John Lennon and Yoko Ono married in 1969 and, four years later, decided they needed a break from one another. They argued with a rising level of intensity and spent all of their time together. As Lennon spoke about how miserable he felt, Ono pitched a temporary separation. She shared how she brought this up to him.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon decided they needed some time apart
In 1973, Lennon and Ono’s situation became unbearable. They fought constantly and spent all of their time together. While they loved each other, they both reached breaking points. Ono said there wasn’t one big, blowout fight before they decided on a separation, though. She quietly suggested a separation when Lennon complained about feeling unhappy.
“One night John and I were lying in bed in the Dakota, and John kept saying how miserable he was, how he needed to get away,” Ono recalled...
Yoko Ono and John Lennon decided they needed some time apart
In 1973, Lennon and Ono’s situation became unbearable. They fought constantly and spent all of their time together. While they loved each other, they both reached breaking points. Ono said there wasn’t one big, blowout fight before they decided on a separation, though. She quietly suggested a separation when Lennon complained about feeling unhappy.
“One night John and I were lying in bed in the Dakota, and John kept saying how miserable he was, how he needed to get away,” Ono recalled...
- 5/23/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles were a group of four, but they required many more people behind the scenes to support them. Many, like their longtime producer George Martin, proved to be excellent connections for the band, helping them improve their music. Others were not as beneficial for the band. According to Ron Kass, the former president of Apple Records, the band trusted many people they should not have.
Those who knew The Beatles said they were not good judges of character
For much of The Beatles’ time as a band, they relied on their manager, Brian Epstein. He had concerns about their judgment when it came to other people.
“And as Brian once said, the boys were very bad judges of character,” press officer Derek Taylor said in the book All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
The Beatles | John Downing/Getty Images
After Epstein’s death,...
Those who knew The Beatles said they were not good judges of character
For much of The Beatles’ time as a band, they relied on their manager, Brian Epstein. He had concerns about their judgment when it came to other people.
“And as Brian once said, the boys were very bad judges of character,” press officer Derek Taylor said in the book All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
The Beatles | John Downing/Getty Images
After Epstein’s death,...
- 5/22/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Over the course of his life, Paul McCartney has been the subject of countless books about his life and time with The Beatles. Few upset him more than a book by longtime Beatles confidante Peter Brown. With writer Steven Gaines, Brown published The Love You Make, a book that spanned from the band’s teenage years to shortly after John Lennon’s death. McCartney took his copy of the book and burned it.
Paul McCartney felt betrayed by a book about The Beatles
In 1983, Brown and Gaines published The Love You Make, which pulled from Brown’s experiences as well as interviews with Beatles associates and the band themselves. Though many were happy to help with the book, the final product rankled. It detailed Lennon’s alleged sexual relationship with Beatles manager Brian Epstein and claimed McCartney had an illegitimate son, among other things. Brown sent out copies of the...
Paul McCartney felt betrayed by a book about The Beatles
In 1983, Brown and Gaines published The Love You Make, which pulled from Brown’s experiences as well as interviews with Beatles associates and the band themselves. Though many were happy to help with the book, the final product rankled. It detailed Lennon’s alleged sexual relationship with Beatles manager Brian Epstein and claimed McCartney had an illegitimate son, among other things. Brown sent out copies of the...
- 4/3/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In The Beatles’ touring years, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr dealt with screaming fans, natural disasters, and political unrest. The band felt exhausted and worn out by 1966, when they agreed to stop touring. This exhaustion came through during one early show, though. Harrison and Lennon were so fed up that they tried to leave in the middle of their performance.
George Harrison and John Lennon tried to leave in the middle of a concert
In 1963, The Beatles played a show at the Wimbledon Palais for their Southern Area Fan Club Convention. Beatlemania was not yet at its peak, but the band got a hint of how their future shows would go. They had mentioned liking the candy Jelly Babies, and fans began pelting them at the band during their performance. They felt boxed in, and Starr said they all began to get nervous.
“I remember we...
George Harrison and John Lennon tried to leave in the middle of a concert
In 1963, The Beatles played a show at the Wimbledon Palais for their Southern Area Fan Club Convention. Beatlemania was not yet at its peak, but the band got a hint of how their future shows would go. They had mentioned liking the candy Jelly Babies, and fans began pelting them at the band during their performance. They felt boxed in, and Starr said they all began to get nervous.
“I remember we...
- 2/2/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon proposed to his first wife, Cynthia Lennon, when he learned she was pregnant. They’d been together for years, but he hadn’t wanted to commit in that way, finding it embarrassing to have a wife and child. Even after they tied the knot, though, Lennon didn’t fully commit to her. He cheated multiple times throughout their relationship. According to those close to him, he barely even tried to hide it. His school friend said Lennon had no shame about his infidelity.
John Lennon frequently cheated on his first wife
Lennon and Cynthia married in 1962. Per the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, when their marriage ended in 1966, he admitted to her that he had cheated multiple times.
“John had confessed to dozens of infidelities committed during the eight years of their marriage, none of which she had suspected. He claimed in...
