Trivia on The Beatles

Trivia about the Guys you may not have known!!

John Lennon

Father, with Yoko Ono, of Sean Lennon.

Father, with Cynthia Lennon, of Julian Lennon.

When Rolling Stone magazine was launched in November 1967, Lennon made the first cover.

The first instrument he learned to play was the harmonica.

He used a number of pseudonyms in his musical work. These include Dr. Winston O'Boogie, Booker Table, Dwarf McDougal, Rev. Fred Ghurkin, Mel Torment, Dr. Dream, The Honorable John St. John Johnson, John O'Cean, Joel Nohnn, Kaptain Kundalini and Dad.

Inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles January 20, 1988.

Added "Ono" to his name in honour of wife Yoko Ono (aka Yoko Ono Lennon); he wished to drop his middle name Winston, but couldn't under British law. While he never used "Winston" again, his U.S. Resident Alien card (aka "green card") was issued to "John Winston Ono Lennon."

He was pre-occupied with the symbolism of the number nine: An avant-garde composition he recorded on the Beatles' "White Album" was "Revoltion No. 9". A solo recording of his was "Number 9 Dream", a term he gave to a state of enlightenment. He died at 11PM on December 8, 1980. In his native England, where it was five hours later, it was already December 9th.

He was given his U.S. Resident Alien registration (his "green card") on the bicentennial of the American revolution: Sunday, July 4, 1976.

He wrote the song "Beautiful Boy" for his son Sean, who was born on his 35th birthday.

According to Frank Gifford, Lennon met Ronald Reagan when both were guests on Monday Night Football in the mid-1970s. After appearing on the show, he gave Gifford and Howard Cosell each a complete collection of Beatles albums, which he autographed.

In 1974, he and Harry Nilsson were "helped to leave" the Troubadour Club by the bouncers, after they both heckled the Smothers Brothers onstage. In the middle of his fight to stay in the US in the early 70s, an arrest would certainly have clinched his being deported. (Lennon had already been denied entry in the late 1960s because of his one arrest of record, for hashish possession in the UK; he was only allowed back into the US when he and Yoko Ono attended the Primal Institute in Los Angeles, on the grounds that he was "seeing a psychiatrist," and later for their custody fight for Yoko's daughter.) Lennon and Nilsson both sent flowers and an apology to the Smothers Brothers the next day, and Lennon replied to a columnist's speculation that he might have been using drugs, with the confirmation that they'd simply had too many Brandy Alexanders.

Two songs on his Imagine album painted Paul McCartney in a bad light.

In 2001 the Liverpool Airport was renamed the John Lennon Airport after him.

Widow Yoko Ono's photograph of John Lennon's spectacles, bloodstained from when he was fatally shot outside his Manhattan apartment building in Dece., 1980, sold at auction in London in April, 2002 for about $13,000.

Widow Yoko Ono's photograph of John's spectacles, bloodstained from day he was fatally shot outside their apartment building in December 1980, sold at auction in London, April 2002 for about $13,000. At second Christie's auction later in April, 2 tape recordings of Lennon improvising songs and telling stories to his stepdaughter sold for $195,000. One tape, from summer of 1969, records Lennon making up tunes and telling 6-year-old Kyoko about a dwarf who lived in their garden. It sold for $110,000. Other tape, a 25-minute recording of Lennon working on melody and lyrics for "She Said She Said", contains lyrics never heard in the song's final "Revolver" version. It sold for $85,200.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a solo artist) in 1994.

Lennon's "In my Life" was played at the funeral of Kurt Cobain.

Lennon's murderer, Mark Chapman, was calmly flipping through J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" when he was arrested.

In 1989, the Republic of Abkhazia (in the former Soviet Georgia) proclaimed indepedence. To show the world they were rejecting their Communist past, they issued two postage stamps of Groucho Marx and John Lennon (as opposed to Karl Marx and V.I. Lenin).

John Lennon is one of several famous and tragic figures from history to be featured on the front and back sleeves of rock band Marillion's "Clutching at Straws" album (released 1987).

John Lennon's assassination is referred to in the lyrics of the Marillion song "Warm Wet Circles" (from their 1987 album "Clutching at Straws").

John Lennon's voice was sampled for the Marillion song "Gazpacho" (from their 1995 album "Afraid of Sunlight").

