But I Always Felt I Was

I wasn't around when the Beatles met
I wasn't around when the Beatles made their first record
I wasn't around when the Beatles first landed in the United States
I wasn't around when the Beatles made their first movie
I wasn't around when the Beatles performed their last concert
I wasn't around when the Beatles broke up
But I always felt I was


I wasn't around when John Lennon died
I was born nearly a year later
I have mixed feelings about that
Half is glad, because I didn't get to feel the raw pain
Half is sad, because I wasn't around during his lifetime
But I always felt I was


When December 8 comes around
my house grows gloomy
my mom remembers
the anniversary of his tragic death
she has this sadness in her
the radio is filled with his music
I sing along
the TV is filled with footage of his life
I watched
but then, I feel the same sadness that my mom feels
I started to cry
because the pain is that strong


Then November 29 comes around
it felt like a normal day
but something is missing
then I found out why
the next day, it was announced
George Harrison died
It was during the aftermath of September 11th
it was the only day that no one spoke about a war
instead it was quiet with only music playing
realizing that there are only two left


I never felt so empty
I never met them
yet I always felt that they were a part of my family
I grew up listening to them since birth
I spent most of my life learning about their lives
I managed to see Ringo Starr in concert twice*
I fought my way to see Paul McCartney in concert
despite my life's schedule
but I would do anything to see one in concert


Now, I still feel that empty pain
Every time I see a movie or listen to a song
it's there and it won't go away
But then again, the Beatles could never leave
there may be only two left with us
but there will always be the Fab Four among us
Forever


Written in 2002
*update: I have seen Ringo Starr now 4 times and also Paul McCartney 4 times. Other than that, nothing else has changed. Still all valid.

Why I Love the Beatles’ Wives and Girls

Top 9:

Cynthia

Linda

Olivia
Maureen
Barbara
Pattie
Nancy
Heather
Yoko

Cynthia Powell Lennon

I suppose I can say Cynthia is my favorite wife… not really sure why though… I think it's mainly because her marriage to John is underrated and not as popular as his marriage to Yoko is. John kept his love story with Cynthia close to the vest, private, and eventually dismissed it as an obligation as she was pregnant when they married- but so was Maureen, Linda, and Yoko. Aside from that, I do think there is something of value in their love story. Cynthia knew John as a college student before fame came in and literally took John away when they should have solidify their marriage and parenthood, but what else could have been done? There's no handbook on how to manage fame and marriage during their time together and John and Cynthia were winging it as they go. Cynthia was supportive to her husband's career, no matter what he wanted to do, and preferred to be in the background. However, Cynthia was talented in her own right: she too was an artist and a good singer, but John didn't support her career ambitions: maybe it was their way of growing up in the 1940s/1950s when men brought home the bacon while the women stayed home to look after the children. Cynthia certainly proved her talents, but unfortunately John's shadow overcasted it. On April 1, 2015, I was at home in my mother's house tending to my social media before getting ready for work. I saw her son's Instagram of his mother and candles… I honestly didn't know what was up but at first thought it was sweet. But then I saw a comment about her death. After doing further digging while praying it wasn't true but a bad April Fool's joke, it was true. My heart sank and for a long time, it stayed on my mind. Like Maureen and Linda, I grieved for Cynthia and my heart went out to Julian. She died of lung cancer; after witnessing my grandmother dying of the terrible cancer, it is a tough thing to go through. A death sentence. I don't know anybody who survived lung cancer- if there are, it's a few number of survival.