John Lennon frequently cheated on his first wife
Lennon and Cynthia married in 1962. Per the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, when their marriage ended in 1966, he admitted to her that he had cheated multiple times.
“John had confessed to dozens of infidelities committed during the eight years of their marriage, none of which she had suspected. He claimed in...
- 7/29/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
George Harrison and Pattie Boyd met on the set of A Hard Day’s Night. Resistant to go out with the Beatle at first, Boyd eventually caved to Harrison’s advances. After their first official date, it wasn’t long before the new couple decided to move into a beautiful country bungalow together.
How George Harrison met Pattie Boyd
21-year-old Harrison noticed 19-year-old Boyd on the first day of filming the Beatles movie A Hard Day’s Night. When Harrison met the model, she was blond with a round face and big blue eyes. She wore a short fur jacket and a mini skirt that showed off her long legs. According to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, Boyd remembered Harrison staring at her on that first day of shooting. At the end of the day, she asked the Beatles for autographs. Harrison happily signed his name with two kisses for her sisters.
How George Harrison met Pattie Boyd
21-year-old Harrison noticed 19-year-old Boyd on the first day of filming the Beatles movie A Hard Day’s Night. When Harrison met the model, she was blond with a round face and big blue eyes. She wore a short fur jacket and a mini skirt that showed off her long legs. According to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, Boyd remembered Harrison staring at her on that first day of shooting. At the end of the day, she asked the Beatles for autographs. Harrison happily signed his name with two kisses for her sisters.
- 7/25/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In late 1963/early 1964, the Beatles blew up in America. It wasn’t long before the group’s manager, Brian Epstein, decided the boys needed to make their way to the states. So on Feb. 7, 1964, Epstein, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and a small entourage flew to America. The Beatles were to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show. To Cynthia Lennon’s surprise, she was part of the group that accompanied the band.
Cynthia Lennon was suspicious of her invitation to America
Just before the Beatles blew up in the states, the secret that John was married had come to light. He was upset when it happened, reportedly because he thought his popularity with the fans would dim (it didn’t). So Cynthia never expected to be invited on the trip.
“Cynthia had been asked to accompany John in her official capacity as wife,” reads The Love You...
Cynthia Lennon was suspicious of her invitation to America
Just before the Beatles blew up in the states, the secret that John was married had come to light. He was upset when it happened, reportedly because he thought his popularity with the fans would dim (it didn’t). So Cynthia never expected to be invited on the trip.
“Cynthia had been asked to accompany John in her official capacity as wife,” reads The Love You...
- 7/23/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon denied the rumor that he was married for as long as he could. But one day, the paparazzi followed Cynthia Lennon to the store and hounded her about her marital status. Though she denied the rumor as well, the story that followed was the end of their marriage being a secret.
The British press found out where Cynthia lived and followed her
At the time, Cynthia and the baby were living with her mother in Hoylake. It didn’t take long for the adamant press to hunt down the Beatle’s wife’s location.
“Half a dozen of them actually slept in a car in front of the house, waiting for Cynthia to emerge,” reads The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. “She waited nearly a week before she ventured outside, when she wheeled Julian to the greengrocer in his carriage.
The British press found out where Cynthia lived and followed her
At the time, Cynthia and the baby were living with her mother in Hoylake. It didn’t take long for the adamant press to hunt down the Beatle’s wife’s location.
“Half a dozen of them actually slept in a car in front of the house, waiting for Cynthia to emerge,” reads The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. “She waited nearly a week before she ventured outside, when she wheeled Julian to the greengrocer in his carriage.
- 7/22/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Several people over the Beatles’ time together gained the title of “the fifth Beatle.” One of the first was American DJ Murray the K. Here’s how the DJ worked his way into the inner circle of the Fab Four and dubbed himself the fifth Beatle.
Murray the K was at the Beatles’ first press conference in America
After the Beatles began to blow up in America, the band’s manager Brian Epstein quickly arranged a trip for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to visit the states. Upon landing, the boys were swiftly ushered to their first big American press conference. While there, the fab four recognized Murray the K, who’s described as a “fast-talking, slightly abrasive American disc jockey” by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines in The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles. Murray was dressed in a colorful sports jacket and porkpie hat.
Murray the K was at the Beatles’ first press conference in America
After the Beatles began to blow up in America, the band’s manager Brian Epstein quickly arranged a trip for John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr to visit the states. Upon landing, the boys were swiftly ushered to their first big American press conference. While there, the fab four recognized Murray the K, who’s described as a “fast-talking, slightly abrasive American disc jockey” by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines in The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles. Murray was dressed in a colorful sports jacket and porkpie hat.
- 7/21/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Ringo Starr married his first wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett (originally Cox) in 1965. They were married for 10 years. Here’s the story of how they met.
Ringo was engaged to another woman before Maureen
Before Ringo got together with Maureen, he actually got engaged to a woman named Geraldine. Though, they eventually decided to break off the engagement. When Starr was with Geraldine, he became aware of Maureen Cox, who was going out with the Rory Storm (the band Ringo was in at the time) guitarist Johnny “Guitar.” But because they were both with other people at the time, Starr didn’t make a point to speak to her.
