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Julian Lennon resurfaced at the Cannes film festival looking about as happy as one of the harpooned whales he is trying to save. He swore off interviews eight years ago, in the wake of a family bust-up when he criticised Yoko Ono, his father John’s widow. But a surprise decision by the Japanese government to resume whaling has made him blow his top.

“I am devastated,” he declares. “If we witness the slaughter of the humpback whale, it will outrage the planet. Apart from standing in front of the harpoon, being on show is the only thing I can do to express my feelings.”

Lennon, 44, has been living what he calls the life of a “nomad” in recent years. He has a home in Italy and travels around the Mediterranean, concentrating on art, photography and music. He hasn’t made an album since 1998, but is releasing one later this year about “the problems we face, environmentally and otherwise”.

He has also produced a remarkable film, The Gathering: Return of the Whale Dreamers. He had been content to let his old friend, the director Kim Kindersley, promote the 86-minute documentary along La Croisette to distributors. The film painstakingly links the splendour of whales to the uncanny understanding of them by ancient civilisations around the world. But, as Kindersley admitted, the subject matter failed to inspire the money men and he was struggling to sell. Enter Lennon, on the penultimate day of the festival. Suddenly, buyers were queuing on the beach to talk, pay homage and reach for their chequebooks.

“My thought,” says Lennon, who financed most of the film, “is that, whether it is the music, the family legacy, Dad’s legacy or simply the name itself, then at least use it in the right direction.” The protection of whales, he says, could not be a more fitting campaign.

“Killing whales is not a long-standing tradition in Japanese culture,” he states. “They only began to hunt and eat whales during the blockade of Japan in the second world war. It is not necessary. But now the humpback whale population has risen from 300 to 6,000 since a campaign of protection began in 1975, the Japanese government thinks it’s okay to start killing again. Even 70% of the Japanese people don’t want to kill whales.”

Lennon, with longish dark hair pushed back from a high forehead, an earring in his left ear and a cigarette held not far from his lips, strikes a similar campaigning stance to his father. The only thing missing is the Liverpool accent. He attacks his subject with the same mixture of controlled anger, puzzlement and wry scorn that Lennon Sr showed towards warring politicians. “I have to say, though, that it was my mum, Cynthia, who made me the conscious man I am today,” he says.

“Obviously, Dad had his beliefs and his way of doing things. But it was Mum who taught me my values in life. It is out of respect for her that I want to be a good son, a good man and a good human being.”

The exhibition is part of the 40th Birthday celebrations for the University of Dundee and will run during the Reunite in Dundee Homecoming Weekend for Alumni, as well as during the Graduation and the inaugural Dundee Literary Festival.

"The pictures and this exhibition give us the opportunity to raise awareness of his significant contribution to photojournalism."�

Organisers have announced that 1,100 tickets for the September festival will be released.

The line-up includes the Royal Academy of Music who will perform a world premiere of a Beatles Prom.

A dance event is to be held in Britain's largest sea cave, and the poets Carol Ann Duffy and Michael Horovitz are expected to take part.

The Beatles connection is to be marked with screenings of the band's films and by family members talking about John Lennon's life.

The famous singer-songwriter's cousin Stan Parkes, 72, said Lennon would have been "delighted and surprised" to learn he had inspired such a festival in a place he loved so much.

Durness has a population of 350 and is one of the most remote villages on the British mainland

First of all I must apologise for taking so long to respond to all the messages received via e-mail; messages obviously concerning my book, "John".

Since I wrote the autobiography, my feet have barely touched the ground! I have spent so much time all over the world doing the necessary promotion which left me very little chance to get down to the business of gratitude.

The e-mails and messages of love, concern and support have truly touched me, frequently to tears.

So, to enable me to thank you all for your time and response to a book that I found necessary to write, a million thanks.

You have all made my work worthwhile.

Love to you all

Cynthia

I have been preparing material for a new album in London, which will hopefully be recorded and released next year. There will also be a new site at www.julianlennon.com to go along with it. I will be writing right up to Christmas before returning home to spend the holiday season with my Mum and family.

She has had quite a busy year with her book, ‘John’ going into paperback after having been translated into over 10 different languages!

We were together in Las Vegas this summer for the opening of the Beatles inspired Cirque du Soleil show, ‘Love’. This was a truly memorable event and I urge anyone who has the chance to go and see this production. The album accompanying the show is now available and topping the charts worldwide (as usual!).

That’s all from me this year. There is just time to thank everyone for their continued support and you’ll be seeing a lot more of me next year!

The shop can be accessed through www.lennon.net and will be selling merchandise connected with my last album, ‘Photograph Smile' along with Mum's book (more signed copies available) and a limited edition photograph of me with my father which comes from my own personal collection.

Many of you will be aware of a new Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas called, ‘Love'. It features 130 Beatles songs and I attended the premiere at the Mirage hotel on 30 th June. I can assure you this is a once in a lifetime experience and well worth a visit if you can make it to Las Vegas. Hopefully some pictures from the opening night will be on the website soon. Tickets for the show are now available through the website.

This month is hotting up to be one of our busiest ever on the website. The new online shop is nearly ready and should be available over the next couple of weeks. I will alert you when it goes live. Along with a chance to buy the ‘Photograph Smile’ CD and associated merchandise, we will be adding some very new and exclusive products throughout the year. Firstly, I have convinced my mother to sign some more copies of her book, ‘John’. A limited number of these will be on sale to celebrate the release of the paperback edition of the book. The copies for sale will still be in hardback though.

Secondly, as you may have read, there is a new Cirque du Soleil show opening in Las Vegas called, ‘Love’. It will feature Beatles songs and I will be attending the show soon to see what I think of it. I will report back in July with my findings and hopefully have some pictures to show you. For now you can read more about it at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/en/showstickets/love/intro/intro.htm

So far this month I've been writing in London with a very well respected songwriter. I cannot mention names at this stage as nothing is set in stone. Let's just say that hopefully a few real gems will come out of our partnership.

I'm going to be at home in Italy for Easter to spend time with my family. I do hope everyone gets to have some time off from work and I'll speak to you all next month.

The paperback edition of Cynthia's book ‘John' is published in the U K on Monday

10 th April. She will be promoting the book via various newspaper and radio interviews including a 1 hour special on Capital Gold on Monday 10 th April. Look out for her appearance on The Paul O'Grady Show on Channel 4 on Thursday 13 th April, 5 p.m. .

