Customer Reviews

I Met the Walrus: How One Day with John Lennon Changed My Life Forever

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163 pages of text. Illustrated with drawings that look like they're from a child's book,but they curiously seem to fit in perfectly with the text. The photographs were taken by the author at the time of the interview. There is a disc with the audio and video of Levitan's interview (which was used as the basis for the short film) which the author included.

This is a neat little book. Nothing fancy,or "cosmic",or deep about meeting John Lennon,this is told by someone who had no experience interviewing anyone,let alone someone of Lennon's magnitude. The story is told strictly from a fan's (Levitan) perspective. It begins with an overview of life in 1964,when the BEATLES were on THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW. This is where the author begins his tale of the BEATLES and how they affected him (and many others too) in those days before MTV and music videos as we all now know them. Levitan gives a brief run down on the various BEATLE albums and how they,too,affected him. As he explains,the BEATLES were heroes of his,and he constantly would tell anyone and everyone (whether they wanted to hear it or not) about their music. While he says he was their "number one fan",his tale is told in a straight forward manner,without the "gushiness" sometimes found in these kinds of personal stories. While much,if not all,the information contained here is known to all BEATLE fans,it's written in a way that puts a knowing smile on the reader's face,because most BEATLE fans (certainly those of a certain age) can surely relate to Levitan's excitement. The story gets interesting when Levitan begins to tell how he came to interview John Lennon-first by finding out where Lennon (and Yoko Ono) were staying in Toronto (Levitan's hometown),and then calling his local rock radio station so he could tape his interview with Lennon,by having someone meet him at Lennon's hotel with a tape recorder. For whatever reason,Lennon took a liking to Levitan,and invited him back for a one-on-one interview. Lennon thought (rightly) that Levitan would use the interview (about peace/anti-war) to influence young people's ideas about war. Luckily,Levitan also had with him a camera borrowed from the family (a "Brownie") which was used to get photographs of both himself and Lennon/Ono,and some slide movie film,which are shown in the book. He also took along his copy of the "Two Virgins" album,which both Lennon and Ono signed,along with a self portrait sketch Lennon drew on the album cover.

The interview itself is not the most profound one you'll ever read,because at the last minute Levitan realized he had not thought up any questions to ask. However,this is what gives this little book it's spark. It's not a "professional" interview,but more about two people chatting together about various subjects-nothing in depth-just topics that seem to come up,based on the author wanting to get to know Lennon and how he (Lennon) sees the world. But in this manner,there begins to be an inside look into Lennon's thoughts that aren't always apparent in more mainstream interviews. The disarming way that Levitan asks his questions seems to put Lennon at ease,and his answers are very straight forward.

Along the way,Levitan (thanks to Lennon and his people) gets to meet Mary Hopkin,who was on the same concert bill as Englelbert Humperdinck,and talks briefly with her,and gets a picture with her as "proof" he was there and telling the truth. But the best part of meeting Hopkin,was the date they had the next night to go dancing at the Electric Circus,the "in" spot of the moment.
Levitan also talks about how his interview was used by the radio station,cutting him out of the interview and giving him no credit. Finally,Levitan gets his tape from the station and plays it for all to hear.
You might think the story ends here,but no. Levitan also attended the Toronto "Rock and Roll Revival",where Lennon played with his "pick-up"band (including Eric Clapton) and where many other r&r stars played too. Once again,Levitan was able to make a home movie of the event from his vantage point near the stage. The film of Lennon and Levitan,after being animated, subsequently went on to win awards at several film festivals,including an "Oscar" nomination (he lost) for short animated films.

The story effectively winds up with some more of Levitan's thoughts on the BEATLES/Lennon,and how it affected his life. Fittingly,it ends with him hearing of the death of John Lennon while listening to the radio.
This book is a "sleeper",it takes a bit before you begin to feel what the author feels,and the "times" way back then. After reading it,it will definitely take it's place on my shelf with all the other more "learned" books on the subject. It's pride of place certain.

The first reviewer here has given a very well-written review of what you will find in this book. I really enjoyed this book and could relate so much to the author because I have found much solace and comfort in the art of both John and Yoko. It was a pleasure to read someone else that enjoys Yoko's songs and contributions as she is often not appreciated.

Throughout the book, I felt like I was witnessing the events as they took place. This is a very unique and imaginative book. I highly recommend it.

This book is written in a manner that draws you in and takes you back to your childhood. Levitan is admirable in his singular purpose and unwavering belief in his ability to tackle just about anything. It's a colourful read and hard to put down once you start it. The artwork is perfectly suited to the charm of the story and the DVD with Levitan interviewing Lennon is a bonus. The reader is left with the feeling that anything is possible and one day really can change your life.

I heard about this book on KRTH 101, a GREAT radio station in Los Angeles, CA. This is the story of a very brave 14 year old male who got into John and Yoko's hotel room and was allowed to interview them for many hours. Very interesting reading.

How cool would it be to talk your way into John Lennon's hotel and then score an interview with arguably the most famous musician in the world at the time? Pretty damn cool.

That's exactly what the author did. And this book tells his story.

The book does not provide new information about John Lennon the Beatle, but it tells a nice story about John as a man who was trying to find a new identity around the time of the Beatles' break-up. And it tells a nice story about a teenager who has no fear - he just walks in and starts talking to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Enjoyable.

I did not buy this book but got it as a gift and the person that bought it paid more for it than Amazon.com is selling it for. I got it because anyone who knows me knows I love the Beatles and John Lennon.

Jerry Levitan was 14 years old when his hero, John Lennon, was rumored to be in Toronto on May 25, 1969. The next day, Jerry would set up a chain of events that would forever change the course of his life. This story is extremely enjoyable for those of us who were his age and trying to catch up to where the Beatles had been and where they were at any given time since their music influenced the culture of America. The difference between the rest of us and Jerry is that Jerry was able to "tune in" to John Lennon and the Beatles when he made the trip to Toronto. Jerry starts with seeing the Beatles for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show, buying the Beatles Albums before they were sold in stores, reading about them, listening to them on the radio and the record player until 26 May 1969 when he meets the Walrus. Jerry doesn't stop there, he continues to describe is journey thru life to include the day his hero died.......

Of greatest meaning to me is Lennon's spontaneous agreement with Jerry, a 14 year old, to conduct an interview while dozens of reporters waited in the hotel corridor for an interview they never received. To listen to the real and honest John Lennon respond to a 14 year olds questions in my mind shows the true character of John Lennon. The Walrus was a person who not only talked the talk but walked the walk of world peace. He believed.

The bottom line is that this was an enjoyable book for me and should be for any Beatle fan. Included is a DVD that is fun to watch after finishing the book. Listening to the interview after reading the story makes the interview come alive.

If you wish to experience the spirit of the Walrus, I recommend that when you go to New York City, stop by Strawberry Fields located across the street from the Dakota in Central Park. It is the same feeling you get while reading this book.........peace!

In 1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono staged two week-long 'bed-ins for peace' - and at one then-14-year-old Beatles fan Jerry Levitan snuck into Lennon's hotel room armed with a tape deck. His interview, presented on a never-before published DVD and accompanying his book on the topic - will prove a 'must' for any avid Beatles fan or library catering to music enthusiasts. Its chapters offer not only the interview, but how this changed Jerry Levitan's life.

I mistakenly purchased this item thinking that it contained the actual film. If you are looking for the DVD of the film, it is not part of this book.