The day Ringo met Maureen
Back then, Maureen was an assistant hairdresser at a beauty salon called Ashley Du Pre’s. Ringo noticed her standing in a crowd of girls in front of the Cavern Club one day as he drove around in his new car,...
Ringo was engaged to another woman before Maureen
Before Ringo got together with Maureen, he actually got engaged to a woman named Geraldine. Though, they eventually decided to break off the engagement. When Starr was with Geraldine, he became aware of Maureen Cox, who was going out with the Rory Storm (the band Ringo was in at the time) guitarist Johnny “Guitar.” But because they were both with other people at the time, Starr didn’t make a point to speak to her.
The day Ringo met Maureen
Back then, Maureen was an assistant hairdresser at a beauty salon called Ashley Du Pre’s. Ringo noticed her standing in a crowd of girls in front of the Cavern Club one day as he drove around in his new car,...
- 7/16/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney and Jane Asher dated for five years. For about three of those years, the Beatle lived with his girlfriend and her family. He adored their family dynamic. Shacking up with his then-girlfriend was a distinct pleasure that broadened the musician’s horizons.
How Paul McCartney started living at Jane Asher’s family home
At the beginning of their relationship, McCartney would always check himself into a hotel after visiting with Asher and her family or rush off to catch a flight out of Heathrow for Liverpool. But he hardly stayed over.
“One night, when he missed his flight, Mrs. Asher graciously offered the guest room to Paul, just a flight of stairs away from where Jane slept,” reads The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. “It was, after all, foolish of him to rent hotel rooms in London all the time.
How Paul McCartney started living at Jane Asher’s family home
At the beginning of their relationship, McCartney would always check himself into a hotel after visiting with Asher and her family or rush off to catch a flight out of Heathrow for Liverpool. But he hardly stayed over.
“One night, when he missed his flight, Mrs. Asher graciously offered the guest room to Paul, just a flight of stairs away from where Jane slept,” reads The Love You Make: An Insider’s Story of The Beatles by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. “It was, after all, foolish of him to rent hotel rooms in London all the time.
- 7/15/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Even in the beginning, the Beatles were hugely popular. Though it seemed they were popular everywhere but London. They experienced enormous recording success, sold-out concerts, and crazed fans wherever they went. And yet, the London press hardly covered them and they couldn’t book any of the big theaters in the city. Beatles manager Brian Epstein had a theory as to why.
The Grade Brothers
Epstein believed he and the Beatles were being blacklisted by three brothers: Lew and Leslie Grade, and Bernard Delfont. The Grades were highly involved and influential in the English entertainment business.
Lew Grade, who later became Lord Grade, owned the Associated Television Corporation, Britain’s largest independent producer of TV programs. He personally produced the UK’s most popular variety show, Sunday Night at the Palladium. For an act to gain national recognition at the time, it was crucial they appear on Snatp.
Leslie Grade...
The Grade Brothers
Epstein believed he and the Beatles were being blacklisted by three brothers: Lew and Leslie Grade, and Bernard Delfont. The Grades were highly involved and influential in the English entertainment business.
Lew Grade, who later became Lord Grade, owned the Associated Television Corporation, Britain’s largest independent producer of TV programs. He personally produced the UK’s most popular variety show, Sunday Night at the Palladium. For an act to gain national recognition at the time, it was crucial they appear on Snatp.
Leslie Grade...
- 7/14/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
One of the first girls Paul McCartney ever dated as The Beatles rose to fame was Jane Asher. Here’s the story of how the musician and actress met.
Jane Asher was an accomplished actor when she met Paul McCartney
Before Asher, McCartney dated his fair share of Beatles super fans. But no one he shared a serious connection with. Asher was different. At 17, when the two met, she still lived at home with her wealthy parents, a psychiatrist and professional musician, according to the Beatles biography The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. Before the Beatles, McCartney probably wouldn’t have had a chance with a girl like Asher.
While McCartney was part of one of the most popular bands of the day with his star only rising, Asher was by no means a nobody when she met the Beatle.
Asher appeared in her first film at the age of five.
Jane Asher was an accomplished actor when she met Paul McCartney
Before Asher, McCartney dated his fair share of Beatles super fans. But no one he shared a serious connection with. Asher was different. At 17, when the two met, she still lived at home with her wealthy parents, a psychiatrist and professional musician, according to the Beatles biography The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. Before the Beatles, McCartney probably wouldn’t have had a chance with a girl like Asher.
While McCartney was part of one of the most popular bands of the day with his star only rising, Asher was by no means a nobody when she met the Beatle.
Asher appeared in her first film at the age of five.
- 7/2/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon had a famously violent temper. At Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party, he nearly beat his friend, Bob Wooler, a DJ who helped the Beatles take off, to death after he suggested that Lennon had a romantic relationship with Brian Epstein, the Beatles’ manager.
Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party
McCartney’s birthday was held at his aunt Gin’s house in Birkenhead, in an effort to avoid the swarms of Beatles fans who’d taken to staking out McCartney and the rest of the bands’ houses.