Maureen Cox Starkey
When I was a teenager (in the 1990s), I was fascinated by the way Maureen was always photographed wearing eyeliner and even tried to copy her look by always wearing eyeliner. To this day, it is my main go-to when wearing makeup, that and lipstick with a little bit of blush. I remember hearing about her death in January of 1995 by my mom who read about it in People magazine- it was night time and Mom was listening to music; she stopped it, told me Maureen died, then turned back the music. Of course, that raised a number of questions: since when? Of what? Does Ringo know about it? I wanted that People magazine! Since it was bedtime and a school night, I went to bed with those questions swirling in my head. After Mom went to bed, I snuck to where the magazine was and read to find out if any of my questions were answered… December 30th, 1994. Leukemia. Not only Ringo knew about her death, he was there. I went to sleep but her death weighed heavily on my mind for a long time. She was only 48, still young. She had a young daughter almost 8 years of age, instantly I felt so sad for Augusta. Her son Zak tried to save his mother by donated bone marrow and blood cells. Not long later, I found out that her daughter Lee nursed her mother. I don't know what her son Jason did but I have no doubt that he helped and was there. My respect for Ringo definitely reached a higher level for being at his ex-wife’s side through her illness up to the end. Maureen knew Ringo when he was a struggling poor musician and was with him when he made it big and famous. Sadly their marriage didn't last after the Beatles’ break-up: many factors like a troubling readjustment to life after being in a popular band for 8 years to now suddenly solo and had to reinvent a career, drinking, drugs, infidelity on both sides, midlife crises… it was a lot to handle for their marriage. However, Ringo and Maureen managed to forgive and reinvent their relationship as friends, parents, and still be part of the family; Ringo even considers Augusta as part of his family and is friends with Maureen's husband/widower Isaac Tigrett. Maureen was a Beatles fan whose dreams came true when a Beatle asked her out for a date and kept Ringo’s home roots down to earth by calling him Richie (his wife Barbara calls him that, too).

Pattie Boyd Harrison
Pattie was, and still is, a beauty. It's easy to see why both George Harrison and Eric Clapton fell in love with her. A model who became a muse of a couple of classic songs that frequently gets radio play. Not a bad way to go. I do feel sorry for her not to experience motherhood, she tried but unable to have child and neither husband was willing to adopt (pity!). She also has great respect and a friendly relationship with Olivia, George's second wife.
I got to meet Pattie twice: first time was at the 2008 Beatles’ Fest in Las Vegas and the second time in 2016 during her Behind the Lens photo presentation tour.

Linda Eastman McCartney
Our birthdays were a day apart. We both loved to cook- except she was vegetarian and I do eat meat. We love taking pictures except she made a career out of it while mine is more of a hobby yet a dream career. I think we have the same music talent except Linda had a musician husband while I have my car as the concert venue. However, unlike Linda, I don't have the balls to perform on tour with my singing and music skills. With all respect to Jane Asher, Linda’s photography career woven into Paul's music career as a team player. Not to compare but can't help but notice that Jane’s career as an actress wasn't able to blend into Paul's career other than as a muse. Maybe Jane would have appeared in a music video but that's all she could really have done. Meanwhile, Linda's photos were used for the cover of Paul's solo albums and inner sleeve notes, calendars, and throwback trend for social media. Paul is a type for wanting his lady nearby- Linda, Heather, and now Nancy, unlike Jane who had her own career to tour to act onstage or filming locations to be away for a few months. As for her music career, I don't think she sang as bad as most people think she did. No, her singing isn't perfect- Linda would be the first one to admit that. She was only there for love. Linda wasn't the only “untalented” musician, we also had Sonny Bono who had a couple of number 1 hits and he was loved by many as Sonny and Cher. John had his best friend from art college, Stuart Sutcliffe, couldn't play bass. He would have his back to the audience so they wouldn't notice his wrong notes- that used to irritate Paul, ironically. Maybe Paul realized why John wanted Stuart in the Beatles when he insisted to have Linda in his band Wings. Linda did learn as Wings went on and later in Paul's touring band until 1993- still not the greatest but able to stand there and keep to the beat. I don't think I would've lasted that long.
I was 16 years old when news came of Linda's death. My mom and I were in the drive-thru at Taco Bell before going to my Aunt's home for a little casual gathering. We heard on the radio and immediately thought of Paul and their children. When we arrived, we told the family about Linda’s death. It was a sad day.
P. S. I am not at all against Jane Asher, I deeply appreciate and admire her and respect her past relationship with Paul.

