sightseeing trip with him. Then we returned to my house, deciding we would definitely try again.

And so we did. On Saturday, August 30 we found ourselves New York bound again. We were confident that we were going to see John, as it was the 8th anniversary of the One to One concerts.

We arrived in New York quite early and split up. Tommy wanted to go buy his girlfriend something. Mary Ellen, Ann and I went window shopping. We decided to all meet at the Hit Factory at 1 o'clock.

The three of us got to the Hit Factory at 12:30. We couldn't bear killing time anymore. No one was there, not even Tommy. So we waited. Around 1:15 Tommy showed up. And so the four waited.

Finally, a guy came out of the Hit Factory. We asked him if John was there. He said, no" and looked at us like we were from another planet. Another guy came out and said "no" also. then another who told us John usually didn't show up until 3 o'clock if he was coming. We thanked him and glorified over this slight glimmer of hope.

When 2:30 rolled around, we were extremely nervous. We were watching every car that turned the corner into the street we were on. We alternated sitting on the stoop and pacing back and forth (some from sheer nervousness, others for want of a bathroom!)

all of a sudden, about 2:40, a silver limo pulled around the corner. Tommy jumped up, saying, "It's him!" We all scrambled to our feet just as the limo pulled to a stop in front of us.

The chauffeur got out to open the back door and out came Yoko, smoking a cigarette and looking very bored, all in black with black sunglasses. Her hair was tautly pulled back. Next in line was a women with platinum blond hair and camera. (We later learned that she was a photographer for the Star).

Last but not least, John came out. He was so funny 'cos he was pulling one of his pants legs down as he was getting out (No wonder, Lennon, those pants were a bit tight!) He came out fully, looked at us, then walked over near Yoko. He seemed a bit agitated (I think by the photographer) He then asked the photographer if she'd rather have their sunglasses on or off, as she was getting ready to snap a picture. They decided to leave them on as John put his arm around Yoko. The photographer snapped, as did Ann and Tommy.

Some small conversation followed between John and the photographer. We just stayed glued to one spot. Mary Ellen and I had books for him to sign, but neither one of us made a move.

After a few minutes, I blurted out, "Hi John." He turned, looked at all of us and said, "Hi, how are you?" Ann later told us that we all mumbled "fine" or something like that. I honestly don't remember!

Before we knew it, the photographer was getting back in the limo with John saying something about the chauffeur taking her back to the Dakota. He shut the door and walked towards the door of the Hit Factory. As he was going in, he looked at us and we all said, "bye John". Then we pressed our noses against the door and watched him and Yoko get on the elevator. The whole "meeting" took only five minutes!

Before I go on, let me say that John looked great, but oh so skinny. He was dressed in a black suit with black boots. He had on a white shirt with a gold and black stripped tie. Tommy informed us that the tie was John's Quarry Bank School tie. He was carrying a brown shoulder bag and wearing his yellow-rimmed sunglasses. He was wearing a turquoise ring a s well as his wedding ring. That really got to me.

Anyway, Ann, Mary Ellen and I went crazy, jumping around and hugging each other. Tommy just smiled and looked at us like we were mad. The tears came and Mary Ellen said a mouthful when she said, "I'm never going to see him again." Little did we know...

So, there were were standing there, high on John, our books unsigned, planning to stay until he came out when all of a sudden we were approached by tow young men carrying a baseball bat. With all the excitement of seeing John, we had forgotten that we were in Hell's Kitchen. We were threatened and nearly beaten, and after that, we left. Sorry John. I wish we could have stayed.

Double Fantasy

I just bought the 2010 Holiday edition of Guitar World magazine. You get your choice of a Paul McCartney cover or a John Lennon cover. I don't think anyone who knows me has to think too hard about which cover I bought. Anyhow...it is a good magazine. Even if you aren't a guitar player (which I am not a very good one). There is an article about Double Fantasy, Band on the Run and an interview with Klaus Voorman. Good stuff.

This is a new to me photo of John taken on August 7, 1980. I have seen many other photos from this day, but not this particular one. Enjoy!

My baby met John Lennon!

, d

In this photo we have Jean Millington, Yoko, John holding Jean's and Earl's daughter,Marita Madeloni, and Earl Slick in the studio in 1980. For some reason I am really excited that John is holding that baby! Too bad Marita doesn't remember sitting on John's lap these days, but still how cool!!