In addition to celebrating McCartney’s birthday, the party also celebrated the new immense success of the Beatles. It was a lively affair that brought together a large group of people who had been a part of the band’s coming out. On the guest list included Wooler, a DJ who had been instrumental in spreading the word of the Beatles...
Paul McCartney’s 21st birthday party
McCartney’s birthday was held at his aunt Gin’s house in Birkenhead, in an effort to avoid the swarms of Beatles fans who’d taken to staking out McCartney and the rest of the bands’ houses.
In addition to celebrating McCartney’s birthday, the party also celebrated the new immense success of the Beatles. It was a lively affair that brought together a large group of people who had been a part of the band’s coming out. On the guest list included Wooler, a DJ who had been instrumental in spreading the word of the Beatles...
- 6/18/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When George Harrison started playing music with John Lennon, he was 15 years old. Cynthia Lennon (Powell at the time), John’s then-girlfriend, was about 20. She thought of him as an annoying kid brother. When she got her appendix removed, he was the last person she wanted to see in her hospital room.
Out of all of John’s friends, Cynthia like George the least
According to the Beatles biography The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, George was “the friend of John’s that Cynthia liked the least.” He had a way of annoying her. A big part of that was the amount of attention he gave to John.
“Slight and pale, he had his fair share of adolescent pimples,” reads Tlym. “More private than actually shy, it was obvious that George idolized John and did everything he could to emulate him.”
With his long hair, pointy shoes,...
Out of all of John’s friends, Cynthia like George the least
According to the Beatles biography The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, George was “the friend of John’s that Cynthia liked the least.” He had a way of annoying her. A big part of that was the amount of attention he gave to John.
“Slight and pale, he had his fair share of adolescent pimples,” reads Tlym. “More private than actually shy, it was obvious that George idolized John and did everything he could to emulate him.”
With his long hair, pointy shoes,...
- 6/17/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Though John Lennon’s mother wasn’t around for much of his childhood, they’d become close in his teen years. He was in a band called the Quarrymen (along with Paul McCartney) at the time of his mother’s death. Just months prior, he had told McCartney: “How can you sit there and act normal with your mother dead? If anything like that happened to me, I’d go off me head.” Then Julia Lennon was hit by a car driven by an off-duty police officer. After that, Lennon did all but lose his head.
John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images How John Lennon’s mother died
In 1958, Lennon was still living mostly with his Aunt Mimi, but staying at his mother’s house sometimes as well. One evening when John was out with a friend, Julia came over to her sister’s for dinner. She left to catch the bus around twilight.
John Lennon | Michael Putland/Getty Images How John Lennon’s mother died
In 1958, Lennon was still living mostly with his Aunt Mimi, but staying at his mother’s house sometimes as well. One evening when John was out with a friend, Julia came over to her sister’s for dinner. She left to catch the bus around twilight.
- 5/26/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Paul McCartney is certainly used to receiving VIP treatment now. But he actually popped out of the womb in a room that was better than all the others at Walton General Hospital. Here’s the story of McCartney’s birth as well as a look at who his parents were.
Paul McCartney with his wife Linda, father James, and stepmother Angela | Michael Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images Who were Paul McCartney’s parents?
Paul’s father was James McCartney, a musician and ladies man until he decided to settle down at the age of 39. During the day, Jim was a salesman at the Cotton Exchange. But at night and on weekends, he was the leader of a well-known Liverpool swing band called the Jim Mac Jazz Band.
McCartney’s mother was Mary Patricia Mohin, who was “a good Irish Catholic girl who was a trained nurse and midwife,” according to...
Paul McCartney with his wife Linda, father James, and stepmother Angela | Michael Fresco/Evening Standard/Getty Images Who were Paul McCartney’s parents?
Paul’s father was James McCartney, a musician and ladies man until he decided to settle down at the age of 39. During the day, Jim was a salesman at the Cotton Exchange. But at night and on weekends, he was the leader of a well-known Liverpool swing band called the Jim Mac Jazz Band.
McCartney’s mother was Mary Patricia Mohin, who was “a good Irish Catholic girl who was a trained nurse and midwife,” according to...
- 5/7/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When John Lennon was in his late teenage years, he had one thing on his mind and one thing only — rock and roll. He was obsessed with music, Elvis in particular, and getting his hands on a guitar. Here’s the story of his first guitar, and the story of his first group, the Quarrymen.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images John Lennon’s Aunt Mimi broke down and bought him a guitar
As soon as the Elvis craze got to Liverpool, Lennon was bought in. It was all he wanted to talk about at his Aunt’s house (where he grew up) and his mother and stepfather’s house. Mimi quickly grew weary of all the Elvis talk.
“Elvis Presley’s all very well, John, but I don’t want him for breakfast, dinner and tea,” she told him, according to the book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
- 4/30/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cynthia Powell (her maiden name before she married the Beatle) and John Lennon never had a breezy relationship. From the beginning, Lennon had erratic behavior, teasing his peers and causing trouble at college. Before John and Cynthia made things official, Cynthia’s friends tried to warn her that the musician was trouble.
John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon | Evening Standard/Getty Images Cynthia’s girlfriends didn’t approve of John Lennon
Cynthia’s friends were familiar with John’s behavior at school, where he would make fun of both his teachers and peers. He was so distracting and mean-spirited that it wasn’t unusual for teachers to refuse him entrance into their classes.
