Charlie Lennon: Uncle to a BeatleHere is the full story of John Lennons remarkable uncle, the late singer-composer Charlie Lennon, told in Charlies own words and in tributes by some of those who knew him best. The book provides a unique, fascinating look into the Lennon family and Johns early life in his hometown of Liverpool, England. Charlie talks candidly about his childhood days in Liverpool, his wartime service in the Royal Army, his memories of John and of Johns son Julian, and his life as a hometown celebrity after coming home to Liverpool in 1982. His close friend Scott Wheeler takes up the story in the 1980s, chronicling his many "travels with Charlie" around Liverpool and Boston in the course of eight years of band tours. The book includes tributes from 13 of Charlies friends, and is illustrated with nearly 600 photos, including many rare Lennon family pictures that have never before been published. Listen to the radio interview! |
Contents
Foreword By Bill Harry | 11 |
A selection of family photographs from Charlies private collection with commentary | 27 |
CHARLIE LENNON IN HIS OWN WRITE | 41 |
Second World War as a searchlight operator and antiaircraft artillery gunner and tells the story of his confrontation | 47 |
ship of the Royal And Ancient Order Of Buffaloes | 65 |
Charlie talks about leaving Liverpool in the mid1950s his brother Alfreds misadventures | 76 |
encounters with some of the heroes and villains in his life | 94 |
Charlie talks candidly about the 1989 bus accident that | 101 |
Scott and his mother enjoy a reunion visit with Georges parents in their country bunga | 188 |
Scott recruits his longtime American performing partner Dennis Roach to accompany him | 219 |
of The Beatles close friend and mentor Astrid Kirchherr | 235 |
Scott and Dennis change lodgings in Liverpool and begin a jampacked twoweek | 254 |
On Bandstands concert in Vale Park Wallasey | 307 |
The band plays the Jacaranda the club that launched The Beatles | 315 |
The 1996 Mathew Street Music Festival is launched in a downpour and Scott | 334 |
Was she or wasnt she John Lennons outofwedlock daughter? | 386 |
TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE | 113 |
One month after visiting the Harrisons Scott attends his first concert | 124 |
a memorial service for John Lennon | 141 |
Scott revisits England with his father in 1988 and returns to Liverpool for the first | 156 |
a rebelwerent we all? | 171 |
No one I think is in Johns tree but the view of Strawberry Field from his treetop | 185 |
The US lineup of The Scott Wheeler Band unexpectedly breaks up | 392 |
One last night out and one last See you next year | 404 |
Jim Hughes | 413 |
Craig Evans | 422 |
Alistair | 428 |
Common terms and phrases
Adelphi Hotel Aigburth Alfred Alistair Allan August ballroom band's BBC Radio Merseyside Beatle fans Beatles convention bloody Bob Wooler Boston Brighton brother building Casbah Cavern City Tours Cavern Club Cavern Walks cellar Charlie is seen Charlie Lennon Charlie's city centre concert crowd Dennis door drumkit drummer drums father film front Garry Geoff George George's guest guitar Harrison interview Jacaranda Jack John Lennon John's Johnny Julian later Len Garry live Liver London look Louise loved Mathew Street Mersey Merseybeat Merseycats mother Nick night onstage Paul McCartney Penny Lane performing Pete Best Pete's photograph pictured Pier Head played posing Quarrymen Radio Merseyside record Ringo River Mersey Roag Royal Saturday Scott took Scott Wheeler Scott Wheeler Band Sefton Park ship Skiffle song stage story studio told Tony Tony Sheridan Uncle Charlie Wallasey Wavertree