John Lennon and me: From the Beatles in Hamburg to the Plastic Ono Band

Klaus Voormann recalls his days as a member of The Beatles' inner circle, and playing bass for John Lennon's solo project after the demise of the Fab Four 

John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Picture courtesy of the Lennon estate

Klaus Voormann first laid eyes on John Lennon in Hamburg’s red-light district while watching The Beatles the autumn of 1960. As he stood watching the band thrash out their rudimentary rock'n'roll to a crowd of sailors, drunks and sex workers, one impression stood out about Lennon: “He was a cocky rocker.” 

 The German musician would become friends with the Fab Four at that time, and remained a member of their inner circle through the subsequent decade in which they conquered the music world.