Beatles Thoughts

As i'm currently working on a large Beatles collage ( for the Art Aqua show in September ) , little stories, personal observations, out-takes and so forth occur to me . Here are a few, which may form the basis of a text commentary for the collage, when on display.

Eamonn Andrews show, '69/70 ?
Yehudi Menuhin: " Do you believe in God John ? "
John Lennon: " Well Yehudi, it all depends what you mean by 'in'. "

Ollie Halsall recounted this episode to me some years ago. No way of corroborating the story ,as both Ollie and john are.......elsewhere.
One day john went to see Lew Grade.
" Hi Lew "
" Come in John, what do have for me ? "
" I gotta new song." Proceeds to play it on acoustic guitar.
sings, " I once had a girl , or should i say she once had me..........isn't it good, knowin' she would." ( repeats the line at the end of each verse ). Lew grade listens attentively, then says. " Beautiful song John, but i don't think we can use it, with that line '....knowing she would. ' . Just too suggestive ! "
John shrugs his shoulders, leaves. Five minutes later, he knocks on Lew's door again.
" Hi John "
" Hi Lew, i got another song."
" i once had a girl...........isn't it good Norwegian Wood. "

Another talk show, early 70s : " John , what does 'death' mean to you ? "
John ; " Death's just gettin' outa one car and gettin' into another."
Prophetic words, as that's how he died. Getting out of his limousine at the Dakota, getting shot, then taken in a police car to hospital. I read that the cop said to john as he was bleeding to death on the back seat, " Are you John Lennon? "
John replied " Yeah." His last word.

In 'Back in the U.S.S.R, i heard " An overweighted paper bag was on my knee.......... " & always sang that line with the band. Then one day , to my astonishment, i read the lyrics, and find out i'd gotten it wrong, for 30 years or so. The line is, " On the way the paper bag was on my knee..." I prefer my line !
Photo captions :
1. Dakota Building, Central Park. 1908
2. Portrait of John, by Andrew Maclear . ( see more 'Rock'n Roll' photos at andrewmaclear.com )
3. Pre-Beatles
4. Crumpled John and Yoko. December 1980
5. Beatles bonfire.

" John, do you consider Ringo to be the best drummer in the world."
" He's not even the best drummer in the group ! "

When i was at Leeds College of Art ( '67/70 ) , a fellow student friend was asked to paint paul McCartney's piano in psychedelic patterns. John had just had his Rolls painted in ludicrously garish colours. So, my friend ( so long ago, i don't remember his name ), went along to Paul's place in St John's Wood, with his gear. I should add that he was a complete Beatles freak. Totally in awe. He was ushered into the music room , to survey the scene. After a few moments of gazing at te piano, he became aware of a seated figure in the corner of the room, reading 'The Times'. The newspaper was held high, obscuring the identity of the reader. Being completely humbled by the auspicious surroundings, my nameless friend started to make a few notes. After several minutes, the newspaper gradually lowered, to reveal John, smiling broadly. John then said slowly with emphasis on each syllable, " You think i'm peculiar, don't you ! " . " Not at all . " came the stuttering response. John's eyes widened.
" Yes you do. You think i'm peculiar ! "