May Pang Internet posts
Post: 16367 of 16454
Xref: theporch rec.music.beatles:16367
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Misc Notes on Lennon
Date: 28 May 1994 13:51:04 -0400
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In my 1st time browsing, I noticed a few items I had to address since
I was there, at that period of time.
1. #9 DREAM was only written by Lennon on Walls & Bridges LP released
in 1974 and it was John's 1st solo #1 album.
2. STEEL AND GLASS is about Allen Klein.
3. MIND GAMES LP - John played rhythm guitar. David Spinozza did the
lead guitar work.
4. A lot of the songs that Yoko pulled out for McCartney were songs
that John wrote back in 1974/5. TENNESSEE was about John's favourite
writer, Tennessee Williams.
5. As for Cynthia's article in "Hello" magazine - I think that any
person has the right to write about their own life. As for getting
paid for it, why not? It's hard work writing a piece or a book. Do
you work for nothing? People are still curious about the past and she
is getting paid for her time, and since information is first hand,
you should be grateful to receive it. It is only fair that she gets
paid. Yoko used to *charge* for her interviews, especially on her
concert tour in Japan, 1974. We (Cynthia, Yoko & myself included)
shared different times with John and we have different stories to
tell. No two relationships are exactly the same. Remember, that
Cynthia still has a son from that marriage and it is her perogative
to choose to use her 1st married name. You could argue that a woman
doesn't need to take her husband's name in the first place, but that
belongs in a different forum.
I know I will get flack from this.....but I was there through the
various ins and outs, public and behind the scenes. That's 10 years
of knowing someone very intimately. No one person has the monopoly
on John's life. He touched many.
I have a life that is in the music business, I run our production
company, Tony Visconti (my husband) Productions Inc. My 2 children,
Sebastian and Lara, are big part of my life, so if anyone thinks I
sit here and do nothing all day, they are certainly mistaken.
Reading these letters gives me great insight into the Beatles fans
out there in the world. Do you want to know the truth or would you
prefer your fantasies?
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16501 of 16514
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Misc Notes on Lennon
Date: 2 Jun 1994 01:41:03 -0400
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John was good at breaking down his own myths. He couldn't live up to
being a "legend." It was just too hard.
Yes, it's good to look up to someone like John and get motivated but
at the same time, you have to accept the reality of that person's
faults too.
You have to be able to distinguish the two. There's a fine line
between reality and fantasy.
Paul & John were very friendly during the time I was with him. The
reunion idea came from conversations John was having with Harry,
Ringo and various other people that lived under the same roof. That
roof was a house rented by Harry Nilsson when John was producing his
Pussycats LP
The film "John and Yoko, a Love Story" made a few years ago, had
incomplete text to it. His "lost weekend" was not so lost. It
failed to recogise that John did more solo work at that time then any
other period of his solo career.
My book came out again in paperback and I retitled it, "John Lennon:
the Lost Weekend" by May Pang & Henry Edwards, SPI Books. I had
updated the book and put some new photos in it.
Hope that answers most of the questions.
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16528 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Misc Notes on Lennon
Date: 4 Jun 1994 03:28:02 -0400
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In article <2snorp$r41@hpscit.sc.hp.com>, miller@sc.hp.com (Phil
Miller) writes:
>Of course, Elton John sharing the vocals (and artist credit, too --
>the record is labled by "John Lennon and Elton John, right?)
>helped the single sell."
For the record...the label copy read "John Lennon" - Elton did the
background vocals and play a bit of piano. Elton only came by the
studio to visit not to sing which was a bonus.
John did not expect the record to go #1 and that is why he made the
bet in the first place. To insinuate that John or Elton had done a
payola sort of thing is ridiculous. Elton was on the road when the
record was released. Do you think he had time to think about John's
single when he was just starting to do his own tour? The album
"Walls & Bridges" was #1. It did not get there because of Elton's
efforts but the fans who bought the record.
For the record.....Ann Peebles' I CAN'T STAND THE RAIN single came on
the chart and peaked around #88 and fell off. It was John who played
her record on the radio, when he went around promoting his MIND GAMES
lp and telling everyone that it was a great song. The record came
back on the charts and went to #1. Fans bought the record not John
Lennon. He only made the public aware of the song. This was in
1974. Records do have their ups and downs.
Goodnight...May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16529 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: John on what Bowie tune?
Date: 4 Jun 1994 03:33:02 -0400
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In article , treefrog@netcom.com (An
Earthling...Really!) writes:
>Actually, the voice that does the high, short, falsetto "fame"
>after the deep Bowie voice goes "Faaaaaame" sounds JUST like John.
>I'm sure it is.
Oh, and at the end, it's obviously John who shout/sings "What's your
name!?"
You got it!!!!!.............Thanks, May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16534 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Badfinger
Date: 4 Jun 1994 02:23:02 -0400
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In article <2snrh4$lkm@hpscit.sc.hp.com>, miller@sc.hp.com (Phil
Miller) writes:
>So far I'd say the odds favor this really being May Pang since none
>of her posts have been the kind of over exagerated flame-bait that
>an imposter would typically spew."