She will be making two personal appearances. At midday on Tuesday 11 th April at the Theatre Royal, Bath , Cynthia is in conversation with Jane Tapley. Following the talk Cynthia will take questions from the audience and sign copies of her book. Tickets for the talk cost £10. Lunch follows at 1.15 p.m. A ticket for the event and lunch afterwards is £21.50. Check out www.theatreroyal.org.uk for more information. You can call the Box Office on 01225 448844 for tickets. Or pop in. The address is Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath .

On Thursday 13 th April Cynthia will be appearing at The Old Market, Upper Market Street in Hove . The event which will include Cynthia in conversation and a Q and A starts at 7 p.m. and is preceded by music from 6.30 p.m. Cynthia will sign books afterwards. Tickets are £5 which includes a glass of wine and a discount on the book, and are available from City Books. Either telephone 01273 725306 or go into the bookshop which is located at 23 Western Road , Hove.

A bit of a late newsletter this month I'm afraid. I've had a few days off skiing in France to get my head clear after so much writing. I've written about 30 new songs for the album and need to begin sorting out which ones will make it onto the final release.

I think in April I may spend some time in the studio recording tracks to see how they are going to sound with a full band playing on them. Hopefully that will help ascertain what sort of direction this album will take.

I will be back in a few weeks with an update for April. Take care in the meantime.

Welcome to the fist in a series of what I hope will be more regular communications from me. I will be sending out newsletters on a monthly basis, keeping you up to date with my plans and activities during what promises to be a very busy and exciting year for me.

I have been preparing tracks at my home studio for use on a new album. Over the next couple of months I shall be deciding which songs will make it onto the album aswell as getting a producer in place. Hopefully the album will be finished by the end of this year.

In the meantime, keep visiting the sites and using Fanspeak. We have been welcoming many new members to our community and there will be lots for you all to discuss this year!

We are currently working on a new online shop. We will be able to accept credit cards again and there will be some very unique opportunities to purchase some fantastic stuff.

Happy New Year everyone!

And it's been quite a year. For Mum especially. Her book, ‘John', was published in September to great reviews and wonderful feedback from the fans. She has asked me to pass on her thanks for all your letters and emails and your support and kindness over the past few months. I know she especially enjoyed meeting so many people at her signings both in Europe and in the US . Thank you!
I genuinely felt that the time was right for Mum to write her story, that her side was long overdue, and so I was really heartened by your positive response to the book. I sincerely commend ‘John' to all of you who in Mum's words want to know “the real story of the real John, the man who made such an impact on the world.”
Many people have said how much they enjoyed reading my Foreword to Mum's book. So, I thought I would put a clip from the audio version of that Foreword here.

For me, the most exciting thing this past year has been the completion of my home-studio. I've been having a great time these last few months, writing new songs and collaborating with Greg Darling and other musicians and friends. I was recently in the UK for a few weeks trying to finalise “The Team” I've been putting together over the year, and it seems, so far, that my dream team is really coming together. They're all very talented people in their own right; details of who they are will be announced once everyone signs on the dotted line! If all goes according to plan I'll be in the studio this spring recording with my producer of choice, and hopefully, once PR and marketing are organised, you will be hearing something new from me, either by year's end 2006, or first thing 2007.

Cynthia Lennon's book is an instant bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic!
"John" is to be number 2 on the Sunday Times bestseller list this weekend and in the USA the book has made the New York Times bestseller list.
"John" is available in all good shops and stores and via www.lennon.net

Statement from Julian Lennon on the 25 th anniversary of John Lennon's death

As the anniversary of Dad's death approaches, I have, inevitably, started receiving many requests for interviews. I am not going to give any interviews on the subject; I genuinely feel that I have talked about Dad enough. But I do appreciate the enormous interest people have in my father and his legacy and so, in lieu of interviews, I am going to say just this:

“Dad was a great talent whose music and ideals are an inspiration to millions. Yet I have always had very mixed feelings about Dad. He was the father I loved who let me down in so many ways. Who knows how our relationship might have developed if he had not been murdered … it's painful to think that his early death robbed me of the chance for us to know each other better. What can never be taken away are his words and music, that's his legacy for me. It's in my blood for a start. Like Dad I became a musician too, and as with many other artistes in this world his words and music continue to influence me today and probably forever more.”

Also, I can direct you to two projects to which I have made a contribution. First, Mum's book. As you probably know by now, Mum has written a biography about Dad and her time with him and I have provided the Foreword. I am immensely proud of her achievement – it's an honest and truthful account of the ten years they shared together – half his adult life! I recommend this book to anyone who wants to know the truth, the real truth about Dad and his life with Mum. The book is called ‘John' and is published on 26 September 2005 .
And the second is a TV profile of Dad which will transmit on BBC Television in October. I very, very rarely take part in shows like this but I was impressed with the integrity of the company who are making it for the BBC and their commitment to making it a balanced and thoughtful programme.
I expect there will be lots of other programmes and profiles commemorating and celebrating Dad on and around 8 December … for Mum and me that day will be one of private remembrance.

* Due to unprecedented demand, there are only 100 signed copies of 'John' remaining. Pre-order your copy now to avoid disappointment.

Cynthia Lennon’s book, “John”, is now available through www.lennon.net. This is your ONLY chance to buy a copy, of what promises to be the biography of the season, personally signed by Cynthia. Cynthia’s book is the definitive and most intimate portrait of John Lennon yet, complemented by dozens of never before seen family photographs and, uniquely, a Foreword to the book written by Julian Lennon. With only 500 signed books available pre-order now to avoid disappointment. “John” is published on 25 September 2005 and orders will be dispatched on and from that day.

Here we are at the start of 2005. I hope everyone’s on track for whatever may unfold this year… with luck it will be positive for all of us!

Since the beginning of the year I’ve been thinking about my past work and how much of it’s unavailable to many people - especially the new generation - because the record labels and distributors I worked with in the past have, in their wisdom, shelved several of my CDs. One of my goals this year is to try and make my past catalogue available again … not only to those who might want a refresher … but also to those who have never heard my songs before … and also for those who want to hear my past work in tandem with my new music. There are recordings which have never seen the light of day, tracks that weren’t quite right for previous albums, which I would like to release and make available to you, otherwise what’s the point of having done it in the first place! Anyway, one way or another I intend to start getting my songs out there again! More to come on that subject …

On another note, I’m looking to revamp www.julianlennon.com this year, as this will be my sole ‘shop front’ and ‘office’ for any communications and transactions in the future. This may mean the site is unavailable at times, so please be patient.