The book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines describes the warnings Cynthia received from friends about dating John: “You must be out of your mind; he’s a nutcase; you’ll get nothing but...
John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon | Evening Standard/Getty Images Cynthia’s girlfriends didn’t approve of John Lennon
Cynthia’s friends were familiar with John’s behavior at school, where he would make fun of both his teachers and peers. He was so distracting and mean-spirited that it wasn’t unusual for teachers to refuse him entrance into their classes.
The book The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines describes the warnings Cynthia received from friends about dating John: “You must be out of your mind; he’s a nutcase; you’ll get nothing but...
- 4/29/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon’s parents met at a park one afternoon. Lennon’s mother (Julia) made fun of his father (Freddie)’s hat and the rest was history. But when Julia got pregnant and eventually gave birth to John, Freddie was off at sea, only to return when John was five. And when Freddie returned, he had plans to leave again, this time with John.
Nine-year-old John Lennon and mother Julia Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images John Lennon’s father showed up after being gone for five years
When Fred finally arrived home, he explained his five-year absence. He claimed he’d gotten drunk at a stopover in New York and didn’t make it back before the ship left dock, according to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. He was arrested and then remanded to a ship heading to North Africa. On that ship, he was...
Nine-year-old John Lennon and mother Julia Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images John Lennon’s father showed up after being gone for five years
When Fred finally arrived home, he explained his five-year absence. He claimed he’d gotten drunk at a stopover in New York and didn’t make it back before the ship left dock, according to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines. He was arrested and then remanded to a ship heading to North Africa. On that ship, he was...
- 4/29/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon lived a majority of his childhood not really knowing his mother. She’d come by every now and then. But she was always in such a state that young John felt nervous to be around her. However, in his later teenage years, she established more of a presence in her son’s life. And, as it turned out, John was a chip off the ol’ block.
Nine-year-old John Lennon and mother Julia Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images John Lennon’s complicated upbringing
When John’s mother, Julia, gave birth to him, his father, Fred, was out at sea. And he didn’t return for five more years. When Fred did eventually come home, he tried to run away with John to New Zealand. But Julia stopped him just in time. After lots of arguing about who should keep John, the parents decided to let little John choose. He...
Nine-year-old John Lennon and mother Julia Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images John Lennon’s complicated upbringing
When John’s mother, Julia, gave birth to him, his father, Fred, was out at sea. And he didn’t return for five more years. When Fred did eventually come home, he tried to run away with John to New Zealand. But Julia stopped him just in time. After lots of arguing about who should keep John, the parents decided to let little John choose. He...
- 4/25/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
When Cynthia Powell first met John Lennon, she wasn’t impressed. In fact, she was turned off by his rude, boyish behavior. But she eventually fell for the future Beatle and did what she could to woo him. Part of their origin story, though, is a lie she told him after he asked her to dance.
Cynthia and John Lennon | Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Cynthia Powell’s first impression of John Lennon
The two both attended Liverpool Art College, where they met. When Cynthia first got acquainted with John, she brushed him off as not her type. He didn’t look like the clean-cut boys she was used to, and his behavior was devilish.
“His outspoken comments and caustic wit were alarming: I was terrified he might turn on me, and he soon did, calling me ‘Miss Prim’ or ‘Miss Powell’ and taking the mickey out of...
Cynthia and John Lennon | Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Cynthia Powell’s first impression of John Lennon
The two both attended Liverpool Art College, where they met. When Cynthia first got acquainted with John, she brushed him off as not her type. He didn’t look like the clean-cut boys she was used to, and his behavior was devilish.
“His outspoken comments and caustic wit were alarming: I was terrified he might turn on me, and he soon did, calling me ‘Miss Prim’ or ‘Miss Powell’ and taking the mickey out of...
- 4/24/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Cynthia Powell and John Lennon met when they were in art college. They fell in love and were married for six years. Two years prior to the end of their marriage, John met artist Yoko Ono, who began pursuing him passionately. John and Cynthia’s marriage ended after Cynthia found John at home with Yoko. That night, the scorned wife slept with one of John’s best friends, Yannis Alexis Mardas (aka Magic Alex). Or did she? It depends who you ask.
Cynthia and John Lennon | Ncj-Topix/Ncj Archive/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Cynthia Lennon discovered John with Yoko after a trip with Magic Alex
Cynthia Lennon went on a two-week trip to Greece with “Magic Alex” (who earned his nickname thanks to his electronics wizardry) and Jenny Boyd, whose sister Pattie was then married to George Harrison.
When the three of them arrived at John and Cynthia’s home at Kenwood,...
Cynthia and John Lennon | Ncj-Topix/Ncj Archive/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Cynthia Lennon discovered John with Yoko after a trip with Magic Alex
Cynthia Lennon went on a two-week trip to Greece with “Magic Alex” (who earned his nickname thanks to his electronics wizardry) and Jenny Boyd, whose sister Pattie was then married to George Harrison.
When the three of them arrived at John and Cynthia’s home at Kenwood,...
