“You know, I think he would like it. In fact I said to them I hope somebody does this to all my crap demos when I’m dead… make them into hit songs”
With thanks to Joe Wisbey from the Beatles Books Podcast
“In May 1964, they shared their first screen kiss in a BBC TV special, performing a scene from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It’s the kind of video nugget that fans like me used to shell out stupid bootleg money for; now it’s one click away for anyone with a phone. It’s bracing to see how mirthfully they act out the Pyramus and Thisbe scene. Paul is the boy; John plays the boy playing the girl, in a dress and a blond wig. (…) John and Paul rave about how pretty they both are—“ these lily lips, that cherry nose!”— and snuggle up for the death scene”
- Rob Sheffield, Dreaming The Beatles
Note: in the video, they really don’t kiss… but i sure wish they had. Ha!Anyway, you can see the video here. Many thanks to @pivoinesque @vairemelde and @amoralto for helping me with a couple of questions I had about this quote. Apparently, in theatre, when a man and a woman touched palms it was considered a kiss. But what Rob probably meant with “their first kiss” was just a lyrical play of words. So, many thanks to those three blogs for helping me out with this.
Question: So tonight you're on stage with your brother.
Noel: Unfortunately, yes.
Question: Unfortunately. You don't like each other very much.
Noel: No.
Question: Is there anything you like about your brother? Anything?
Noel: There's lots of things I like about his personality, but he doesn't like me.
Question: Do you know why?
Noel: Uuuhm...
Question: Have you ever talked to him about it?
Noel: I don't know. You'd have to speak to him. But I know he doesn't like me. He insults me all the time.
Question: But you like him.
Noel: There's certain aspects of him that I like.
Question: What kind of aspects?
Noel: HE WEARS CRAZY SHOES
Question: Ah. Anything else?
Noel: He has crazy hair.
Question: And what's that got to do with his personality?
Noel: They're just things I find attractive in men.
Russel Brand show February 2009
John and Paul during the Beatles press conference in Atlantic City (September 9, 1964)
John Lennon’s public reaction to Brian Epstein’s death (1967)
Paul’s message to his most loyal Spotify listeners, 2023
“I luv ya. And…you love me! So, thanks a lot”
it'll pass
When the Beatles were told to help decorate the Casbah Club, owned by Mona Best (Pete Best’s mother), John Lennon — as he finished painting the room he was assigned to paint [the Aztec Room] — decided to carve his name into the wall as a way to sign his “work of art”. He was caught by Mrs. Best, however, and received a whack on the back of his head as a punishment; but nobody covered it up and it’s still there to this day.
Some time later, when the Casbah was expanding itself, the Beatles were again asked to help with the painting of a new room [the Spider Room]. John decided to carve his name once again into the ceiling, adding a sarcastic little “I’m back” to his signature this time
“Cynthia Lennon is a goddess, you know. Paul is a god. Aren’t I lucky to have such a religion?”
— John Lennon when asked about religion after his comment on Christianity. (via amclennonblog)