Paul McCartney changed the credits to many of the songs he made with John Lennon (as part of the Beatles) to "McCartney & Lennon". Until 2002, all of his Beatle compositions were credited to "Lennon & McCartney". Some of the songs affected are "Yesterday", "Mother Nature's Son" and "Hey Jude".

John Lennon's death is referred to in the lyrics of the Badly Drawn Boy song "You Were Right".

Was photographed for the cover of "Rolling Stone" magazine on the day he was assassinated. Had also just recorded an extensive interview for RKO Radio, and for the BBC the week before.

He was preoccupied with the number nine: An avant-garde composition on the Beatles' "White Album" was "Revoltion 9", while a solo recording of his was "#9 Dream", a term he gave to a state of enlightenment. He died at 11PM on December 8, 1980 in New York, but in his native England (five hours ahead), it was already December 9.

His neighbors at the Dakota included singer Roberta Flack, and actors Peter Boyle, Gloria Swanson, and Lauren Bacall.

His mother Julia was killed by a drunk driver when John was 17. His best friend and former bandmate Stu Sutcliffe died from a brain hemorrhage in 1962 when John was 21.

In the days leading up to Lennon's murder, Chapman 'lived the life' of J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye" narrator Holden Caulfield, and was calmly flipping through the book when he was arrested.

Married first wife Cynthia at the Mount Pleasant Registry Office in Liverpool; married second wife Yoko on the Rock of Gibraltar.

Cremated at a private ceremony the day after his death. Yoko Ono has never revealed the whereabouts of the ashes, or what happened to them. In lieu of a funeral for John, Yoko asked the public for ten minutes of silence and prayer at 2pm ET on the following Sunday, December 14th, and to contribute to charities in his memory.

Besides re-releases of his music, his presence has remained in the marketplace and media through selections from his writings and drawings, including a line of children's products based on creations made for son Sean.

He didn't spend every day of his five years' retirement at the Dakota; Yoko or one of their consultants would occasionally send him (or the family) to different spots around the globe, for vacations or good-luck trips, beginning with a flight around the world from west to east to "clear their karma". He had to visit Hong Kong alone, book his own room, and see to his own meals, which he'd never done in his life; after a nervous first day (spent mostly in the bath), he finally tried going out for a walk - and was surprised to find that nobody took him for more than a tourist, let alone one of the world-famous Beatles. Not getting the celebrity treatment for the first time since his early twenties, he felt like he'd rediscovered himself.

Although his music with and after the Beatles usually featured the latest technical and sound innovations, he was all-thumbs when it came to most audio/visual equipment, and usually depended on a knowing technician or assistant to give him the sound or look he wanted. He also spent little time on remixing with his solo records; latter-day remasters of his solo albums have been carefully remixed, bringing out many subtleties in the music buried or lost in the original mixes.

Rockband Queen also paid tribute to Lennon on their 1982 album "Hot Space". The song referred to here is "Life Is Real".

Paul McCartney

According to the August 1998 issue of the British rock magazine "Q", McCartney is the richest rock star in the world with an estimated fortune of over �500m.

Sang backup on Donovan's "Mellow Yellow".

Actually only wrote 27 songs in direct collaboration with John Lennon, though nearly all their songs were credited as Lennon & McCartney compositions.

Working title of his own personal favourite composition "Yesterday" was "Scrambled Eggs".

He appeared as himself in Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know" music video.

His younger brother, Michael, is better known as Mike McGear of the satirical group 'The Scaffold'. Michael chose to take the name of McGear as his professional name so as not to capitalise on the fame of his brother.

During his engagement to Jane Asher, Paul (with John Lennon) wrote several songs for Jane's older brother, Peter, of the singing duo 'Peter and Gordon', including their number one hit "World Without Love". He also wrote the song "Woman" for Peter and Gordon, under the pseudonym of Bernard Webb.

Cousin of Kate Robbins and Ted Robbins.

Born at 2:00pm-BDST

His three children's names are James, Stella and Mary. His stepdaughter's name is Heather. He was married to Linda Eastman on March 12, 1969 at the Marylebone Register Office.

Left-handed

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles January 20, 1988. Citing business differences, he did not attend the induction ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City with his former bandmates George Harrison and Ringo Starr.

Awarded the Polar Music Prize, the Royal Swedish Academy of Music Award, in 1992.

His later musical compositions have included classical works, one of which is the acclaimed "Liverpool Oratorio".

Announced his engagement to ex-model/activist Heather Mills. [26 July 2001]

Owns the double bass that once belonged to Elvis Presley's bassist Bill Black.