Thank you. I don't know how many more times I will have to explain
to someone I am THE May Pang!
Signing off as May Pang for May Pang......Goodnight.
End of Messages>
Post: 16588 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: may pang on r.m.b. (was Re: Badfinger)
Date: 6 Jun 1994 02:09:06 -0400
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Thank you for your support on my being here in this Internet file.
It's an extension of file on AOL to me. I've only read notes from
Saki and someone else mentioned her to me by email.
I'll try and give some input where I'm most knowledgeable.
All the best,
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16589 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: John at MSG (Was: Re: Misc Notes on Lennon)
Date: 6 Jun 1994 02:13:06 -0400
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Yes, that was Yoko at the MSG watching Elton & John performing.
John & I told her about the show and she wanted tickets. That was
John's last public appearance.
Regards,
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16590 of 16639
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: George's 1974 MSG Concert
Date: 6 Jun 1994 02:19:02 -0400
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In article <2so12u$ioi@engnews2.Eng.Sun.COM>, garyp@tull.eng.sun.com
(Gary Parker) writes:
>(I dunno if Ms. May Pang is reading this, but May, if you are, I'd
>love to know your personal thoughts on Mr. Harrison, based on
>your experiences. I've always admired him greatly....if only
>the musical output were a bit more consistent in quality.)
In 1974, George took a stab at the concert circuit. He was very
nervous and the shows were not great. John & I attended one in Long
Island. We missed Ravi (which was fine with John.) We later hung
out with George to the wee hours of the morning and then George got
us a hotel room so we could hang out longer. John wanted to help
George by appearing on the show at MSG. Due to certain
circumstances, that didn't come off.
We did attend his party afterwards!
All the best,
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 15166 of 15169
Xref: jackatak rec.music.beatles:15166
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Question to May Pang
Date: 11 Jun 1994 15:49:00 -0400
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John was in constant contact with Yoko when we were together. He WAS
NOT waiting to get an okay to return home. Yoko actually did the
calling anywhere from 1 to 20 calls a day. Usually around 10.
John and I were quite happy to be on our own but John felt quilty
that he was in a good mood and that maybe Yoko wasn't. Yoko, in
fact, was going out with some other people and not telling John until
later.
John and I entertained Paul, George and Ringo at various times. He
would go see them or they would come to us. The Beatles getting
together was not a thing of the past with John. He actually
considered to get the other guys together and do a concert. Harry
Nilsson would have been part of it too. When they thought about it,
the realistic time and logistics were not good. This proposed
concert was to be in September 1974.
All the best,
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16971 of 17007
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Re(2): Question to May Pang
Date: 17 Jun 1994 02:18:01 -0400
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In article <355532766.25407023@fc.babylon.montreal.qc.ca>,
James_Ciminera@babylon.montreal.qc.ca (James Ciminera) writes:
>Could you give us your personal impressions of the guys? Where they
>any warmer towards you than they were with Yoko?"
I had no problems with any of the other guys. They were all very
sweet and kind to me. Hanging out with them was a pleasure not a
chore and at no time did they resent my being there. That is why
John and I spent a lot time with the Macs & Ringo especially. George
was only around on the Dark Horse tour and we spent days with him
when he was in NY.
>Also, was Harry a main catalyist for John drinking binges, or was it
>the other way around?"
Harry was the main catalyst for John's drinking binges. He was
constantly egging John on to cause a ruckus somewhere. John and I
couldn't wait to be in NY after awhile. We had a quiet life back in
NY. And of course, there isn't much press for the quiet life.
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 17091 of 17150
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Question to MPang
Date: 20 Jun 1994 22:17:02 -0400
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In article <2u2kdk$b54@crl.crl.com>, wlr@crl.com (Walter L. Rimler)
writes:
>Ms. Pang, I would be very interested to hear
>any description you have of John Lennon as he was
>composing music and writing songs. Do you have any
>recollections of him as he was writing, of him trying
>out musical ideas or lyrics?"
I've watched him write songs since the SOMETIME IN NEW YORK CITY
album. When we lived together he wrote songs out of his sleep, got
lyrics from the television and everyday situations.
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 17153 of 17218
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: For May Pang
Date: 22 Jun 1994 00:56:09 -0400
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In article <15007742.50956907@fc.babylon.montreal.qc.ca>,
James_Ciminera@babylon.montreal.qc.ca (James Ciminera) writes:
>Did you accompany John to the Smothers Brothers show at the
>Troubedor? Tommy Smothers said that they were upset because this
>was the opening night of a return to the stage for them and John &
>Harry nearly ruined the show.
>
>Did John ever have any contact with them after that incident. I know
>he explained how stupid he acted as being smashed out of his mind,
>and once again to be egged on by Nielson.
