Imagine meeting one of the Beatles and ending up becoming a collaborator with him. That is what happened to Stephen Verona. "I met John Lennon in London while directing a commercial," Verona recalled in an interview.
He went on to say, "We started doodling drawings on a table, and I suggested making a film from them." These doodlings would go on to be featured in the Beatles' first animated music video for the song "I Feel Fine."
First Music Video
"Basically, 'I Feel Fine' was Rock 'n Roll's first music video," Roag Best – founder of the Liverpool Beatles Museum – told Local TV Liverpool. It's not surprising considering the Beatles were innovators when it came to creating their music and then promoting it.
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| O'Donnell with the drawings |
A Lucky Collector
Recently, collector Joseph O'Donnell acquired ten of the Verona and Lennon's original drawings at an auction where there was no one making a big deal about them. "I'm a big Beatles fan," O'Donnell said in an interview, and he was happy to loan them to the Liverpool Beatles Museum for a summer showcase.
Why did O' Donnell make the purchase? He said, "It's nice to have something that is artwork, that you put on the wall." Of course not many people can say they have original drawings from a Beatle hanging in their home.
Verona's Career
As for Verona, the film for "I Feel Fine" was screened at international film festivals, and he went on to make a career in Hollywood working with other musicians like Barbara Streisand, Roberta Flack, and the band Chicago. He also wrote scripts for movies and continued working as a painter and photographer. Verona held onto his copies of the original drawings until 2000, when he sold them through Christie's Auction House for $59,000.
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| Visitors at Liverpool Beatles Museum |
Plan to Sell Drawings
O'Donnell also plans to sell his drawings after they are displayed in the museum over the summer. I would expect they will go for a lot more money than what Verona got for his drawings in the year 2000.
As an avid Beatles fan myself, I am always in awe of anything that is still out there and discovered anew. I cannot imagine no one making a big deal about old drawings connected to the Beatles. It makes me wonder what else can be out there that hasn't been discovered yet.
Can there be something in your attic or garage? A friend of mine found old 8mm movies of the Beatles at Shea Stadium in the basement when he moved into a new house. So, don't be afraid to explore all the places in your home, especially basements, attics, and garages. You never know what may turn up.
The Beatles Legacy
This story proves that the Beatles' legacy is everlasting. Besides the band's impact on culture and fashion, the thing I value most is their music. Fans of all ages have that to appreciate forevermore.
Please check out the music video for "I Feel Fine" (original title "She Said So") below.
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