John Lennon Aunt Mimi - Rare 1981 TV Interview.

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2 жыл бұрын

John Lennon went to live with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George at the age of 5. For the first time in his life, he had stability. Although he didn't live with his mother, Mimi became his surrogate mother. What was Mimi's favourite Lennon song?
Find out more about John Lennon's childhood in "Looking for Lennon" - available at www.beatlesshop.co.uk
After John Lennon was murdered in 1980, Aunt Mimi was interviewed for regional television near her home in Poole, Dorset. She talked about John's childhood and how she missed him.
She also revealed her favourite Beatles song.
Brightmoon Liverpool is part of Brightmoon Media, an award-winning media production and broadcast company based in Liverpool, UK. Our recent works include the John Lennon feature documentary 'Looking for Lennon', as well as a number of specialist educational films for some of the UK's top universities.
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Пікірлер: 162

@makemarker 2 жыл бұрын

Mimi was old school.. she was an honest and well meaning mother figure.

@jamesthompson316 2 жыл бұрын

Quite simply, without this woman it’s fair to say there’d have been no Beatles..what an incredible lady and tremendous influence on the young john and the adult john, thanks for this gem. 💙

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

That is always up for debate as to how big an influence she had musically, because she discouraged John with his music. It was his mum Julia who bought him his first guitar and taught him to play it. However, Mimi and George gave John stability in Woolton, where he met his friends who became the Quarrymen who became the Beatles. John loved her, even though she was strict, but Mimi sacrificed her social life to bring John up, for which we should be always grateful.

@jamesthompson316 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool I agree, there are many variables and twists of fate etc, although I was pointing more at the security and love/sacrifice she offered john and despite his anguish over his parents I believe his core strength along with his anger issues was vital to him literally blazing a trail to success in those early years.

@michaelkatz9918 2 жыл бұрын

Everyone needs someone like her for encouragement to pursue their dreams.

@theyrekrnations8990 2 жыл бұрын

He was lucky to have her. she's grounded and intelligent

@chancesareshewears 2 жыл бұрын

steady on

@judybenyacov8326 2 жыл бұрын

The most genuine woman. No wonder he was so special.

@zbaby82 2 жыл бұрын

The £17 that was spent on the guitar for John was a very good investment.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Zack Baines Even if Mimi only thought it good enough for a hobby!

@katieoconnor2884 2 жыл бұрын

A lot of money then £17

@nige-g 2 жыл бұрын

They had a lovely relationship. ❤ R.I.P Mimi

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

It was a strange relationship but it worked for them and was essential to John's childhood especially.

@crystalwaters8852 2 ай бұрын

Bless her heart she was a one off. RIP auntie Mimi. ❤

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 ай бұрын

She definitely was.

@dabreu 5 ай бұрын

It is missing the best part. She really sings 'A Hard Day's Night" full of joy.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 5 ай бұрын

She had a great sense of humour.

@carolynwoodman1734 2 жыл бұрын

Had a lovely letter from Aunt Mimi, may years ago. God bless you x Angel 😇

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

Did you write to her as a fan? What did she say?

@tattyshoesshigure5731 2 жыл бұрын

Yoko Ono: “I’m an artist” Aunt Mimi: “that’s funny… I’ve never heard of you!” What a wonderful lady… RIP Mimi!

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Tattyshoes Shigure She had a wicked sense of humour which most people don't realise.

@margaritarojas4748 2 жыл бұрын

I love her for that 😆😆😆

@margaritarojas4748 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool The same of John

@xx_poonisdestroyer69_xx17 2 жыл бұрын

I could listen to aunt mimi talk for hours, she was such a wonderful lady, I hope wherever her and John are now they are reunited.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Xx_poonisDestroyer69_xX So many great stories to tell!

@rirchardrubio5621 2 жыл бұрын

@axelgiovanni1031 2 жыл бұрын

John Spoke in the same tempo and tone as his Aunt.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Axel Giovanni Mimi was a huge influence on him and was very particular about how he spoke.

@aunch3 2 жыл бұрын

They were both good with words and easy to listen to

@AllWordsAreDust 5 ай бұрын

I see a lot of her in his personality too, in good and bad ways.

@Peter-733 2 жыл бұрын

it seems like John got so much of his personality from her

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Peter Definitely traces of Mimi in John, as there was also from his mother Julia, Mimi's sister.

@Peter-733 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool I can see more than traces of Mimi in John. He seems to have been heavily influenced by her.

