Starting Over : The Making of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy

by Ken Sharp

• ISBN13: 9781439103005
• ISBN10: 1439103003
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-10-19
• Publisher: MTV Books

Summary

The murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent shockwaves around the world. The most acclaimed singer/songwriter of his generation, first a Beatle and then a boundary-pushing solo artist, was senselessly silenced forever at age forty; immediately, his final musical statement, an intimate, pop-infused collection calledDouble Fantasy,released only weeks before his death, skyrocketed to #1 worldwide, as did its poignantly titled single, "(Just Like) Starting Over."His first studio recording since 1975'sRock 'n' Rolland his first musical endeavor of any kind since taking a much-needed hiatus to raise Sean, his son with Yoko OnoDouble Fantasyrepresents more than a comeback album to Lennon fans and music critics alike. It captures a cultural icon at the pinnacle of his creative success and personal fulfillment; thirty years later it remains a musical touchstone and an affecting reminder of what could have been.Starting Overis an oral history of the making ofDouble Fantasyand the definitive account of John Lennon's last days. From early demos to sessions at New York City's The Hit Factory, from the electrifying chemistry of the studio band to keeping the project under wraps to the album's release and critical reception, here is fascinating, insightful commentary from all of the key players involved in its extraordinary creation: Yoko Ono, David Geffen, producer Jack Douglas, engineers, arrangers, session musicians, music journalists, and even Lennon himself via archival interviews.Featuring never-before-seen photos of John and Yoko in the studio, candid images taken by David M. Spindel and Roger Farrington,Starting Overis the essential portrait for anyone who hears both a beginning and ending in the tracks ofDouble Fantasy.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Cast	p. 5
Watching the Wheels	p. 7
An Offer I Can't Refuse	p. 13
Secret Sessions	p. 15
Meet the Band	p. 21
Practice Makes Perfect	p. 25
Starting Over	p. 31
Keeping It Quiet	p. 45
In the Studio	p. 47
A Lost Song	p. 91
The Cheap Trick Sessions	p. 93
That's a Wrap	p. 111
The Beatles	p. 113
Lights, Camera, Action!	p. 119
Hidden Mics	p. 127
Sonic Architecture	p. 131
Picture Perfect	p. 135
Double Fantasy	p. 137
Finishing Touches	p. 139
By the Numbers	p. 143
Feeding Frenzy	p. 173
Fantasy Becomes Reality	p. 179
Spreading the Gospel	p. 183
In the Media	p. 185
Sound Off	p. 191
Touring	p. 199
The Final Sessions - Walking on Thin Ice	p. 205
December 8, 1980	p. 215
Double Fantasy Redux	p. 237
Double Exposure	p. 243
Freeze Frame	p. 249
Acknowledgments	p. 255
Endnotes	p. 257
Selected Bibliography	p. 259
Photo Credits	p. 261
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Cast

John Lennon

Yoko Ono

Jack Douglas (producer)

David Geffen (owner, Geffen Records)

Ed Rosenblatt (president, Geffen Records)

Hugh McCracken (guitar)

Earl Slick (guitar)

George Small (keyboards)

Andy Newmark (drums)

Tony Levin (bass)

Rick Nielsen (guitar, Cheap Trick)

Bun E. Carlos (drummer, Cheap Trick)

Howard Johnson (baritone sax)

Arthur Jenkins Jr. (percussion)

Eric Troyer (background vocals)

Tony Davilio (arranger)

Lee DeCarlo (engineer)

Julie Last (assistant engineer)

Jon Smith (assistant engineer)

James Ball (assistant mix engineer)

Steve Marcantonio (engineer, “Walking on Thin Ice” session)

Rabiah Seminole (studio receptionist, the Record Plant)

Kishin Shinoyama (album cover photographer)

Bert Keane (national promotion director, Warner Bros. Records)

Bob Merlis (publicity director, Warner Bros. Records)

Annie Leibovitz (photographer)

Bob Gruen (photographer and friend)

Paul Goresh (photographer)

Stan Vincent (Jack Douglas’s business partner)

Jay Dubin (director, Double Fantasy recording session video shoot)

Ritchie Fliegler (sound engineer, Double Fantasy recording session video shoot)

Andy Peebles (disc jockey, BBC Radio One)

Dave Sholin (national music director and interviewer, RKO Radio Networks)

Ron Hummel (producer/engineer, RKO Radio Networks)

Laurie Kaye (scriptwriter and co-interviewer, RKO Radio Networks)

David Sheff (music writer, Playboy)

Robert Christgau (music writer, Village Voice)

Charles Shaar Murray (music writer, NME)

John Swenson (music writer, Creem)

Jon Young (music writer, Trouser Press)

Bill King (music writer, Atlanta Constitution)

© 2010 KEN SHARP