Such A Joker

Why is nobody talking about "With a Little Luck" in the context of McLennon?

I watched docuseries about the music of Lennon and McCartney in the period 1973-1980 (I recommend it, lots of interesting information, although these "experts" are irritating) recently. The authors showed Wings performing "With a Little Luck" and I thought about this lovely song. The dynamics of John and Paul in the 1970s is very complex and complicated, but one thing is for sure: they wanted to write songs together again, but there was still something in the way. Paul said in 1974 that he has already received a Green Card so he is eager to write with John again. There's a quote from Linda: "Paul wanted desperately to write with John again". Lennon also considered reunion from at least 1974. He asked several people (May Pang, Art Grafunkel, Tony King) if he should do this. In 1975, McCartney invited him to New Orleans, where he recorded "Venus and Mars". John was going there but he didn't make it because Yoko let him go home after a "lost weekend". Why did John and Paul's urge to create songs again fail? There were certainly many factors: Lennon's insecurity and his feeling that he would turn out to be a worse songwriter than McCartney, especially since McCartney had been doing better commercially since 1973; his fear that Paul wants his humiliation; Apple-related business issues still unresolved; Yoko, who clearly limited John and Paul's contacts in the 1970s; and the fear of both guys that such a reunion would cause media pressure to get the Beatles back together, and I think they didn't want to (side note: my speculation is that the only Beatle who would want it was Ringo; John, Paul and George wanted to be seen as independent artists who could be successful in their own right). However, both John and Paul wanted to get back into their partnership (after all, John even had rented a studio in 1980 where he and Paul would work together on Ringo's album but his death stopped these plans). And Paul is an optimist. So I'm pretty sure 1979's "With a Little Luck" is a song about Lennon-McCartney reunification.

This is really good information

Getting Arrested 101

In light of yesterdays ruling on the Miranda rights, now that the cops don't need to read you your rights, I figure it's as good a time as any to make a crash course post on what to do if you get arrested in the US. Know your rights and how to invoke them, because cops will try and trick you into reneging on them whenever they can. Here's my bible on engaging with police, and feel free to add on if you have other tips.

If you encounter police at all, especially if it's for a protest, engage as little as possible. Protests will sometimes have police liaisons; if they do, deflect the cops onto them. They have training for this. Otherwise, say nothing to them if they don't engage first.

If they engage first, do not escalate. Cops are trained to try and escalate situations. It wins them PR, and it makes it easier for them to justify violence against you and in turn, the other protestors. I don't care how punk you think it is, do not escalate.

When they engage, if you think you're being arrested, ask them in no uncertain terms and demand a clear answer. Say "am I being arrested," and if they evade, repeat it until the answer is no or yes. If it's no, walk away and don't engage further. If it's yes, then:

Shut the fuck up. Say absolutely nothing from this point forward until you reach the station. No matter what they say, no matter how serious or casual the conversation is, you say nothing. Zip. No exceptions. This is especially important to remember because they will try and humiliate you and make the arrest process as difficult as possible to try and make you crack, so do the simplest thing and say nothing.

If you are arrested, once you make it to the station, there's a simple three step process to remember. Exact wording isn't necessary, but try and be close. Remember, you don't want to be Lawyer Dogged. Once again, be as clear as you possibly can.

"Am I being detained?" If no, leave. If yes, then say:

"I invoke my right to have a lawyer present." Any time they try and push on that, you say:

"As I am detained, I invoke my right to remain silent until my lawyer is present."

You want it to be 100% undeniable, in as much of the record as possible, that you were being detained, and therefor you need a lawyer. Otherwise, the cops will retroactively decide you weren't actually held there, and therefor you had no rights to invoke, so get that shit down. And once again, aside from saying #3, shut the fuck up. Same principle applies as #4 on the first list: they will do whatever they can to get you talking, and once they do, they'll say "oh, they decided to not use the lawyer after all because they started talking without one." So do. Not. Budge.

Lastly, some general pieces of advice, both for before and during the arrest process:

If you're going to a protest, the sort of thing where arrests can be planned for, there will likely be an organizer with some experience. They may be able to give you specific advice for that protest with regards to things like ID, liaisons, or any specific protocol. Check with them as well.

