Hyde Park: further shiznit.

The venerable Meet The Etc. recently posted some rather good new Hyde Park pics, so I thought I'd go for a stroll and see what other Then Unt Nows might be found. Firstly, the above pic. Some reasonable doubts have been raised as to whether John's Roller was at the '67 Hyde Park session, but the location certainly seems to match the pic on the right, "done" today. If so, they parked up near Hyde Park Corner, on the mix of sand and horse-shit between Rotten Row and South Carriage Drive.
They'd then have walked round to the eastern end (absolutely riveting stuff) of Serpentine Road, and headed along toward the Serpentine itself.
This pic would seem to have been taken near the Cavalry Statue; the shape of the paths is the only one that fits, though there have clearly been changes in the ensuing half century:


After a spot of tea (covered elsewhere here), they were pictured on a bench or two. The new photo on MTB finally gives the exact location - note the 4 trees in the background, looking almost exactly the same still:


There's no bench on the spot now, but the same ones, presumably refurbished a bit, are still there dotted around the edge of the lake. I'm going to need a hand etc.:


And this:


Finally (thank feck), the Beatles, o' course, had form when it came to Hyde Park pics; apparently, according to tome o' tomes the Beatles' London, this is the very spot where Beatles For Sale was, errr, also "done":

29/04/67: Die Blumenkinder von London

As Alan Partridge might say, "extra ordinary". John, plus, I'd hazard a guess, Terry Doran (though I could be wrong), doing the "eye" thing at the 14 Hour Technicolour Dream, having driven up from Kenwood, on Owsley.
And here's a John's-eye view of the whole aforementioned "thang":


Someone or other has uploaded a German doc onto YouTube, stuffed with milieu, and full of Fabs-related interest.
Dandie Fashions on the Kings Road (later to become Apple Tailoring)? Try 16.04. John Crittle much in evidence.
Apple shop opening? Previously unseen (by me, and I assume, probably wrongly, by you) footage at around the 28 minute mark, or so.
Plus the above of John at the Ally Pally (16.40 or thereabouts).
Enough o' my yakkin'. Here 'tis:


Many thanks to Master Julian Carr for sniffin' this oot.
PS: Some (including me) have questioned whether that is Terry Doran. Well...take a look at the 'tache on that:

Montagu Square: September, 1968.

John during the Cott interview in September 1968, in the main room downstairs at 34 Montagu Square. A mountain of junk (or non-junk, as the case may be) has followed him and Yoko from Kenwood, including the Brennels from the attic studio:


The flat has been characterised as a tip by various people who had access during the period, with musical equipment, old newspapers, "knickers" (dirty or otherwise) strewn hither and, indeed, thither in every room; and so it would seem. Others recall that the temperature was overly hot, and the air always thick with Indian incense acquired in Rishikesh.
These days, it's a much more spartan affair:

Kinfauns: March, 1969.

It's always instructive to read what they said at the time, as opposed to what they couldn't remember later, and so it is with this fascinating little slice of vérité from the week after George got "done" by the "fuzz" (who, allegedly, brought their etc. to be on the safe etc.).
The source of a couple of oft-repeated quotes, the article also shows George either spinning away like mad, or else providing yet another "everything you know is wrong" moment vis-a-vis contemporary inter-Fabs relations (though the most telling bit is probably Hari's refusal to raise so much as a titter at John's HDN-style antics. Gilt and gingerbread had clearly parted company).
You'll likely have to download this, and then zoom in to read it. Or not.


Many thanks go to Bruno Dupont for tracking the above down.

Abbey Road: further flotsam.

Anne Copley lived opposite the corner of Abbey Road and Alexandra Road in 1969, and had the presence of mind to nip over and salvage the very tiles featured on the rear of the titular sleeve (or what was left of them) mid-demolition, as the famous intersection was being consumed by the Alexandra Housing development.
She glued the bits together, stuck 'em in a cupboard, and there they remained for 40 years. And now she's sold them. Price? 7 grand.
Amazing (or not) how much remains: the white suit worn by John, the non-white suit sported by the Schnoz, the metal studs from the side of the crossing, the VW...and now the tiles. Whither the Black Maria?
Another bit o' fluff, filched from the estimable Beatles Bible site, purportedly shows the actual crossing captured later on the actual day that the actual sleeve shot was actually err... shot. Looks like it too; while that may or may not be the same car parked near the far gate, the outline of the trees is identical:

Mmmmmmmmmm...sweet trivia.