- 4/23/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Before John Lennon fell in love with Yoko Ono (or perhaps in the midst of it), it was a private joke between him and his first wife Cynthia how eccentric and crazed the artist appeared to them. Here are some of the drastic measures Yoko took to gain John’s attention.
Cynthia and John Lennon | Jangs/Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Yoko Ono would show up at the Apple offices and Abbey Road recording studios demanding to see John Lennon
After Yoko and John first met at an art exhibit, the artist repeatedly tried to get in contact with the Beatle. Shortly after their meeting, John began supporting Yoko’s art financially. Cynthia worried this would encourage Yoko to ask for more, and it did.
One day, she showed up at the Apple offices and demanded to speak to John. When she was told that the Beatle was hardly ever at the office,...
Cynthia and John Lennon | Jangs/Daily Herald/Mirrorpix via Getty Images Yoko Ono would show up at the Apple offices and Abbey Road recording studios demanding to see John Lennon
After Yoko and John first met at an art exhibit, the artist repeatedly tried to get in contact with the Beatle. Shortly after their meeting, John began supporting Yoko’s art financially. Cynthia worried this would encourage Yoko to ask for more, and it did.
One day, she showed up at the Apple offices and demanded to speak to John. When she was told that the Beatle was hardly ever at the office,...
- 4/22/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia got together when they were teenagers. When The Beatles blew up, both of their lives changed forever. There was no going back. And at some point in the midst of the newfound chaos of being famous, John began to stray from his teenage sweetheart with a groupie or two… or 300.
Cynthia and John Lennon | Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images John Lennon reportedly confessed to cheating on first wife Cynthia with 300 women
There always seemed to be women vying for John, and that only magnified times 10 when he became famous. Everyone from groupies to actors to journalists had taken their shots with the Beatle. According to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, only a few weeks prior to Cynthia discovering John with Yoko in their home he had confessed to all of his infidelities.
“John had confessed to...
Cynthia and John Lennon | Douglas Miller/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images John Lennon reportedly confessed to cheating on first wife Cynthia with 300 women
There always seemed to be women vying for John, and that only magnified times 10 when he became famous. Everyone from groupies to actors to journalists had taken their shots with the Beatle. According to The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, only a few weeks prior to Cynthia discovering John with Yoko in their home he had confessed to all of his infidelities.
“John had confessed to...
- 4/22/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Beatles got so big, so famous, that it started making some members of the band nervous. George Harrison was among the musicians who grew wary of the hysteria that surrounded himself, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and Paul McCartney.
George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The one-sided relationship between The Beatles and their fans
Though Harrison, Lennon, Starr, and McCartney gained fame and fortune through the rise of the Beatles, they gave up a lot, too — privacy, security, peace. Harrison felt the relationship between the band and their fans became “very one-sided.”
“The people gave their money and they gave their screams, but the Beatles gave their nervous systems, which is a much more difficult thing to give,” he said, as reported in The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
We love you, George. pic.twitter.com/NqJ36rnMKC
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) February 25, 2023 George Harrison worried...
George Harrison | Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images The one-sided relationship between The Beatles and their fans
Though Harrison, Lennon, Starr, and McCartney gained fame and fortune through the rise of the Beatles, they gave up a lot, too — privacy, security, peace. Harrison felt the relationship between the band and their fans became “very one-sided.”
“The people gave their money and they gave their screams, but the Beatles gave their nervous systems, which is a much more difficult thing to give,” he said, as reported in The Love You Make by Peter Brown and Steven Gaines.
We love you, George. pic.twitter.com/NqJ36rnMKC
— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) February 25, 2023 George Harrison worried...
- 4/19/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Cynthia Lennon got together when they were teenagers, before John blew up from Beatle fame. Though John had been unfaithful throughout their time together, it was when Cynthia walked in on John and Yoko Ono that put a definitive end to their marriage. Here’s what happened that day.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images Cynthia found John with Yoko after arriving home from vacation
Cynthia had suspicions about Yoko, but she wasn’t sure about them until she walked into her and John’s kitchen after returning home from a vacation to find her sitting with her husband on the floor amidst piles of dirty dishes. It was May 1968.
Cynthia had been on a two-week vacation in Greece with one of John’s friends nicknamed “Magic Alex” thanks to his electronics wizardry and Jenny Boyd, whose sister Pattie was then married to George Harrison.
Yoko Ono and John Lennon | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images Cynthia found John with Yoko after arriving home from vacation
Cynthia had suspicions about Yoko, but she wasn’t sure about them until she walked into her and John’s kitchen after returning home from a vacation to find her sitting with her husband on the floor amidst piles of dirty dishes. It was May 1968.
Cynthia had been on a two-week vacation in Greece with one of John’s friends nicknamed “Magic Alex” thanks to his electronics wizardry and Jenny Boyd, whose sister Pattie was then married to George Harrison.
- 4/17/2023
- by Kelsey Goeres
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Writers Guild of America revealed nominations Thursday in television, new media, news, radio/audio and promotional categories for the 2022 WGA Awards, which are scheduled to take place Sunday, March 20 hosted by the WGA West and WGA East.
