This fall, a new book, DVD and reissued CD bear the “Lennon Legend” banner, in what may be considered somewhat of a marketing campaign (in the loosest sense).

“Lennon Legend: An Illustrated Life of John Lennon” by James Henke

When I initially heard about this book, I sincerely wondered what new perspective it could add to the life of John Lennon. With the numerous publications released to the public over the past 23 years - from Coleman to Goldman - I knew that this publication had to offer something truly unique to warrant my time and attention.

My deciding factor in purchasing this book was author recognition. With James Henke’s history with Rolling Stone magazine and his recent role as curator of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (specifically, the John Lennon exhibit), I reasoned that I was contemplating what would be a quality publication.

I decided to make the investment - and was very glad I did.

Within an hour of receiving this book, I was holding back tears, feeling that I was holding the closest thing to an historic artifact and a uniquely personalized document on the life of John Lennon.

First, let me say that anyone looking for a straight biography won’t find it here. In fact, someone looking for deeply worded text and newly uncovered facts on Lennon’ life, may find “Legend” too superficial. However, the author and publisher of “Legend” is aiming for something completely different - something that no other publication to date has offered.

When regarding this publication, it is best to realize what it’s true purpose is and appreciate that to its fullest.

In a recent interview, Henke describes “Legend” as a scrapbook on the life of John Lennon. As understated as that description is, it’s basically true.

Within these pages, individually inserted in glassine pouches are facsimiles of Lennon’s handwritten lyrics (including those from his last sessions,) copies of school reports, his handmade high school publication “The Daily Howl”, a Cavern Club membership card, a Quarryman’s business card, early contracts for the Silver Beetles, Beatles bubblegum cards, theatre tickets and concert posters, the cover page from the first issue of Rolling Stone magazine, the “War is Over” poster and various art trivia from his events with Yoko Ono from the early to mid 70's.

There is carefull attention to detail in the reproductions of these artifacts with allowances made for paper types, print and colour methods and effects of aging. It’s remarkably easy to suspend reality and feel like you’re holding the real artifacts. This aspect may be elusive to the casual fan but the more you know about Lennon’s life and the meaning of what is contained in these pages, the more impact this publication will have. For the long time fan, it’s definitely a trip worth taking.

In addition, there is a one-hour, spoken-word CD compiled from John and Yoko co-hosting the Mike Douglas Show in '72, a radio interview from '74 and an optimistic Lennon talking about the Double Fantasy album just days before his death. It ends with a live version of Imagine.

With only 250,000 copies produced on its 1st print run, “Legend” should definitely be on your Christmas list. Anyone worried about the price ($40 US with online and retail discounts available,) is encouraged to place this publication alongside  “collector’s editions” of publications of lesser merit that cost several times more than what you’ll pay here. I’m grateful that “Legend” was released as a (albeit, limited run) trade edition. It follows the recent trend of Beatles book that pay special attention to graphics and detail. It’s a great time to be a Beatles / John Lennon fan.

“Lennon Legend” DVD

On November 4th, the “Lennon Legend” DVD was released in Canada (on November 18th in the US.) The most obvious 1st impression is the great audio quality, most notable on “Instant Karama”, a track known for its cluttered mix. The clarity here gives “Instant Karma” its best ever audio release. The audio quality is consistent throughout the disc - with only “#9 Dream” lacking the dynamics that I had expected or hoped for. Many of the songs have extended fades (“Instant Karma” ; “Power To The People” ; “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” ; Stand By Me”- which is allowed to end at a full stop ; “Nobody Told Me” - with a new “drop in” intro ; “Borrowed Time” ; “Give Peace A Chance”) giving a fresh sound to these familiar tracks.

Without doing a “side by side” comparison with “The John Lennon Video Collection,” many of the videos are new or have been “recut” for the DVD. The videos for “Imagine”, “Instant Karma” ; “Power To The People” ; “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” and “Woman” (which still includes the tasteless morgue shot) are either exactly the same or very familiar to what I’ve seen in the past.

The obvious differences:

“Mother” - a new video with a moving theme interconnecting the various separations in John’s life - his mother; father; Julian; Brian Epstein (a ‘daddy’ figure); Yoko (‘long weekend’) and the ultimate separation - John’s separation from Sean, after December 1980. A moving video - my personal favourite.

“Jealous Guy” - newly compiled from “Imagine” film and “Gimme Some Truth” DVD footage. This version omits John’s Phil Spector comment at the end .

“Cold Turkey” - in this new version, the studio version audio is synched with the live video footage from the “One to One” concert at Madison Square Garden. Very well done.

“Love” - a new video compiled from the footage taken at the Sperone Gallery in New York in September 1980 (first used in the original “(Just Like) Starting Over” video) .

“Mind Games” - new footage of Lennon in Central Park circa 1974 coinciding with the opening of the “Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Road” play.

“#9 Dream” is compiled with footage from the “Imagine”, “Smile” and “Two Virgins” films.

“Stand By Me” - the performance from “Old Grey Whistle Test” is recut with 1969 ‘wedding’ footage.

“(Just Like) Starting Over” - a new video by Joe Pytka using a similar technique that he used for the “Free As A Bird” video. This video is based on the “scrapbook of madness” quote from “Lennon Remembers”. The “scrapbook of madness” comes to life when newspaper clipping, photos and lyric sheets are airborne. Includes the now overused “breaking glasses” symbolism first used on the 1988 “Imagine: John Lennon” film.

“Beautiful Boy” - a new video taken from home movie quality footage of  John, Yoko and Sean at a lakeside setting.

“Watching The Wheels” features home movie quality footage of John and Sean in the Cayman Islands, Florida, Japan and New York .

“Nobody Told Me” has a new intro and additional footage taken from “Imagine” film footage.

“Borrowed Time” - a new video with animated childhood photos; Frazier Gallery footage and “Imagine” footage of John and George, among others.

“Working Class Hero” shows fame from different stages of John’s life shown on an old television set (in John’s childhood home) leading to the “price of fame”: John’s murder (pictured is a “Catcher in the Rye” book with a blood stain) .

“Working Class Hero” - a completely different video with images of war, mainly with displaced children. The video includes the Ghandi quote used by Yoko in recent interviews: "An eye for an eye will make us all blind".

“Give Peace A Chance” is recut, with the live performance interrupted by student demonstration footage.

Bonus Features:

“Working Class Hero (Anthology version) - the promotional video used for the "Lennon Anthology" with various biographical clips and sound bites.

“Slippin’ and Sliddin’” the complete live performance from “Old Grey Whistle Test”.

“Imagine” the live performance from 1975's “Salute to Sir Lew Grade” with significant lyric changes (‘imagine if we can’ ; ‘no immigration too”) .

“Hair Peace” and  “Everybody Had A Hard Year” are incidental at best

A animation and photo gallery are included.

Most obvious omission:

“I’m Losing You" (Anthology version) with Cheap Trick .

Note: You’ll still need “The John Lennon Video Collection” to see the original versions of many of the videos listed above, particularly “Give Peace A Chance” and “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” - which I prefer in their original context. For completists - and for historic purposes, these videos should have been included as bonus features, especially since many DVDs include alternate videos.

“I’m Steppin’ Out” and “Grow Old With Me” were included in “The John Lennon Video Collection” but were omitted for the “Legend” DVD.

The companion CD for “Lennon Legend” was reissued with a new slipcover tying it in with the new DVD release.