It was the world debut of the Plastic Ono Band, and they were part of a stellar rock and roll revival with Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, the Doors and Alice Cooper. John was nervous as hell, throwing up before the concert, but as usual was fantastic on stage. With him were Yoko, Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Klaus Voorman on bass, and Alan White on drums.

I can't remember where I was the day John Lennon was assassinated. I was too shocked and numb and depressed and angry. A few months before he was killed, John said, "If the Beatles or the sixties had a message, it was learn to swim. Period. And once you learn to swim, swim. You make your own dream. That's the Beatles' story, isn't it?"

I'll always love the Beatles. Not just for their music, and the joy and love they transmitted, encouraged, and heralded, but also, as individuals I had the good fortune to meet and like and enjoy. When I say, "I'll always love the Beatles," I mean in a still, quiet way, as a deeply happy man who feels a flow of warmth in my heart when I hear their music, see their photos, or read their interviews. The Beatles were also four very human, ordinary guys who changed my life. Thank youóJohn, Paul, George and Ringo.