I’m also in the process of finally putting together a team that will totally support me and see me through the plans and visions I have for the future, whether it be in music, film, production or anything else creative I endeavour to do. I’ve learnt that the saying ‘If You Want Something Done, Do It Yourself’ is absolutely true!

There are many other things on my To Do list for this year … this is just the start … one step at a time …

Last, but not least, yes it’s nearly that birthday time of year again! I just want to say thank you to all of you who send me cards and emails and good wishes, whether that’s for my birthday or for any other occasion. Thank you very much.

Cynthia Lennon has revealed that she is working on a book which is to be published in September. The book will be an honest and truthful account of her life with John with many, up to now, private memories and disclosures, “The time has come when I feel ready to tell the truth about John and me, our years together and the years since his death. Only I know what happened between us – why we stayed together, why we parted and the price I paid for having been John’s wife.”

Although Cynthia wrote a book about John Lennon some years ago she says that her new book will include “so much that I have never said, so many incidents that I have never spoken of and so many feelings I have never expressed – great love on one hand; pain and torment on the other.”

Good news on the shop front

Good news on the shop front … the Julian Lennon shop is now open for business!

- We DON’T take credit cards anymore.We ONLY accept cheques in sterling (£UK)

- Cheques must be made payable to Music From Another room Limited and posted to:

Julian Lennon Shop
20 Bulstrode Street
London W1U 2JW

Due to circumstances beyond our control the shops on www.lennon.net and www.julianlennon.com are closed indefinitely.
Sincere apologies to everyone for the inconvenience.

Well, yet again another year has come and is nearly gone … and once more it’s time to put up the decorations ready for the holiday season. For some it’s been a great year … for others, not so good … and there are a few who have lost someone close and special. Sadly, I fall into the last category.

Earlier this month a dear friend of ours, who used to work with us at Music From Another Room and who helped me design the album cover for Photograph Smile, passed away. Her name was Angelika Letsch, and her passing is another reminder of how fragile life is. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her, but there’s no doubt that many glasses will be raised in her honour over the holidays.

On a more positive note, Blowfish seems to be doing pretty good and we’ve had some great reviews. I’m also working on some other design projects, which I’ll let you know about in the New Year, provided all goes well!

For once, I truly feel as though I’ve left music alone for a little too long and now I’m feeling the ‘itch’ to get back to it. Fortunately, the upgrades to my home studio are just about finished so it won’t be long before I get something out there again, one way or another. In fact, I feel that next year it’s time to be heard again. Thanks for bearing with me for so long! I won’t let you down!

I wish all of you the best over the holiday season and good luck in the New Year!

PS. Please remember any Christmas orders should be placed with the Shop by Monday 6th December to ensure getting them out to you in time.

“20 years in the business, one way or another. Well I never!”
(Julian Lennon, September 2004)

It’s the 20th anniversary this October of the release of Julian’s debut album, ‘Valotte’.

In 1983 after sending an anonymous tape to Charisma Records Julian was immediately signed to the prestigious UK label. This was quickly followed by a deal with Atlantic Records in the US.

Now Julian had a record deal … all he had to do was get down to writing it. He wanted somewhere with no distractions and he found that with Le Chateau Manoir de Valotte, a remote chateau in the middle of the French countryside. In the autumn of 1983 with his two friends and collaborators, Justin Clayton and Carlton Morales, Julian hunkered down for a three month stay. “I remember Le Manoir was beautiful and in the middle of nowhere. We set up a little 8 track in a freezing cold barn, not knowing where it would lead. We got down to writing a load of songs, songs that would finally become my first album.

Princess Mimi was the owner … she was slightly eccentric but beautiful with it! She seemed very in tune with her surroundings – like a part of nature itself.

Mealtimes were interesting … though it was mostly traditional French country fare it was served up by a crazy alcoholic chef! On one famous occasion his hired hand, Bernard, showcased his culinary skills by boiling a couple of eggs for a record company dinner for 10, which led to Mimi giving him a kick up the rear and out of the building! The band and I rallied round and whipped up a quick pasta dish for the cold and hungry souls. Ah, the memories!”

By the beginning of 1984 Julian had enough material to show a potential producer. Phil Ramone was Julian’s first choice and Ramone agreed to produce the album. In tribute to the beautiful French chateau, the album took the title ‘Valotte’.

During the next 7 months – February to August 1984 - the album was recorded in Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, Alabama and various studios in New York City before being mixed at The Hit Factory on the same console used by John Lennon to record ‘Double Fantasy’, something which, Julian remarked, felt good.

‘Valotte’ was released in the UK on 15 October 1984 and in the US on 19 October. Nine out of the ten tracks were written by Julian and his musicianship is evident on all the tracks – he plays bass, keyboards, drums and percussion and sings! The album was very well received. Sir Paul McCartney commented “He shows a musicality I didn’t know he had.”

The single 'Valotte' was a Top 10 hit in the US peaking at number 9 in the Billboard Top 40. It later spent 5 weeks in the Billboard Adult Contemporary US charts with two weeks at number 1. The second single off the album, 'Too Late For Goodbyes', reached number 1 in the US and charted at number 6 in the UK. And the third single to be released, 'Say You’re Wrong', peaked at number 21 in the US Billboard Top 40. Worldwide sales of 'Valotte' reached 1.5 million and with that Julian’s debut album went platinum. Recognition of Julian’s talent culminated with him receiving a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist.

20 years later Julian looks back on those times with enormous affection, “Valotte was a beautiful memory for me.”

Next week sees the publication of a wonderful new book. Postcards from the Boys features 51 postcards sent by John Lennon, George Harrison and Paul McCartney to Ringo Starr. Each postcard is faithfully reproduced and is accompanied by Ringo’s memories of what was happening at the time in his life and in the life of the band. This fond and witty exchange between ‘the boys’ offers a unique insight into the affectionate bond between the four friends.

A children’s picture book version of the classic Beatles film is published this month.
The Yellow Submarine single was released in 1966 and was number 1 in the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden. It reached number 2 in the USA. Paul McCartney got the idea to write the song while in bed, “I was just drifting off to sleep and there’s a nice twilight zone as you drift off. I remember thinking that it would be a good idea to write a children’s song. I thought of images, and the colour yellow came to me and a submarine came to me, and I thought ‘That’s kind of nice; like a toy, very childish yellow submarine.’”