Kenwood: hall action.

More errr... "action". Cynthia, plus ever present "snout", outside the hall. 1967. Or 1968.

Let's hope something more interesting happens sometime soon.

Hamburg: Jager-passage 22.

An extract from the contemporary Hamburg telephone directory, showing the inhabitants of Jagerpassage 22 (as pictured, o'course, above) at the time (spring 1961):


And, Astrid's gaff, her father being a man from the motor trade:


Thanks to Thorsten Knublauch for sending these in. (Oh yes, Kenwood; there will be something soon.)

6834KD: waiting for the van to etc.

All is trivia, isn't it? (Isn't it?)
And isn't it instructive to compare the Beatles touring apparatus in 1963 (crappy little white van, plus car), with the individual limos plus massed trucks favoured by today's "pop stars".
Also of note was the attention to trivia displayed by ver contemporary fannage, which gives us the following priceless detail concerning the typical contents of said crappy white van:


On a partially related "tip", anyone with access to the BBC iPlayer may (or may not) wish to "check" this week's thrill packed edition of Gardeners' World, which has a feature filmed at Chiswick House, scene of Paper"bok" Writah, Rain etc. (actually not etc.: that's it). They don't mention the Beatles, but you'll no doubt spot the locales.
And I'm going to need a hand getting that lamp post into my boot.

1967: 1967: 1967:

The one above is new to me, and clearly goes with this 'un, which isn't:


And this 'un, which also isn't:


Where were these taken? EMI? Who is that man/woman/etc sporting bi-focals (other than Winston)?

London: summer, 1969.

Speaking of pre-digital film, these surely amongst the final photos of the four of 'em together, apparently captured watching a rough cut of Let It Be. George's parents and missus also in evidence, together with Terry Doran, who is seen enjoying a suspiciously large cigarette:


And what does this have to do with Kenwood? Fecked if I know.
Gracias Eric Nernie.

Hamburg: Der Dom - November, 1960.

Given that pre-digital film is just a load of photographs run in sequence at speed (obviously), a doff o' the cap is in order to whoever it was that realised you could string these famous Astrid shots together in similar fashion.
The result is remarkable; John really looks like he's been up all night doing God knows what, and I can't help but think of that quote in Philip Norman's Shout! from Jim Hawke. Hawke ran the Hamburg Seaman's Mission, a place much frequented by the Beatles, who were described thusly: "They'd come in about eleven in the morning and stay until three or four in the afternoon. They'd be quite subdued. I'd look over from the bar and see the five of them, always round the same table, not talking - just staring into space. I've seen the same look on men who've been away at sea in tankers for a long time. Not with it, if you know what I mean."
At any rate, the above is impressive. If anyone knows who deserves the credit, comment away...

The Beetle: 281F

Yaaaah, apparently the Chassis number is 118583936, and, this is fascinating, the engine number is actually 0920080 (it's a rear mounted air-cooled transverse flat-four, of course), and blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.
Right?


Errrr...right. There are limits, but I am ashamed to "admite" that I read the above (taken from the 1986 auction where the actual VW was actually sold, for the actual sum of 2530 quid) with some degree of interest (though what it "means" vis-a-vis Paul being "ex", I know not).

Weston-Super-Mare: Royal Pier Hotel etc.

In late July 1963, they did spend a week in Weston-Super-Mare, playing shows at the local Odeon with Gerry & The Pacemakers et al in the evening, and generally arsing about during the day. (As is usually the case with matters related, some of this arsing about survives, on the Alf Together Now bootleg, or via YouTube where around half an hour of Dezo Hoffmann's uncut home movies from the time can be seen.)
The Royal Pier Hotel housed 'em; it ended up burning down a few years back. Before so doing it stood derelict for a while, during which an urban explorer type managed to get in and capture the very spot (albeit from a different angle) where breakfast was served:


All that now remains is a pile of rubble and some twisted metal:


Ver Lads were also "photoed" at various local locales, including Birnbeck Pier:


The steps thereof:


And indulging in a bit of de rigueur donkey-related-dicking-about near Weston Pier:


Many thanks to Patrick Morgan for the above photos.