Yoko Ono Lennon
Not my favorite wife. Her singing is unbearable, I don't really understand her art, and her attitude towards Cynthia and especially Julian is unforgivable. I can take infidelity, a husband leaving his wife for another woman. I don't like it but it happens to everyone, then and today, I can accept and move on. However, I do not like the way John and Yoko handled it and it certainly would have been handled better. John was a coward and had Cynthia find out about his newfound love in the newspapers in another country and I do not doubt that Yoko whispered in John's ear saying nasty things about Cynthia so he wouldn't have a change of heart. I believe Yoko was jealous of Cynthia; in Yoko's mind, John's life didn't start until he fell in love with her. Whatever production Yoko has been involved with about John's life, Cynthia would be lucky to get a passing mention and the impression of being a forgotten footnote. Olivia never did that with Pattie- she was a part of George’s life and Olivia acknowledges that: Pattie's appearance on Living in the Material World a documentary about George was much more larger than Cynthia's appearance on John Lennon: Imagine documentary, with interview and home movies, photographs, and press footage. The most unforgivable part is Yoko's involvement in John's distance relationship with Julian. I think I will save that for another separate entry here on my blog because the subject is not only difficult but I could go on and on in a rant. To continue on with the subject matter, That being said, the older she gets, probably started after George's death in 2001, the more Yoko understands the concept of family; The Beatles are a second family after the personal first. I also often wonder that if her daughter hadn't been kidnapped by her father, would things be different between John and Julian? It took until the 1990s for Yoko to be reunited with her daughter. Guess I will never know.

Olivia Arias Harrison

As I mentioned in Yoko's description, Olivia acknowledges Pattie's place in George's life unlike Yoko, who doesn't with Cynthia. I have always liked Olivia, and I admire her strength and heroism of saving George's life when they were attacked and attempted murder. She is doing a great job on George's legacy, remaining true to his memory and keeping up with technology (although more of their son Dhani’s doing). I admire Olivia for her charity work, especially involving children and doing something to help rather than doing talk, raise awareness, and do nothing to show for it. Olivia shows for it, especially Romania and Bangladesh, India. Olivia stuck by George through thick and thin, taking care of him and their homes, and being her own person, treasuring her Mexican and American roots.

Barbara Goldbach Starkey

Barbara is certainly beautiful but I can't say she's a greatest actress; I think Jane was and still is a dedicated actress by being on stage, television, and movies. Barbara stuck with movies, very few television (she did audition for Charlie's Angels), and, as far as I know, never did stage plays. Maybe she would have if she didn't marry Ringo and allowed her career to fade away; honestly I don't think Barbara's heart was in it as she originally started out as a model and got into acting after someone suggested it to her. That being said, Barbara and Ringo do have a love story. They have the longest Beatle marriage (granted, if Linda had lived, she and Paul would still be married and looking forward to their 50th wedding anniversary) and happy to be together inseparable. They blended their children from previous marriages (3 from Ringo, 2 from Barbara) and friendly with their exes who are now both gone- Maureen in 1994 and Augusto Gregorini in 2017- Ringo was at Maureen's side and Barbara attended Augusto’s funeral. Ringo and Barbara stuck together from drinking and doing drugs, going to rehab together, going on tour, traveling, being a family and being in love and devotion.

Heather Mills McCartney

Heather is popular for being not the favorite- probably the worst of all in the opinion of the Beatles’ and Paul McCartney fan community. But, since this is strictly my opinion and my blog, I honestly don't feel that way. I do understand why: Heather has been accused of being a gold-digger, taking advantage of Paul while he was grieving for Linda, for being outspoken, loving the spotlight and fame, and got herself millions from the divorce settlement. In my opinion, Paul was, and still is, a big boy. I think he could at least spot a gold-digger a mile away after 50+ years of being famous. There is a few things that I do admire Heather for: I do think she is strong and refuses to give up any life challenge thrown at her way. She did overcome many obstacles. It must not be easy to have a mentally and physically abusive father, a mother that abandoned her children to get away from her husband instead of taking the children with her. Money was tight and her father committed fraud. Despite reuniting with her mother, she butted heads with her mother's lover and lived life out on the streets. She became a model, then lost her lower half leg after collided with a speeding police motorcycle. She had to face the media and fans of being Paul's partner- the biggest difficult challenge of all. It must be difficult to fill a position that was once held by Linda for 30 years. I wouldn't want to do that. I do admire Heather as someone who helped Paul through the mourning of Linda, and to help him back on his feet to tour again. I am sure he would've done that regardless but perhaps later than sooner. I also admire Heather as a mother to Beatrice. For someone who has been accused of loving the spotlight all on her and sparking up publicity, she is determined to keep Beatrice private. She doesn't parade Beatrice everywhere in public and even finding paparazzi photos comes in far and few in between. I admire Heather for reinventing herself as a vegan food industry business woman and a snow speed racer, determined to go in the Guinness Book of Records and the Winter Paralympics. Especially to the McCartney fans, Heather is the ultimate blacksheep and pretends she doesn't exist.