The film had its origins in an American TV cartoon series which starred animated Beatles and which was screened on ABC TV from1965. It was produced by Al Brodax, who later persuaded Beatles manager Brian Epstein to allow him to produce a full-length feature film.

The 1968 film was instantly hailed for its pioneering pop art and ground-breaking animation. Paul sets the film in context, “It was in the middles of the Sixties and in the middle of this wild thing happening in London. We’d just made Sgt Pepper and they felt they had to pick up on that; quite rightly, I think. The film’s very much got a Sixties feel in the colours, the jokes and the whole idea … All you need is love is basically the message of the movie, which still holds true. It seems to be a very simple message and sometimes it can seem a bland message, but it’s a good song, John sings it great and it’s affected a lot of people. The people have got the message, but the warring factions haven’t. But when they get it, the will of the people will be done.” In 1999 the film was released as a DVD.

Just as the film charmed and delighted millions, the fabulously illustrated book is set to enchant a whole new generation. The Beatles Yellow Submarine will be printed in eight languages and will be available in the UK from 6 September.

The Beatles Story exhibition at Albert Dock, Liverpool, allows visitors to experience Beatlemania firsthand. To mark Liverpool becoming the European City of Culture in 2008, the exhibition has been revamped using the latest technology. Highlights include a BBC radio interview with Brian Epstein, unheard for 30 years, and also specially recorded contributions from Cynthia Lennon and Sir George Martin. There are original Beatles exhibits as well as one off recreations like the one of the legendary Cavern Club - a unique olfactory experience as it comes complete with basement smells! The audio tour which takes in all these new additions has been narrated by John’s sister, Julia.
More information can be found on www.beatlesstory.com

La Coruna, in North West Spain, is to honour John Lennon. Towards the end of this year the City Hall will unveil a statue which will celebrate Lennon the artist and human rights activist.

Julian attended the Grand Opening of his new Los Angeles restaurant, Blowfish – Sushi to die for on Thursday May 13th. Also a celebration of his birthday, friends and celebrities joined Julian to raise a glass to Blowfish’s continued success.

You can find Blowfish on 9229 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. Other branches of Blowfish are in San Francisco and San Jose.

The famous Beatles’ cartoon The Yellow Submarine is to be made into a children’s book.

Apple Corps will publish the book this September after a re-release of the film, last year, proved so successful.

The original single which came out in 1966 was number 1 in the UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, New Zealand and Sweden. It was also translated into Yiddish and Latin and was taken up as an anti war anthem.

The film followed in 1968 and told the story of The Beatles as they try to save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies. The Fab Four’s own involvement in the film was limited to the writing of four new songs and a brief in-person appearance at the end. The voices are provided by actors including Geoffrey Hughes who later played Eddie Yates in the long running British soap, Coronation Street.

This is Apple’s first picture book and it will be printed in eight languages. Beatles Anthology, the only other Apple publishing venture, has sold more than 2 million copies all over the world since it was published in 1999.

Another John Lennon autograph is for sale. But this one, described as “an incredible find”, is different. It’s believed to be the very last autograph John ever signed. Lennon signed the note with a cartoon self portrait for Rabiah Seminole, a switchboard operator at Record Plant recording studio in New York, just 15 minutes before he was shot dead on 8 December 1980. Before this note came to light it was believed that the autograph signed for Mark Chapman, his killer, was the last the Beatles had penned.

For sale via the memorabilia website Moments In Time for $325,000 (£179,500), Seminole is selling the note to raise money for her Virginia horse sanctuary. She says “I don’t want to capitalise on John’s death, but he was a nature lover and I think he would have wanted me to sell it for the horses.”

Yes, it’s my birthday again! Where does all the time go???????????????? Thank you for your cards and messages … it’s always wonderful to hear from you.

I am well, things are good and I’m enjoying life, when I’m not stressed out!

Red, the restaurant/lounge/bar I am involved with, is still in the process of last minute refurbishment, but it’s going well. We are looking forward to some fine spring weather so that people can start to enjoy the outdoor terrace and share some stories over a Cool Cocktail while gazing at the stars, or listen to a little live jazz on a lazy, hazy Sunday afternoon, while enjoying a ‘somewhat’ traditional Sunday lunch – RED style!

The newest Blowfish in LA has now opened to the public although it had previously hosted a number of private parties with many celebrities. Take a look at some pictures on hyperlink ‘http://www.wireimage.com’ (click on Jack Osborne and follow the prompts). The official opening will probably take place in the first week of May when there will be a Grand Opening party.

Apart from my restaurant and bar ventures I am of course working on my music, when I get a chance, but I’m yet again upgrading the studio, so it’ll be out of action for a few months, as will I! I have a few other projects in the pipeline, including scoring the film “The Gathering” which I’ve talked about before. This may sound like a lot, but I have so many interests and a million ideas and I’m trying to achieve as much as possible, while I can! I’m feeling pretty positive about the year ahead and hoping that some, if not all of these projects will come to fruition before too long!

A couple of years ago I recorded “When I’m 64” for a TV commercial in the US. I’m not sure how many of you saw the ad or heard the song, but for a laugh and to celebrate my birthday I thought I’d include a clip of it here!

Click here to download commercial - (4.3MB)

We're very excited to have for sale more original Lennon family photographs. Retrieved from old family albums they have been specially collated and framed for www.lennon.net

We have also taken this opportunity to alter the layout of the shop to make it easier for you to navigate. Please take a moment to have a look and let us know what you think.

It was 40 years ago today, February 7 1964, that The Beatles arrived aboard Pan Am 101 at New York City's Idlewild Airport (it had yet to be renamed for the assassinated President Kennedy). Their arrival was greeted by three thousand screaming fans, some singing 'She Loves You' and others carrying placards with slogans like 'Beatles are Starving Barbers' and 'Beatles Unfair to Bald Men!' It seems odd now to think that it was the boys' pudding bowl haircuts that attracted the most attention from the press … but the often impudent questions only elicited witty and affable replies from the Fab Four -

Q: Are you gonna get a haircut while you're here?
George: I had one yesterday.

Q: Which do you consider the greatest danger to your career: nuclear bombs or dandruff?
Ringo: Bombs. We've already got dandruff.

Q: How many are bald that you have to wear wigs?
Paul: I am. I'm bald.
John: Oh, we're all bald, yeah … and deaf and dumb too.

You might have had to be a member of the younger generation to fully appreciate The Moptops and their music… certainly parents and most of the mainstream press took much longer to understand their appeal.

