DM's Beatles forums

Solo forums => John Lennon => Topic started by: Nada Surf on January 01, 2012, 10:43:25 PM

Title: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 01, 2012, 10:43:25 PM
Have any of you read Fred Seamann's book?
I thought it was riveting.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 16, 2012, 04:40:46 PM
You won't know about Lennon until you read this book...
Even Tony Bramwell highly endorsed this book.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Normandie on January 16, 2012, 07:54:24 PM

I haven't had the chance to check it out yet. I've fallen a bit behind on my Beatles reading. Thanks for the heads-up!
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: dylanjohn on January 22, 2012, 02:14:51 PM
As I said on this forum before this book is great.  I got blasted because of the hatred for Fred on here, but this book
is the best insight into John's final years.  All the personal stories are so interesting.  You really feel like you are there
with him. 

Fred may have made mistakes, but he did give us this wonderful book.  I'd like to hear more from him sometime on those final years.
Few people sans Yoko knew John best those final 2 years.

Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 22, 2012, 06:37:54 PM
I delayed reading this book because I thought for sure it was just a bunch of BS and a shot for this guy to cash in.
Then I started thinking: Who tells more BS than Yoko Ono? EVerything she says is total BS and motivated ONLY to keep John's legacy up, which is all she has. May Pang does the same...
Then I saw a few positive reviews and even though Seamann stole the diaries (which he was told to do by Lennon and it could be true), he NEVER capitalized on them. They were taken by a friend of his and THAT friend capitalized.
After reading the book, I concluded that Seamann really liked Lennon and visa versa and he would not have deliberately tarnished Lennon's name. The book, however, does a great job of tarnishing Yoko's image, which is quite a bit likely to be 100 percent accurate.
Tony Bramwell was one of many of Lennon's friends who were shut out by Yoko. So was Mick Jagger, Keith Moon, Paul McCartney and even Colin Hanton, all because of Yoko!
She literally enslaved the guy and I have to blame it on him as well, However, it was pretty clear, Lennon was a mental mess at this time.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 23, 2012, 03:06:04 AM
Quote
The book, however, does a great job of tarnishing Yoko's image, which is quite a bit likely to be 100 percent accurate.

Im sure Fred has done very well out of it  ;)

I dont know fred so I dont know how much of his book is true (I wasnt there)

I dont know Yoko either so I dont know how much of what you say is true (I wasnt there)

Quote
Tony Bramwell was one of many of Lennon's friends who were shut out by Yoko. So was Mick Jagger, Keith Moon, Paul McCartney and even Colin Hanton, all because of Yoko!
She literally enslaved the guy and I have to blame it on him as well, However, it was pretty clear, Lennon was a mental mess at this time.

I have to say I find it laughable to think that a 4' 10" Japanese woman could enslave John Lennon  (maybe she couldve done a job on Wacko Jacko) ha2ha

Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 23, 2012, 06:34:34 AM
Yoko's first act was to get Lennon onto heroin...
From that point on, she had him.
That combined with Lennon's history of mental illness brought on by a childhood filled with tragedy and that fact that he couldn't do anything for himself allowed a dominant mother figure to dominate him.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: tkitna on January 23, 2012, 06:55:49 AM
I have to say I find it laughable to think that a 4' 10" Japanese woman could enslave John Lennon  (maybe she couldve done a job on Wacko Jacko) ha2ha

I find it laughable too, but we all know that she did.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 23, 2012, 09:07:13 AM
Yoko's first act was to get Lennon onto heroin...
From that point on, she had him.
That combined with Lennon's history of mental illness brought on by a childhood filled with tragedy and that fact that he couldn't do anything for himself allowed a dominant mother figure to dominate him.

well we all have our own take on this stuff but IMO he loved Yoko very deeply, whether you like it or not, I love my wife very deeply too and I'll do anything for her, thats the way a great marriage is.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 23, 2012, 09:33:21 AM
I find it laughable too, but we all know that she did.

dont tell me youve been reading the same books as well mate..

believe what you like guys, crucify Yoko if it makes you happy, at the end of the day it doesnt matter
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Brynjar on January 23, 2012, 09:54:32 AM
But isn´t it called "The Last Days of John Lennon: A Personal Memoir"? There´s another one called "Nowhere Man: The Final Days of John Lennon" by Robert Rosen.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: tkitna on January 23, 2012, 10:55:34 AM
dont tell me youve been reading the same books as well mate..

believe what you like guys, crucify Yoko if it makes you happy, at the end of the day it doesnt matter

Funny you say that as I was just thinking about the ten or so John Lennon books I have stacked up underneath the lamp that I havent read nor want to. People just keep buying them for me for birthdays and so forth. You can only read so many books.

