šŸ“š My Mind Can Feel - The John & Yoko Book Club

Thank you! The way it was worded and the fact that it was promoted one hour ago made me think it is still about to happen! Maybe he meant tomorrowā€¦ Iā€™m lost now šŸ˜… Let me know what you find out!
Figured it out - seemingly not on SiriusXM, but on his show available live at the link below:


I'm guessing the conversation is over, but there's still some John and Yoko talk going on currently!
[Oops - now 1PM, not anymore... hopefully available in an archive?]
 
Figured it out - seemingly not on SiriusXM, but on his show available live at the link below:


I'm guessing the conversation is over, but there's still some John and Yoko talk going on currently!
[Oops - now 1PM, not anymore... hopefully available in an archive?]
Thank you so much! Letā€™s hope it will be available later! I donā€™t even know if Iā€™d be able to listen to it from here but I wish it was promoted earlier so we could have tried!
 
Not that anyone has asked, but here is my review of Elliotā€™s book šŸ˜‚


Elliot Mintzā€™s We All Shine On: John, Yoko & Me is an intimate, nuanced memoir that provides an unparalleled look into John Lennon and Yoko Onoā€™s world, marked by Elliotā€™s discretion, humility, and genuine connection to the couple. Elliot, who became a trusted confidante and ally in the early 1970s, shares his journey with John and Yoko, offering an insiderā€™s view that is remarkably free from self-promotion or ego. Elliot approaches their story with sensitivity, opting to highlight their humanity and struggles rather than his own role, and maintaining a focus on John and Yokoā€™s lives without sensationalising their fame.

Throughout the book, Elliot illustrates how he earned the trust of John and Yoko by providing stability and support, especially during Lennonā€™s ā€œLost Weekendā€ period. When others in Lennonā€™s circle were quick to exploit the coupleā€™s fame, Elliot remained grounded, acting as a friend and counsel to John in his struggles with creativity, jealousy, and personal demons. Elliotā€™s down-to-earth approach and humility shine through as he refrains from taking credit for his influence, preferring instead to capture Johnā€™s complex personality and the costs of fame with empathy and authenticity.

The memoir reaches a powerful emotional depth in its depiction of the aftermath of Lennonā€™s assassination in 1980, a tragedy that profoundly affected both Yoko and Elliot. Elliot describes the unique and heartbreaking responsibilities he undertook, such as sorting through Johnā€™s possessions and assisting Yoko in curating the Lennon legacy. While others close to John sought to profit from his passing, Elliot held to his principles, focusing on honouring Lennonā€™s memory and respecting Yokoā€™s grief. His integrity during this difficult period set him apart and helped sustain his close, respectful relationship with Yoko, which has now endured for over forty years. Rather than seeking the spotlight, Elliot has supported Yoko and @Sean as she navigated her loss, and he became a steward of Lennonā€™s artistic legacy through projects like ā€œThe Lost Lennon Tapes.ā€

Elliotā€™s loyalty and restraint add a sense of authenticity and reverence to We All Shine On, making it more than a typical celebrity memoir. Even after decades of friendship with Yoko, Elliotā€™s reflections are marked by humility, making it clear that he sees himself as a caretaker of memories rather than an insider exploiting his access. The memoir has received praise for this grounded approach, as Elliotā€™s rare combination of loyalty and humility provides a fresh perspective on the challenges and responsibilities that come with close proximity to fame. His ongoing friendship with Yoko and his unwavering respect for the Lennon legacy make this memoir a moving tribute to one of musicā€™s most influential figures, offering readers an honest, heartfelt glimpse into the complex world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

What makes We All Shine On resonate is how Elliot brings the ā€œJohn and Yokoā€ myth down to earth. He skillfully reveals that behind the fame and genius, Lennon and Ono were still peopleā€”complicated, creative, and at times conflicted. Through Elliotā€™s personal, honest, yet compassionate lens, readers are reminded that even those who shape culture and music at a global scale are human. By the end of the memoir, Elliot has offered a powerful perspective: the reminder that even legends and geniuses face the same struggles, insecurities, and triumphs that define us all. This, above all, is what makes the account a poignant, relatable, and deeply human tribute to the legacy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Thank you, Elliot.
 