Two days later on Sunday February 9 at 8 p.m. nearly 74 million Americans watched The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS. Described by Sullivan as "four of the nicest young kids we've ever had on our stage", their performance pulled in the biggest TV audience that had been measured up to that time. And their appearance proved to be a cultural turning point. Up to then American stars were popular in Britain but British singers and bands had not been able to crack the American market. Now The Beatles, well known for opening and closing their shows with American rock standards like 'Twist and Shout' and 'Long Tall Sally', found that it was their own music, which had grabbed the audiences' attention. The door slid open to other British bands to follow in The Beatles' wake.

The Beatles concluded their two-week stay in the US, which included three Ed Sullivan appearances and concerts at the Washington Coliseum and Carnegie Hall, with a weeklong holiday in Miami Beach.

2003 has been an interesting year for me … I've been working on a number of different projects, some musical and others not.

I've spoken before about the restaurant/lounge bar Blowfish (Sushi To Die For).
The original one, which was set up by a friend of mine and his partner, has been up and running in San Francisco for some time. I love great bars and lounges and I LOVED the food and the vibe of Blowfish right from the start. So much so, that I wanted to get involved in some manner, but not in the same way as other celebrities have got into 'chain' restaurants … I'm involved not out of greed but because I love great bars and I love to cook, in fact there's a good chance you'll be tasting a recipe or two of mine if all goes well! Anyway the original partners and I discussed what could be the next step for Blowfish and we agreed that it would be to take the concept to other cities in America. We opened a branch in San Jose earlier this year and next year we plan to open a Blowfish in Los Angeles. The opening, which I am going to be at, is scheduled for early 2004. We're talking about opening in other US cities and I'm pushing to take the 'Lifestyle of Blowfish' to Europe! One place at a time though … but, you know, it doesn't hurt to think ahead!

I'm also involved with another place, this time in Spain, where I spend a little time, called Red. This music/lounge bar and restaurant has been open for a year and now I've taken on most of the responsibility of its refurbishment and redesign which has to be an ongoing process 'cos they can't afford to close while we do it! It's been pretty tough working around them … I could only work one day a week, on a Monday, when they were closed. None the less the place is looking fantastic and should be finished in the next few months ready for the spring/summer season. We've gone for a Colonial/ Moroccan look - browns and sandy colours rather than the obvious reds and it really works … the food is Australasian with the best cocktails in town. Anyway you'll be able to see for yourself when we get the website up and running.

On another note, My company, Pictures From Another Room, has partially financed a film about the Mirning tribe in Australia with the help of my dear friend Kim Kindersley. It's called The Gathering and it's taken some time to put together -several years in fact - but it finally looks like most of the work will have been done on the project by early next year, at which point it will be handed over to me to write the score, which I'm very much looking forward to. With a bit of luck it should see the light of day before the end of next year. You can check out more about this project, the plight of indigenous tribes around the world and other environmental issues by visiting www.heartmagic.net. As you know environmental issues are close to my heart and I continue to work on several projects which are work in progress and which I want to tell you about when they are a little further along.

I still receive lots of film and TV scripts which I read but nothing has caught my heart as yet. I'm not absolutely sure I want to follow that path, anyway …

I get lots of messages from you asking about another album, and I have been speaking with producers and I've been writing when I get the chance. I haven't yet made a decision about the album but I DO know I don't want to compromise for the sake of the industry! There are a few songs I've put down in demo form that touch me in a special way but I want the whole album to feel that way, so I think I'm going to keep on with the writing until THAT happens!

In my spare time I still love to take photos and of course I've been cooking every day. Hopefully, one day you may get the chance to see some of the photos and maybe even some of the recipes.

Anyway, here we are, it's Thanksgiving and soon to be Christmas. War, death and violence continue to dominate the news headlines but why do we never hear about any of the good stories. News is supposed to be news about all things, not just the bad, but the positive too. Miraculous things happen every day but we don't hear about these stories. Do we have nothing to look forward to? No hope, no faith, no laughter, no joy? Though we are told things are getting worse something inside tells me that things are gonna change. I have hope and faith that it's time for the sun to shine on everyone. I truly believe that things WILL change for the better, not forever, because that will never happen, but for a time and that will give us all hope again. I have a good feeling about next year. I say, roll on 2004!

John Lennon's handwritten lyrics to the Beatles' song 'Nowhere Man' have sold for $455,000 (£270,000).

Christie's auction house in New York had expected the lyrics to fetch around $100,000 (£59,000), but as other sales have shown, Beatles memorabilia is very popular with collectors and fans and can achieve high prices.

Following on from the success of 'Beatles 1', the greatest hits album released in 2000, a reworked version of the album 'Let It Be' has been unveiled this week.

'Let It Be … Naked' removes producer Phil Spector's orchestrations, choirs and effects from the mix and strips it back to basics - a return to the sound the band had originally intended. Sir Paul McCartney said, "If we had today's technology back then, it would sound like this because this is the noise we made in the studio. It's exactly as it was in the room. You're right there now."

McCartney hated the results of the original mix, especially the orchestration of 'The Long And Winding Road', and he even claimed that it was one of his chief reasons for wanting to dissolve the Beatles. George Harrison and Ringo Starr were also irked by the album and set about, some 30 years after the recording, to create a version nearer to their first intentions.

Back in early 1969 the plan had been to 'get back' to being the live four-piece band of their earliest days and the original album title, 'Get Back', was intended to reflect that. But the band were unhappy with the resultant Phil Spector produced album and it was shelved while they went on to record and release 'Abbey Road' which, although released before 'Let It Be', was actually their final album before their split in 1970.

In addition to the change in the sound of the album, the track listing is different, 'Dig It' and 'Maggie Mae' have been taken off the album and 'Don't Let Me Down' has been added.

'Let It Be … Naked' is released this week … the Beatles could soon be back in the charts!

Is it a Boy, or is it a Girl... it's certainly a mix up!

Yesterday the headlines of British newspapers announced the arrival of a Beatle baby ... but got her sex wrong! Reported as a boy, probably to be called Joseph, Heather Mills McCartney had actually given birth to a daughter! Sir Paul and Lady McCartney have since said that their 7lb baby is to be named Beatrice Milly, after Heather's mother and Paul's aunt respectively. A statement issued by the couple said: "She is a little beauty and we couldn't be prouder. Our immediate family were told the news right away and are all as overjoyed as we are at the early arrival of our little bundle of joy."

Many, many congratulations from all of us!

We recently received photos and updates from our friends in Durness about their Community Garden which was officially opened last August and which includes a Memorial to John Lennon who spent many happy summers there.

