Michael Gerber
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John and Yoko at Cafe La Fortuna

Back when smoking was a thing people did in cafes.

This morning, as I tried to get over not being able to afford Kenwood, I found a couple of videos to share. From WNYC, here’s “John Lennon’s NYC”—a great little video showing the Lennons’ local pharmacy, Cafe La Fortuna, 105 Bank Street (just around the corner from where I used to live!), and Madison Square Garden.

For some reason, I love the idea of John Lennon chatting with his pharmacist. “Do you have any natural alternatives to Pepto-Bismol?”

What other NYC venues should they have investigated? Smith’s Bar? Do any of you recall the health food stores John used to frequent? (“Do you have any natural alternatives to Red Zinger tea?”)

Magickal Childe bookstore, NYC

I don’t think I ever stumbled in here, but I might’ve. “Do you carry bootlegs?”

I must admit I was looking forward to seeing at least one thing a little racy—a shot of “The Magickal Childe” perhaps, or maybe even that notorious Korean brothel on 23rd Street. John Lennon’s New York City was for sure quite a bit less tame than what we’ve led to believe, especially when he and Yoko lived down on Bank Street.

And if you don’t like that, here’s a squib about “John Lennon’s Camera”—a Pentax which he may or may not have used to snap the cover of Two Virgins.

Related posts:

John Lennon onstage in Toronto 1969.It happened in Toronto The hits just keep on coming… John and Julian LennonNo comment necessary Beatle Paul in a Stones t-shirtRolling Stones open thread El Topo poster by Graham Humphreys.John Lennon’s favorite movie? Default ThumbnailHappy birthday John Why I love John Lennon Undelivered Lennon Letter to fan, 1970.Why People Love John Lennon John Lennon without his glassesJust how blind was John Lennon without his glasses? John Lennon on Allen Klein, 1973 John’s Vocals on Don’t Let Me Down When I’m Seventy-Three: What John Lennon would look like today