I did communicate with Heather twice on her Facebook and once on Instagram and she was very kind to me. The first time I wished her a happy birthday through message and she replied back thanking me. The second time I made a comment on one of her pictures relating to V-Bites, saying that I love her polenta pizzas from her Love Bites cookbook and make them often, she replied by agreeing with me. A similar comment and  response on Instagram. Those are my experiences with Heather… my philosophy motto is Be nice to me, I will be nice to you. I did not expect any reply back and was genuinely surprised when I did.

Nancy Shevell McCartney

Nancy gets frequently compared to Heather and Linda in the media. Most fans usually pretend that Heather doesn't exist and claim that Paul has two wives rather than three. It is clear that Nancy and Linda are a lot alike: both from New England part of the United States (Linda in New York, Nancy in New Jersey), both lived in New York City and had homes in the Hamptons, Jewish, both were born in well-to-do wealth, both battled breast cancer, both opt for the privacy quiet life although Linda reluctantly has done interviews and photo shoots while Nancy turns down the offers… I do believe Heather does like the quiet life too but also loves the limelight the same. Nancy has done one interview before meeting Paul and it's rare to get a sound bite from her that majority of the fans doesn't know what she sounds like. Another thing that Nancy and Linda have in common is that they both had their parents stick together till death did them part, unlike Heather’s family which had abuse involved. I do like Nancy- his children adores her, even ex-wife Heather likes her! Paul does seem to be in love and very happy too. The only gripe I have is that she is a Republican… actually I normally don't care but knowing that her family (father, sister, son, including ex-husband) are rooting for President Donald Trump, the most disgusting vile man on Earth (to be fair, I hated Trump long before he became President).

My OnLine Empire

Just about every year, I like to present an inventory of my online activities that I like to share and spread of interest to visit. Please give some love and visit often!

Websites:

The Mexican Beauty: Olivia Harrison http://darksweetlady.tripod.com

Dedicated to the widow of George Harrison and mother of Dhani Harrison to show her as her own person other than being known as a “Beatles wife”. This is my very first website I created.

The Beatles’ Children http://beatlechildren.tripod.com

Dedicated to Julian and Sean Lennon, Heather, Mary, Stella, James, and Beatrice McCartney, Dhani Harrison, Zak, Jason, and Lee Starkey. Step children also included.

Cyn & Mo http://cynandmo.tripod.com/

Dedicated to the friendship between Cynthia Lennon and Maureen Starkey, the two late ex-wives of John Lennon and Ringo Starr. A fun, simple, and small website

Enchanting Isabel Gillies http://enchantingisabelgillies.tripod.com/

Dedicated to the actress and author. Best known as Kathy Stabler from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and her first book, Happens Every Day, about the breakdown of her first marriage was on the New York Times bestseller list.

Blogs:

Jeannette’s This & That http://jac925.blogspot.com/

Random celebrity pictures posted, entertainment purposes. From history, music, and acting with time-to-time quotes and little opinions here and there.

In My Tastebuds http://inmytastebuds.blogspot.com/

Culinary blog of my own recipes, celebrity recipes that intrigued me, and pictures of my food. Admittedly not as active as I would like it to be but definitely worthy to look into and try. Hopefully in the near future I will get it back to being active again.

In My Write Mind http://inmywrite.blogspot.com/

Inspired by my quips on This & That as well as saving my old blog posts from MySpace that I abandoned as majority people also have. This blog is for my writings from opinions, experiences, favorite lists, poems, etc. that I am willing to share to the public online world.

The Stablers http://svustablers.blogspot.com/

Dedicated to a fictional TV family from Law & Order: Special Victims Unit after getting sick of years of constant “EO” (Elliot and Olivia) love from certain fans who wanted Elliot to divorce his wife and hook up with his partner. As a fan of Kathy, I wanted something to prove that, yes, Elliot did love his wife and to straighten out any errors that the viewer may have.

John and Cynthia Lennon http://johnandcynthialennon.blogspot.com

Dedicated to, well, John and Cynthia! With quotes, pictures, and some personal opinions weaved into their lives and underrated love that constantly gets overshadowed by John's love story with Yoko Ono.

