30 years ago, Mark Chapman shot possibly our most important musician. Such an injustice - The man had so much more to give.
The Beatle that made it all tick (sorry Paul), John Lennon is more than just a legend.
30 years ago we lost a musical hero, yet still the work remains current. To date, around 139.5 million albums have been sold.
Now, you have a chance to capture and own a true specimen of Beatlemania collectables.
The white suit worn by Lennon on the album cover of Abbey road is up for auction.
The two-piece suit, designed for Lennon by Ted Lapidus of Paris is among a host of the singer’s possessions up for auction by Braswell Galleries in Connecticut on New Year’s Day.
The suit, along with an iconic blazer Lennon wore and a 1972 Chrysler station wagon that once belonged to Lennon and Yoko Ono, are among the Beatles memorabilia being auctioned
You may remember the video for Imagine, where John Lennon wore the velvet fleur de lys designed blazer as he sat behind the grand piano, beside Yoko Ono.
Of the suit, Braswell said he did know how much it would fetch, but noted that the suit and blazer together sold for $120,000 in 2005.
Historic? Yes. Awesome? Very.
“Imagine thers’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do.
Nothing to kill or die for and no religion too”
RIP John Lennon, You are missed.
Roll up Roll up! The Southbank’s sexiest show La Soiree is the spectacle for grown-ups this Christmas. From the creative team behind the award winning ‘La Clique’ comes another fast, furious, mad capped circus act. Featuring an international cast of performance artists you’ll be dazzled, shocked and definitely amazed as they twist, turn and contort their way through an evening of entertainment.
I had a fantastic time watching this bunch perform in a brightly lit and beautifully decorated big top behind the National Theatre. Personal favourites include Frodo, a Norwegian contortionist dressed as a seventies tennis player who joked as he pulled his body through wooden tennis racquets! There was the gorgeous David O’Mer, he delivered an awe inspiring aerial ballet from a bathtub in not much more than a pair of wet jeans….And finally the delightful ‘English’ gents charmed and astounded us all through their comedic acrobatics dressed in pin stripes and bowler hats. Forget panto and think La Soiree for an alternative night out this December.
If you should go down to the Canary Wharf today- be sure of a big surprise. Plateau: a top notch restaurant making waves in an overcrowded industry.
This bar, grill and first class restaurant is part of the D&D family, a company set up by the father of stylish modern living, Terence Conran. The restaurant’s chic interior made special by panoramic views overlooking Canada Square has made a dramatic impact on visitors, and when I arrived mid week their bar was packed with a sea of suits and cocktail skirts. I had a feeling I was on to a good thing….
Kicking off the evening with a stunning looking and even better tasting passion fruit martini I had a quick chat with their manager. They’ve recently made some changes to the place that includes regular cocktail master classes and also the hiring of incredible chef Allan Pickett. Judging by the smiling faces all around me they must be doing something right!
Read more...
18 Greatest Scottish Golf Holes is up there with the most beautiful golf books ever produced.
The limited first edition, with a run of just 3000 copies is available now from www.18greatestgolf.com .
Having got to grips with this fine tome, I can confirm that the presentation is exquisite. Printed on the finest quality heavyweight paper and presented in a bespoke slipcase, this is a complete treat for all golfing enthusiasts.
The imagery is better! Artist and designer Siobhan Hardy Royer has done an immense job with the illustrations and lay out. The photography is natural, unfiltered and worlds away from much golf photography. New York-based National Geographic contributor John Kernick has delivered some spectatcular shots.
This marvellous book has been produced by 18 Greatest Golf, a new publishing company based in Inverness Scotland and Atlanta Georgia.
18 Greatest Golf are in a great position to publish further titles, with two currently in production - 18 Greatest Irish Golf Holes is released in March and 18 Greatest US Open Golf Holes in October next year.
Craig Morrison and Andrew Ross expertly detail some of Scotland’s most famous holes including Troon’s Postage Stamp and St Andrew’s Road Hole as well as newer courses including Kingsbarns and Castle Stuart.
The book is backed up by many contributors including Colin Montgomerie, the winning Ryder Cup captain:
“The book’s aim is a simple one: to give Scottish golf and its great holes the treatment they deserve. And that aim has been achieved.
“For my part it is great to see Scottish golf presented so sharply, to see with fresh eyes the forgotten wonders of older clubs we sometimes take for granted as well as to see the remarkable style of some of the country’s newest golf courses.”
A superb collection of brilliant images and insightful quotes, a wonderful gift for all Golfing fans. It is available from http://www.18greatestgolf.com (£150)
Grosvenor House, the wonderful 5 star Hotel on Mayfair is hosting the most high end book club I have ever heard of – Literati, The Grosvenor House Book Club is on Thursday 2nd December.
Lucia van der Post will be hosting this fab event. Lucia spent twenty-six years as editor of the “How to Spend It” section of the Financial Times, and has become one of Europe’s most respected commentators on both style and luxury.
Her debut book “Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me” was a bestseller in the UK. At the Literati, Lucia van der Post will be presenting her new book “Celebrate: The Art of the Special Occasion”.
The book is all about tips on how to fête creatively and create fun, stylish and memorable occasions to suit all budgets. The “fairy godmother of style and luxury” is very much an authority on such matters.
On top of this, there is an impressive line-up of authors including the first lady of broadcast journalism, Kate Adie, author and radio presenter Libby Purves, and Natasha Solomons presenting her debut novel in her quest to break the world record for most book events attended by an author in a year.
The best book club ever?
The event will commence from 6.30pm with cocktails and canapés inspired by the book. Tickets are priced at £20 which includes a copy of the book, welcome drinks and canapés – Shockingly good value!
To book a place or to find all the latest information on upcoming Literati events held at Grosvenor House, please visit the newly-launched Literati Book Club website http://www.grosvenorhouseliterati.co.uk.
