Somwhere in NYC or John Lennon and the 1974 Grammy Awards

photo by  Vinnie Zuffante

photo by H.T. Montgomery

photo by H.T. Montgomery

Moving along through the March/April issue of the Write Thing, there is a story by H.T. Montgomery (known at the time as Zig) about seeing John and Yoko at the Grammy Awards in February 1975.   I guess he called it the "1974 Grammies" because the awards given out were for records of 1974.   I also loved John's Elivs broach and hat he wore during this occasion.   The Grammy awards were  a big night for John at that time.  He was not only promoting his new album, but he also was out in public with Yoko for the first time in 18 months.   

Jim Warren, Zig Montgomery, and Jim Marschall arrived in NYC and at 3:00pm we met up with Madeleine Schatz of New Jersey at the Americana hotel.  One hour later we saw David Essex walk by the hotel so we yelled out "hello David" and he waved and walked on up the street.  We started to get excited because we knew it wouldn't be long now til the people started to arrive.  We had found out earlier that the Awards were to be given out here at the hotel first with a dinner then all would leave for the Uris Theater to televise only a few of the actual awards.  The dinner cost $60.00 a plate.  Anyway Madeleine and Zig went into the hotel to see what could be found out about the Ballroom that this affair was to be held in.  We found out it was on the second floor and there was a near elevator right next to the dining area.  Jim Marschall and Zig took the front entrance and Madeleine and Jim W. took the side one.  At 5:30 everyone started to arrive so we took out posts.  People like David Essex, Hudson Brothers, Tony Orlando, Paul Williams, David Bowie, etc.  Then as we were standing in the hotel lobby around 6:30 we saw a limo pull up with John and Yoko.  They walked very fast into the hotel, saying "hello" to people, greeting everyone and went into the ballroom.  We were only able to get one picture because they were practically running into the hotel.

Then we went down to the lower lobby and found some people that were going to the dinner. They said they'd take Jim and Madeleine to see John.  When they got inside the dining room they found John's table and asked for some pictures.  Some old snob started yelling and said, "no more flashes."  Jim took the picture anyway, and then they left.  They then started to serve dinner.  They came back and told us of their luck, so Jim Marchall decided to go try his.   When he got up to the ballroom he walked right in and asked what table John Lennon was at and walked right over to it.  Before he knew it he was standing next to Lennon tapping him on the shoulder for an autograph.  At last he was next to one of the four who sold out Shea Stadium to 58,000 people.  He asked John for an autograph and John asked if he had a pen and paper.  Jim had forgot that and John with his comical voice said, "Now how can I give you me autograph without a pen?"  So Jim asked for a picture instead and John obliged saying, "please made it quick."  John turned, put his head on his shoulder, posed and said, "was that good enough?"  With the answer of "yes" Jim took off to look for a pen.  He then came back and John sign his book "A Spaniard in the Works."  He gave Yoko a picture of John and she told him, "thank you."  People kept asking John to get up and dance so John asked Yoko and she said that she didn't want to.  Jim left after this.

  Next I ( Zig) went up and right to the table.  John was talking with the people seated at their table with them, so I put my hand on his shoulder and asked if it was possible to get an autograph and John answered, "sure!"  I gave him a postcard which I had previously had signed by Ringo and Paul.  John asked where I got the other two signatures and I told him London in 1973.  Then I asked him questions like if he was planning any live gigs and he said "It's something I'm thinking about for the future."  I told him I loved his new 'Rock n Roll' LP and he said "thanks for buying it."  (He also said that to Madeleine earlier when she had him autograph it).  Then I shook hands and said it was a pleasure meeting him. I also said hello to Yoko and she smiled and said hello back.  Then I went over to the side of the ballroom and watched the award presentations.  They announced that those who were going to re-give out the awards on TV were to leave now and John and others got up and left.  When John got outside he expected his limo to be there but it wasn't.  So he returned inside followed by fans and the press.  They asked him questions and took pictures.  Jim W., Madeleine and Jim M. were taking as many pictures as they could.  Jim M. took out his tape player and mike and ran up to John and held out his mike and said, in a flash of not knowing what to say, "will you say hi to my mother for me?"  And John said, "'ello Mummy, how are you?"  Then John left for the Uris Theatre and we went there too and saw all the stars arrive again.  John was supposed to go to a party afterwards at the Essex house Hotel.  It really was a fantastic evening and a Hard Days Night!