The Beatles knew how to derive inspiration from the most unlikely places. A guru gave a lecture that inspired John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write songs. Paul’s song appeared on The White Album while John’s became one of his most notable solo ballads.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney initially wrote songs with similar names
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his feelings about the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, his former guru. “Listen, if somebody’s gonna impress me, whether it be a Maharishi or a Yoko Ono, there comes a point when the emperor has no clothes,” he said. “There comes a point where I will see. So for all you folks out there who think that I’m having the wool pulled over my eyes — well, that’s an insult to me.
John Lennon and Paul McCartney initially wrote songs with similar names
During a 1980 interview from the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John discussed his feelings about the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, his former guru. “Listen, if somebody’s gonna impress me, whether it be a Maharishi or a Yoko Ono, there comes a point when the emperor has no clothes,” he said. “There comes a point where I will see. So for all you folks out there who think that I’m having the wool pulled over my eyes — well, that’s an insult to me.
- 10/1/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
So much for “All You Need Is Love!” John Lennon revealed he felt guilty for having money but overcame those emotions. He said it didn’t matter if being wealthy disqualified him from being a socialist. The “Imagine” singer also criticized some of his fans for the way they reacted to his wealth.
John Lennon criticized a Bible verse about money
During a 1980 interview in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John revealed he once felt “guilty” about his wealth and either gave it away or allowed his management to steal it from him. “I thought money was equated with sin,” he said. “I think I got over it, because I either have to put up or shut up, you know.
“If I’m going to be a monk with nothing, do it,” he added. “Otherwise, if I am going to try and make money,...
John Lennon criticized a Bible verse about money
During a 1980 interview in the book All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, John revealed he once felt “guilty” about his wealth and either gave it away or allowed his management to steal it from him. “I thought money was equated with sin,” he said. “I think I got over it, because I either have to put up or shut up, you know.
“If I’m going to be a monk with nothing, do it,” he added. “Otherwise, if I am going to try and make money,...
- 10/1/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Nobody knew how to add lyrical layers to a classic rock song quite like The Beatles. John Lennon’s “Woman” isn’t just about women, it’s also about John’s view of success. Audiences in the United States and the United Kingdom had an incredibly positive reaction to the song and its parent album.
John Lennon interpreted the lyrics of ‘Woman’ and ‘Working Class Hero’ for fans
In his song “Woman,” John thanks a woman for showing him “the meaning of success.” During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John elaborated on that lyric. “I’m not saying success as a famous artist and star is no good, and I’m not saying it’s great,” he said. “The thing about the ‘Working Class Hero’ song that nobody ever got right was that it was supposed to be sardonic — it had nothing to do with socialism, it had to do...
John Lennon interpreted the lyrics of ‘Woman’ and ‘Working Class Hero’ for fans
In his song “Woman,” John thanks a woman for showing him “the meaning of success.” During a 1980 interview with Rolling Stone, John elaborated on that lyric. “I’m not saying success as a famous artist and star is no good, and I’m not saying it’s great,” he said. “The thing about the ‘Working Class Hero’ song that nobody ever got right was that it was supposed to be sardonic — it had nothing to do with socialism, it had to do...
- 10/1/2023
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A middle-aged woman forced to return home after 20 years following the death of her father. A service that provides elderly call girls to socialize with lonely Japanese seniors. A grimly hilarious look at the pressures faced by Japanese women, itself a rebuttal to the post-covid social issue films that dare not flash a smile. These three films, “Yoko,” “Tea Friends” and “Ripples” are universal in their messaging while challenging taboos about Japanese culture and society.
TheWrap hosted a three-night film festival spotlighting emerging voices in Japanese cinema. “Yoko” director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri made an in-person appearance for the post-screening Q&a while “Tea Friends” director Bunji Sotoyama and “Ripples” filmmaker Naoko Ogigami participated via Zoom. All three shared, with the assistance of translator David Neptune, poignant insights and personal stories.
‘Tea Friends’ trailer Inspirations for art
The conversations around all three films began with inquiries as to what made the filmmakers...
TheWrap hosted a three-night film festival spotlighting emerging voices in Japanese cinema. “Yoko” director Kazuyoshi Kumakiri made an in-person appearance for the post-screening Q&a while “Tea Friends” director Bunji Sotoyama and “Ripples” filmmaker Naoko Ogigami participated via Zoom. All three shared, with the assistance of translator David Neptune, poignant insights and personal stories.
‘Tea Friends’ trailer Inspirations for art
The conversations around all three films began with inquiries as to what made the filmmakers...