Anyways, I do feel that Yoko lead John around like a lost dog and she called the shots. John needed the strong willed, leader woman type and he got it.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 23, 2012, 05:45:56 PM
well we all have our own take on this stuff but IMO he loved Yoko very deeply, whether you like it or not, I love my wife very deeply too and I'll do anything for her, thats the way a great marriage is.
Lennon treated her like sh*t but turned on the charm for the cameras, as he always could...
Yoko hated Lennon and was trying to get away from him at the time of his death.
This marriage might have been one of the worst of all time.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: tkitna on January 23, 2012, 10:49:52 PM
Lennon treated her like sh*t but turned on the charm for the cameras, as he always could...
Yoko hated Lennon and was trying to get away from him at the time of his death.
This marriage might have been one of the worst of all time.

Sheesh, i'm not totally sold on all of that.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 23, 2012, 11:35:07 PM
Sheesh, i'm not totally sold on all of that.

Neither am I.  I saw John and Yoko walking through Central Park on several occasions when I was doing my residency at a hospital right by the park.  It was just like you see in the music videos.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 24, 2012, 12:59:37 AM
Neither am I.  I saw John and Yoko walking through Central Park on several occasions when I was doing my residency at a hospital right by the park.  It was just like you see in the music videos.

Really Barry ? were you ever tempted to speak to them ?

I wouldve had too  ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 24, 2012, 01:21:23 AM
Sheesh, i'm not totally sold on all of that.

then you'd better get that pile of Lennon books read Todd  ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 24, 2012, 01:23:37 AM
He used to walk Yoko after she threatened to walk out on him.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 01:48:55 AM
Really Barry ? were you ever tempted to speak to them ?

I wouldve had too  ha2ha

We would be out in the park for lunch.  Once John and Yoko passed by and he said "Hi doctors" to us.  We said "hi" back.

No one ever bothered them when they were out for a walk.  I never felt the urge to talk to him.

I remember seeing a video where some fellows had a conversation with him at the reservoir.  But those guys were from Brooklyn.     ha2ha 
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 01:57:10 AM
Now, Peter Tork was a different story.  I met him while on duty at the hospital.  We spoke for about twenty minutes.  That was a blast!

Then I asked him to sign an autograph for my sister...



(http://i40.tinypic.com/2ci8ah5.jpg)
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 02:05:45 AM
He was really very serious...just the opposite as he was in The Monkees.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 24, 2012, 02:18:08 AM
He was really very serious...just the opposite as he was in The Monkees.

maybe he was worried about what the young doctors were going to do to him  ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 02:26:54 AM
Never thought of that!     ;D
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 24, 2012, 07:07:08 AM
I'd have yelled, "Run, John. Run!!!"
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 07:33:59 PM
I'd have yelled, "Run, John. Run!!!"

No.  They looked happy together.

Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 24, 2012, 07:36:04 PM
I remember seeing a video where some fellows had a conversation with him at the reservoir.  But those guys were from Brooklyn.     ha2ha 


It was on PBS...

A guy meets John Lennon at central park (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbGlK49cDWY#)



 ;D
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 25, 2012, 12:18:12 AM
https://www.facebook.com/messages/1724752986 (https://www.facebook.com/messages/1724752986)

My brief Facebook chat with Tony Bramwell (if you can get it).
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 25, 2012, 01:55:32 AM
It was on PBS...

A guy meets John Lennon at central park ([url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbGlK49cDWY#[/url])



 ;D


Ive seen that clip before Barry, is it in the Imagine film ?
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 25, 2012, 03:55:53 AM
Ive seen that clip before Barry, is it in the Imagine film ?