Not that anyone has asked, but here is my review of Elliotā€™s book šŸ˜‚


Elliot Mintzā€™s We All Shine On: John, Yoko & Me is an intimate, nuanced memoir that provides an unparalleled look into John Lennon and Yoko Onoā€™s world, marked by Elliotā€™s discretion, humility, and genuine connection to the couple. Elliot, who became a trusted confidante and ally in the early 1970s, shares his journey with John and Yoko, offering an insiderā€™s view that is remarkably free from self-promotion or ego. Elliot approaches their story with sensitivity, opting to highlight their humanity and struggles rather than his own role, and maintaining a focus on John and Yokoā€™s lives without sensationalising their fame.

Throughout the book, Elliot illustrates how he earned the trust of John and Yoko by providing stability and support, especially during Lennonā€™s ā€œLost Weekendā€ period. When others in Lennonā€™s circle were quick to exploit the coupleā€™s fame, Elliot remained grounded, acting as a friend and counsel to John in his struggles with creativity, jealousy, and personal demons. Elliotā€™s down-to-earth approach and humility shine through as he refrains from taking credit for his influence, preferring instead to capture Johnā€™s complex personality and the costs of fame with empathy and authenticity.

The memoir reaches a powerful emotional depth in its depiction of the aftermath of Lennonā€™s assassination in 1980, a tragedy that profoundly affected both Yoko and Elliot. Elliot describes the unique and heartbreaking responsibilities he undertook, such as sorting through Johnā€™s possessions and assisting Yoko in curating the Lennon legacy. While others close to John sought to profit from his passing, Elliot held to his principles, focusing on honouring Lennonā€™s memory and respecting Yokoā€™s grief. His integrity during this difficult period set him apart and helped sustain his close, respectful relationship with Yoko, which has now endured for over forty years. Rather than seeking the spotlight, Elliot has supported Yoko and @Sean as she navigated her loss, and he became a steward of Lennonā€™s artistic legacy through projects like ā€œThe Lost Lennon Tapes.ā€

Elliotā€™s loyalty and restraint add a sense of authenticity and reverence to We All Shine On, making it more than a typical celebrity memoir. Even after decades of friendship with Yoko, Elliotā€™s reflections are marked by humility, making it clear that he sees himself as a caretaker of memories rather than an insider exploiting his access. The memoir has received praise for this grounded approach, as Elliotā€™s rare combination of loyalty and humility provides a fresh perspective on the challenges and responsibilities that come with close proximity to fame. His ongoing friendship with Yoko and his unwavering respect for the Lennon legacy make this memoir a moving tribute to one of musicā€™s most influential figures, offering readers an honest, heartfelt glimpse into the complex world of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

What makes We All Shine On resonate is how Elliot brings the ā€œJohn and Yokoā€ myth down to earth. He skillfully reveals that behind the fame and genius, Lennon and Ono were still peopleā€”complicated, creative, and at times conflicted. Through Elliotā€™s personal, honest, yet compassionate lens, readers are reminded that even those who shape culture and music at a global scale are human. By the end of the memoir, Elliot has offered a powerful perspective: the reminder that even legends and geniuses face the same struggles, insecurities, and triumphs that define us all. This, above all, is what makes the account a poignant, relatable, and deeply human tribute to the legacy of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Thank you, Elliot.
Oh, no, no! I created the Book Club exactly with this intention, everyone is more than welcome to come and share their views on the books! Please always feel free to talk about your experiences reading the current books, and how many times you wish to. Thank you for sharing it here, I'm very happy you did šŸ˜ŠšŸ¤

I'm still reading it (well, listening to it, actually) but just from what I've learned through the book, I totally agree with you! Elliot is exceptional and I feel welcomed to the Dakota, and to see everything through his eyes, few authors are capable of doing that so brilliantly and naturally while writing about their own lives.

Your review made me even more excited to finish it asap!
 