The Beatles Wives and Girls

Dedicated and focused on Cynthia Lennon, Maureen Starkey, Pattie Boyd, Linda McCartney, Yoko Ono, Olivia Harrison, Barbara Bach, Heather Mills, Nancy Shevell, Astrid Kirchherr, Jane Asher, May Pang, Nancy Lee Andrews, and more.

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thebeatleswomen

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/thebeatleswomen

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/thebeatleswomen

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBeatlesWomen9/videos

(admittedly abandoned for now due to personal reasons)

Children of the Beatles Facebook https://www.facebook.com/childrenofthebeatles

Children of the Beatles Instagram http://www.instagram.com/thebeatleschildren

Other Social Media

Tumblr: Jeannette's Place https://beataholic925.tumblr.com/

Similar to This & That (see Blogs)

Tumblr: Mary McCartney Photos https://marymccartneyphotos.tumblr.com/

Dedicated to the photography career of Mary McCartney; including recipes and other projects

Instagram http://www.instagram.com/jac_925

My public Instagram of my photos.

I also have private (as mentioned on my public one) but unfortunately you can't follow that if I don't know you at all as it contains my personal life.

Instagram: The Late Beatles’ Wives http://www.instagram.com/mo_lin_cyn

Dedicated to Maureen Starkey (1946-1994), Linda McCartney (1941-1998), and Cynthia Lennon (1939-2015)... For now…

Instagram: Isabel Gillies Fan Club http://www.instagram.com/for_isabel_gillies

Dedicated to actress and author (see Websites). Brand new, too!

Twitter https://www.twitter.com/JeannetteC9

My own public twitter account where I post whatever I want to post! Mostly lately been about General Hospital, but still, it's mine.

Yahoo Groups

I usually include them but instead I am not. I rarely go there anymore except for Mary McCartney Photography to move things there to Tumblr before I delete it permanently. I don't like all the upgrades Yahoo has done, making it hard to navigate and post photos- nevermind to delete or move around in an appropriate albums!

My Online Empire

Time to time, I like to do an updated itinerary of my online websites and social media.

Websites 
The Mexican Beauty: Olivia Harrison
The Beatles Children
Cyn & Mo
Enchanting Isabel Gillies

Yahoo Groups 
Beatles Lovers
The Beatles Children
Mary McCartney Photography
The Stabler Family
The Bond Girl: Barbara Bach

Blogs
Jeannette's This & That
In My Tastebuds
In My Write Mind
The Stablers

Tumblr
Jeannette's Place
Photographs by Mary McCartney

Instagram
Celebrity Every Day
Tribute to the Late Beatles' Wives

Beatles' Wives & Girls
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
Children of the Beatles Facebook
Children of the Beatles Instagram

Julian & The Stanley Sisters

I've been wanting to write this out for quite some time. Now that Julian Lennon's birthday just recently passed, I thought to get on with it.

Mary Elizabeth (Mimi)
Mimi raised Julian’s father John Lennon from the time he was five until he moved out officially at the age of 23, already married and a parent. Mimi’s relationship with Julian’s mother Cynthia Lennon was strained yet tolerable at best; they had good days and days where they wanted to strangle each other. They lived with Mimi after Cynthia had a threatening miscarriage risk so she wouldn’t be alone while John was on tour with The Beatles. While Cynthia was at the hospital giving birth to Julian, Mimi called the hospital for updates and informed John the news when he called to check in. She was also the only family member to go to the hospital to see the baby (before John did)- she was frosty with Cynthia but her face soften when she saw Julian. Mimi hosted a family gathering when Cynthia and Julian arrived home from the hospital by taxi. However, until John, Cynthia and Julian moved out, Mimi helped care for Julian once when Cynthia was exhausted and desperately needed rest. Other than that, Mimi would visit her sister Harret, who lived near by, to complain how Julian cried most of the time and criticized how Cynthia was coping with motherhood. In 1965, John bought Mimi a home in Bournemouth where she remained until her death in 1991. John, Cynthia and Julian visited her not long after she moved in. They went to the beach where residents left John alone. According to Cynthia, that was their only visit… However, with pictures from her sister in law Julia’s collection, it appeared that John, Cynthia and Julian visited again the following year (1966) but with other members of the family present. In 1967, John and Julian had a day out with Mimi on a ferry. Mimi also visited the Lennon family home in Surrey a couple of times; John named one of his cats Mimi after his Aunt. After John and Cynthia divorced, when Mimi saw Cynthia at Harrie’s funeral, she berated her for the divorce and not fighting for John hard enough. Before John’s death, Mimi had pictures of Julian all over her home but when she found out that John’s widow Yoko Ono inherited the ownership of her home, a terrified Mimi changed the pictures from Julian to Sean in case of a surprise visit or something like that. Other than that, not much is known about Mimi and Julian except that Mimi thought Julian should get a proper job rather than being a musician. But, to be fair, she thought the same way with John and hoped that Sean wouldn’t go into the music business (he did!). Mimi died in 1991 with Cynthia, Yoko and Sean attending the funeral.
"I think Julian ought to get a real job. I've heard him sing and it's not my cup of tea. Julian doesn't keep in touch, not that it worries me too much." -Mimi (1983)