@favouritemoon4133 2 жыл бұрын

It's fascinating to hear her, but what's weird to me is that all these years later, we have never heard any more than this one clip from this interview.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

This is the whole interview. She gave many interviews for books and journalists but very rare on TV.

@burleybater 2 жыл бұрын

Rest in Peace, aunt Mimi. Whatever influence you had on one of the most powerful songwriters of his generation, it was something upscale. Skid rows the world over are filled to over-brimming with the other sort. Something to be said for common stability in a child's life. We will always have that fascination - where those four lads came from and what made them what they became, and especially for that brief span they managed to stick together and actually be a band. It was the stuff of dreams. It was a standard that became a standard, all on its own. It changed the world. And those four lads were always far more than just the sum total of themselves (although that was a large part of it) but also that bunch that surrounded them and especially before they got to where they were going.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

That stability was crucial to the young 5 year old boy, which Mimi and George provided. Although they fought a lot, she had John's best interests at heart and dedicated herself to him.

@jrussellcase 2 жыл бұрын

I find it hilarious, yet not surprising, that when she met Yoko, her first question to her was "what do you do for a living?" 😂

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Russell C Brilliant isn't it? She was never "impressed" by anyone's reputation

@watchman1178 2 жыл бұрын

😃 If Yoko was honest she should've answered by saying, "Hell if I know."

@petecernan2568 2 жыл бұрын

Parasite?

@sooke54 2 жыл бұрын

Her family was wealthy - she didn't have to earn a living.

@kkennedy1773 Ай бұрын

The reply for Yoko would have been " I married him for his money" 😅

@rachelstone7072 2 жыл бұрын

💌💖I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS WOMAN, SHE WAS SO WONDERFUL to John Lennon💖💌

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Rachel Stone She was his stability, which is what he needed.

@michaelthomas366 2 жыл бұрын

Elsewhere Aunt Mimi said that John read the whole of Honore de Balzac's "Comedie Humaine" (which is huge) as a teenager, and that many of his early lyrics where influenced by the writer. Balzac happens also to be my favorite author, so I get some pleasure from having a shared interest with John. Now Paul, he's a Dicken's fan...

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Michael Thomas That's right Michael, and Balzac's life mirrored John's a little too. He was really well read, thanks yo Mimi.

@michaelthomas366 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool Cheers from across the pond!

@beeetleboy518 2 жыл бұрын

She certainly thought she had John under her control , lovely interview 👍👍🎸😎

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Beeetle Boy That must have been a great battle at times between them

@darinjames3313 2 жыл бұрын

Half Days Nights not so bad.....God bless Her...Simple, Sweet Love.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Darin James It is nice to see Mimi actually talking which is so rare.

@darinjames3313 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool Good Women in Our lives are very very important for Us......even The Man Himself.......She was a blessing and Angel

@brightonmick Жыл бұрын

Great to see this, its a piece of gold Thanks for posting

@BrightmoonLiverpool Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it.

@jugibur2117 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing this, really a fascinating woman with a good sense of humor!

@BrightmoonLiverpool Жыл бұрын

A lot of people don't realise that about her. She had a wicked sense of humour!

@thegowland 2 жыл бұрын

Wow!!!. Thank you for that. So refreshing to here someone so close.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+mr kite It is a great interview isn't it?

@thegowland 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool yes. I really enjoyed it. Looked like it was longer then this but she seems very proud. Cheers

@1AFVeteran 2 жыл бұрын

Would love to hear more from her. The interview was much longer than what is presented here.

@adrianbrowne7962 2 жыл бұрын

I have seen the property where John Lennon's Aunt lived a couple of times it's only about 4 Miles from where I live !! It's worth viewing for anyone who " Remains Nostalgic " For John Winston Lennon " !!! From Adrian Browne 1965

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Adrian Browne Me too Adrian, I live off Penny Lane! Going inside Mendips is fantastic with the National Trust tour.

@adrianbrowne7962 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 4 Your Support re My Post ! Take Care !! From Adrian Browne 1965

@adrianbrowne7962 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 4 Your Support re My John Lennon / Auntie Mimi Post ! Take Care!! From Adrian Browne 1965

@michavandam 2 жыл бұрын

So she and John phoned each other once or twice a week up until his death. I'd never have thought so.

