While John Lennon retreated into private life in 1975, he also fought a major legal battle that flew under the public radar. Mafia-connected Morris Levy, owner of Roulette Records, released Roots, an unauthorized version of a rock ’n’ roll oldies album John had been producing. Levy claimed the former Beatle had verbally agreed to market Roots via TV. The quick release of John Lennon Rock ’n’ Roll, the official album, resulted in two Levy lawsuits against John—and John’s counterclaims against Levy.
Recent Press
“Lennon, the Mobster, & the Lawyer, The Untold Story is a remarkable book with facts and stories about John Lennon and his creative work that is extremely important and new! ”
“Beautifully written, the story unfolds in vivid detail and is packed with previously unknown information.”
“Jay Bergen has authored a page-turner of a book about, of all things, a lawsuit. You may be drawn to the title as a Beatles fan, but you’ll leave having enjoyed a glimpse into the strategic core of a first-rate legal mind.”
“Aside from the twists and turns in the courtroom, Bergen uncovers much about Lennon that fans never knew: his intense work ethic in the studio and deep knowledge of the process of record making…”
Lennon attorney Jay Bergen tells the intimate story of how he worked closely with John to rebut Levy’s specious claims. He also recounts how John explained his recording process in poetic, exacting terms for a judge who knew little about The Beatles and John’s solo career.
Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer catches the high drama of the courtroom skirmishes in this previously untold story. It also paints a detailed personal portrait of John and his world from 1975 to 1977, when he would soon welcome a new son and go into happy seclusion as a father and husband.
“I like your tie. What’s the story behind it?” I asked John.
“I found it in a secondhand shop on Broadway. It’s hand-painted,” he replied. “It shows a butterfly trapped in a spider’s web. I’m the butterfly trapped in Morris Levy’s web. I’m going to wear it during the trial.”
From Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer
This book will interest any fan of John Lennon or The Beatles for two reasons—the courtroom drama that unfolded and John Lennon’s testimony in which he outlined his creative process for the judge.
It is also valuable to understand John’s mindset as he entered a creative hibernation; he didn’t record again for almost six years. After those last recording sessions the world lost one of its great creative musical minds. We’re still mourning.
—Jay Bergen
JAY BERGEN, AUTHOR
John Lennon’s lawyer from 1975 to 1977. © Paul Mehaffey.
“People often ask me what John Lennon was like. I usually tell them the best way to find out is through John’s own words. Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer: The Untold Story reveals the John Lennon I knew as he describes his artistic process and shows his keen sense of humor.”
—Bob Gruen, Internationally renowned rock and roll photographer for artists including John Lennon, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and Elton John.
LENNON, THE MOBSTER & THE LAWYER
A Cheerful Reunion
Shortly after I began writing LENNON, the MOBSTER, & the LAWYER The Untold Story, on October 15, 2017, Taj Mahal and Keb Mo appeared at the Peace Center in Greenville, SC. DiAnne and I were able to arrange a backstage meeting with Taj Mahal after the show.
I had a very thin connection to him through Jesse Ed Davis, the lead guitar player on John Lennon’s album, Rock ’n’ Roll. Jesse Ed, a trial witness of mine who gave important testimony (“you don’t need a lead sheet to play ‘Tutti Frutti,’ you know.”) was a prominent person in my book (Chapter 24).
Jesse Ed played on Taj Mahal’s first four albums beginning in 1968 — Taj Mahal/guitar & piano, also with Ry Cooder/guitar; The Natch’l Blues/guitar, also with Al Cooper/piano and Earl Palmer/drums; the double album Giant Step/De Ole Folks at Home/electric & acoustic guitar, piano, organ; and Taj/lead guitar in 1987.
Taj Mahal and Jesse Ed were guest artists on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus live album in 1968. That’s when they met John Lennon who was also a guest artist on the album. It was released as a film directed by Michael Lindsey Hogg in 1997.
Jesse Ed died of a drug overdose in 1988. I had seen a quote by Taj Mahal online about Jesse Ed being a wonderful guitar player and person and expressing how sad he felt about his passing.
When we met I explained that I was John Lennon’s lawyer in the Morris Levy case. Taj Mahal immediately said: “Oh, the Chuck Berry ‘You Can’t Catch Me’ case.” That led to a discussion about the Lennon/Levy litigation, the fact that I was writing a book about the trial, Jesse Ed’s role in the trial, and Jesse Ed and the “Two Puerto Rican Girls."
On June 4th, Taj Mahal returned to the Peace Center headlining a show with Los Lobos. DiAnne and I were again able to meet him backstage where we had another lively time with him. He remembered our previous meeting and the Lennon/Levy case. I signed a copy of my book for him and took some photos. I mentioned that we were octogenarians, he being 81 and I, 85. We laughed about that.
He was also visited by two friends of his, Jean and Donnie Blackley, who live next door to his daughter in Spartanburg, SC. Jean took the photo of me pointing at Taj Mahal.
So we were able to reconnect with Taj Mahal and make two new friends. It was a great way to end a terrific show and evening.