“Oh, I think for about five minutes, yes. When we bought her the house down in Poole [in 1965], we went to visit and she was all over him then, but apart from that there was no contact. She wasn’t a doting surrogate grandmother or anything like that.” -Cynthia, 2005

Elizabeth (Mater)
Mater lived in Scotland where John spent his vacation time as a child. Cynthia got along beautifully with Mater, often taking a train up to visit when life in London got too much for her. Mater also visit the Lennon family in Surrey. After John divorced Cynthia and remarried to Yoko, they took Julian and Yoko’s daughter Kyoko on a spontaneous holiday to Scotland and visited Mater. During the visit in 1969, Mater wasn’t too thrilled with the new wife and didn’t hide her feelings, much to John’s dismay that he stormed out. The family got into a car accident and since Julian was least injured, he was discharged from the hospital into Mater’s care until Cynthia arrived. Mater died in 1976

Harrie, Julia and Nanny

Anne Georgina (Nanny)
Hmmm… I got nothing other than that there was a family relationship that is not much known. Nanny died in the 1980s

Julia
Julian’s grandmother and namesake. Julia died in 1958, just before John got involved with Cynthia. She was taken to Sefton General Hospital where she was pronounced dead- the same hospital where Julian was born.

Lucy Bayliss, Cynthia, Julian, Jacqui and Julia

Her daughters, Julia and Jacqui, are close to Julian. They helped Aunt Harrie cared for him when Cynthia traveled with John and visited them in Surrey. They barely have a relationship with their other nephew, Sean.
“I don’t know if Sean and Julian have a relationship. I think so, they talk well of each other, but I’m really an aunt to Julian.” -Julia, 2016

Harriet (Harrie)
Harrie was not only the baby of the Stanley sisters but also the baby sitter. After Julia’s death, Harrie became her daughters Julia and Jacqui’s guardian. Harrie lived in the same neighborhood as Mimi; Cynthia visited often and after Julian’s birth, Harrie babysat Julian whenever Cynthia went traveling with John until they moved down to London. Harrie died in 1972 with Cynthia attending the funeral.

Richie & Mo

I know Ringo Starr often refers second wife Barbara Bach as the 'love of his life' and right he should be. They have been married for over 30 years and are still going strong. However, I do believe that Ringo has two loves of his life, Barbara and his first wife Maureen Tigrett. Not just because Maureen is the classic 'mother of his children' but it's also because Maureen knew Ringo before he joined the Beatles, she knew Richie Starkey, pre famous when nobody knew his name. Ringo has always counted Maureen as his family, and he was at her bedside when she passed away a little over 20 years ago. The one thing I really don't like is reading certain Beatles/Ringo fans blaming Maureen for the break-down of the marriage after her affair with George Harrison. Yes, it was the last straw. But Maureen isn't 100% of the blame. Ringo wasn't exactly becoming fun to hang around with- it was during the time he was drinking heavily, the break up of the Beatles with depression and feeling at a loss while finding work (film), restarting his career as a soloist musician, his own infidelity. Meanwhile Maureen got married young, had children young, went through several hairstyle changes, probably having an identity crises of who's Maureen that's not Joseph and Florence Cox's daughter, Ringo Starr's wife and mother of 3 (before Isaac and Augusta Tigrett existed)? Not to mention the pressure of living with a rock star with fans coming to their home, mail and reporters/early paparazzi. Perhaps if they had less stress like his drinking problem and infidelity taken out of the equation then their marriage would have lasted longer than it did. However, that being said, both Ringo and Maureen found love in Barbara and Isaac, they all settled on a family vibe. I definitely know that Ringo treats Augusta, Maureen's daughter with Isaac, as part of the family. Peace and love, as Ringo says.