@ohmeowzer1 2 жыл бұрын

She was wonderful

@dannymcrooster4089 2 жыл бұрын

So sad. 39 years passed. Tempus Fugit

@ivettek3190 2 жыл бұрын

RIP MiMi

@janetwolf3736 2 жыл бұрын

Don't know which house some persons are talking about that supposedly Yoko took. But as to the first home where she raised John it was bought by Yoko and then immediately given to the National Trust with an endowment so that it would be a treasure we could all tour for all time onward. It is preserved with his furniture and his drawings and most of the original furniture. I learned about Yoko's gift when I took the tour and the docent explained the history.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

The house in question is not "Mendips" that you are referring too, which Yoko did buy and give to the National Trust - I actually met Yoko in Mendips with some children from Dovedale School. The house debated here is the one John bought for Mimi in 1966 down in Poole in Dorset, where this film was taken.

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool There is a photo on the Net of what is there now, and it looks awful. John never entered it though, whereas he lived in the other house. So it was not really a tourist attraction.

@MoonlightNothing 2 жыл бұрын

Poor Aunt Mimi, 💔 John

@damian-795 2 жыл бұрын

I visited this house before it was pulled down to build flats. Aunt Mimi was the last owner and it was still decorated as her home although it was empty. Amazing to think the inside was as John would have known it, also all the light fittings on the walls ect would be worth a fortune to beatles collectors. We took nothing away and left it as we found it but it was quite a sad experince knowing that in the 1970`s fantastic parties happened there with people like Elton John showing up. You could feel the ghosts in the empty house.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Devon35 Amazing stories, thanks for sharing

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

Yoko bought John's childhood home and it is now English Heritage, for tourists. All the memorabilia you are talking about could have been taken there and kept.

@davidparker108 2 жыл бұрын

great interview. I get the impression this recording cuts off before it's finished. I would like to hear the whole thing.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

There is just a quick discussion on her favourite song and that is it. Hard Day's Night.

@mikefranklin3528 2 жыл бұрын

Tell us more Mimi!!

@ruypapaleobianchini395 2 жыл бұрын

RIP peace strong woman 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👏👍🙏.

@countalucard4226 2 жыл бұрын

She and John have the same nose, that’s for sure.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Richard W The "Stanley Family" nose? quite distinctive

@therocknrollgamer9572 2 жыл бұрын

I really like Mimi's personality, she is very funny, and she reminds me of my nana a lot

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+TheRockNRollGamer95 There is something about that generation isn't there? I think we all had Nans like that!

@therocknrollgamer9572 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool TBH, what you said is a bit right. I believe when women get into their 70's or 80's their sense of humors get more entertaining and funny.

@wormsnake1 Жыл бұрын

R.I.P Mimi.x

@BrightmoonLiverpool Жыл бұрын

She gave up so much for John

@karaamundson3964 2 жыл бұрын

"Who's the sour dwarf?" A line I won't soon forget ...

@squatch545 2 жыл бұрын

Mimi never bought him his first guitar. Julia had a guitar that she gave to John before she died.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely right. Mimi helped John with the finance of his guitars later.

@LeeDon76 2 жыл бұрын

Julia had a banjo not a guitar.

@squatch545 2 жыл бұрын

@@LeeDon76 She also had a guitar and a piano.

@rickmorrow993 2 жыл бұрын

@@LeeDon76 I read somewhere that she taught John how to play the ukulele, too. I confirmed that on Julia Lennon's Wikipedia page.

@elfinia Жыл бұрын

A banjo ukelele , maybe. They were popular then.

@redlioness6627 2 жыл бұрын

A lady of good Scouse stock is our Mimi.

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

I think they were Welsh.

@elfinia Жыл бұрын

Adorable lady ‘Gertie’.

@BrightmoonLiverpool Жыл бұрын

What a lady!

@mickymac6571 28 күн бұрын

All these years and ive just learned her second name.

@veggielady5571 2 жыл бұрын

Didn't Yoko take this house away from Aunt Mimi? Yoko took many of John's gifts back from his relatives.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

Mimi lived there till she died. The house then reverted to Apple I think as they had purchased it.

@wpl8275 2 жыл бұрын

How can anyone take back gifts from their husband to someone else. Those gifts were freely given and in their possession. That's ridiculous. Just more gossip against her. Same for Aunt Mimi's house. If John was dead, how would she have access to her house? Yoko Ono is probably the most vilified woman in recent history.