Nominees in the marquee TV categories include reigning Comedy Series winners Ted Lasso from Apple TV+, with newcomers to the list including several shows with multiple noms: HBO Max’s Emmy winner Hacks, Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and Disney+’s Marvel series Loki. That group along with FX’s Reservation Dogs comprise the awards’ New Series nominees list.
The wide-ranging list also includes noms for Netflix’s Maid and Midnight Mass, HBO’s critically lauded The White Lotus and Emmy winner Mare of Easttown, Amazon Prime Video’s The Underground Railroad and Disney+’s WandaVision in the longform categories.
Other notables: noms for Taylor Sheridan’s...
Nominees in the marquee TV categories include reigning Comedy Series winners Ted Lasso from Apple TV+, with newcomers to the list including several shows with multiple noms: HBO Max’s Emmy winner Hacks, Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and Disney+’s Marvel series Loki. That group along with FX’s Reservation Dogs comprise the awards’ New Series nominees list.
The wide-ranging list also includes noms for Netflix’s Maid and Midnight Mass, HBO’s critically lauded The White Lotus and Emmy winner Mare of Easttown, Amazon Prime Video’s The Underground Railroad and Disney+’s WandaVision in the longform categories.
Other notables: noms for Taylor Sheridan’s...
- 1/13/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Ewan McGregor has won the Emmy Award for lead actor in a limited series for his role in the Netflix show “Halston.”
McGregor beat out an impressive list of competitors in the category including: Paul Bettany for the Disney Plus-Marvel Studios series “WandaVision,” Hugh Grant for HBO’s “The Undoing,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. for Disney Plus’ filmed version of “Hamilton.”
In his acceptance speech, McGregor thanked the cast and crew of the show.
“I just want to thank our crew first of all because like so many people have said tonight, we shot through the pandemic in New York City and through everybody’s professionalism and passion, kept us all safe. And so we couldn’t have done it without you,” McGregor said. “Ryan Murphy, thanks for championing ‘Halston’ and bringing it to Netflix. Thank you to Netflix.”
This is McGregor’s fourth Emmy nomination overall and his first win.
McGregor beat out an impressive list of competitors in the category including: Paul Bettany for the Disney Plus-Marvel Studios series “WandaVision,” Hugh Grant for HBO’s “The Undoing,” and Lin-Manuel Miranda and Leslie Odom Jr. for Disney Plus’ filmed version of “Hamilton.”
In his acceptance speech, McGregor thanked the cast and crew of the show.
“I just want to thank our crew first of all because like so many people have said tonight, we shot through the pandemic in New York City and through everybody’s professionalism and passion, kept us all safe. And so we couldn’t have done it without you,” McGregor said. “Ryan Murphy, thanks for championing ‘Halston’ and bringing it to Netflix. Thank you to Netflix.”
This is McGregor’s fourth Emmy nomination overall and his first win.
- 9/20/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Photo: ‘Halston’/Netflix Spoiler Alert – This article spills the hidden greatness within Halston’s life story in ‘Halston;’ watch the series or spoil all of the good stuff by continuing to read. Episode One: Becoming 'Halston' Episode Description: “Looking to reinvent himself, Halston sets out to create a signature look, assembling a design team and finding inspiration in new friend Liza Minnelli.” ‘Halston’ is directed by Daniel Minahan, who also worked on ‘American Crime Story,’ which dictated the true story on crimes and criminals within the high-fashion brand Versace. Considering this, I could not think of anyone more fitting to direct a series dictating an individual’s life in the fashion industry who found Versace to be a competitor alongside their brand. ‘Halston’ is written by Ian Brennan (‘Glee’), Ryan Murphy (‘American Horror Story’), and Ted Malawer (‘Fallen’), and based on the book ‘Simply Halston’ by Steven Gaines. Looking at this crew of individuals alone,...
- 5/17/2021
- by Isabella Brownlee
- Hollywood Insider - Substance & Meaningful Entertainment
(Some light spoilers ahead for the fourth episode of “Halston” on Netflix)
The new Ryan Murphy-produced Netflix show “Halston” is quite a thing to behold, with a hugely entertaining five episodes full of fun, gossipy material. The show is salacious enough that Roy Halston Frowick’s family has already disavowed it as “an inaccurate, fictionalized account” — though they might just be making that claim because while the series clearly holds Halston in reverence, it doesn’t shy away from his warts.
One example of those warts is the show’s depiction of Halston’s cocaine habit. Over the course of those five episodes, Halston develops a “Scarface”- level obsession with the drug. At one point, Halston demands his assistant Sassy get more coke after they ran out — in reply, Sassy complains that they ran through a two-week supply in two days.
One of my favorite bits of the...
The new Ryan Murphy-produced Netflix show “Halston” is quite a thing to behold, with a hugely entertaining five episodes full of fun, gossipy material. The show is salacious enough that Roy Halston Frowick’s family has already disavowed it as “an inaccurate, fictionalized account” — though they might just be making that claim because while the series clearly holds Halston in reverence, it doesn’t shy away from his warts.
