Zapata!

 

While John and Yoko were busy working on Double Fantasy in New York City,  Harry Nilsson and Ringo Starr were in Chester, Connecticut at the Goodspeed Oprea House. 

On September 17, 1980,  the play Zapata! premiered at the famed Goodspeed.   The Goodspeed is known as THE place for American Musicals.   Annie had it's premiere there in 1976 and then on to Broadway and worldwide fame.  Harry had co-written the music for the musical. 

The story was based on the life of Emiliano Zappata, who was one of the main guys involved in the Mexican revolution.     Reviews at the time felt like the Mexican characters in the play were stereotypes and very two dimential.    The musical closed under two months of performances. 

The night of the opening, Ringo and Harry showed up wearing hats.   Ringo thought it would be a good idea to show up in hats.   Reports claim that the best buddies spent more time at the Gelson House Bar next to the Goodspeed Oprea than inside the theater.   

John the golfer

When we think of John Lennon, we think of many different things:  musician, artist, peace activist, father, or husband.    I am sure there are many other things we can say that describes John, but golfer has never been one of them.   And here we have photographs of John playing golf. 

Hey Ringo, Nice hat

What do you call that hat?

Sometimes I play the fool

July 4, 1965

Pie Hat Johnny

I have posted this photo in the past, but this one is larger and a little clearer, and since I really like this photo, you are getting to see it again. 

Parade in Bermuda

Photos by Fred Seaman 

June 14, 1980

South Africa

40 years ago John traveled to South Africa. 

four point hat

I am pretty sure this is the four-point hat that reminded the fans of a jester's hat that was mentioned in the last fan memory story I posted.   It does look strange!

Up come a man with the guitar In his hand

I had no idea there were so many different frames of John, Yoko and David Peel in San Franciso in 1972 until I really started to look at them all. 

Tommy

March 26, 1975 -  Ringo and Nancy arrive at the premiere of the Who's Tommy.  No one knows why Ringo chose to wear that hat.

John plays D.J.

February 13, 1975

SInk the Magic Christian and go home

February 3, 1970 -- Ringo head back home from his trip to the United States.  During his time in the U.S., he attended the premiere of the Magic Christian, was on Laugh-In, saw Elvis in concert in Las Vegas and spoke with him afterward, visited the Beatles Fan Club office in New York City.   Time to get back home!

Love the look

Going to the United States

Ringo and Maureen leave London for Los Angeles to attend the U.S. premiere of The Magic Christian movie.

Welcome to the jungle

Winter in NYC

Cowboy George in Houston

November 24, 1974 -  Houston, Texas.   I am sorry but that has to be one of the goofiest hats I have ever seen one of the Beatles wear.   It isn't exactly a cowboy hat, but I think that is the look George was going for that night. 

Shout out to Lola!

Lola, I know your love language is grainy George fan photos and I can totally relate, but I thought a clearer version of this George fan photo might speak to you as well. 

Sure I could have shared this privately -- but this way the rest of the Beatles fans can see it too. 

The summer of '78