Brother of Mike McGear. Father of Mary McCartney.

Played all the instruments on two of his solo albums, 'McCartney' (1970) and 'McCartney II' (1980).

Originally wanted to call his post-Beatles band the Dazzlers, but came up with the name Wings after his wife Linda gave birth to their daughter Stella. He found 'Wings' to be uplifting, as he did the birth of their second child.

Had wanted the Beatles to do a club tour shortly before they broke up. John disagreed, thinking that if they did tour again, it should have been in stadium-sized venues.

Named one of E!'s "top 20 entertainers of 2001."

Is a vegetarian.

Owns rights to Buddy Holly song catalogue.

Song "Yesterday" is one the most covered songs of all-time.

Claims his night in a Japanese prison in 1980 was the only time he had been separated from then wife Linda.

Has written several songs about his former bandmate John Lennon, including "Dear Boy", "Too Many People", "Dear Friend", "Let me Roll It", and "Here Today."

Has a record 29 number one singles on the American charts with the Beatles, Paul McCartney & Wings, and as a solo artist (including one duet with Michael Jackson):

Fined $200 in 1973 for growing marijuana on his Scotland farm. Arrested and jailed briefly in Japan in 1980 for carrying same substance.

Jokingly, on occasion, uses the pseudonym of 'Apollo C. Vermouth.'

Made an honorary detective by NY Police for the benefit concert he gave for 9/11 victims, April 2002.

Won last-minute court order preventing Christie's from auctioning his handwritten lyrics to song "Hey Jude." Paper with lyrics scrawled on it had been expected to bring up to $116,000 at auction scheduled for April 30, but England's High Court, ruled for Sir Paul the day before, deciding that the valuable Beatles artifact will remain at auction house until ownership is finally determined by agreement or trial.

Won prize for drawing of a church at age 11. In 2002, from May-August, over 70 of his paintings from past 20 years on view at Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, England.

It was announced that fiance Heather Mills' engagement ring, which was lost, had been found among the grass in a golf course. [June 2001]

Daughter, Stella McCartney, born on September 13, 1971.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999 (as a solo artist).

Paul's first guitar was a Zenith archtop f-hole acoustic. He bought it the Rushworth and Drapers Music Store in Liverpool when he was 14.

Paul's song, "When I'm 64" was written for his father Jim on his 64th birthday.

Paul wrote his first song, "I've Lost My Little Girl", when he was 14.

McCartney's father, Jim, was a musician, and had a band called Jim Mac's Jazz Band. Paul has fond memories of lying on his bedroom floor and listening to his father play piano.

Along with writing "Hey Jude" for Julian Lennon the summer his parents broke up, Paul also jokingly proposed to Cynthia Lennon, in the wake of his own breakup with Jane Asher. Cynthia appreciated the laugh they both shared - and the bouquet Paul had brought.

Was actually the only Beatle to graduate from Britain's equivalent of high-school; he majored in Art.

Usually considered the most "conventional" of the Beatles, but Paul has had his share of far-out ideas, including the germ of the TV-movie Magical Mystery Tour (1967) (TV), and a "self-portrait" published as a Sixties magazine cover, which proved to be a psychedelic painting a la Picasso.

Set up John Lennon's "home studio" for him at Kenwood, with its chain of tape decks; Lennon used this setup to make song demos for the Beatles, and later the infamous 'Two Virgins' album with Yoko Ono (which Paul gave its cover quote).

A lyric sheet to his song "Yesterday" is featured on the front cover of the Marillion album "Script for a Jester's Tear" (released 1983).

McCartney changed the credits to many of the songs he made with the Beatles to "McCartney & Lennon". Until 2002, all of his Beatle compositions were credited to "Lennon & McCartney". Some of the songs affected are "Yesterday", "Mother Nature's Son" and "Hey Jude".

Performed "Let It Be" at Live Aid in 1985.

3 surviving Beatles appeared on 3 separate episodes of The Simpsons (1989). Starr appeared in a 1991 episode of "Brush with Greatness," Harrison appeared in a 1993 episode of "Homer's Barbershop Quartet," and McCartney appeared in a 1995 episode of "Lisa The Vegetarian"

Contributes "Calico Skies" to the "Warchild Hope" album (released 21 April 2003).

11 years after the breakup of The Beatles, he along with Ringo Starr played on George Harrison's "All Those Years Ago", about their former bandmate John Lennon, and in "When We Was Fab", which takes a look back at the Beatle years.