I'm pretty sure it is, Kev.

It wasn't uncommon to see them strolling through Central Park that way.
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 25, 2012, 04:26:10 AM
I'm pretty sure it is, Kev.

It wasn't uncommon to see them strolling through Central Park that way.

I think you showed great restraint mate, Id have had to ask for a photo or autograph, but then Im just a pest  ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 25, 2012, 05:49:23 AM
I think you showed great restraint mate, Id have had to ask for a photo or autograph, but then Im just a pest  ha2ha


I was content with just an exchange of "hi's" Kev.  It was 1979 and 1980 so there were no digital cameras or cell phones with built-in cameras.  I kept my Nikon in my OR locker so I never got a picture of them.

Christopher Reeve was once brought into our ER while filming Superman II.  He had a severe allergic response to a pain reliever which had aspirin in it unbeknownst to him.  He was in full Superman regalia too!

He was very embarassed at the incident and apologized to us for "disrupting the more important things we were doing."  But that was Christopher Reeve...very unassuming and a lot like the Clark Kent role he played.



(http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/superman_christopher_reeve.jpg)

(http://www.marvelfamily.com/Images/FunFacts/Media/Superman_500.jpg)


Sorry for straying off topic.


Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 25, 2012, 06:44:22 AM
No.  They looked happy together.
A total act, as always in public...
By the way, I'm sure none of you could open my Facebook chat today with Tony Bramwell, but he told me that he had met Fred Seaman a couple of times and that he was a "good chap."
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on January 25, 2012, 06:52:53 AM
Quote
He had a severe allergic response to a pain reliever which had aspirin in it unbeknownst to him.  He was in full Superman regalia too!

 ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Hello Goodbye on January 26, 2012, 04:03:54 AM
A total act, as always in public...

So that was all for my benefit?
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on January 26, 2012, 04:07:56 AM
It was for your benefit, HelloGoodbye...He knew you'd be a moderator for one of the band's websites down the road.  8)
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: NowhereMan28 on February 03, 2012, 07:34:21 PM
I just purchased the Last Days of John Lennon by Fred Seaman. I had been told about this book by a mail courier who would deliver to my work and he had actually been around John in the Village in New York the last few years of his life. He told me that this is the MOST FACTUAL account of the last years of John Lennon that has ever been written. He even told me about how the Lennon diaries were intended strictly and solely for Julian and how Yoko did NOT want him to have them. I am convinced that one of the greatest days on earth is when this woman finally passes away and Julian Lennon gets to have not only the money, but the belongings/whatever else he is ENTITLED to from being the first born son of his world famous father. He has been neglected long enough!
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on February 03, 2012, 11:39:31 PM
I once met a guy in NY who's brothers uncle's sister had a great relationship with the guy who delivered the flour and yeast that John ordered to make the pretend bread he nearly baked.........he said Fred Seaman was an a**hole   ha2ha
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on February 04, 2012, 04:06:02 AM
I'm with ya, Nowhere Man...
Seaman's book makes Lennon actually look like a pretty good guy in a lot of ways and quite normal, as, like most stars, he enjoyed his privacy and thought most people were idiots when around him which they probably were...
It was a pretty harsh attack on Yoko.
This is the type of attack John Lennon should have performed on her.
Then again, the Lennonists will NEVER read anything negative of him.
(There are a lot of things I like about Lennon, by the way.)
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: nimrod on February 04, 2012, 10:50:41 PM
Quote
This is the type of attack John Lennon should have performed on her.

thats a very strange comment

'Ive fallen in love with this woman, she's the only woman Ive ever truly loved, she's THE love of my life, Ive written some beautiful songs about her because my love for her is so so deep.

One of my fans who has read a few Beatle books and thinks he knows whats good for me and my marriage/family, thinks I should write a book where I make her out to be a lying, deranged, evil, attention seeking manipulative mad woman.....and have it printed as fact '

 ???
Title: Re: 'The Final Days of John Lennon.'
Post by: Nada Surf on February 05, 2012, 03:06:54 AM
verbal attack...
not physical..Lennon only weighed about 145. He could have been hurt.