Do you have any Lennon stories to tell

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Were you in Bermuda in 1980 and did you come across former Beatle John Lennon and his son Sean?

Preparations are underway for a number of events this June to commemorate the late musician’s two-month stay on the Island.

Organisers are keen to hear from anyone who met or remembers seeing Lennon during his final summer vacation, or who has Lennon memorabilia from that time.

The singer stayed in Bermuda in June and July of 1980. He rented a house in Fairylands, Pembroke, and is known to have visited a variety of places on the Island, including the former Disco 40 nightclub, The English Sports Shop on Front Street and Stuart’s electronics store on Reid Street. He also visited Spanish Point and St Peter’s Church in St George. He and his son were also photographed watching the Queen’s Birthday Parade on Front Street.

It was during his trip to Bermuda that Lennon’s passion for making music was rekindled. He wrote songs and recorded home-made demo tapes. On his return to his home in New York, and inspired by his trip to Bermuda, he set about recording his first album in five years.

A number of events marking Lennon’s connection with the Island will take place on June 21. A sculpture created by Graham Foster is to be unveiled in the Botanical Gardens, marking the place where the singer came across a Double Fantasy flower. Lennon decided to use the flower’s name for the title of the album he released later that year, shortly before his assassination.

There will also be a Lennon-related art exhibition in the Rick Faries Gallery at Masterworks Museum, featuring some of Lennon’s artwork and other items and artefacts connected with the musician’s time in Bermuda.

A CD is currently being recorded to tie in with the Double Fantasy sculpture and will feature Bermudian and overseas artists singing Lennon and Beatles songs. Those lined up to appear on the CD include Heather Nova, Maxi Priest, Nils Lofgren, Rebecca Faulkenberry, Collie Buddz and Biggie Irie.

On the evening of June 21 a concert will be held in the Botanical Gardens featuring the music of Lennon and it is hoped many of the artists from the CD will perform.

The day will also see the opening of the Double Fantasy Flower Garden, a tribute garden featuring the Double Fantasy flower which captured Lennon’s imagination in 1980.

Tony Brannon, one of the event organisers, said: “We’d like to hear from anyone with stories or pictures of John Lennon when he was in Bermuda.”

Anyone who met the star or recalls seeing him in on the Island in 1980, or has Lennon memorabilia from that time, should contact Mr Brannon on 334 8869 or e-mail tony[AT]bermuda.com.

Details of the various June 21 events can be found at www.doublefantasybermuda.com.

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