Fleetwood Mac Memories of George

"When I met George Harrison, it was one of those truly memorable moments. I said, ‘Gee, of all the good work you did with the Beatles, how did you ever come up with that incredible guitar solo on "Taxman"?’ And his face just fell. He said, ‘Oh, Paul did that.’ Grrrrr! I really put my foot in my mouth that time."

-Lindsey Buckingham

"I’ve been thinking about George Harrison more than ever since he died. We were more than just brothers-in-law for a time; he was one of the very best friends I’ve ever had. We both loved Maui and Hawaii equally, because we both understood how special this place is. His song ‘Cloud 9’ really captures how he felt about this place, and I find myself thinking of the line ‘I’ll see you there on cloud nine’ when I think about how much I miss him. George is the reason I’m playing ukulele lately too. He was such a great player, and he was obsessed with it. He used to drive around Maui with literally 20 of the things in his trunk, handing them out to friends, hawking the wares of this local guy who made them"

-Mick Fleetwood

"The photo was taken by my best friend, Mary DeVitto. She had given me a copy of it a long time ago, and I had it made into an 8 x 10 and put in a little frame. When I go on the road it goes right on my makeup mirror, so before I go on stage, whether it's with Fleetwood Mac or me in my solo career, the three of us are looking back at me and that has been my inspiration every single night. There's lots of nights where you kind of go, I wish I didn't have to go on stage tonight, I'm tired, I don't feel like doing it, and I look at George Harrison and look at Longhi and look at me and I go, well, you just have to, because it's important, it's important to make people happy, so get out of your chair, put on your boots and go out there and do your thing. We were writing a sort of parody of 'Here Comes the Sun,' but we were writing 'Here Comes the Moon', Longhi was saying, 'you guys are writing about the moon instead of the sun,' and I said, that's because by then we were all such night birds. I had met George before that at a record party in Mexico in Acapulco for 'Rumours.' Longhi saw George all the time. He drove me and my friend Sara and Mary to George's house in Hana. And we just hung out and wrote and sang and talked. I had been famous for not even quite three years and we were talking with George about being famous and what it meant and what you had to give up."

-

"Isn't that wild? That is probably 1977, in Hana on the island of Maui in Hawaii. Me and a couple of my friends had gone over there. I don't-St remember exactly how it happened, but we drove up to Hana, where George lived, and we hung out with him for about three days. We stayed in his guest cottage and we sat around and wrote. I don't think anything really came out of the writing session, but we had a great time, and you can kind of see we were very serious. I took the picture to the studio, so it was on the fireplace for the whole recording of 'Say You Will'. It was very much like he was looking over us the whole time. I liked George very much. He was really a nice man."

-Stevie Nicks

Lifelong Motorcycle Interest

"A mini motorbike Dad had in Weybridge. I’d ride on the front of it and we’d go to visit Ringo, who lived down the road, on it.”
-
"I remember Dad riding it in the driveway in Weybridge with me as the passenger...I think I was allowed to sit up front and hold the handlebars but never to actually control it".
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"All I knew was that he was away a lot. When he came home, and we were together, I recall most of all the fun like flying a kite in the garden, or riding on the back of Dad's motorbike down to Ringo's home. The rest of my childhood with dad is a fog."
-Julian Lennon

"He's interested in girls and autobikes now. I'm just sort of a figure in the sky, but he's obliged to communicate with me, even when he probably doesn't want to."
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"I hadn't seen my first son grow up and now there's a 17-year-old man on the phone talking about motorbikes."
-John Lennon

Cynthia is with...