We thought we would like to share these with you and have also taken the opportunity to display some of the photos taken by John's cousin, Stanley Parkes, during the creation of the garden last year.

If you have been to the garden, why not email us at info@lennon.net and tell us about your experience.

Stanley Parkes is trying to find the whereabouts of a famous yacht. Stan's interest in Thelma IV is twofold - first, it was built at Fife's shipyard in Fairlie, on the west coast of Scotland, next door to Largs the town in which Stan and his wife Jan live; and secondly, because his Aunt Mimi was on board the yacht when it won the Gold Cup on the Clyde.

Stan has been researching the history of the yacht and his aunt's connection to it for a number of years … but just like a jigsaw puzzle some pieces are still missing …

Mimi's involvement with Thelma IV goes back to her job working as a private secretary in the 1920s to Lynton Vickers, a millionaire businessman. One of Vickers' interests was sailing and he owned 4 Bermuda rigged racing yachts, all of which were built by William Fife and Sons and called Thelma I, II, III and IV, after his daughter. Mimi was close to the family and was included on racing yacht holidays on the Clyde and she was on board Thelma IV when she won the Gold Cup. Sadly no-one knows the exact date and year of the race.

Since Stan's search for the missing yacht began he is a little nearer to finding her and just as in all the best mystery stories it's because of a number of coincidences. Stan says, "While attending a lecture on the history of the Fife family of yacht builders of Fairlie I got talking to Mrs May Kohn and her husband and told her of my aunt's connection with Thelma IV. She, being a member of Fairlie Yacht Club and Helensburgh Yacht Club made a few enquiries on my behalf."

Stan now knows that Thelma IV was originally called Rose and built for the Glasgow whisky magnate, Mr J Frame. Her name was changed several times and at various times she was known as Vida IV, Griselda and Double Cross. It was in her latter incarnation that she was based at Granada Yacht Club in the Caribbean as a charter boat.

Then Kay McCreadie, a committee member of the Largs Historic Society stumbled upon another piece of the puzzle … Kay while in conversation with Jean Inglis of Fairlie discovered that Jean had just returned from a trip to Newport, Rhode Island, where she had photographed a yacht which had been built in Fairlie and was called Isobel. Stan says, "It is quite possible that the yacht Isobel might well turn out to be the same Thelma IV that my aunt was on all those years ago." Stan has not yet been able to get out to Newport, R I to verify this!

Then another twist to the story … this summer the second Fife Regatta welcomed a gathering of the beautiful racing yachts of yesteryear. To Stan's surprise a Thelma III was listed as an entry for Race 1 - could this be the Thelma III once owned by Lynton Vickers? It was, and furthermore it was raced by Vickers' daughter Thelma herself! Although Stan was able to meet up with the owners of the Fife yachts no-one could tell him what had become of Thelma IV. Far from being disheartened Stan is re-energised, "I think it is such an amazing coincidence that after all these years some of the Vickers Fife Racing yachts should turn up. Unfortunately, no Thelma IV as yet … but I haven't given up, I'll still keep on trying to trace her!"

On Friday 25 July 2003 at Christie's auction house in New York City a student film of John Lennon sold for $53,775.

The unknown bidder will now be able to enjoy footage which features Lennon clowning with some children, taking over an ice cream van and performing magic tricks.

The film was shot in 1974 when an anonymous student approached John in the street and asked him to appear in his film. John obliged, and the resulting film has been described by Christie's film expert Margaret Barrett as "amazing." She added "There are no copies of it and John Lennon himself never got a copy of the entire film. He watched it and selected pieces he liked, perhaps for a song video."

Other items which sold include Lennon's pocket watch which sold for $31,070, the written lyrics to the Beatles song 'If You've Got Trouble' and a 1971 letter both of which fetched $38,240.

The draw for the lennon.net anniversary competition took place yesterday.
Well done, so many of you got it right!
To remind you, the question was:

Gemma Gannon of Warrington in the UK was first out of the hat.
Congratulations Gemma - your prize was mailed to you today!

Stanley Parkes and Julia Baird were special guests of Sir Paul McCartney at his Liverpool concert on Sunday 1 June. Stan and Julia had prime seats which added to the enjoyment of what Stan described as 'A great performance by Paul and his wonderful band - a fantastic show!' After the concert, friends and family mingled back stage where they were treated to an impromptu sing-along from Paul and one of his uncles. Stan spoke for everyone when he said 'Needless to say a great time was had by all!'

Liverpool is set to become Europe's Capital of Culture 2008! According to the judges Liverpool looks good, feels good and sounds good, but it was the Scousers, the people themselves who were the deciding factor in the victory.

Liverpool's joy at the news was summed up by Council leader Mike Storey who said "This is like Liverpool winning the Champions League, Everton winning the double and the Beatles reforming - all on the same day!"

From its two famous soccer teams - Liverpool and Everton - to the Beatles and its celebrated waterfront, the city has always made headlines ... but sometimes for the wrong reasons. The Toxteth riots in the 80s, the Dockers strike of the 90s and years of industrial decay all contributed to the decline in the city's reputation. But recent years have seen the beginning of a change of fortune with the opening of new art galleries and museums, including the Tate Liverpool and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Now Liverpool can look forward to an economic upturn. It is hoped that winning the title will create around 14,000 new jobs and an extra 1.7m visitors.

Visitors to the city in 2008 will be treated to ballet, opera, comedy, cinema, music and a special star gazing event and special festivals celebrating Liverpool's links with Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Ireland and China.

Sir Paul McCartney, Liverpool's most famous son, expressed his delight for everyone when he said, "I am really chuffed at Liverpool getting the Capital of Culture. This will be a much deserved boost for the greatest city in the world."

In an interview with the 'Sunday Herald' Sir Paul McCartney told the Scottish newspaper that he was happy with the old style song writing credit appearing on all future recordings, "I’m happy with the way it is and always has been. Lennon and McCartney is still the rock ‘n’ roll trademark I’m proud to be a part of – in the order it has always been."

When The Beatles Anthology was in the process of being put together McCartney asked Yoko Ono to approve a credit change which would denote songs, that were for the most part his creation and very little to do with John Lennon, as 'McCartney/Lennon'.

Yoko vehemently opposed the idea … but that didn’t stop Sir Paul attributing 20 Beatles songs on his latest live album, ‘Back In The U S’, to McCartney/Lennon.

Now, one of the world's most well known trademarks is restored, with Sir Paul’s blessing.

