I\’ve been a Beatles fan since their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February, 1964. I never got to see them in concert, something I\’ll always regret. Not that there were many opportunites to see them to begin with. They only toured for about 2 1/2 years until their final show at San Francisco\’s Candlestick Park in the summer of 1966. And you couldn\’t hear them anyway, what with thousands of hysterically screaming chicks and shitty PA systems. Still, just being there in the same space with them would have been a dream come true.

I guess that\’s what makes my brief encounter with John Lennon all the more meaningful. It was one of those wonderfully spontaneous things that just happen in life when you least expect them. It happened in 1975. I think it was in spring. It was warm, and very pleasant. I was in my car driving from an errand, and listening to the AM radio station WFIL or WIBG, one or the other. John was in Philly for some kind of benefit, and he spent time at the radio station. That particular late afternoon they were broadcasting live from Fairmount Park, and I heard John\’s distinctive voice inviting anybody who was listening to come out to the park, that he would be there.

Well, I jammed on the brakes, and just stopped wherever I was. As soon as I was able to breathe normally again I plotted the quickest route to Fairmount Park. Now, anybody who lives in Philly knows that the park is a huge place. It\’s one of the world\’s biggest parks totally within a city\’s limits. John never mentioned where in the park he was! No big deal, I thought. Just look for a big crowd. Sure enough, I wasn\’t in the park too long before I saw a lot of cars and a lot of people.

I parked a distance away, and followed a line of parked cars leading to a wide open green space with a mass of people congregated in a rather small area. It was actually pretty orderly, and very civilized. Nobody was pushing or shoving, everybody was friendly. There was peace and joy in the air. Everybody seemed elated just to be anywhere near John Lennon. I got in line and moved along slowly with the rest of the crowd.

Finally, I could see more than a few feet in front of me, and there he was! The walrus himself. He was just standing there, cool as can be, greeting everybody who approached him. I was shaking as I walked up to him. I had a little speech prepared about thanking him for the great music and memories, blah, blah, blah. But, my mind went totally blank. When I got directly in front of him, I just offered my hand, and said, \”Hi.\” We shook hands, and he said, \”Thanks for stopping by.\” Can you imagine that? One of the 20th century\’s greatest icons thanked ME for going to see HIM! I never wanted to wash that hand again.

Who knew? How could anyone have imagined John leaving us so suddenly and violently just five short years later? In hindsight it\’s plain to see that he was very vulnerable by being so approachable. We miss you, John.

Author Bio: Frank C. Guariglia has many years of diverse experience both in the corporate world and as an entrepreneur. He currently operates a website, Frank\’s Board. Send him email

Category: Entertainment
Keywords: music,entertainment,Beatles,Lennon,Philadelphia