One example of those warts is the show’s depiction of Halston’s cocaine habit. Over the course of those five episodes, Halston develops a “Scarface”- level obsession with the drug. At one point, Halston demands his assistant Sassy get more coke after they ran out — in reply, Sassy complains that they ran through a two-week supply in two days.
One of my favorite bits of the...
- 5/15/2021
- by Phil Owen
- The Wrap
Tuning into Netflix's Halston, you might be able to tell that the fashion designer Halston, portrayed by Ewan McGregor, has a bit of a thing for orchid flowers. When his assistant tells him to cut down on orchids to save money, Halston simply replies that orchids are part of his process. Did the real Halston enjoy orchids just as much, or is this quirk merely an onscreen exaggeration? The truth is yes, Halston did love these delicate flowers! The reason isn't super grandiose, though. Halston's biographer, Steven Gaines, has suggested that the fashion designer loved orchids simply because his mentor Charles James also appreciated these flowers.
The namesake of the Netflix miniseries had a taste for luxury. Not only did he insist on gowns made from cashmere, but he also kept fresh orchids in his office every day, even if doing so meant spending extravagantly. And clearly, Halston spent...
The namesake of the Netflix miniseries had a taste for luxury. Not only did he insist on gowns made from cashmere, but he also kept fresh orchids in his office every day, even if doing so meant spending extravagantly. And clearly, Halston spent...
- 5/14/2021
- by Stacey Nguyen
- Popsugar.com
On Monday, representatives for the Halston Archives and Family slammed Netflix’s anticipated drama Halston, calling it “an inaccurate, fictionalized account.”
“The Halston Archives and Family were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series,” they said in a statement released via PR Newswire. “The Halston Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects.”
Scheduled to debut on May 14, Halston tells the story of the iconic American fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick (Ewan McGregor), who achieved international fame in the 1970s. The miniseries, based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Gaines, is executive produced by McGregor, Sharr White, and Ryan Murphy, along with Ian Brennan, Pamela Koffler, Eric Kovtun, Alexis Martin Woodall, Daniel Minahan and Christine Vachon.
“The Halston Archives and Family were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series,” they said in a statement released via PR Newswire. “The Halston Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects.”
Scheduled to debut on May 14, Halston tells the story of the iconic American fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick (Ewan McGregor), who achieved international fame in the 1970s. The miniseries, based on the book Simply Halston by Steven Gaines, is executive produced by McGregor, Sharr White, and Ryan Murphy, along with Ian Brennan, Pamela Koffler, Eric Kovtun, Alexis Martin Woodall, Daniel Minahan and Christine Vachon.
- 5/12/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The family of late fashion designer Roy Halston Frowick, professionally known as Halston, has issued a statement against Netflix’s upcoming series based on his life, calling it “inaccurate” and “fictionalized.”
“The Halston Archives and Family were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series involving an inaccurate, fictionalized account of famed fashion designer, ‘Halston,'” the family said in a statement to the Associated Press. “The Halston Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects.”
Lesley Frowick, director of the Halston Archives and Halston’s niece, told Variety that the family was “never contacted” about the series, and were “collectively disappointed” by its production.
“I would like to let you know that in no way was the Halston family ever contacted about this production,” Frowick wrote in a statement to Variety. “Halston’s...
“The Halston Archives and Family were not consulted on the upcoming Netflix series involving an inaccurate, fictionalized account of famed fashion designer, ‘Halston,'” the family said in a statement to the Associated Press. “The Halston Archives remains the only definitive and comprehensive source on the man and his legacy as the personally appointed custodian of his private papers and effects.”
Lesley Frowick, director of the Halston Archives and Halston’s niece, told Variety that the family was “never contacted” about the series, and were “collectively disappointed” by its production.
“I would like to let you know that in no way was the Halston family ever contacted about this production,” Frowick wrote in a statement to Variety. “Halston’s...
- 5/11/2021
- by Ellise Shafer and Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
"Halston" is the new limited TV miniseries based on the book "Simply Halston" by Steven Gaines, starring Ewan McGregor as late fashion designer Roy 'Halston' Frowick, streaming May 14, 2021 on Netflix:
"...legendary fashion designer 'Halston' (McGregor), leverages his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that's synonymous...
"...with luxury, sex, status and fame, literally defining the era he lives in, 1970's and '80's New York — until a hostile takeover..."
Click the images to enlarge...
"...legendary fashion designer 'Halston' (McGregor), leverages his single, invented name into a worldwide fashion empire that's synonymous...
"...with luxury, sex, status and fame, literally defining the era he lives in, 1970's and '80's New York — until a hostile takeover..."
Click the images to enlarge...
- 4/26/2021
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The Hamptons aren't just about beach books. To benefit the East Hampton Library, about 80 writers - including E.L. Doctorow, Marie Brenner, Malachy McCourt, Steven Gaines, Barbara Goldsmith, Alec Baldwin and Jay McInerney - will gather there for cocktails tomorrow before splitting off for 22 dinner parties at nearby houses. Alec Kuczynski and Charles Stevenson are hosting 18 guests in honor of Vanity Fair's Doug Stumpf. Lawyer Tom Twomey...
- 8/8/2008
- NYPost.com
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