John and Yoko Live in Montauk (1976)

 John and Yoko Live in Montauk

By Craig Neidermeier

The Write Thing

September/October 1976

    John and Yoko live in Montauk, Long Island, right now. I had a friend show me his house. It's a secluded oceanside brick home. So, being a curious Beatles fan, one day my girlfriend and I wanted to go and swim on the beach, so we decided to walk through John's yard, not really knowing if he'd be there.

     I was really tense because I saw Yoko walking around in the house. Then we got to the backyard, and my girlfriend said, "Hello, John," And I looked to my left, and there he was, blue cut-offs and a T-shirt, and just looking out to sea. He seemed amazed that we were in his backyard with blankets, pillows, and our dog. 

    I asked him if we could possibly cut through his yard to get to the beach, and he said, "The beach is down the road. Bug off." He was upset that we were trespassing, and I said I was sorry, and he said "Yeah, sure", and then we left. 

    If I only knew he was home, I would have knocked on the door and did the whole scene more politely. But it was still a great high point in my Beatle life to be actually talking to him in the flesh. You can see him on any given day riding his bike through town. People just act cool, and he feels comfortable. Paul and Linda were in Montauk on September 2, eating in a high-class restaurant there.