How Carl Perkins Helped the Beatles Grieve After John Lennon’s Death

Lennon, October 9, 1980 with son Sean & Yoko Ono

In 2011 music enthusiast Liz Hajek and I traveled to New York. We spent a day with May Pang. She was John Lennon’s girlfriend for almost two years in the early 1970s.

We enjoyed 12 hours with May in her home and also spent time at a nearby Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant near Pomona, NY. After this experience, us two Texans understood why John Lennon was attracted to such a beautiful and insightful lady.

During his time with Pang, in 1973-1975, Lennon was the most musically prolific since his Beatle days. Friends say it was also the happiest times in his life.

With May, John renewed his relationships with son Julian, and the other Beatles.

When I asked her who she believed were Lennon’s musical influences, she quickly listed several names. She mentioned “Elvis (Presley), Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins and entertainers like Fats Domino.”

When I asked her “what would John be like if he was alive today,” she sparkled.

“That’s easy. He would love today’s TV with all the channels that are available,” Pang laughed in her living room, adorned with art and photos of Lennon. “Of course, he always loved, and enjoyed talking with his fans.”

“I can imagine he would be signing autographs, reading every day—sometimes, I can imagine him being near the sea, listening to music, and just relaxing,” Pang smiled. “Who knows, he even talked about writing again with Paul. Perhaps by now that would have happened.”

“There is no doubt he would still be friends with his brothers for life, Paul and Ringo (Starr),” Pang became serious. “They were bonded for life, despite what people think.”

Paul McCartney thought John seemed “more relaxed, loveable and it was obvious he felt love” when describing his time with Pang.

Lennon was shot and killed on December 8, 1980, at approximately 10:50 p.m. outside his residence at The Dakota in New York City. He was 40 years old at the time of his death.

Lennon was returning home with his wife, Yoko Ono, after a recording session. As they approached the entrance, Mark David Chapman shot Lennon four times with a .38-caliber revolver. Lennon was struck in the back and shoulder, leading to severe injuries.

Lennon was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival at 11:15 p.m. The cause of death was attributed to massive hemorrhaging and shock from the gunshot wounds.

Lennon’s murder shocked the world, leading to an outpouring of grief from fans and tributes globally. His death marked a significant loss in the music world and ended hopes for a potential Beatles reunion.

Just after Lennon passed, Paul and Linda McCartney invited legendary rockabilly musician Carl Perkins to stay with them on the Island of Montserrat. Producer George Martin had a studio there.

Paul wanted Carl’s help in recording a song called “Get It” for his new “Tug of War” album.

Also, just weeks after John’s murder, both George Harrison and Ringo Starr came to spend time with their former bandmate.

The night before Carl was scheduled to leave, a song came to him that summed up his warm feelings about the visit. The song was so clear in his mind that he didn’t even write it down, which was unusual for Carl.

The next morning he played the song, “My Old Friend”, for Paul and Linda, explaining that it was a gift for having him as a guest.

Halfway through the song when Carl sang the words “if we never meet again this side of life, in a little while, over yonder, where there’s peace and quiet, my old friend, won’t you think about me every now and then?”

Paul stood up and abruptly left the room with tears streaming down his face.

Not sure what had just happened, Carl stopped playing, and Linda hugged him. She thanked him for helping Paul grieve, explaining that he hadn’t been able to fully break down since John passed.

Paul later explained that the last words John spoke to him in the hallway of the Dakota building were “think about me now and then old friend”.