Met his first wife Linda in a London nightclub called the Bag O'Nails.

28 Oct 2003: Daughter named Beatrice born to Paul and wife Heather Mills.

In 1998, his song "Blackbird" was covered by Marillion for their live album "Unplugged at the Walls".

Witnessed the 9/11 World Trade Center attack in 2001, from inside an airliner waiting to take off at Kennedy Airport in New York; his flight had been in line not far behind the airplanes used in the WTC and Pentagon attacks. Among his reactions to 9/11 was the song, "Freedom."

Is half of the techno duo The Fireman.

In 1971, he produced (but did not perform on) "Thrillington", an instrumental version of the album "Ram" he recorded with his wife Linda. The songs were presented in orchestral versions, and Paul's work as producer and director was pseudonymously credited to "Percy 'Thrills' Thrillington". The album was not well received by the critics, but is now a much sought-after collectable.

George Harrison

George's older sister Louise resides in southern Illinois as of 1998.

A good deal of confusion as to his real birthday was solved recently when a family birth record noted him as being born shortly before midnight around 11:50 P.M.) on February 24th, 1943. He had believed his birthday was February 25th for his entire life.

Musician, one of the Beatles.

On 30 December 1999, an intruder broke into Harrison's Oxfordshire mansion, stabbing him multiple times in the chest. Harrison and his wife fought the intruder and detained him for the police.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles January 20, 1988.

Wrote the introduction to a biography on sitarist Ravi Shankar.

He played 26 instruments: guitar, sitar, 4-string guitar, bass guitar, arp bass, violin, tamboura, dobro, swordmandel, tabla, organ, piano, moog synthesizer, harmonica, autoharp, glockenspiel, vibraphone, xylophone, claves, African drum, conga drum, tympani, ukulele, mandolin, marimba, and Jal-Tarang.

Son, Dhani, born 1 August 1978. Dhani is now a student at Brown University (November 2001).

Appointed an MBE in 1965.

Executive Producer & Principal Partner, 'HandMade Films' [1979 - 1994]

Attended Dovedale Road Primary School (now Dovedale Road Junior School) and the Liverpool Institute High School for Boys (now the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts).

Got a job as an apprentice electrician at sixteen but did not have the interest to continue it.

Liked jelly babies (a softer version of jelly beans).

George met Pattie Boyd on the set of Hard Day's Night, A (1964). She was engaged at the time, but George kept asking her out until she gave in. They were married in 1966.

In 1968, Eric Clapton played guitar on George's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on the Beatles' White Album. Also, George was at Eric's home in England and wrote 'Here Comes the Sun' while skipping a meeting for the Beatles' record company, Apple

In the early 70s, Eric Clapton fell madly in love with Pattie Harrison and wrote 'Layla', developing a heroin addiction when she refused to leave George. By 1974, feeling abandoned by George's obession to the Indian culture, Pattie left George to be with Eric and the Harrisons' divorce was finalized in 1977. Two years later, Pattie and Eric were married - until 1988. Through it all, George, Eric, and Pattie remained best of friends - George attended the Claptons' wedding reception and George commented "I rather she was with him than some dope".

A vegetarian.

Re-release of "My Sweet Lord" reaches #1 in the UK replacing Aaliyah's "More Than A Woman". It is the first time there has been two consecutive posthumous number 1s in the UK. [January 2002]

Was the first of the Beatles to produce a "solo" album, with his soundtrack album to Joe Massot's film Wonderwall (1968). (Paul McCartney had earlier composed the score for _Family Way, The (1966)_, but did not produce or play on the recordings.) Songs were recorded both in India (featuring Ashish Khan and guests) and England; the English tracks featured Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Peter Tork (each performing under pseudonyms), and former Beatles rivals The Remo Four, from Liverpool.

Wrote an autobiography titled 'I Me Mine' in the late 1970s (which Harrison described in the introduction as "the small change of a short lifetime"), and included reproductions of the original handwritten lyrics to nearly all his songs. The book was originally issued as an exclusive leather-bound edition by Genesis Books for about $350 per copy; a less-expensive hardback edition was later published by Simon and Schuster.

Had his own professional 16-track recording studio installed at Friar Park, where nearly all his solo records after 'All Things Must Pass' were made. (Album credits usually mention "Friar Park Studio", or "F.P.S.H.O.T.") In the 1980s, Jeff Lynne, used to working with 48-track digital machines, found it startling to have to rethink his approach to record with Harrison, but found it refreshing in the long run. ('Shakespear's Sister' also borrowed the studio in the early 1990s, to record 'Hormonally Yours'.)