- 9/29/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
By the time The Beatles recorded The White Album, the band was already becoming quite fractured personally and professionally. It was 1968, and the band’s most ambitious effort was the project, almost ending their partnership. The White Album was The Beatles’ ninth studio album and the only double LP they would ever record. But one moment in the studio led John Lennon to go “ballistic” on Paul McCartney, leading to a moment that would forever change one of their most iconic songs.
John Lennon ‘went ballistic’ on Paul McCartney during this one pivotal moment while recording ‘The White Album’
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr recorded The White Album in mid-1968. The album features 30 songs, 19 of which were written during March and April 1968.
However, tensions between the bandmates heightened as the recording wore on. Lennon and McCartney couldn’t agree on the recording of several songs.
The...
John Lennon ‘went ballistic’ on Paul McCartney during this one pivotal moment while recording ‘The White Album’
John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr recorded The White Album in mid-1968. The album features 30 songs, 19 of which were written during March and April 1968.
However, tensions between the bandmates heightened as the recording wore on. Lennon and McCartney couldn’t agree on the recording of several songs.
The...
- 9/27/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon’s life story was adapted in the 2009 feature Nowhere Boy by filmmaker Sam Taylor Johnson. But there were certain liberties taken with the story that Lennon’s Beatles band-mate Paul McCartney didn’t approve of.
Paul McCartney had problems with Sam Taylor Johnson’s John Lennon biopic Paul McCartney | Harry Durrant/Getty Images
Nowhere Boy covered the adolescent and young adult years of Beatles member John Lennon. Aaron Taylor Johnson, who would later become the filmmaker’s husband, ended up in the lead role as John Lennon. Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster played a young Paul McCartney in the film.
The real Paul McCartney not only watched the feature, but he was a bit involved in the movie as well. When reviewing the script, he didn’t appreciate the way Lennon’s aunt Mimi was portrayed in the film. Nowhere Boy originally wrote Mimi much harsher than she was in real life,...
Paul McCartney had problems with Sam Taylor Johnson’s John Lennon biopic Paul McCartney | Harry Durrant/Getty Images
Nowhere Boy covered the adolescent and young adult years of Beatles member John Lennon. Aaron Taylor Johnson, who would later become the filmmaker’s husband, ended up in the lead role as John Lennon. Actor Thomas Brodie-Sangster played a young Paul McCartney in the film.
The real Paul McCartney not only watched the feature, but he was a bit involved in the movie as well. When reviewing the script, he didn’t appreciate the way Lennon’s aunt Mimi was portrayed in the film. Nowhere Boy originally wrote Mimi much harsher than she was in real life,...
- 9/13/2023
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Aca) is sponsoring the seventh Aca Cinema Project — Emerging Japanese Films — as the cornerstone of its Japan Overseas Expansion Enhancement Project. Visual Industry Promotion Organization (Vipo) serves as the steward for the encore of this distinguished screening series. Three recently released, prestigious theatrical titles headline the event, which runs from Tuesday, September 26, through Thursday, September 28, at the Linwood Dunn Theater, Hollywood. Festivities are free of charge for accredited entertainment industry professionals.
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri‘s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar®-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Tokyo Vice, Babel). Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Aca Cinema Project offers two...
Launching the Aca Cinema Project on September 26 at 7:00 p.m. is the stateside debut of Kazuyoshi Kumakiri‘s quirky, character-driven, road trip drama Yoko (2022; Trt: 113 minutes). Yoko represents the longtime professional reunion of director Kumakiri and Oscar®-nominated actress Rinko Kikuchi (Tokyo Vice, Babel). Yoko marks the 20-year follow-up to their initial collaboration, 2001 Rotterdam International Film Festival Fipresci Prize winner Hole in the Sky.
Aca Cinema Project offers two...
- 9/11/2023
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Ringo Starr had a solid relationship with all of his Beatles bandmates, but he was incredibly close to John Lennon. Even after Lennon’s murder, the drummer showed respect by refusing to record a song of his that became a hit. The song we really want to hear, though, is the extended jam Ringo and John played on that Yoko Ono interrupted.
An impatient Yoko Ono broke up a lively jam with Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and Eric Clapton
Members of the Fab Four didn’t stop working together even though the band broke up. Ringo drummed on albums by each of his former bandmates. That included the simultaneous John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band projects in 1970.
The drummer was an early member of the rotating supergroup that orbited around John and Yoko.