@tommy2buttz668 2 жыл бұрын

@@wpl8275 IDK about the other stuff but Yoko's singing that time with Chuck Berry "HEENGY HEENGY HEENGY!" she had a tambourine.......who put her near the microphone? the look on chucks' face when she started "singing" ...that incident alone could have added to the negative public sentiment towards yoko

@charwest9449 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, Yoko took everything she could get her hands on. Even though Cynthia made it clear that that house was purchased by them not only for aunt Mimi "to live in until she died", but to be passed down to the Stanley family. That was the intent. Yoko ignored that of course.

@zapdunga12 5 ай бұрын

The biggest thing Yoko took away was JOHN. 😢

@TELEVISIONARCHIVES 2 жыл бұрын

So what would a postcard written to someone in Florida be worth if John Lennon signed it? Anyone know? I found one as an Estate Sale here

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Televisionarchives Depends what is on it but could be $3000-$5000? Get it valued by a professional.

@TELEVISIONARCHIVES 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool thanks

@pup1008 2 жыл бұрын

It's all *Mi- Mi - Mi!*

@elfinia Жыл бұрын

Everybody is me me me. This is what the journalist wanted. A personal pov from John’s aunt; don’t you think ?

@pup1008 Жыл бұрын

@@elfinia Erm.... It was a joke?

@jaelge Ай бұрын

02:13: You can be sure Mrs. Smith that if indeed he hadn't made it in music he would've been your dependant the rest of your life.

@chancesareshewears 2 жыл бұрын

she sounds like Keef

@sofianlebourdonmajeri3162 2 жыл бұрын

Not the right think is that without his father will be no john Lenon.. but if his Mother don't take away his father from John..John will be still alive, his father too... John will create something more gorgeous that beattles and his solo career will have no limit for express is genius. Without yocono John will be alive and sean lenon will be strong and great singer musician and composer... happy to share his music ...having a real place in our society ... we miss John's father and son ...

@toscana6457 2 жыл бұрын

It was Julia (his mum) who encouraged his music & taught him to play the banjo. Julia Baird (John’s half sister) has written a book on their childhood & its certainly an interesting read!

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Toscana64 Absolutely right, Julia was a huge influence on John. Julia Baird's book is a must-read.

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool Wasn't she a lot younger? So how did she influence HIM? Sounds like she was cashing in, like the rest of the women who were hangers on.

@damianbroderick3913 Ай бұрын

Julia THE MOTHER- Julia Baird was his half-sister. @@RedheadLondon

@RedheadLondon Ай бұрын

@@damianbroderick3913 She was born in 1947, so 7 years younger than John, and John was sent to live with Aunt Mimi from being very young. I was wondering how much time they actually spent growing up together. Probably not even in the same house, and she would have to be old enough to recall details and piece them together in a time frame, so add another 6 years on to the age gap. I do think she cashed in on it, but Cynthia and May never stopped, and May STILL is telling her story from half a century ago - their only claim to fame.

@karensylvia9423 2 жыл бұрын

It's not a 1981 interview as he died in 1980. When was this filmed ?

@georgejohnson5904 2 жыл бұрын

Are you a bit slow?

@karensylvia9423 2 жыл бұрын

@@georgejohnson5904 Why ? I never watched the video. John Lennon died 12/8/80 so it can't be a 1981 interview as it states in the title. Misleading titles don't get my views. And your mama's slow that's why she regretfully birthed you !

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Karen Sylvia John died in 1980 as you said, so this is an interview with John's Aunt Mimi the year after John was killed.

@karensylvia9423 2 жыл бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool Thanks for your kind reply. Perhaps if there was an apostrophe s after Lennon I would have understood the title better. I took it as John and his aunt, thinking a comma or & was missing after Lennon.

@damianbroderick3913 Ай бұрын

@@karensylvia9423I'm sure they would've done one together had he made it back. .

@kenlane6655 2 жыл бұрын

NOrthern women eh??!! Strong as!! Proud to be a Manc and to have had scouser mates. Would love to have seen and heard what John would have done in his latter years.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+ken Lane Wouldn't we all Ken. He was just starting the next phase of his life when we lost him. Such a tragedy.

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

@@BrightmoonLiverpool Come back to the UK, made it up with Julian, etc. Should never have gone to the US. Stay with Cyn, live in Surrey - boring, but harmless.

@katieoconnor2884 2 жыл бұрын

Yoko was very controlling I wish he stayed with Cynthia

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Katie O Connor It would have been so different.

@Racingbro1986 2 жыл бұрын

Imagine if Mimi lived in America maybe John would have lived elsewhere and might never been shot.

