Happy 50th birthday Zak Starkey!

photo by Michael Mondi copyright by Sara Schmidt   Do not use without permission

From the cute little baby born 50 years ago today to the great drummer of the Who, we celebrate the life of Ringo and Maureen's eldest child, Zak today!  

Remembering Cyn

Photo by Michael Mondi copyright held by Sara Schmidt

I have been hit hard with the news of Cynthia Lennon's death today.   I didn't realize how hard the death of a Beatle girl would be on me.   In spite of what yahoo news seems to say, Cynthia Lennon was far more than just the "ex-wife of Beatle John Lennon."   Sure she was that, but she was so much more.

Cynthia was a talented artist.   The drawings in her book, a Twist of Lennon were so clever and humorous.   Of course it was through the art college in Liverpool that John and Cynthia first met.   They were total opposites in so many ways.   Cynthia was studious and John was not.   John was adventurous and Cyn as cautious.   And yet through their differences John and Cynthia fell in love.  

Cynthia was a loving, caring mother.   When Cynthia found out she was pregnant, John stepped up and did the right thing and married Cyn.   However, it is my opinion that John and Cyn would have gotten married a few years later even if she was not pregnant.   While John was off touring the world, Cynthia stayed at home, often in secret, and carried for Julian.    Cynthia and Julian were extremely close and had a strong mother-son bond.   Cynthia raise Julian to be a kind-hearted man.  

Cynthia was a supportive woman.   She might have been unhappy that her husband was never around, but at the end of the day, she was there for John for moral support.   She followed the rules set for her as a Beatle wife.    She never asked to be a famous person, and yet she was thrown into it and did everything she could within her power to be there for her husband and his band.

Cynthia was a good friend.   There are so many stories that you read about Cynthia and Maureen being there for one another through the tough times.   Cynthia was actually with Maureen when she heard that John had been murdered.    Cynthia made friends with John's girlfriend, May Pang and remained friends with her throughout her life.   Time and time again everyone that new her only had wonderful things to say about the friendship she had with Cyn.

Cynthia was a kind woman who did not allow her personal heartbreaks to turn her into a mean, bitter woman.   In today's world of tabloid journalism,  we expect to hear ex-wives say bad things about their former husband's lovers.    And yet Cynthia Lennon took the high road.   I have never once heard her say mean things about Yoko Ono.   And you know what....she could have gone that route and no one would have really blamed her.    And yet she also was a lady and never bad mouthed Yoko.  The only person I ever heard her say anything negative about what Aunt Mimi.  

My heart breaks for Julian and for the other family and friends of Cynthia.    And my heart breaks for all of us because we no longer have that beautiful smile of the kind hearted Cynthia Lennon.   We will miss you Cyn.

Wishing Yoko a very happy 80th birthday!

Photo by Michael Mondi Copyright held by Sara Schmidt (yes that is me!)

Photo by Michael Mondi.  Copyright held by Sara Schmidt

Wearing Dad's sweater

John and Yoko in the Hit Factory in 1980

Sean Lennon in December 1991.  Photo by Michael Mondi  Copyright held by Sara Schmidt

I might have mentioned that I won several lots from Backstage Auction for Beatles photos a few months ago.  Some of them include copyright (yep....I can post photos on my blog that I own without asking anyone).   One of them is this one of Sean from 1991 wearing a red sweater.   The first thing I thought was that he was wearing his Father sweater.   I am not sure if it is the exact same sweater, but it sure does look similar!

Linda's flowers

Linda in March 1993.  Photo by Michael Mondi.   Copyright:  Sara Schmidt

Lately I have been reading a lot (well mostly on tumblr) about how fans don't like Linda.   I understand why she wasn't well-loved in the late 1960's and early 1970's.   But I don't get it now.   Linda was a beautiful woman who loved Paul very much.    I have only respect for her.  I wish that she would get the love among fans that she deserves, but everyone is welcome to have his/her own opinions.   Personally, it made me very sad last month when I saw Paul in concert that Linda wasn't there performing with him.   Even after all these years, I think she belongs on stage with Paul and I miss seeing her behind the keyboards.

Sean

Sean Lennon February 1992.   Photo by Michael Mondi

  Copyright:  Sara Schmidt

I REALLY like this Sean Lennon photo (good thing I own the rights to it then...haha!)  It is so amazing that the looks like such a combination of his mother and father.  

Linda in yellow

Photo:  Michael Mondi  Copyright:  Sara Schmidt

Linda McCartney October 1991