Christie's auction house, New York, has announced that footage of John Lennon in a student film is to go under the hammer in July. It is expected to fetch between $45,000 and $50,000.

A film student approached Lennon on a street in Manhattan one day in 1974 and asked him to star in her film for the day. He agreed and ended up being filmed dancing on benches, playing a bandstand organ, feeding monkeys and performing magic tricks.

12 hours of footage was edited down to 45 minutes which has never been seen by the public before except as odd excerpts here and there in documentaries.

Since sold by the anonymous film student it is being put up for sale by a private collector.

Margaret Barrett, Christie's film specialist describes the film as amazing, "There are no copies of it and John Lennon himself never got a copy of the entire film. He watched it and selected pieces he liked, perhaps for a song video. It would be wonderful if the eventual purchaser would allow the film to be seen by the public generally."

On Sunday April 27th veteran actor Sir John Mills and Hollywood star Jean Claude Van Damme unveiled a Musical Heritage Foundation plaque for John Lennon at the site of the former Apple boutique in London.

The Beatles' clothes shop opened on Baker Street in December 1967 in a blaze of publicity … but before long the Beatles decided the retail business wasn't for them and the shop closed just 7 months later in another burst of publicity when all the stock, around £20,000 worth of clothes, was given away free.

Many celebrities including Jean Claude Van Damme, Sir John Mills, Victor Spinetti, Anita Harris, Philip Madoc, P J Proby and Pete Murray joined members of John Lennon’s family at the ceremony and at the tribute luncheon which followed.

Rumour has it that a musical version of John Lennon's life story is to come to Broadway!

Very little is known about the Yoko approved project, though it's thought it will mostly use songs from Lennon's solo career and may concentrate more on the Lennon-Ono years than John's early life. How the Beatles will feature in the musical is yet to be revealed.

Meanwhile, everyone's thoughts are with the casting … who will play John? Perhaps you've got suggestions … let us know who you'd like to see in the role of John Lennon!

Christies, London, is set to host its first Beatles sale of 2003 on Wednesday 30th April. Of particular interest is what is being described as 'the Glasgow lots', which includes a collection of rare Beatles memorabilia from the group's famous Glasgow concerts in 1964. A signed programme from the Beatles concert at the Odeon cinema in Renfield Street is expected to go for £7,000. A postcard from Paris handwritten by John Lennon to his Aunt Mater and Uncle Bert Sutherland in Murrayfield, Edinburgh is considered of rare value and may get a bid as high as £3,000.

Christies spokesman Rik Pike says "We are expecting to get calls from all over the world for this Beatles auction, which is our first such sale of 2003."

There are all sorts of other pop memorabilia in the sale ranging from Kurt Cobain's guitar to a bikini once owned by Geri Halliwell. Of further interest to Beatles fans is a life size cut out of Marlene Dietrich used in the crowd scene in Peter Blake's design for the Beatles' 1967 Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. The reserve price is £20,000.

Tours are now available of John Lennon's boyhood home. Mendips at 251 Menlove Avenue in Woolton, Liverpool was where John lived from the age of 5 to 23 with his Aunt Mimi.

The 1930s semi has been restored by the National Trust to how it was during John's early years. Now looking like a typical house of the 1950s it has been fitted out with period details such as formica, harsh Izal toilet paper and Horlicks mugs. National Trust curator James Rothwell says, "The basic structure of the house - which was built in 1933 - has survived, although we have had to replace the tiled floor downstairs. We put out a request locally for period furniture and fittings and got some very good responses. It has been tremendous fun … but it is also an important example of how a family would have lived in the 1950s."

Yoko Ono gifted the house to the National Trust last spring, and she and members of John's immediate family attended the official opening of Mendips on Thursday 27th March. Stanley Parkes, John's cousin and the oldest living member of the Lennon family was impressed with the restoration, "It is exactly as it was when Mimi had it and when John lived there between 1946 and 1963."

Take a photo tour of Mendips with Stanley Parkes' pictures taken during the
family's recent private visit

Visitors enter through the back door and come straight into the kitchen with its cast-iron gas cooker and open shelves full of pots and pans. In the living room a 50s TV set takes pride of place. Fitted bookshelves display classic books of the era and John's boyhood adventure annuals. Adding authenticity to the room are two pieces of furniture which were owned by Mimi and have been loaned back to the house by members of the family. But probably the most evocative room is John's small bedroom over the front door, the place where John and Paul McCartney composed many of their songs including their first UK number 1, 'Please, Please Me'.

"John Lennon is an icon of 20th century popular culture", said Fiona Reynolds (Director General of the National Trust) at the opening. "Through his music and words, John touched the lives of millions of people and it is exciting for us to be able to present the place in which it all began."

Mendips is just a mile away from Sir Paul McCartney's childhood home in Forthlin Road, Allerton and the National Trust is offering tours of Mendips combined with tours of McCartney's old home. The National Trust website at www.spekehall.org.uk/mendips.htm provides more information.

Along with the Cavern Club and Abbey Road Studios, Mendips is destined to become a "must-see" for all Beatles fans.

Yes, it's my birthday! Thank you very much for all your cards and gifts and good wishes.

I guess 40 is a bit of a milestone and like most people it has made me feel a bit reflective!

Going back to the beginning … I got dealt the most unusual set of cards and I've made no secret of the fact that sometimes life was tough for me and mum, but we survived, in fact we did better than survive, I think we turned out rather well, 'cos we had each other. What I have learnt over the years … with all the madness and mayhem … is that what really matters is family and friends. If we don't lose sight of that we'll be ok. Living through this time of political uncertainty only makes me believe this even more. And maybe once we get through this unsettled time we can look forward to a future of harmony, tolerance and peace.

Making music is just one of things I do, it will always be part of my life. But what, over the years, has made me the proudest is that my music has touched so many people and that you've told me so. Writing songs that mean something to people makes me feel truly happy!

Love and music … these have always been the most important things to me. And I've been privileged to have both … I can honestly say I'm one of the luckiest *%$£*&" I know! So thank you to all the special people in my life!

They say life begins at 40 … and you know I really do feel that I'm at the beginning of whatever is yet to come and that I've still to reach my full potential as an artist and human being … now's the time to put into practice everything I've learnt so far.

I'm taking a couple of weeks off to celebrate my birthday, but I'll be back in the studio soon. The writing is going well and I'm really pleased with how my home studio has turned out, so the new album is very much on its way!

