A benefit show put on to “save” Sesame Street was pitched to John Lennon by producers who thought he’d be the difference maker.
Though Lennon was a fan of the show, he declined to appear at the benefit do and the letter requesting his appearance ended up being used as a fridge note for Ringo Starr. “Dear Ringo,” the scribble on the back begins, “went out shopping – will be back latest at six. Love John and Mal.” The other side of the letter, from Frank Crowther, requested that Lennon make an appearance on Sesame Street. It’s a flattering letter written to The Beatles member, who by 1974 had started working on music again. Crowther seemed to think Lennon’s appearance on the bill could save them from cancellation, as the team were “up to our ears in trying to save Sesame Street“.
Lennon would turn down the offer, which was full of flattery and requested the Imagine hitmaker’s help in saving the show. The full letter can be found below.
“Dear John Lennon: As you will note from the attached memo, we’re not only up to our ears in trying to save Sesame Street and EBC, but to build them a home.
“Obviously, your appearance at the Garden with our other stars would greatly enhance our ability to sell out, and I hope you will seriously consider joining us. Stephen Stills just added his name to the roster yesterday (Bill Cosby, Dick Cavett, Carly Simon, etc.) and Bob Dylan has given us permission to call the evening Forever Young after his recent song. (Whether he is going to come, he hasn’t said.)
“I was at a friend’s house the other night listening to your new album, and thought how beautiful and appropriate One Day (at a time) would be for the show. If you could just do that and possibly one or two other numbers, that would be great. We’re trying to keep the production difficulties to a minimum, so that any of the artists who wish to fly in at the last minute don’t have to go through elaborate rehearsals.
“But we would be honoured to have you join us, and one night of your life might do so much for millions of children who have benefited from Sesame Street. We’ve got to save this show!”
In a post to the r/Beatles subreddit, fans shared their wishes for Lennon to have made an appearance on Sesame Street. One person wrote: “This or a Muppet Show guest appearance would have really been amazing, especially as a kid raised on both shows in the mid to late 70s.”
Another joked: “If there was anyone who could’ve brought the Beatles together, it would’ve been Kermit the Frog.” Sesame Street would eventually feature a character on the show named John Lemon.