34 Montagu Square: by day.

Readahs will no doubt remember the mystery of the "John's office mystery"; there are many great photos of John, Yoko and Robert Fraser hanging out in this heavily wood-panelled room, but no trace of such a place exists now at number 34.
Subsequent to my last visit, I managed to track down a plan of the flat from 1954 (which, for various reasons partly connected to sheer laziness on my part, cannot be reproduced here), and armed with same, I headed back the other day to see if this locale could at last be pinned down... of which more in a minute.
First, though, and at the risk of repeating myself, I couldn't resist getting a definitive "then & now" of our old pal(s) the Two Virgins shot(s). Done in daylight, the location is obvious, were it ever in any doubt. (Incidentally (if, sadly, not interestingly), the structure visible through the window was once the kitchen of the whole house, before it was split into flats.)
And another:


So to the old plan, which shows a partition wall in the downstairs kitchen which does seem to correspond to the wall in the office shots (see previous post). This whole area underwent massive renovation in the mid-90s, with a new shower built here (the walls of which can be seen in the "now" pic below).
Thus the best guess is that this was indeed the location of John's office (and note the apparently corresponding position of that door):


Though some doubt remains, that's probably it. Try not to worry too much in case it isn't.
Big thanks again to Peter for all his help.

Cavendish Avenue: circa August/September, 1967.

John arriving at Paul's, and another to add to the pile of same.
I'm guessing August or September '67 based on the barnet, and the "Joseph" coat, which also saw an outing on the way to Bangor to meet that ol' Maharishi circa then.
However, an exact date for this would be of interest; it might even capture John's arrival at the first post-Brian-demise meeting round Macca's "crib", when it was decided 1. to continue, and 2. to make a start on MMT asap.
(Or, as ever, not.)

Kenwood: house of green.

All aboard the Trivia Express, people. Next stop Anal Tragedy (pop.1). Nevertheless, one of the more famous images to emerge from Kennie was John with his sunflower eye, a variant of which can be seen above. I'm sure it's been on here before, but something about the lo-res quality of this 'un caught my eye; that's got to be the greenhouse there behind him:


Thus, another location becomes pin-downable. That sequence of photos will have been taken at the bottom of the steps, beside the enduring tree:


Joe Baiardi's video captured the very spot:


And here's a "now" from the same source, the greenhouse gone these days, in common with much else:


Speaking of things gone, NEMS in Liverpool has been demolished. A fairly unlovely building, true, but of immense importance in the Beatles' story, it now joins a shameful list of buildings destroyed for no good reason up there.
Liverpool is a fantastic city, but the people in charge of planning are a bunch of *****ing ***s ******ing ****s **** * * * *******************ing *****s.
As long as The National Trust preserve the childhood homes of John and Paul, and the Best family continue their sterling job with the Casbah, Beatles fans will have a reason to go to Liverpool. But as the list of places to visit dwindles ever further, so the chances of repeat trips dwindle too, with all the long term knock-on effects to the economy that entails.
Astonishingly short sighted and stupid. ****s.

WABRAD: 1974.