A controversy arose in the days after Harrison's death, when it turned out his death certificate listed a bogus address; it was revealed he had died at Paul McCartney's Los Angeles house, whose address they'd wanted to keep secret. McCartney described the late Harrison as "my baby brother".

Harrison was cremated within hours of his death, and his ashes were later scattered along the Ganges River in India, in accordance with his last wishes.

Overcame both hepatitis in the mid-1970s (which caused a delay in the release of his album "Thirty-Three and 1/3"), and a cocaine addiction in the early 1980s.

Was called "my archangel" by Srila Prabhupada, founder of the Hare Krishna movement.

A New York Federal Court ruled in 1976 that his famous song "My Sweet Lord" was a copyright infringement on the song 1963 Motown hit "He's So Fine" by The Chiffons. "My Sweet Lord" contained a similar repetition of two musical phrases ("sol-mi-re" and "sol-la-do-la-do") found in "He's So Fine," along with identical harmonies. Although the Court found that Harrison did not intended to plagerize "He's So Fine," it ruled that, having been familar with the song, Harrison had "subconsciously" copied its melody. Bright Tunes Music Corp. v. Harrisongs Music, Ltd., 420 F.Supp. 177 (S.D.N.Y. Aug 31, 1976). Appeals dragged the case on into the 1990s, with Harrison's former manager Allen Klein becoming the plaintiff when he bought Bright Tunes. Harrison eventually ended up owning both songs, while Klein's reputation suffered from his "changing sides" in the suit.

Ringo Starr

Former Drummer with the Beatles (1962-1970)

Tours with group "Ringo Starr's All Starrs"

Father of Zak Starkey (with Maureen), a featured drummer with the Who and daughter, Lee Starkey.

Inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame as a member of the Beatles January 20, 1988.

He was not the original drummer for the Beatles. He replaced Pete Best after Best was fired by the other band members.

He was the oldest in age to be a member of the Beatles, and the last to join the group, technically making him both the oldest and youngest "Beatle".

Fully convinced the fame of the Beatles would be short-lived, he sent large amounts of money to his aunt to deposit in a bank account while he was on tour with the band. His intention was to start a hair dressing salon once the Beatles faded from public memory. To this day, he is known to be savvy with his finances, and even appeared in a TV commercial for an investment consulting service.

Is left-handed, though he plays drums right-handed.

Appointed an MBE in 1965.

Though McCartney is the most successful ex-Beatle, Ringo actually had more solo US Top ten hits. (McCartney performed most of his Top Tens with Wings).

Born and grew up in the Dingles section of Liverpool, England.

Attended St. Silas School and Dingles Secondary Modern School.

A single of his, "The No-No Song", was a song against drug abuse. But in a darkly ironic note, the song was banned from several radio stations because of the drug references.

Wrote the song "Octopus's Garden" while on vacation. He claims to have got the idea for the song after conversing with a chef about octopi.

In the mid 1970s he dated British singer-songwriter 'Lynsey de Paul' and appeared on a single she wrote for none other than Dame 'Vera Lynn' .

Got the last name "Starr" from his birth name, Starkey. He got "Ringo" because he always wore lots of rings on all his fingers.

"Ringo Starr" was a natural stage name for a young man who'd grown up loving Western movies (he particularly admired Gene Autry, the "singing cowboy"). Considered moving to Texas, before joining the Beatles.

Bought Tittenhurst Park from John Lennon (Lennon's last English home), when John and Yoko decided to move to America; the deal came complete with Ascot Sound Studios, located on the grounds, and home of several albums ("Plastic Ono Band", "Imagine", and "Fly").

Got his first set of drums as a present from his stepfather, who brought them back from London. Was able to turn professional with a �25 loan from his Grandfather Starkey, to make the deposit on a better set.

Missed several years of school, because of illness growing up. Learned to read and write with the help of a neighbor girl, who became his babysitter.

Was the only Beatle to willingly accept Yoko Ono in John's life (and consequently theirs); he offered them the use of his London apartment, while John and Cynthia Lennon settled their divorce. Yoko tried to return Ringo's kindness over the years, and years later, when John was murdered, Ringo and future wife Barbara Bach flew to New York, to keep Yoko company.