If you're in a situation where arrests are likely or expected, especially with a protest, plan accordingly. Power off your phone and deactivate the fingerprint or facial recognition unlock options, or leave it at home entirely. Don't bring anything you wouldn't want to be arrested with. Think carefully about leaving your ID at home, though. John Doe-ing can cause extra trouble for the cops (good), but it's also risky, since it can make it harder for you to pay for bail and can make things harder for you down the line.

Police always lie. Let me repeat. Police. Always. Lie. Again, Police. Always. Lie. This should be your fucking mantra. They will tell you you'll get out easier if you cooperate. They will tell you any information they can find about your friends and family. They will threaten you and them. This is all hollow. Your friends have rights as well. All of this is posturing to get you to talk and incriminate you and your friends. Police always lie.

Every American should know this, but it's especially important for any activist, or advocate. Knowing your rights is the only defense you have against cops, so you need to game that system to keep them from gaming it back.

Happy Birthday Ringo

When we got off the plane at some airport or another, Ed got off a plane there around the same time having never heard of us and not knowing anything about us. But he knew about thousands of kids standing on a roof screaming at us, and so he just booked us. Or maybe it was his assistant. We could have come to America and not made a big splash, but thanks to Murray The K and Cousin Brucie and early Beatles believers like that, they played our damn record and we had a #1 when we landed. Honestly, I don’t remember any big conversations with Ed. And in my eyes, the funny thing is that for all that, Ed kind of threw us away when he introduced us. It was just like, “Here they are…the Beatles.” NOT a lot of hype when you think back on it now. But for a pretty stiff guy, Ed sure gave us a very big shot.

-Ringo Starr (Lifted)

Paul McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison performing as Japage 3, photographed by Mike McCartney on March 8, 1958. This was taken at Paul's Aunt Gin's house during the wedding reception of his cousin, Ian Harris. The person standing next to Paul is Dennis Littler, a friend of Ian's.

I never realized John joined Paul on the stairs. I thought John had left by then. Good show of support.

John Lennon & Paul McCartney at the British Embassy after their concert in Washington, DC | 11 February 1964 © Fred Ward

Great picture

The Beatles

“‘You see,’ he says, snuffing out his cigarette with a defiant jab, ‘what I have to combat is the original image of me as the downtrodden dummy. It’s still in everybody’s minds. you don’t know how hard it is to fight that tag. I’ve been caught in this trap for almost twenty years now. But it hasn’t ruined my life. I know what I am, I know what I can do. But what am I going to do, take out a newspaper ad or a billboard and say, “I’m not really like that”? People always latch on to the first image and refuse to let go. ‘It was the same with John. Because he had this rapier wit, they said he was nasty and things like that. But John was the kindest person I ever knew. He was the only one of the four of us who would give his soul. The three of us would hesitate, but John would give you anything without hesitation. And I loved the man dearly. We were friends all the time. ‘I love the other two, you know. We’re friends, and there’s no real problem, but we have arguments and little fights. We did when we were touring, and we do now. But nothing like the newspapers make it out to be.’ […] For Ringo, the enforced intimacy created bonds of camaraderie that no amount of time or litigation can break. ‘They are my brothers, you see. I’m an only child, and they’re my brothers. I’ve always said that if I ever spend all my bread, I can just go live with one of them, and vice versa, ‘cause we all love to spend it,’ he chuckles.”

— Ringo Starr, Rolling Stone: Ringo in the afternoon. (April 30th, 1981)

This is so perfect!

Welcome to the McLennon Multiverse

nobody can deny that there's something there (mclennon modern AU fanfic)

Summary: On the cusp of their popularity, John and Paul are caught in a compromising position.

Chapter 1: look at you all see the love there that’s sleeping (George POV)

Chapter 2: all I gotta do is act naturally (Ringo POV)

Chapter 3: When I think of things we did it makes me wanna cry (Paul POV)

Chapter 4: Hey you've got to hide your love away (John POV)