Lizzie Bravo recently sent a link to a radio show that John did in New York in 1974, as part of his efforts to promote Walls and Bridges. I don't recall having heard it heard it before, and it got me wondering what other promotional shizzle might be oot there.
The ever interesting You Are The Plastic Ono Band site (link under Friends & Neighbours) lists most of the details regarding John's promo spots re. Walls and Bridges on US radio. He was a busy boy in September '74, and sure enough, some of this is floating around on YouTube. The conversations cover similar ground, but occasionally veer off into more interesting territory - and at the very least, they are pleasant things to have on in the background, and reminders of a time when it was possible to switch on the radio and hear an impromptu interview with the Winston (if you lived in the States, at any rate).
Let's start with one that YATPOB seems to have missed; John on Pennsylvania station WZMF. The interviewer is mildly obsessed with the Plastic Ono Band album, which leads to some intereshting reflections from John. (In fact, he thanks the DJ at the end for forcing him to think about his answers.) Listen here: PART 1 & PART 2.
Here's the rest of the list, copied over from YATPOB, with links to the bits I've been able to find on YouTube inserted:
??/Sep/1974 KSAN FM - San Francisco interview to Tom Donahue
20/Sep/1974 KHJ AM - Promoting "Walls & Bridges" in L.A
25/Sep/1974 RKO Radio - 70 minute interview
26/Sep/1974 CHUM Radio - Toronto station interview
??/Sep/1974 WMMS FM - Cleveland interview with Denny Sanders
27/Sep/1974 KHJ AM - Los Angeles, John is Guest DJ on Breakfast show
He gives capsule answers to callers on various topics, and takes the piss in fine style out of the adverts. (I actually larfed out loud a couple of times listening to this. And that doesn't happen.)(At one point he attempts a Scotch accent - fairly terribly, I thought, until I realised that he is actually doing an Ivor Cutler impersonation - and a pretty good one, too!) Interestingly enuff, many of the callers are kiddies on their way to school, one or two of whom are noticeably "atrimble" at speaking to yer actual Lennon; this in 1974, mind you, when the Beatles were auld farts, and the kids all dug the new scene - your Gary Glitters, Showaddywaddys (or whatever the fuck they were called etc.). Yet that Beatle "magic" clearly persisted.
Anyway, if you just want the advertorial piss-takes, then go HERE.
Or the whole show (more or less) here: PART 1 & PART 2.
27/Sep/1974 WAXB FM - Mark Parenteau interview for Detroit station
John gibbers about his UFO experience, and names his favourite Beatles song. Listen HERE.
27/Sep/1974 Capital Radio - Kenny Everett interview
27/Sep/1974 "Rock Speak" BBC Radio 1 - Michael Wale interview
28/Sep/1974 WNEW FM - New York interview by Denis Elsas
John drops by WNEW in NYC on a rainy Saturday afternoon (see above pic), bringing with him a few 45's, which he proceeds to play (these, o' course, being some of the very records that would typically ring out around Kenwood of an evening). He also discusses various things, such as artificial stereo on Beatles re-issues, the number 9, unacceptable air, where he nicks his ideas from etc.PART 1, PART 2, PART 3 & PART 4.
29/Sep/1974 WRKO - 40 minutes
01/Oct/1974 KRQS Radio - Minneapolis interview by Alan Stone
06/Oct/1974 "Speaking of Everything" (WABC) Howard Cosell interview
??/Oct/1974 WEBN Cincinnati - Short 4 min phone interview
10/Oct/1974 Jim Ladd Interview - More promoting "Walls & Bridges"
Hear it here: PART 1 & PART 2.

If anyone knows of any others, link in comments.

Tittenhurst: more caravan.

Further evidence, not that any is needed, of the caravan in the grounds at Tittenhurst. Compare with the Kenwood fan pic below.
Of slightly more interest, the above is, as far as I can recall, the only pic to have surfaced thus far actually showing John (and Yoko) with the feckin' thing.


And Ringo, must I really ask ye again, whither the caravan?

Bangor: Paolo Ammassari interview.

In the summer of 2011, a fascinating bit of home movie footage appeared on YouTube. It shows the Beatles in the kitchen/dining room of their accomodation at Bangor, during the August Bank Holiday weekend in 1967 which, o' course, culminated in the news of Brian Epstein's demise.
As both the film and the above still reveal, Paolo Ammassari, from Italy, was there too, witness to a key moment in the story. T'internet being what it is, our paths crossed the other day, and Paolo was kind enough to answer a few questions...

KENWOODLENNON: Please introduce yourself! What's your background?

PAOLO AMMASSARI: Long story. Degree in Engineering. Once CEO in one of the Costa Smeralda Companies (the most important touristic European development). Town Planner & Architectural Engineering. At that time (1967) I was 29.

KL: Why were you in Bangor that August weekend in 1967?

PA: I came from Denmark, driving a German car, with other two friends: Ulla and Fabio Posada, with the purpose to join Maharishi in Bangor for a course in meditation. I started TM in 1964 and in these times I followed Him in all His steps in Europe.

KL: I believe you were designated driver for Maharishi in Bangor. How did you get the “job”?

PA: I knew Him since 1964 when I started Meditation. Because of the joy of His lectures and the happiness He was radiating I followed Him all summers He spent in Europe. So I think I earned some trust from Him.

KL: Various photos/film show you as very much part of the "inner sanctum" that weekend (ie with the Beatles in the kitchen that they used as a base of operations, in the Maharishi's room etc). How did you meet them, and how did you gain such access to them?

