Customer Reviews

John Lennon: The New York Years

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a beautifully-produced book, written simply and honestly. It's by no means a complete biography, but that's the point-- if you're looking for a blow-by-blow account of Lennon's life and career, you have many other solid options. The charm of this book is in its depictions of the "small moments." Good moods, bad moods, smiling for the camera, wanting to be alone. It feels like a very personal, honest look into what type of friend and husband Lennon was-- and while the overall feel is positive, it's not always flattering. His imperfections are discussed as well as the good things that made him an icon. Both in the pictures and the text, this book succeeds in sharing an interesting new glimpse into a complex human being. A fan's delight, and a super gift.

It's been twenty-five years since John Lennon's death, 65 years since he was born. Their son Sean would now be thirty. I find it hard to believe. I look through this book and the pictures of John Lennon and I see the life being lived to the fullest. The magic of a time long since gone. Perhaps a time of my own youth, now past.

Bob Bruen was John's personal photographer for about ten years. He took thousands of photographs, and here has selected about 150 and arranged them by year. He shares them with his personal stories of being with John. Doing simple things like having dinner, or working on a concert, John being a husband and father.

All I can really say is that it is a fitting tribute.

This is a nice read. I went through it in 1 night and I'm not a big reader. Theres alot of new pictures of John with personal stories that coincide with the pics. Bob Gruen was close to the Lennons and he tells some great stories about hanging out with John and Yoko. Well worth the $20.

This book is aptly entitled the New York Years. The author, Bob Gruen, had considerable access to John Lennon and his family so we see John in different situations such as a a concert, in the recording studio and at home. Why the 3 star rating?

First, the photographs from the earlier years are often grainy and out of focus. They would not be good photos if they depicted an ordinary person. The photographs from the last years of John's life are of much better quality.

Secondly, as seems to be the pattern lately with books and other presentations concerning Lennon, there is too much emphasis on Yoko Ono. We learn that Yoko was a wonderful wife and mother; that she and John were extremely close; that she wrote her own songs, created her own album and was classically trained; etc. Like Lennon the Musical and the recent book Memories of John (edited by Yoko, natch), it appears that Yoko's influence is all over this. It seems that the deification of Yoko is necessary to get permission to print pictures of John. That's fine if one is a Yoko fan, but I am not, so it is a distraction.

There are also some unseen photos which are delightful. I especially like the pictures of John with his son, Sean. The love between father and son is obvious from the pictures.

The text that accompanies the photos is generally delightful and provides further insight into Lennon (except for those parts, as mentioned above, which pay undue homage to Yoko the goddess). We not only get to see some previously unseen pictures, but learn a few more tidbits about a fascinating person.

Overall, a good book which could have been better.

Bob Gruen has invited readers to glimpse John's life as he enjoyed routine pleasures, such as a meal at home or time with Yoko and their son, Sean. I like the way people who were a large part of John's life were included.

This is such a movingly beautiful collection and Bob Gruen has indeed presented the world with the "real" or "natural" John Lennon and not the John who performed in public. This is a must have for all Beatle fans and Lennonphiles!

I was amazed at how many photos were included in this book that I had never seen before. I was equally amazed to discover that Gruen had taken some of the most well known photographs of John Lennon during this time period; and it's interesting to know the story behind them. The book is entertaining to look at, but it's also an interesting read with Gruen providing a "fly-on-the-wall" perspective of what it was like to hang out with John & friends during the New York years. Gruen provides a detailed account of what was going on in John's life when a certain photo was taken and, unfortunately, what it was like walking into the Dakota a few hours after John was shot to pick up a package at the front desk that John left for him.

If you enjoy black and white photos with interesting and informative commentary and John Lennon happens to be one of your musical heros, consider adding this book to your library. It just has a nice touch.

Bob Gruen invites readers and photo aficionados into his chronological photo portfolio into former Beatle John Lennon's life with the book John Lennon: The New York Years. Gruen provides a combination of never before seen and seen candid and photo shoot images of Lennon during his years in New York. Gruen closely associated with John and Yoko as a neighbor and as their personal photographer, and the images show the intimacy and the trust they had in him in capturing their moments in just about every situation, in the studio, a walk in the park, or simply hamming it up for the camera; every picture tells a story behind it.

The difference with this book of photographs and others is that Gruen offers much insight of the time and place in which he took each photograph. Gruen specifically shares with the public his personal account of knowing John as a friend or as he refers, "just a New York guy." He does not concentrate on over wrought information, but rather recounts the first time he met and became friends with John and Yoko and the events that made an impression on him, such as the story behind the most iconoclastic poses: the New York City t-shirt and Statue of Liberty pose.

Bob Gruen covers much ground in a little less than ten years, 1971-1980. However, in that time, he covers the most interesting and controversial period in John's post Beatle life. John Lennon: The New York Years is recommended for all Lennon as well those interested in documentary photography, and is yet another welcome addition to anyone's collection of rock and roll oriented books.

Lots of great photos of John in New York and LA, as well as photos of Yoko and Elephant's Memory Band. Gruen includes interesting behind the scenes details like a time when John and a girl went off to a room while a group of friends including Yoko listened uncomfortably as the couple had sex. This heavy coffee table book has the famous shot of John in the New York T-shirt and other great pictures of John's life post-Beatles.

Stunning pictures and insight into the life of one of the world's greatest artists. Bob Gruen captures John Lennon from the early 1970's until his death in 1980. Not only are the photographs visually stunning but the stories behind each photograph are amazing. Thanks Mr. Gruen. Highly recommend this book.