I'll sign off now but not before I say a heartfelt thank you to each of you for all your love and support over the years, you'll never know how much it means to me. Thank you.

The National Trust has been in touch with Mum and me to tell us about the restoration of Dad's childhood home, Mendips. Mendips at 251 Menlove Avenue, was where John lived with his Aunt Mimi from the age of 5 to 23. John often practised his guitar out on the front porch, and it was there that he composed and rehearsed many of the songs that were to become his legacy.

The National Trust acquired the house last year and it has been restored as closely as possible to how it would have looked when Dad lived there as a child and teenager in the 1950's and 1960's. Now it is to open to the public, and tours begin on Saturday 29th March 2003. For more information check out www.spekehall.org.uk/mendips.htm

Some of you have been wondering what news there is on the album and film I talked about a couple of months back. If you remember I recorded a duet and background vocals on a track called "Hold Tight" for Third World. The album, "Ain't Givin' Up", was released last September in Japan, but it is only recently that the band has found a distributor for Europe and North America and now we've heard that the album will hit the shops in May!

As regards the film "Taff's Gold", the producers are still waiting on the second half of the grant money. Although filming was supposed to begin this month, that now looks a little unlikely. I hope I'll still be involved but the final filming schedule may end up clashing with my other commitments … watch this space!

The show business charity, The Heritage Foundation, will unveil a Blue Plaque in John Lennon's name on Sunday April 27th 2003. It is to be sited on the building in London's Baker Street where the Apple boutique was situated. Sadly the psychedelic paintings which decorated the outside brickwork and caused such dismay to the other shopkeepers has not survived! Opened on Tuesday December 5th, 1967 the boutique was badly run from the start and it closed soon after. It was John who suggested a give-away of the stock to the public, and £20,000 of clothes and goods were handed out free of charge! The Apple offices, which were originally located upstairs, later moved to Saville Row.

The ceremony of the Blue Plaque will take place at noon on April 27th - everyone is invited - and the venue is the corner of Baker Street and Crawford Street, London W1.

Afterwards there is a charity lunch hosted by The Heritage Foundation at The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London. Again members of the public are welcome. For information on how to purchase tickets visit www.theheritagefoundation.co.uk or email david@theheritagefoundation.co.uk

A long lost record made by Mick Jagger and John Lennon sold last Thursday, 20th February, for £1,400.

Recorded in 1974 the track, a cover of the blues song 'Too Many Cooks', featuring Jagger on vocals, Lennon on guitar and Ringo Starr on drums, was never released.

London record dealer, Tom Fisher, bought the unlabelled acetate - a record made directly from a master tape - for just £24 four years ago. When he played it he recognised that it was Jagger singing but didn't realise that Lennon was involved until he decided to sell it. The auctioneers, Cooper Owen, sent it to Jagger's agent for authentication. It was Sir Mick himself who verified it as genuine and revealed that it was John on guitar and that it had been recorded during John's so called 'Lost Weekend' period.

While Mick Jagger had never thought it worth much, the auctioneers say the record has been grossly underestimated and its real value is up to £10,000. But one man is in celebratory mood, "It's a pretty healthy mark up, I can't really complain." says Mr Fisher.

Previously unreleased footage of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and George Harrison jamming together is soon to be available on DVD.

Said to be the only time the trio played together after The Beatles split in 1970, it was recorded in 1994 at George Harrison's home in the run up to the release of the Anthology albums. The footage shows George and Sir Paul on ukulele and guitar and Ringo on drums. The five tracks they jam on are all non-Beatles songs - 'Ain't She Sweet', 'Blue Moon Of Kentucky', 'Raunchy', 'Thinking of Lincoln' and 'Baby What You Want Me to Do' - all numbers they would have played in the old days before The Beatles was formed.

Last week in Sydney, Australia tapes of Beatles songs were seized by police. They are believed to be the actual recordings or studio copies of the albums ‘Abbey Road’ and ‘The Beatles’, better known as the 'White Album', which disappeared from London’s Abbey Road Studios in 1969.

No one is sure how the two reel to reel tapes ended up in Australia but it is likely they will be returned to the UK for authentication.

This latest haul follows a seize by British and Dutch police last month which recovered Beatles tapes known as the ‘Get Back’ sessions. Previously unreleased, EMI is expected to discuss their possible release with Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono and Olivia Harrison.

Exciting news! The new online shop is now officially up and running. Check out the new lennon.net t-shirts and baseball cap, all EXCLUSIVE to the site. The original Photograph Smile t-shirts are still available, but there are only a few left. I know that some of you have already visited the shop and made purchases which is great … the new t-shirts seem to be particularly popular.

You'll notice that we have for sale a unique photograph of me and Dad. It was taken in our house 'Kenwood' in early 1967 and I guess I'd be around 4 years old. I found the original picture when looking through some old family albums and had it framed for myself. I had so many comments and compliments on it that I thought you might like it too - so here it is for sale only on the website and only as a limited edition. Hope you like it as much as me!

Let us know what you make of the shop and the site in general - your opinions and views are important to us. One question which has popped up in the Forum is how to pay for items - there are several different methods including credit card, sterling cheque and international money order.

A sad note

I am, like everyone else, both shocked and saddened by the death of Maurice Gibb. I met Maurice just a few times but he was truly one of the most warm-hearted people I knew. Deepest sympathies from Mum and me to Yvonne and their children, and to Barry and Robin. He leaves a huge hole in their lives. Everyone is going to miss him and his wonderful smile … but he leaves a legacy, the music. We'll always remember him through the sublime music of the Bee Gees. Rest In Peace Maurice.

We had other bad news last week. Some of you know Derek Gibson who was webmaster for julianlennon.com and lennon.net. Sadly, Derek passed away last Monday night.
He will be very much missed by us all. My thoughts are with his wife Ray and their son, Grant.

Lost and found Beatles tapes

Some original reel-to-reel Beatles recordings were recovered after joint police raids in England and the Netherlands on Friday 10th January 2003. The investigation spearheaded by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry led British and Dutch police to arrest 2 suspects in London and 3 in Amsterdam. The police operation led to the recovery of around 500 original tapes stolen in the 1970s which include some never before released Beatles tracks. The tapes contain what is known as the 'Get Back' sessions, which were to become an album in 1969 before the project was shelved, although some of the tracks including the title song 'Get Back' became part of the 'Let It Be' album. Bootleg copies of the recordings are in circulation but the discovery of the originals is a valuable recovery, one described by the British police as "priceless."