PA: It was really by chance, not programmed. I drove the Maharishi's car, as I told you, and I don’t remember if on the same day (as the film), or the day before, I drove the car with Maharishi (on my right hand – the car was German, I suppose) and the Four all in the back. Fantastic ! I hoped some picture was taken of that car with all those folk inside but I didn’t find any. There was also one other occasion when I drove Maharishi. Once He arrived by airplane to Rome after midnight. I went to pick Him up at the Fiumicino airport, with my sports car, and I brought Him to the hotel, where He gave some lectures and press interviews. It was strange to see a sports car with open roof with a white dressed Maharishi’s long hair and beard in the wind, in a night of June !


KL: Can you remember any specific conversations with any of them from that time?

PA: During the meeting in the small dining room of the college, with John we spoke about two points: Nazca land drawings (strange isn’t it), and about the possibility of some degree of spirituality not linked to religions. Some years later I heard “Imagine” !!!!

KL: How did the other people there for the Maharishi's talks regard the presence of the Beatles?

PA: One word - enthusiasm. Maybe too much, and I was a little worried about it. During the lecture (there are pictures of it in b&w) the hall was crowded and a few people (I remember, among others, a young man with very sincere eyes) had some questions to forward in a very sympathetic, respectful and, I can say, in an unexpected sweet way. Maharishi spoke about the way in which Transcendental Meditation drives the familiarity of the meditator to states of Transcendental Consciousness and, with the regular practice of it, to an establishment of deep Cosmic Consciousness. The audience was absolutely fascinated by the Maharishi's speech.

KL: You've no doubt seen the footage of the lecture you're talking about:

The Beatles were, fairly obviously, on the stage. What part did they play in the lecture? Did they speak at any point? Were any questions directed towards them, and if so, what?

PA: Yes I saw that film. I was there but in the back row on the right side of Maharishi, and not found in the pictures. The Beatles didn't speak, they were just listening with pleasure and attention. The audience was focused on Maharishi's speech, but the presence of the Four was giving an exceptional atmosphere of charm and joy.

KL: Do you recall anything about the news of Brian's death?

PA: Yes, they were deeply concerned at the news. They went to Maharishi and the farewell was quiet and sad.

KL: Did you subsequently keep in contact with any of them?

PA: No.

KL: Do you have any photos relating to any of the above?

PA: Unfortunately not. As I told you, many pictures were taken during the short drive from the lecture hall and the college, but I haven’t seen any. I would be pleased if you are able to find some.

KL: Many thanks to Paolo, and if anyone has, or comes across, any pictures of those car journeys with Paolo in the driver's seat, then please get in touch.

Dartmoor: Newbridge.

A while back, I was asked if I knew the location of the bridge that brought MMT to a halt. God, does it not, loves a visual metaphor, and thus the bus, together with attendant retinue, was famously stymied by a narrow crossway, with the whole shebang forced to reverse half a mile and try another route. (The stars in the above illustration represent expletives from les Fabs, who failed to see the funny side.)
Anyway, I was pleased to reply that I did not know the location, as to have that level of trivia at one's fingertips would represent a tragic waste of a life.
Appallingly, however, having since been unable to resist a rummage for the locale, the tragedy rumbles on: it turns out the offending arches belong to Newbridge on the edge of Dartmoor, a 15th century listed structure which is locally famous, being the subject of postcards and the like, as in this detail from one circa 1930s:


It even has its own Wikipedia entry, and though you'll find no mention of MMT, there is a link to the Coach Drivers' Handbook For The Dartmoor Area, which offers warnings of dire consequences to anyone in charge of a large (possibly multi-coloured) charabanc who doesn't carefully plan their route to avoid narrow medieval bridges.
(Readahs can now relive this episode in Beatles history from the comfort of their own hovels, via the medium of finding the bridge on Google Street view, then repeatedly pressing the reverse button whilst hurling profanity and fulmination at the screen.)

Kenwood: film number 9.

This is the ninth bit of film to emerge from Kenwood, by my reckoning (and lumping John's home movies in as one). The preamble outlines its origins. Obligatory "thens" have been inserted (somewhat roughly, but there we are). Much of it will be familiar to regulah readahs, though there are a few hitherto unseen nooks, not to mention crannies. All sounds are authentically Kenwood, too. I can say no more.
(Except: Happy New Year. Should be an interesting one for Beatling, as the first volume of Mark Lewisohn's enormous 3-part tome will appear; plus Lizzie Bravo's remarkable book of photos; and I remain hopeful that the 3D sunroom sees the light o' day sometime soon. One or two other things possibly on the horizon, and doubtless other "stuffs" will turn up through the year. In the meantime, enjoy this.)