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The Beatles, Lennon, and Me
Book by Shotton, Peter
399 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
129 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 20, 2018
This is a great memoir by John Lennon's lifelong friend, Pete Shotton. It covers their early days as schoolboys in Liverpool, the craziness of the Beatles days, the bitterness of the Beatles breaking apart, and the horrible ending, when Lennon was murdered. It's a wonderful glimpse into John Lennon and the other Beatles beyond what most of us had heard or read about. If you are a Beatles fan and have not read this, you definitely need to get a copy!
April 28, 2024
Really enjoyed this. An excellent close-quarters memoir about Lennon. Nice to get such direct insight after all the speculation and supposition in the various Lennon biographies.
Two particular bits that have stayed with me 1) how Lennon would automatically share any sweets (candy) he got evenly among his group of friends 2) Shotton's astonishment at how highly sexed Lennon was – specifically recounting the time Lennon managed to masturbate several times on the trot when he and Shotton covertly observed a pair of copulating lovers in the woods.
Not the most important details of Lennon's life perhaps :) but very interesting insights into Lennon's young character.
More seriously: Shotton's memoir makes clear that Lennon was a kind and generous friend, although it is sobering to read the extent to which drugs and Yoko changed John and changed John's relationships with his formerly nearest and dearest (and this echoes with what Julia Baird – John's half-sister – says in her memoir) and how Shotton barely had contact with John in his NYC years.
Two particular bits that have stayed with me 1) how Lennon would automatically share any sweets (candy) he got evenly among his group of friends 2) Shotton's astonishment at how highly sexed Lennon was – specifically recounting the time Lennon managed to masturbate several times on the trot when he and Shotton covertly observed a pair of copulating lovers in the woods.
Not the most important details of Lennon's life perhaps :) but very interesting insights into Lennon's young character.
More seriously: Shotton's memoir makes clear that Lennon was a kind and generous friend, although it is sobering to read the extent to which drugs and Yoko changed John and changed John's relationships with his formerly nearest and dearest (and this echoes with what Julia Baird – John's half-sister – says in her memoir) and how Shotton barely had contact with John in his NYC years.
May 10, 2014
The second best book I've read on rockers (bios and autobios). Best one being Peter Guarlnick's two volume Elvis bio. Of the 100 or so rocker books I've slogged through, only Shotton's & Guarlnick's books moved me emotionally. Though Shotton's book has funnier moments, what with hanging out with John Lennon and all, there's bound to be some funny stuff going on. In fact, I don't recall any funny moments in the Presley book. What comes through in Shotton book is the love those two men had for each other. This book makes me miss JL as no other book has done. Of course what REALLY makes me miss JL is his music.
July 25, 2012
A great first-hand account of growing up with John Lennon. Shotton is self-efacing throughout. His biggest claim for himself was that he made contributions to 'Eleanor Rigby', but he's quick to declare that he deserves no credit for the song whatsoever.
Even some of the non-Beatle chapters are good, such as his brief career as a policeman!
Recommended for Beatle fans, especially those curious about Lennon's childhood and the pre-Ringo Beatles.
Even some of the non-Beatle chapters are good, such as his brief career as a policeman!
Recommended for Beatle fans, especially those curious about Lennon's childhood and the pre-Ringo Beatles.
February 17, 2012
Trifling yet mildly entertaining book by John Lennon's pal Pete Shotton. Probably must have been excerpted in a London tabloid at the time, but I've read worse. Found at Beatles conventions everywhere no doubt.
May 7, 2014
I'm such a Beatles junkie... and I never even knew Pete Schotten existed until a few years ago. And then to see how intimately he lived alongside John Lennon was another big revelation. He tells some cool stories and you get some nice new insights into John Lennon. An easy and fun read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews