Here is part of the proposal I have put forward:
OHN LENNON CONVENTION.
Although there have been numerous Beatles Conventions throughout the world since the early Eighties, there has never been a major John Lennon convention and it is appropriate that Liverpool should be the first city to present one.
The Matthew Street Festival draws literally hundreds of thousands of people to Liverpool each year. A similar influx of visitors could well flood into the city for a ‘John Lennon Anniversary Season’, with the international promotion beginning early in order to ensure that visitors haven’t booked elsewhere at the time.
This first major convention dedication entirely to John, will feature guests, events, dealers’ tables, tribute bands etc. This could take place at either the Adelphi Hotel or the Hard Day’s Night Hotel, although the latter would be on a smaller scale.
The current organisers of the Beatles Conventions, Bill Heckle and Dave Jones have been running the event for a considerable time and might wish to run the John Lennon Convention themselves at their usual venue.
The guests would include ones specifically associated with John, who have interesting stories and anecdotes to relate. The following list suggests various guests primarily from the first 28 years of John’s life. The accent on the first 28 years of John’s life is because it allows for a concentration on his early and formative years in Liverpool and does not focus on the Yoko Ono years which have been too heavily milked over the decades. An exception could be May Pang.
SUGGESTED GUESTS FOR CONVENTION OR LECTURES.
The following guests all have a strong association with John, although few of them have appeared at Beatles receptions in the past. Should the convention proceed, they would be ideal guests. If it is decided not to hold a Convention, then the guests could perhaps present lectures over the season at various appropriate venues such as the Bluecoat.
Cynthia and Julian Lennon. We should approach both Cynthia and Julian as they might welcome a tribute which honours John’s roots and early life and their part in it. I believe Julian has decided to return to performing and could be approached to headline a concert in the city.
Stan Parkes. John’s cousin and the person John considered his big brother. He was the cause of John’s parents meeting as Julia would wheel Stan in his pram in Sefton Park and met Alfred Lennon there and they eventually married. Stan was John’s closest companion in the early years of his life and when he moved to Scotland, would collect John every year to spend his holidays at the family croft. He unveiled the blue plaque at John’s Menlove Avenue home.
Rod Murray. The student friend who John offered the job of bass guitarist to. A member of the Dissenters (John, Stuart, Rod, Bill), who shared the Gambier Terrace apartment with John and Stu.
Jonathan Hague. Another art school chum of John’s. John sponsored his London exhibition and bought him a house in Leamington Spa. He was in the lettering class with John when he first got to know Cynthia.
Julia Baird. John’s half-sister, author of a book on John’s early life which was the basis of the recent film.
Pete Shotton. John’s closest friend from his early life. Although he lives abroad, he might consider an appearance during the week – if so, apart from a talk and Q&A session, he could play a session with the Quarrymen.
Nigel Walley. One of John’s original group of friends, who John appointed as manager of his group, the Quarrymen. Through Nigel the Quarrymen achieved their first Cavern booking.
Helen Anderson. A good friend of John’s from the art college. The person who John gave a book of his illustrations to, which she still owns.