The Event Featuring
Heather Nova, Maxi Priest, and Roy Young, Also is the Multi-Media Launch of
The Book and CD ‘Lennon
Bermuda’ and a Double Fantasy
Sculpture by Bermudian
Artist Graham Foster, Commemorates
The Ex-Beatle’s 1980
Summer Trip to Bermuda, Which
Inspired the Songs of
His Landmark ‘Double Fantasy’ Album
Thirty two years after John Lennon’s sailing
trip to Bermuda sparked the creative renaissance that inspired the final album
released in his lifetime; the island celebrates the late legend’s enduring
spirit and vision with the “John Lennon Double Fantasy Bermuda Tribute,” an
all-star charity concert named for that landmark recording.
The show, which takes place at the Bermuda
Botanical Gardens on Friday, September 21 at 8 p.m., will feature a wide array
of performers, including Heather Nova, Maxi Priest, Biggie Irie, Judie Tzuke,
Roy Young, Chewstick, Rachel Brown, Joy Barnum, Paul Muggleton, Bailey &
Tallula Tzuke, Robert "Sai" Emery, Christina Frith, Jonathan Frith,
Bailey Outerbridge, Steve Easton, Michael Cacy and others. Net proceeds from
the concert will benefit Bermuda Charities
Since 1982, the world has celebrated September
21 as the “International Day of Peace.”
The event also marks the release of several
commemorative multi-media items, including the star-studded Lennon Bermuda
CD and launch of a Lennon Bermuda book.
The double CD includes 32 Lennon and
Lennon-McCartney classics by many of the artists participating in the concert,
in addition to Paul Carrack and Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono. The project, which
retails for $20.00 and will also be available on the Lennon Bermuda website (www.doublefantasybermuda.com), includes a bonus
video of “All You Need Is Love.”
Visitors to the John Lennon Double Fantasy
Bermuda Tribute are also invited to view the new Lennon sculpture (also called
“Double Fantasy”) outside the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda in the Bermuda
Botanical Gardens. It was created by Bermudian artist Graham Foster, who is
best known for his huge mural “The Hall of History” inside the Commissioner's
House at the Bermuda National Museum in Dockyard. The two-story, 1000 square
foot interior mural depicts five centuries of Bermudian history and took
approximately 7000 hours (over 3 years) to complete. On November 25th 2009, Her
Majesty The Queen, officially opened the Hall of History mural and on this
occasion was presented with a painting by the artist.
The sculpture was unveiled in May as part of the
museum’s “Imagine The Art of John Lennon” art exhibit. Foster’s iconic
image of Lennon also appears on the Double Fantasy Bermuda T-shirt, available
for $20 at the event and in the shop section of the website.
On August 22, PRS For Music, the collecting
society representing 90,000 songwriters, composers and music composers, became
an official sponsor of the Bermuda tribute concert. PRS for Music has been
present in Bermuda for a number of years promoting the value of copyright and
raising awareness about the importance of music licensing which ensures that
creators of musical works can earn a living. A team from PRS for Music are
working with government departments, business leaders, music users,
broadcasters and key stakeholders to discuss copyright issues, listen to
concerns and understand what work needs to be done to improve the awareness of
the requirement for music licenses in Bermuda and to highlight the continued
importance of the Bermudan music industry.
Karen Buse, Director of International from PRS
for Music, says, “We are delighted to be supporting such a fantastic event and
tribute to one of the greatest musicians and British songwriters the world has
ever known and enjoyed. We felt this was a great opportunity to be involved in
something special which brings local and international music talent together
and puts live music in Bermuda on the world map.”
The Lennon-Bermuda story is a remarkable chapter
in the singer’s final year. In June 1980, Lennon left Newport and became a
passenger on the Megan Jayne for a five day sailing voyage to Bermuda
that would change his life. Prior to his adventure to Bermuda, fans the world
over had begun to worry about Lennon, as his drive for writing and creativity
lacked vigor. The pressure to produce quality music, the pressure of his family
and troubles got the best of him and his creative energy for songwriting
suffered. Eventually the pressure and the reclusive lifestyle led to a
self-imposed hiatus—a period he chronicled on Double Fantasy songs like
“Watching the Wheels.”
During this time, Lennon started to further
explore his lifelong fascination with sailing. Lennon immersed himself in the
culture of sailing, learning the ropes and even acquiring a small boat for
himself. After consulting with Takashi Yoshikawa, then the leading authority on
Ki, Lennon was told to sail to the southeast to overcome the negative shadows
casting over him.
After agonizing days at sea with twenty-foot
thrashing waves, forceful winds and ultimately facing the threat of life or
death, Lennon arrived in Bermuda a different man from the one who left Newport.
From seasickness to being the captain at one point and the uncertainty of life,
Lennon later cited the journey to Bermuda as a life altering and inspirational
experience that was a major part of the catalyst for the end of his five year
song writing block.
Arriving to Bermuda felt like an accomplishment,
and spotting land was like seeing the gates finally open before him and leaving
the journey behind them. The combination of the prospect of death with the sun
and the sand inspired new music and lyrics that marked the revival of Lennon’s
creative spirit. Lennon spent the following weeks with passion and enthusiasm
as he wrote his final songs. Double Fantasy, his first recording in five
years, was named after a flower he observed in Bermuda. He returned home not
only with new songs but with a new vision and enthusiasm for life itself.
John Lennon’s legacy has been honored numerous
times by musicians throughout the world, but the Double Fantasy Bermuda
Tribute—the concert, statue, book and CD--is the first official celebration of
his intimate connection to the famous island.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment