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Amazing vintage glossy 10 x 8 promotional photo of principal Beatles songwriters John Lennon and Paul McCartney posing inside Paul’s Cavendish Avenue home in London, an image originally taken by drummer Ringo Starr in February 1968, signed neatly in black ballpoint, “John Lennon, 74” and “Paul McCartney.” In fine condition. A spectacularly uncommon Beatles offering — photos signed by and depicting only Lennon and McCartney are virtually nonexistent. Adding to its significance, this image was originally taken by their former bandmate, Ringo Starr, who took this photo in 1968 to be used in the group's only official biography, The Beatles: The Authorized Biography, which was written by author and journalist Hunter Davies and published in September 1968. This dual portrait of Lennon and McCartney was so special to the Beatles’ camp that it was enlarged, framed, and hung above the fireplace inside the Beatles’ Apple offices at 3 Savile Row in London. Such an item, signed by the Beatles' illustrious two-man song-writing team, considered by many music critics and journalists to be the greatest partnership of the 20th century, is undeniably special and unlikely to ever reenter the open market.
The consignor notes that the photo was signed by the two Beatles for well-known in-person autograph seeker Robert D. ‘Bob’ Socci, who obtained McCartney’s signature in New York City in late fall 1974, as McCartney and his wife, Linda, exited his chauffeured limo on Fifth Avenue outside of the Stanhope Hotel, where the couple was staying.
Lennon signed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974, as he sat in his limo outside the Sherry-Netherland Hotel on Fifth Avenue in midtown Manhattan, where his close friend and fellow musician Elton John was staying in advance of his Thanksgiving night concert at Madison Square Garden. A photo of Lennon in the car taken at the moment of Socci's encounter is included.
That very evening, John Lennon made his final concert appearance in front of a paying audience when he made an unannounced surprise appearance onstage at John’s show at the Garden. Lennon, who had not performed on a stage in two years, emerged to John’s introduction to a wildly appreciative – and shocked – audience. The historic performance was a three-song set: John's latest number one single, ‘Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,’ as well as two Beatles classics, ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ and ‘I Saw Her Standing There.’ (A DJM Records 7-inch vinyl pressing of the concert is included). That special night would mark Lennon's last-ever live concert appearance.
Two months earlier, during the recording of ‘Whatever Gets You Thru the Night,’ which would appear on Lennon's Walls and Bridges album, Elton John, who performed harmony vocals and piano on the recording, was confident the song would be a No. 1 hit. Lennon, however, was skeptical, which led to John betting him that if the tune topped the charts, Lennon would have to play with him at one of his shows. When the song peaked on the U.S. charts on November 16, 1974, Lennon made good on his bet just 12 days later with his Madison Square Garden appearance. ‘Whatever Gets You Thru the Night' would go on to be Lennon's only No. 1 hit as a solo act.
The MSG show also marked a reunion backstage between Lennon and his estranged wife, Yoko Ono, leading to a reconciliation early in 1975 following Lennon’s ‘Lost Weekend’ period in Los Angeles.
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