Ringo, Eric Clapton, and longtime Beatles friend Klaus Voormann joined Lennon and...
An impatient Yoko Ono broke up a lively jam with Ringo Starr, John Lennon, and Eric Clapton
Members of the Fab Four didn’t stop working together even though the band broke up. Ringo drummed on albums by each of his former bandmates. That included the simultaneous John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band projects in 1970.
The drummer was an early member of the rotating supergroup that orbited around John and Yoko.
Ringo, Eric Clapton, and longtime Beatles friend Klaus Voormann joined Lennon and...
- 7/23/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon and Yoko Ono were essential figures in the counterculture movement of the 1970s. Not only did their music embrace the avant-garde, but they also performed several publicity stunts, like the anti-war protest bed-ins. Lennon and Ono were seen as controversial figures on certain sides of the political aisle, and many were not pleased when the couple “hijacked” an American TV show in 1972.
John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared on several episodes of ‘The Mike Douglas Show’ in 1972
After The Beatles ended in 1970, Lennon fully committed to voicing his politics in his music. While he had more subtle, calmer songs like “Imagine”, he also had more provocative and uncompromising songs like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Power to the People”.
This made Lennon a not-so-popular figure with certain politicians, who didn’t want his counterculture brand to infect the youth. However, audiences were given a healthy dose of Lennon and...
John Lennon and Yoko Ono appeared on several episodes of ‘The Mike Douglas Show’ in 1972
After The Beatles ended in 1970, Lennon fully committed to voicing his politics in his music. While he had more subtle, calmer songs like “Imagine”, he also had more provocative and uncompromising songs like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Power to the People”.
This made Lennon a not-so-popular figure with certain politicians, who didn’t want his counterculture brand to infect the youth. However, audiences were given a healthy dose of Lennon and...
- 7/23/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Take a look at more Season Two footage from the new anime TV series "Bastard!! -Heavy Metal, Dark Fantasy", starring Kisho Taniyama, Tomori Kusunoki and Hiroki Yasumoto, streaming July 31, 2023 on Netflix:
"...four hundred years after the collapse of modern civilization, the world is dominated by the chaos of swords and sorcery. The 'Dark Rebel Army', which plans to resurrect the god of destruction 'Anthrasax', continues to expand its power in a bid to rule the world, led by the overwhelmingly powerful 'Four Divine Kings'.
"'The Kingdom of Meta-llicana' on the 'Central Metallion Continent' is assaulted by the sorcerer-led Dark Rebel Army. In order to save the kingdom, T'ia Noto Yoko', daughter of the 'Great Priest', has a decision to make - she must resurrect the ancient great wizard who once plotted to rule the world, and who is sealed within her childhood friend 'Lucien Renlen'.
"The only thing that...
"...four hundred years after the collapse of modern civilization, the world is dominated by the chaos of swords and sorcery. The 'Dark Rebel Army', which plans to resurrect the god of destruction 'Anthrasax', continues to expand its power in a bid to rule the world, led by the overwhelmingly powerful 'Four Divine Kings'.
"'The Kingdom of Meta-llicana' on the 'Central Metallion Continent' is assaulted by the sorcerer-led Dark Rebel Army. In order to save the kingdom, T'ia Noto Yoko', daughter of the 'Great Priest', has a decision to make - she must resurrect the ancient great wizard who once plotted to rule the world, and who is sealed within her childhood friend 'Lucien Renlen'.
"The only thing that...
- 7/19/2023
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Yoko Ono fell in love with John Lennon, but she once said that Ringo Starr was the most influential member of the Beatles. In the years since she met Lennon, Ono has gotten to know Starr well. She asserted her belief that his influence had little to do with the music he created in the Beatles or his solo career. Instead, she pointed to a quality Starr had that Lennon often preached about.
Yoko Ono said Ringo Starr’s personality made him the most influential Beatle
In 2015, Starr became the final member of The Beatles to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Ono, who has known Starr since the 1960s, attended the ceremony. She expressed her delight that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was finally honoring Starr’s solo career, telling Rolling Stone it meant “so much to all of us in the Beatle family.
Yoko Ono said Ringo Starr’s personality made him the most influential Beatle
In 2015, Starr became the final member of The Beatles to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. Ono, who has known Starr since the 1960s, attended the ceremony. She expressed her delight that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was finally honoring Starr’s solo career, telling Rolling Stone it meant “so much to all of us in the Beatle family.
