Chapters:

CHAPTER ONE :  

LOOKINGBACK

In late 1988, there was an opportunity to develop my idea for a pop/symphonic ‘Tribute to John’ in autumn 1990, marking what would have been John Lennon’s 50th Birthday and the 10th Anniversary of his death. I presented this tribute concept to Sid Bernstein, who presented the historic performances of The Beatles at Carnegie Hall in 1964 and at Shea Stadium in 1965 and 1966.

Sid Bernstein introduced America to the major bands of the British Invasion, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Herman's Hermits, The Moody Blues, The Dave Clark Five, The Animals, and The Kinks. He also discovered and managed America’s first supergroup, The Rascals. When I asked Sid about how to pursue our ‘Tribute to John,’ he said, 'We should meet with everyone who knew and loved John and ask them what they wanted us to do.’ That's exactly what we did.

 CHAPTER TWO:  

 STARS ALIGN

Sid and I received support for our ‘Tribute to John’ from John Lennon’s friends and collaborators. The Beatles producer George Martin agreed to score and conduct the event's symphony. When The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra agreed to be our  ‘Tribute to John’ symphony, their Musical Director invited George Martin to conduct his original composition and orchestrations of performances by John’s friends. George Martin also offered to send ‘Invitations to Perform’ to John’s friends and other artists he influenced.

The Moody Blues' London manager confirmed they would open our  ‘Tribute to John’ with ‘On the Threshold of the Dream.’ Michael Jackson discussed plans for a dance duet featuring Rudolf Nureyev and choreographed by Paula Abdul. Ravi Shankar indicated he would explore John's spiritual journey at the event. Julian Lennon agreed to perform in honor of his father, John Lennon, and in support of his mother, Cynthia Lennon, one of the producers of this tribute.

CHAPTER THREE :

 THREE MAGICIANS

During my work on our ‘Tribute to John,’ I encountered many influential figures from The Beatles' success story, including three remarkable men I call ‘The Three Magicians’. Their historical insights and professional skills were crucial in propelling The Beatles to fame. I collaborated with one of them, the legendary promoter Sid Bernstein, who made history by presenting The Beatles at Carnegie Hall and Shea Stadium. 

While traveling with Sid Bernstein, I had the honor of meeting The Beatles producer George Martin. 

Recognizing The Beatles' potential, George Martin oversaw all aspects of their recordings, becoming integral to John, Paul, George, and Ringo's success. George Martin is often referred to as 'The Fifth Beatle.'

Sid and I went to Liverpool to meet Sid's friends, Brian Epstein's family. Brian discovered and managed The Beatles until his death in 1967 at age 27. Two years later, leaderless, The Beatles recorded their final album 'Abbey Road.' Join me as I meet Sid Bernstein and George Martin and reminisce about 'The Greatest Show on Earth' with Brian Epstein's family in Liverpool.

 CHAPTER FOUR:

 FIRST WIVES CLUB

Cynthia Powell met John Lennon at Liverpool College of Art. They married in 1962 and had a son, Julian, in 1963.  Their marriage ended in 1968 due to John's relationship with Yoko Ono. Despite the divorce, Cynthia offered to participate in our 'Tribute to John', believing he needed a spiritual farewell from his fans, and confessed her lasting love for him. 

I traveled to New York with Cynthia, who discussed our ‘Tribute to John’ with her son Julian Lennon, who agreed to perform. Cynthia then visited The Dakota and asked Yoko Ono to collaborate with her on a 'Lennon Family Tribute to John' for their sons Julian and Sean Lennon. 

Yoko declined Cynthia’s offer and said she would withhold John Lennon's image and music from Cynthia. 

Despite Yoko's opposition, Cynthia tried to proceed with her plans. Meanwhile, Yoko held her own  tribute event in Liverpool, which most of John Lennon's friends and the remaining Beatles declined to attend.

 CHAPTER FIVE:

 IT’S A TRIP

Children in Berlin, Germany learned of Cynthia Lennon’s interest in creating our ‘Tribute to John’. They initiated a letter-writing campaign to German newspapers, asking her to bring the tribute to Berlin because The Berlin Wall, erected in 1961, had just begun to come down in 1989. The children argued that the tribute should be staged in Berlin since half of the German population were in Soviet captivity and missed the music of the 1960s, particularly John Lennon and The Beatles.

In an unforgettable journey, Cynthia Lennon and I traveled to Cairo, Berlin, and Hamburg before returning home. Join us as we reminisce with Cynthia and Klaus Voormann about The Beatles photographer Astrid Kirchherr, her love for Stu Sutcliff, and their early days in Hamburg's clubs up to recording sessions for The Beatles album ‘Revolver’, which earned Klaus Voormann a Grammy for ‘Best Album Cover Art’

Discover why Cairo, Berlin, and Hamburg are significant for our ‘Tribute to John’ in this chapter.

 CHAPTER SIX:

TIME TO REMEMBER

My Beatles Story presents the question, “Could a tribute to John Lennon featuring live performances by his superstar friends, including Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, still happen?” The answer is ‘YES.’ 

In 1989, Cynthia Lennon, Sid Bernstein, and I set out to create our ‘Tribute to John’. We were preparing to present the event in the autumn of 1990, which would have been John’s 50th birthday and the first decade anniversary of John’s death. Now, 35 years later, the music of The Beatles and the admiration for John Lennon remains as strong as ever. 

The year 2025 includes significant milestones for John Lennon, such as:

·  August 23, 2025:

 60th Anniversary of The Beatles at Shea Stadium.

·  October 9, 2025:

 John Lennon's 85th Birthday.

·  December 8, 2025:

 45th Anniversary of John Lennon's Death.

Today our plan is to promote a ‘Tribute to John’ event based on our 1990 template. This will involve family and friends of the original performers who agreed to participate 35 years ago but who are no longer with us.   

Announcements regarding the preparations for the ‘Tribute to John’ could be made over six weeks in autumn from October 9, 2025 to December 8, 2025

Imagine, Sean Lennon and Julian Lennon could finish the superstar  ‘Tribute to John’ as producers and performers on behalf of their mothers Yoko and Cynthia. Giles Martin could complete the promises that his father George Martin made in 1990. Janet Jackson could dance in her brother Michael Jackson’s place in a John Lennon duet with ballet performer Mikhail Baryshnikov, honoring the offer made by his mentor Rudolf Nureyev. Pop choreographer Paula Abdul could choreograph their dance. The Moody Blues could still perform ‘On the Threshold of the Dream’ to open the show and remind musicians creating popular music today that they are ‘All Just Singers in a Rock and Roll Band,’ and should come together to honor John Lennon, his life, and his music in the ‘Tribute to John.’ 

On October 9, 2025,

EVERYONE,

EVERWHERE,

should do  something to honor John Lennon 

ALL AT ONCE.