<http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/08/17/2985023.htm>
Lennon letter arrives 34 years on
A little-known folk singer who worried that financial success might ruin
his songwriting skills has received a letter of advice from John Lennon
34 years after it was sent.
The late Beatle wrote to Steve Tilston after reading an interview with
him in a music magazine in 1971.
In the note, which has been made public for the first time, Lennon said
wealth would not change the important things in life.
Signed by Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono, the letter was sent just after
The Beatles split in 1970 to the offices of the now-defunct ZigZag
magazine.
It wasn't passed on to Tilston, however, until a collector contacted him
five years ago.
Addressing the then 21-year-old singer, Lennon wrote: "Being rich
doesn't change your experiences in the way you think.
"The only difference, basically, is that you don't have to worry about
money, food, roof etc.
"But all other experiences - emotions, relationships - are the same as
(anybody's).
"I know, I have been rich and poor and so has Yoko (rich - poor - rich).
So, whatya think of that?
"Love John and Yoko."
Lennon also included his home phone number.
Ono says she remembers Lennon writing the letter.
Tilston, who is now 60, has gone on to record more than 20 albums during
his career and will mark 40 years in the music business with a concert
in Bristol next month.
He says he would have called Lennon if he had received the letter, which
is estimated to be worth about 7,000 pounds ($12,200).
"I feel it was a rather brotherly letter really," he said.
"Not antagonistic, just offering words of advice.
"If I had received it all those years ago, my young self would
definitely have rung him."
Tilston added he never had to worry about how extreme wealth would
affect his creativity.
"Sadly, I was never really able to test this theory out."
--
steve.hat.stephencarter.not.com.but.net
Nothing is Beatle Proof!!
Mr Kite posters and more at http://www.zazzle.com/mr_kite*
Mr Kite posters and more at http://www.zazzle.co.uk/mr_kite*
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Talk about a double-edged sword, getting that letter now. It would be
amazingly fantastic and just absolutely devastate you at the same
time. For Lennon to have sent the kid his personal phone # inviting
him to call to chat - and you never find out about it 'til decades
after his death? Holy shit!
richforman
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