@neilarmstrongsson795 2 жыл бұрын

Or imagine if John had lived in England with Mimi, then he probably wouldn't have got shot.

@AllWordsAreDust 5 ай бұрын

How would that work? The guy flew from Hawaii to track him down.

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

@@AllWordsAreDust Well, he probably would not have come to the UK to shoot him! Also, he'd have to get the gun through the airport.

@williamandhisstarwars 2 жыл бұрын

This was the first person Yoko called after his assasination.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+WILLIAM and HIS STAR WARS Amazing isn't it?

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

She was the closest thing to his mother, and it would have been all over the media anyway.

@dabreu 5 ай бұрын

But there is a wrong information right when i starts. Mimi didn't raise John when he was just a baby. He was already five years old.

@BrightmoonLiverpool 5 ай бұрын

That is just one of the many tales she told!

@damianbroderick3913 Ай бұрын

Were you people there? Do be quiet 🙄

@josefserf1926 2 жыл бұрын

7:57 Very poignant

@oscarslife5497 2 жыл бұрын

Very posh and no trace of scouse quite surprising

@lionelmerbles9375 2 жыл бұрын

Despite the working class hero vibe JWL was actually very middle class

@BrightmoonLiverpool 2 жыл бұрын

+Andrew Jackson John never had a scouse accent. He would put it on when he wanted to, but was a middle-class lad from middle-class Woolton where they definitely did not speak scouse! However, Mimi did come from the Dingle where Ringo is from, so she lost her scouse accent deliberately.

@steg_of_neth.2877 2 жыл бұрын

No one, working class or middle class spoke 'scouse' as we know it today. Today's accent is very thick and somewhat exaggerated. In Aunt Mimi's time and John's Generation the Liverpool accent was subtle scouse or even mild lancastrian. Today's Scouse is an anomaly, whereas all other accents around the country have become weaker and weaker over the years, Scouse went in the opposite direction, becoming thicker and stronger. Why this happened is open to speculation. Here is a small Clip showing the Liverpool accent when John was a lad and Mimi was in her prime. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hJdhlMWFybfMiKc.html

@katieoconnor2884 2 жыл бұрын

Mini has no Liverpool accent very nicely spoken john had a house in st georges hill in weybridge surrey my Dad lived in new haw next door to weybridge. Weybridge has a lot of millionaires and is a lovely town with some amazing shops

@RedheadLondon 2 ай бұрын

I read the name Stanley is Welsh. I think it sounds quite like it here.

@rigodon97 Ай бұрын

Read somewhere that Mimi was kicked away from the house John had offered her by Yoko. Is that true ?

@BrightmoonLiverpool Ай бұрын

No, not true. It was John's sisters Julia and Jackie who were not allowed to have the house John wanted for them, and one of his auntie's, Harriet, was living there at the time and Yoko tried to kick her and the family out. At least she let them live there until the last member of the family, John's uncle Norman, died.

@potterwalker4823 2 ай бұрын

Yoko an artist!?! that’s very funny .she was an authentic no-talent.

@teacherlynn671 22 күн бұрын

John suffered in life like many of us that never got the love we deserved. But don’t be like John accept The Cross and the Resurrection and have eternal and love and joy and peace from God. Not one Beatle ever spoke of Christ. I don’t think one of them was saved. A bunch of Nowhere Men and no longer hero’s of mine.

@frankcava9313 Жыл бұрын

Of course Mimi you'd never heard of Yoko. She has no music talent at all. But she can fool a rock star into leaving his wife

@cynthiapopov229 2 жыл бұрын

Dale and i cindy cynthia not born in arizona and our family members are not either. We know god jesus christ and holy spirit only keep save and use our souls and spirits only with us for enternity..only amen..and we love you virigin mary too. Amen and gabre angle too only for enternity too. And only god of heaven and earth and jesus christ and holy spirit keep save and use our souls and spirits with us for entirity. Amen

@karaamundson3964 2 жыл бұрын

Whatever

@cynthiapopov229 2 жыл бұрын

Good i have a family member named john too but we are only born white in race but like our god knows we notbborn in arizona...only god and jesus christ and holy spirit only keep snd save and use our souls and spirits only with us for enterinity..amen bye bye tucson.

@frankboyd. 2 жыл бұрын

It was 17 pounds hahaha. So she didn't buy it for him ??? I'm really glad she didn't bring me up. She seems like a dreams squasher. If she had her way John would have been an accountant.

@damianbroderick3913 Ай бұрын

Do be quiet