>
>Also, how long after you got back to New York did your relationship
>continue? Wasn't John pretty much back with Yoko after the Elton
>John show?"
I did accompany John to the Troubador. It didn't really ruined the
show. In fact Tommy Smothers found it funny. But then, he has a
great sense of humor.
My relationship was still intact to the beginning of Feb. 1975.
John and I remained in contact till he died. John was not back with
Yoko at that time. That was the biggest publicity rumor put out by
Yoko's spokesperson. John and I made arrangements for her to have
tickets for the show after we told her that John was going to appear.
We saw her and was in contact all the time with her. She called us
many times a day. John, Julian and myself spent that Xmas holiday
together in Orlando, Fl.
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 17472 of 17474
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: For May Pang
Date: 2 Jul 1994 15:43:01 -0400
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In article <5a4_9407010525@cjbbs.com>,
Brett.Pasternack%juicebar@cjbbs.com (Brett Pasternack) writes:
>I just checked two Lennon bios--Jon Weiner's excellent "Come
>Together" and Anthony Fawcett's "One Day At A Time"--and both seem
>to agree that John moved back in with Yoko in mid-January, 1975.
>Which would mean that Sean was not necessarily premature."
Anthony Fawcett was once John & Yoko's ass't. He stole some clothes
from John after he was fired by them and then he tried to sell it
back to them. When John saw Anthony in LA, John grabbed him by the
balls and was not too pleased to see him. I remembered when he
wrote about John's LA time, I thought to myself, he wasn't there with
us except for the one incident. How would both authors know when
John left except for me. John and I were together in Florida with
Julian for Xmas. We then saw Bowie during the Young American LP in
January. I've known over the years that most info were obtained
through interviews I've given before and after my book (ie
recordings, Phil Spector) No one even knew of such incidences until
I mentioned them in interviews.
>For the record, how did the rumor start that John and Yoko got back
>together after the Elton concert in November? And more
>specifically, that it was the 1st time that they had seen each other
>since their split.
Not quite.
This may be petty but it is my life under a microscope. Put yourself
in my shoes.
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 16259 of 16265
Xref: jackatak rec.music.beatles:16259
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: For May Pang
Date: 16 Jul 1994 23:07:01 -0400
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
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In article , edward deery
writes:
>May Pang. What was John Lennon like in private- real life? And what
>are you doing these days?
John was a man who loved music and was constantly writing songs. He
was a TV addict and enjoyed the simple things in life.
I am married to record producer, Tony Visconti, and have 2 children.
I run our productions co. and manage the brood. This keeps me busy!
Regards,
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 17114 of 17131
Xref: jackatak rec.music.beatles:17114
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: John Lennon: Lost Weekend, by May Pang
Date: 25 Aug 1994 01:28:04 -0400
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In article <33d42f$96m@masala.cc.uh.edu>, edc@evolution.bchs.uh.edu
(edward s. chen) writes:
>it is crucial that one remembers that this is
>predominantly May Pang's story, told from May's point of
>view. Much like Pete Shotton's Lennon book, little attempt
>is made at objectivity (can any of us really be objective about
>our own lives?) so its value as a serious research tool is
>lessened.
Thanks for the plugs. I really appreciate it. The fact is " I
was there." I spent 10 years heavily entwined with John's life. I
was listening to "A Toot & A Snore" today. It saddened me to
realize that 6 people I knew very well on one session were dead.
"Serious research tool" or not, I know that if I hadn't mentioned
the different jams and outtakes, they would not have surfaced. I
brought it to the attention of a few people when I was doing
research for my book and they went digging. I also found in my
closet the other day, the differents mixes for various albums John
was involved in. Great memories.
As the saying goes: "You shoulda been there."
May Pang
End of Messages>
Post: 17186 of 17203
Xref: jackatak rec.music.beatles:17186
From: mpang@aol.com (MPang)
Newsgroups: rec.music.beatles
Subject: Re: Question for May Pang Re: Relationship of JOL and JPM
Date: 25 Aug 1994 01:06:04 -0400
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In article <338iab$pn7@search01.news.aol.com>, tom1w@aol.com (Tom1W)
writes:
>Dear May: First-It is very kind of you to lend your time to us by
>answering questions about your experiences with John-Your anecdotes
>are interesting and appreciated. My question is (are): During the
>time you were with John, did you see him and Paul together much if at
>all? And if so, how did they get on ? Did they kid one another? Was
>there much warmth during hellos and goodbyes? What kind of things did
>they talk about? Did John speak well of Paul privately? Thanks for
>your input.
John & I entertained Paul & Linda quite a bit both in NY & LA. We
had a good time with them. It was like being in the company of 2
brothers with one trying to have the upper hand but in a nice way.
It was noticeable when we would be in restaurants. You can see that
there was love and respect between the two that went beyond words.
John did consider writing with Paul again. I told Paul this a couple
of years ago and he was quite happy to hear that.
May Pang
End of Messages>
