Starting Over: The Making of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Double Fantasy »

A Los Angeles based singer/songwriter with three CDs to his credit (1301 Highland Avenue, Happy Accidents and Sonic Crayons), Ken Sharp has authored or co-authored over ten music books including Elvis: Vegas '69, Writing For The King, Overnight Sensation: The Story of the Raspberries, Reputation Is A Fragile Thing: The Story of Cheap Trick, Small Faces: Quite Naturally, Eric Carmen: Marathon Man, Power Pop!, KISS: Behind The Mask and others.

The murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent shockwaves around the world. The most acclaimed singer/songwriter of his generation, first a Beatle and then a boundary-pushing solo artist, was senselessly silenced forever at age forty; immediately, his final musical statement, an intimate, pop-infused collection called Double Fantasy, released only weeks before his death, skyrocketed to #1 worldwide, as did its poignantly titled single, "(Just Like) Starting Over."

His first studio recording since 1975’s Rock ’n’ Roll—and his first musical endeavor of any kind since taking a much-needed hiatus to raise Sean, his son with Yoko Ono—Double Fantasy represents more than a comeback album to Lennon fans and music critics alike. It captures a cultural icon at the pinnacle of his creative success and personal fulfillment; thirty years later it remains a musical touchstone and an affecting reminder of what could have been.

Starting Over is an oral history of the making of Double Fantasy and the definitive account of John Lennon’s last days. From early demos to sessions at New York City’s The Hit Factory, from the electrifying chemistry of the studio band to keeping the project under wraps to the album’s release and critical reception, here is fascinating, insightful commentary from all of the key players involved in its extraordinary creation: Yoko Ono, David Geffen, producer Jack Douglas, engineers, arrangers, session musicians, music journalists, and even Lennon himself via archival interviews.

Featuring never-before-seen photos of John and Yoko in the studio, candid images taken by David M. Spindel and Roger Farrington, Starting Over is the essential portrait for anyone who hears both a beginning and ending in the tracks of Double Fantasy.

Library Journal

The pop music world was buzzing in 1980 with word of John Lennon and Yoko Ono recording a new album. Double Fantasy found Lennon dealing with domestic life without the anger, angst, and politics that had marked his solo career. Interestingly, Ono's progressive work on the album was perhaps better in line with the current music trends than Lennon's more melodically and stylistically conservative contributions. Lennon's murder in December 1980 quickly turned the album into a classic. Sharp, who's coauthored books on the Beatles, Kiss, and others, has assembled a wide range of materials for this chronicle of the making of Lennon and Ono's historically important album. He draws from some published interviews but more extensively from interviews he conducted with various instrumentalists, technicians, vocalists, and industry insiders involved in the project. VERDICT This fine book provides much insight into Lennon and Ono and into the record-making process of 30 years ago. Recommended for all Beatles, Lennon, and Ono fans.—James E. Perone, Univ. of Mount Union, Alliance, OH

Introduction 1

Cast 5

Watching the Wheels 7

An Offer I Can't Refuse 13

Secret Sessions 15

Meet the Band 21

Practice Makes Perfect 25

Starting Over 31

Keeping It Quiet 45

In the Studio 47

A Lost Song 91

The Cheap Trick Sessions 93

That's a Wrap 111

The Beatles 113

Lights, Camera, Action! 119

Hidden Mics 127

Sonic Architecture 131

Picture Perfect 135

Double Fantasy 137

Finishing Touches 139

By the Numbers 143

Feeding Frenzy 173

Fantasy Becomes Reality 179

Spreading the Gospel 183

In the Media 185

Sound Off 191

Touring 199

The Final Sessions - Walking on Thin Ice 205

December 8, 1980 215

Double Fantasy Redux 237

Double Exposure Roger Farrington 243

Freeze Frame David M. Spindel 249

Acknowledgments 255

Endnotes 257

Selected Bibliography 259

Photo Credits 261