There is a new book entitled When We Was Fab: The Australasian Tour 1964, by Andy Neill and Greg Armstrong. it was released in New Zealand in June, and is finally available in the U.K. on Amazon just under Ā£30. I tried to take a pic but it says the file is too large. It is red and the same size as a record album, over 300 pages, and well worth the money. Some pics Iā€™ve never seen before, plus all sorts of business letters showing the negotiations with manager Brian Epstein.
 
There is a new book entitled When We Was Fab: The Australasian Tour 1964, by Andy Neill and Greg Armstrong. it was released in New Zealand in June, and is finally available in the U.K. on Amazon just under Ā£30. I tried to take a pic but it says the file is too large. It is red and the same size as a record album, over 300 pages, and well worth the money. Some pics Iā€™ve never seen before, plus all sorts of business letters showing the negotiations with manager Brian Epstein.
Thank you for your comment and suggestion @seashell

I haven't seen anything about this book before, I think! I'll take a look at it šŸ˜Š
 
One thing I appreciated a lot while reading the Mind Games standalone book, and the book from the box set, was getting to know more about the band and people who worked with John&Yoko in the studio, and how they described working with them. Iā€™m that kind of autistic person that has such a strong hyperfocus that sometimes I donā€™t really pay attention to everybody else around John because Iā€™m too interested in what heā€™s creating. With the book, I got to see the interesting part that is understanding a bit more about what those around him were doing to make everything work the best way possible, and it was really great!

There is something about the way each one of them talked about Johnā€¦ I really donā€™t know if I can explain what I felt coming from them while reading. It wasnā€™t something as simple as respect and admiration, it was something more human to the point that I canā€™t really name it and, weirdly, I thought it differed a lot from the way most people that worked with John talk about him. Maybe thatā€™s because of the time that they were around John, it was an atypical moment after all, and John being John was a different John of course. It was just so natural, almost as if they were talking about him a month after working with him and not 50 years; almost as if they were talking about him over a pint, relaxed, happy, remembering him with a smile and I loved that! Kudos to the interviewer too, of course!

I like when people that were in any way close to John donā€™t put him on a pedestal, I think it helps me understand his humanity a bit more, which can sometimes be tricky since I only ever see him through a screen and I will never meet him flesh and bones. The Mind Games band treated John as one of theirs, and safe to say that, by the way they described how he was around them, John felt welcomed and also made sure that they felt welcomed and appreciated by him too - just how they were.

It was a beautiful team and an outstanding work. Iā€™m so glad weā€™ve been celebrating it the way it deserves to be celebrated šŸ¤
 
Hi, guys! One question: would you like me to extend the period for us to read and discuss the Mind Games standalone book? Months ago I scheduled the reading until the end of this week, but as I know itā€™s a big book, and many of us just got it a copy later than expected, more time to enjoy it might be needed. Let me know what you think! šŸ˜Š And if you already have thoughts to share about it, please feel free to do so here.
 
Updates:

Hi, everybody! Iā€™m sharing with you guys the new Book Club schedule, we have some interesting books and dynamics to come! I hope you all will enjoy it āœŒšŸ»šŸ¤

šŸ—“ļø New schedule:

Mind Games standalone book
- From Sept 24th to Dec 31st (extended);

We All Shine On: John, Yoko and Me - by Elliot Mintz - From Oct 22nd to Nov 30th;

Dream Lovers | John and Yoko in NYC - by Brian Hamill - From Dec 1st to Dec 15th.

Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed - by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile - Dec 15th to Feb 28th; (A little white bird told me that we may get the chance to talk with the authors about their spectacular book here šŸ‘€ā˜ŗļø)

In celebration of Yoko Onoā€™s 92nd birthday:

In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
- by Madeline Bocaro - From Feb 1st to March 18th;

As Iā€™m feeling that the notifications arenā€™t working properly here at the Forum in general, Iā€™m mentioning everybody that showed interest in the Book Clubā€™s activities to see the updates:

@Camilla Karine @Georgescrackerbox @John Orritt @ecclesofficial @Lizane Lima @Renee731 @CynCP @Moondog O'Boogie @marimorosetti @lorrluvssu @Skylar Moody @Ingryd Medeiros @LordGoodgod @BeatleNut9 @Starshyne9 @Phillip @Kathy - AUS @Madeline Bocaro @Brian Of Nazareth @seashell

If you are reading Mind Games and We All Shine On, feel free to share your opinions with us!