 Cynthia Lennon has been dead for almost two months now and whenever I see comments, it's mostly "Cynthia is with John now". Now, as you probably know, I am a huge John and Cynthia fan. I love them together. But that being said, I can't help but be put off on that. During the first week of her death, I did post on my tumblr that not only did Cynthia got to John Lennon first in life, she got to him first in spirit. I still stand by that. But, I also believe that Cynthia is with her fourth and final husband, Noel Charles. Honestly, if Cynthia was going to be side by side with drifting on the clouds, it would be with Noel. With John, I would think that it would be more like confronting him about his attitude towards their son Julian and making peace between them. In life, Cynthia, although still much in love with John until her dying day, did move on away from John. The only thing she wanted from John after their divorce was to be friends and parents to their son Julian. But instead, John cut Cynthia out of his life as much as he could. John spoke frequently and loudly his love for Yoko Ono, who said herself that when she dies, she'll be with John.

I do believe that Noel Charles was the love of Cynthia's life, while John was her first love with a special place in her heart. With Noel, Cynthia spent the last 15 years of her life happy, probably the most happy she ever been in her entire life. She pointed out in her second autobiography that if she would've gone through with life with John Lennon again, knowing what lay ahead- she said no. Cynthia would've turned around and walked away. Life with John brought Cynthia heartbreak that she had to be reminded of over and over again when doing interviews- John cheating and leaving her for another woman. For making their son's life difficult with a stepmother who doesn't take much interest in him and inheritance fighting. Who would want to go through that? Although Cynthia did spoke about John with love, no bitterness, being classy about the end of her marriage. But with Noel, he was someone different. Maybe it was age and maturity by the time they met well into their 50s/60s that it was perfect timing for them to be together. Noel was the love of Cynthia's life, her longest marriage out of four. They lived quietly yet excitedly too. Life wasn't boring for them, they had privacy that Cynthia craved during her time with John. Noel made Cynthia happy, so therefore, and unfortunately overlooked, Noel and Cynthia are together again.

A Flower, A Kiss, A Smile

A flower, a kiss, a smile of love

Heartwarming gifts from up above

The hand of coldness disappears 

When we forget our chosen fears.

Just one experience of love

Gives hope and life in endless years

Of learning how to move our minds of stone

When many times we feel alone.

We are alone. The choice is ours

To offer a flower, a kiss, a smile

Is but the simple answer, for awhile

We search our minds in depth

We should find life a simple test.

When realization of the truth

Presents itself in all its youth

To all in age who still ask why

Just smile and love but do not cry

-Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978

Truth & Honesty

The truth for me does not agree
With other people using me
With a freedom that they think is free
Checkmate will only find success
When pawns themselves don't fall from grace
When honesty comes face to face
With truth and not commodity.

To use another's soul for gain
Misunderstanding all in vain
For those who use another's brain
To lift themselves with words profane
Cynics born to eat the words
Of men who falter not with words

-Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978

For Dorothy

Dorothy Rhone

I know we'll meet again some day
How can I put in words and say
The pleasure you have given me
The pleasure of your company

You know as much as I, how much
I'll miss your presence, ever present
Are my thoughts of times so pleasant
Words are not enough without touch

There's an empty place today
An empty void, a missing friend
An empty word no ear to bend
Enjoy yourself is all I say,
Maybe we'll meet again some day

Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978

Time

The days go by so slowly my mind held in suspense
Why must this be when I can see the feeling so intense?
The future holds the magic of my thoughts these passing days
The planning actions of my mind just wither in the haze
Time is wasted longing for the bud to flower and bloom
Waiting, hoping, anticipating what might be happening soon
Possibility is just a game played in fantasy throughout
Why must this be withheld within. What is it all about?
If only I could touch the flower and feel it's beauty in my strife
I could be at ease and aim to please of my life

-Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978

For Astrid

Please give her strength in her dark hour
Fire her with hope so she may tower
Above the depths of sad despair
This day she feels no hope in sight
Please give her strength so she may fight
The fears that hold her in their grasp
Please give strength 'til all is past
Life must go on yet some may leave
To give new life a chance to breathe
A chance to learn as we have learned
Through times of sadness we have earned
A certain wisdom- yet more to come
We all will learn when life is done

Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978. Dedicated to Astrid Kirchherr (on top picture, with Stuart Sutcliffe)

Memories

Voices flit like shadows down the passage of my mind

They grow and fade in volume as the passing of the days

Bring memories of sunshine's timeless rays

Times of childhood beckon calling me through days and years

Of happiness and loneliness mingled with the tears

Written by Cynthia Lennon, published in 1978