Lizzie arrived in the UK mid-February 1967; shortly before that date, her friend Denise Werneck made the journey out to St George's Hill to take some photos, on a kind of Lizzie-related recce. Thus, and "intereshtingly", a date attaches to these pics, that date being the date of the 21st of January, 1967 - a Saturday, date fans.
The preceding two had seen the Beatles at Abbey Road, making substantial progress on A Day In The Life (with the following taken on Thursday 19th):
But now it is Saturday, a brief consolidating pause has been called to the Pepper sessions, and here we are. The first thing to note is how every curtain remains resolutely drawn. Was there anyone at home? Quite likely, I reckon, as the pattern was often to head out "clubbaging" post-session, and with a few days rest hoving into view, and some solid work laid down, a spot of celebratory "Class A's" may well have been in order. (Or, as ever, not.)
If so, the residents are inside sleeping it off, as Denise covers the house from all angles.
The other point of some vague interest is that the sheer gloom of a British winter is well represented here; even Pepper's biggest detractors wouldn't characterise it as a gloomy record - quite the opposite, in fact. Its forever association with the long, hot Summer o' Lovin' hardly needs repeating, yet the main thing that strikes me about these photos is how this sparkling work was actually recorded during the dank, drab chill of the firstly aforementioned season. Timing always was one of their strong points, and never more so than here.
Anyway...the area round the side of the garage, overlooking the pool. Note the swing, and the presence of ubiquitous reconstructive material, including mulch for the garden:
Next, the front door, still free of sickly paint job (though not for much longer, as we will see) and porch:
Living room, bedroom etc:
Finally the sunroom, and adjacent steps:
Next up, February 1967, and Lizzie's first visit to Kenwood. Huge thanks, once again, to her (and Denise, o' course).
What splendidly atmospheric photos. I would have been piss#ng myself with excitment and fear wandering around the grounds knowing Lennon was at home. Thank God Lizzie did it for all of us, what a star!!
ReplyDeleteGood point about recording the eternally sunny Sgt Pepper in winter. But winter is a good time to record music and grow moustaches.
Looking forward to the next installment.
i am not a star, dear jonathan, i was just 15 and had no idea what i was doing! it just seemed "normal" to want to see where john lived... crazy girl!
ReplyDeleteYou ARE a star, Lizzie :-)
ReplyDeleteTalking to you know is as close as i`ll get to the lads, although I did once speak to John`s sister Julia Baird, but she never recorded with the Beatles ... !!!
Big thanks to Denise too ....