WAR IS OVER!
If you want it

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Last edited:
Updates:

Hi, everybody! Iā€™m sharing with you guys the new Book Club schedule, we have some interesting books and dynamics to come! I hope you all will enjoy it āœŒšŸ»šŸ¤

šŸ—“ļø New schedule:

Mind Games standalone book
- From Sept 24th to Dec 31st (extended);

We All Shine On: John, Yoko and Me - by Elliot Mintz - From Oct 22nd to Nov 30th;

Dream Lovers | John and Yoko in NYC - by Brian Hamill - From Dec 1st to Dec 15th.

Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed - by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile - Dec 15th to Feb 28th; (A little white bird told me that we may get the chance to talk with the authors about their spectacular book here šŸ‘€ā˜ŗļø)

In celebration of Yoko Onoā€™s 92nd birthday:

In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
- by Madeline Bocaro - From Fev 1st to March 18th;

As Iā€™m feeling that the notifications arenā€™t working properly here at the Forum in general, Iā€™m mentioning everybody that showed interest in the Book Clubā€™s activities to see the updates:

@Camilla Karine @Georgescrackerbox @John Orritt @ecclesofficial @Lizane Lima @Renee731 @CynCP @Moondog O'Boogie @marimorosetti @lorrluvssu @Skylar Moody @Ingryd Medeiros @LordGoodgod @BeatleNut9 @Starshyne9 @Phillip @Kathy - AUS @Madeline Bocaro @Brian Of Nazareth @seashell

If you are reading Mind Games and We All Shine On, feel free to share your opinions with us!

WAR IS OVER!
If you want it
Thanks bestie!! Looking forward to it šŸ¤
 
Thanks bestie!! Looking forward to it šŸ¤
Me too! Looking forward to knowing everybody's opinions!

Dance Dancing GIF by John Lennon
 
Updates:

Hi, everybody! Iā€™m sharing with you guys the new Book Club schedule, we have some interesting books and dynamics to come! I hope you all will enjoy it āœŒšŸ»šŸ¤

šŸ—“ļø New schedule:

Mind Games standalone book
- From Sept 24th to Dec 31st (extended);

We All Shine On: John, Yoko and Me - by Elliot Mintz - From Oct 22nd to Nov 30th;

Dream Lovers | John and Yoko in NYC - by Brian Hamill - From Dec 1st to Dec 15th.

Lennonology: Strange Days Indeed - by Chip Madinger and Scott Raile - Dec 15th to Feb 28th; (A little white bird told me that we may get the chance to talk with the authors about their spectacular book here šŸ‘€ā˜ŗļø)

In celebration of Yoko Onoā€™s 92nd birthday:

In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono
- by Madeline Bocaro - From Feb 1st to March 18th;

As Iā€™m feeling that the notifications arenā€™t working properly here at the Forum in general, Iā€™m mentioning everybody that showed interest in the Book Clubā€™s activities to see the updates:

@Camilla Karine @Georgescrackerbox @John Orritt @ecclesofficial @Lizane Lima @Renee731 @CynCP @Moondog O'Boogie @marimorosetti @lorrluvssu @Skylar Moody @Ingryd Medeiros @LordGoodgod @BeatleNut9 @Starshyne9 @Phillip @Kathy - AUS @Madeline Bocaro @Brian Of Nazareth @seashell

If you are reading Mind Games and We All Shine On, feel free to share your opinions with us!

WAR IS OVER!
If you want it

View attachment 2130

Great! I am now reading Elliot Mintz book so I am going to be able to participate in that one soon. I bought Lennonlogy the day it came out and read it the same day. lol If you don't have it -- oh my gosh --- get it! Chip and Scott are great authors.
 
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