- 7/2/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
By the end of the 1960s, John Lennon and Yoko Ono wanted to collaborate musically, and Lennon felt The Beatles were getting in the way. He would eventually tell his bandmates he wanted a divorce from them in 1969. He had been thinking about breaking up The Beatles for a while at this point. According to Let It Be director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, Lennon resorted to surprising measures to show he was ready to be done with the group.
John Lennon wanted to make it clear he would rather collaborate with Yoko Ono than The Beatles
Lennon had known his Beatles bandmates for years, but he felt a deeper connection with Ono. He wanted to continue to develop his music career with her, not necessarily with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. According to Lindsay-Hogg, Lennon had an eyebrow-raising way of conveying this. He played an audio tape of him and Ono having sex.
John Lennon wanted to make it clear he would rather collaborate with Yoko Ono than The Beatles
Lennon had known his Beatles bandmates for years, but he felt a deeper connection with Ono. He wanted to continue to develop his music career with her, not necessarily with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. According to Lindsay-Hogg, Lennon had an eyebrow-raising way of conveying this. He played an audio tape of him and Ono having sex.
- 7/1/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Yoko is a 42-year-old single “freeter” (freelancing part-time worker) who has suffered setbacks and opposition from her father in pursuing her dreams. One day when she receives news of her estranged father's death, she decides to return to her hometown of Hirosaki in Aomori Prefecture for his funeral. Along the way, she encounters car troubles and being cash-strapped, embarks on a hitchhiking journey where she meets various people such as a desperate working single mum and a kind-hearted couple.
A human drama directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Mukoku) and headlined by Academy Award® nominee Rinko Kikuchi. Other cast members include Pistol Takehara, Asuka Kurosawa, Jun Fubuki and Joe Odagiri. This movie will premiere in Japan with a roadshow on July 28, 2023.
A human drama directed by Kazuyoshi Kumakiri (Mukoku) and headlined by Academy Award® nominee Rinko Kikuchi. Other cast members include Pistol Takehara, Asuka Kurosawa, Jun Fubuki and Joe Odagiri. This movie will premiere in Japan with a roadshow on July 28, 2023.
- 5/25/2023
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
John Lennon and Elton John forged a strong friendship in the 1970s. The two collaborated on a few songs, but their bond also formed outside the recording studio. While getting into some foul trouble, the pair had to avoid Andy Warhol, who could have exposed their activities.
John Lennon and Elton John hid from Andy Warhol Elton John and John Lennon | Steve Morley/Redferns
After The Beatles dominated the music industry in the 1960s, Elton John emerged as one of the brightest stars of the 1970s. The “Rocket Man” singer had several hits early in his career and caught the attention of Lennon, who was now a solo artist. The two worked on a few songs together, including Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” and John’s cover of “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”.
They became good pals and often got into “naughty” business together. In an interview with Rolling Stone,...
John Lennon and Elton John hid from Andy Warhol Elton John and John Lennon | Steve Morley/Redferns
After The Beatles dominated the music industry in the 1960s, Elton John emerged as one of the brightest stars of the 1970s. The “Rocket Man” singer had several hits early in his career and caught the attention of Lennon, who was now a solo artist. The two worked on a few songs together, including Lennon’s “Whatever Gets You Through the Night” and John’s cover of “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds”.
They became good pals and often got into “naughty” business together. In an interview with Rolling Stone,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
John Lennon was the most revealing and introspective member of The Beatles. Many of his songs revealed details of his past or brought to life emotions he kept trapped inside. These types of tracks were even more prominent in his solo career. One song he wrote for The Beatles was for his mother, with whom he had a troubled history.
John Lennon wrote ‘Julia’ for his mother John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images
John Lennon was born to Julia and Alfred Lennon on Oct. 9, 1940. His father abandoned him as an infant, leaving him alone with his mother. After receiving complaints from social services, Julia gave custody of John to her sister, Mimi, but the two still had contact. In 1958, a car struck and killed Julia when John was just 17.
The memory of his mother became a creative inspiration for the young singer. While The Beatles were initially a pop-rock band,...
John Lennon wrote ‘Julia’ for his mother John Lennon | Jeff Hochberg/Getty Images
John Lennon was born to Julia and Alfred Lennon on Oct. 9, 1940. His father abandoned him as an infant, leaving him alone with his mother. After receiving complaints from social services, Julia gave custody of John to her sister, Mimi, but the two still had contact. In 1958, a car struck and killed Julia when John was just 17.
The memory of his mother became a creative inspiration for the young singer. While The Beatles were initially a pop-rock band,...
- 5/22/2023
- by Ross Tanenbaum
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.