8th December 1980, a day that will remain etched in my brain for all of eternity. That was the day my one true love, my Idol, and my Hero. Died.
He was shot outside the Dakota, in Manhattan, as I gazed down from the window and waved him bye, he stopped to sign an autograph from a bystander who shot him dead.
The image will remain with me, for as long as I shall live, however he will always be a part of me and I a part of him.
This is my story.
I was 22 at the time, 1964 was the year and the Beatles had finally hit the big time. Settling with there line up of. George, Ringo, John and Paul, after the tragic death of Stu in 1962.
As the gig drew to a close at the Cavern Club, John glimpsed a beautiful woman in the third row.
Dressed in a tight black mini dress, which stopped a little before her knees, and a pair of thigh high, black leather boots. She was a startling contrast to the rest of the teenyboppers.
There eyes caught each other mid glance and the lady blushed slightly but smiled in a manner that can only be described as radiantly. Her smile exhumed her kind nature and her eyes were masked in a dark purple eye shadow, but the colour only offset the beauty within her eyes.
Her ruby lips parted slightly and John shivered with excitement.
Paul tapped him on the shoulder awaking him from his daze as the song came to an end.
"Thank you Liverpool, as always you've been great" The band proclaimed before they rushed off to the side.
John quickly scanned the concert hall from around the red velvet curtain to ensure the beautiful lady was still present.
"ENCORE!!! ENCORE!!!" came the deafening roar of the fans.
"Excuse me but could you possibly go up to the lady in row 3 wearing the black dress, and find as many details as you can out, also ask her what her favourite song of ours is. After the encore I would like you to bring her to my room."
As the band came back to play their encore, John looked to make sure the roadie was indeed quizzing the lady for details. Seeing them chatting. The roadie signalled, holding up 2 fingers. John smiled understanding the message and started up the first bar of what he hoped was the ladies favourite song.
"Well, shake it up baby now Twist and shout…."
Throughout the song he kept glancing in her direction and saw her scooting towards the front row.
"Well shake it, shake it, shake it, baby now Ah, ah, ah, ah "
As the song reached it's climax, the place erupted and hundreds of pairs of knickers were thrown onto the stage. John's gaze never left the woman's, she didn't throw her knickers... he made a mental note.
As they walked off the stage John winked at the woman and threw her a plectrum, which she placed in her handbag and smiled that infectious smile back at him.
----------------
Michelle was an avid Beatles fan, and after her chat with the roadie, and hearing her favourite song being played she was over stimulated.
As Joseph (The roadie) walked her to John's room she had palpitations, and started to hyperventilate.
"Oh my God, I'm gonna meet John Lennon," she kept repeating. As the roadie gently held her to calm her down. As they approached the door her mind went blank.
What will I say? What am I going to do? Hi Mr. Lennon I'm your biggest fan. No! Jeez Michelle get a grip on yourself, don't act square.
Her mind was in overload as she lightly rapped on Mr. Lennon's door.
"It's open, Come In."
Her hand shook as she reached for the doorknob and turned. As she stepped into his dressing room, she was startled to find Paul there instead.
Paul took her hand and kissed it gently, "John had to go to the bathroom, so asked me to make you feel comfortable."
Michelle blushed, though her heart and soul belonged to John she was fond of Paul. "Hi P-p-p-Paul. I'm Michelle"
"Hey Kid, it's OK you don't have to be frightened, we're just normal lads from Liverpool, C'mon" Paul opened his arms to hug her tightly.
"Oi, Macca, Get your hands off my bird..." chimed the unforgettable voice of John Lennon as he walked into the room, smiling profusely.
Paul laughed at his humour and slowly walked Michelle towards John.
"John meet Michelle, and Michelle, well... Mr. Lennon"
Michelle was awe-struck and did the first thing that came into her head, she curtseyed.
"Hey, non of that, we may be bigger than Jesus but we're not royalty"
"Oh I'm sorry," she blushed again. "I don't know what to say..."
John walked forward and opened his arms so she could hug him. He heard her cry a little and made a mental note "That's brilliant, While my guitar gently weeps".
"Hey, C'Mon Michelle, come over onto the couch and we can have a chin wag."
Slowly, he paced her over to the couch, and he mouthed to Paul to go away, they would be fine now.
"I know you must hear this every day Mr. Lennon, but I really am your biggest fan..."
"Shhh, non-of this Mr. Lennon business I'm John and I'm very pleased to meet you Michelle," he whispered as he pulled her hand to his lips and gently kissed it.
Michelle blushed again, evoking the remark "That shade of red suits you" from John.
She smiled and John returned the compliment. "You know something Michelle, You may not talk much, but that smile can say more than any song I could write."
Again blushing she replied "Oh John thank you for the compliment, but nothing I can do is a comparison to what you do on stage. And your voice is just... WOW!"
"You don't have to suck up to me, you're already in my dressing room" he replied with his smile to make sure she knew he was joking.
"Anyway, Michelle, I have a question to ask you..."
"Yes? What is it...?"
"Well may I be so brazen as to ask why you didn't throw your knickers on the stage. I mean, I did play your favourite song after all."
Michelle blushed once more before replying. "Well, funny story John, but today I was in such a rush to get to this gig, that I plain forgot to put my underwear on"