Working Class Hero
An Interview With Tim Piper.

John Lennon, in his solo career alone, wrote some of the worlds most beautiful ballads. There are many Beatles tribute bands around the world, but very few portray the later life of Johns amazing career. I managed to catch an interview with Tim Piper, who has portrayed John Lennon for more than 12 years. Tim is a life-long Beatles fanatic and has played the role of John in films and on TV in the USA.

Born in New York, the family moved to Northbridge, California, where Tim now lives. Back in the 60's it was every schoolboy's dream to become a Beatle! But Tim knew in his heart that someday, his dream would be realised and he started to study films and clips of The Beatles. Tim will be performing at the annual Beatles Convention in Liverpool this August. In order to prepare us all for his visit, I managed to catch an interview with Tim to get an insight into his life, both as Lennon and as a Beatles fan!

When did you first discover The Beatles?
I was seven, going on eight, in the 2nd grade, and living in New York when I first heard The Beatles record 'I Want To Hold Your Hand'. It was playing everywhere! From that moment on I fell in love with the sound of The Beatles!

So why did John Lennon stand out above the rest?
John in a way was insane. Even as a child, I could tell that he was a real character, a leader. His irreverence was also attractive, as he seemed to have no fear.

When did you first discover that you had a musical talent and who encouraged it?
My mom was my largest and original influence. She would play piano and we would skip around the house singing along. We would also mimic Broadway records like - My Fair Lady or Gypsy and put on our own plays. I was raised in a showbiz background, so it really came naturally to us.

When was it that you first discovered that you looked like John Lennon and who told you?
I think that I figured that on my own. It felt wonderful and synchronistic, that I end up looking much like my childhood hero and therefore helping me to portray him in my own career.

Tell us how long it took for you to learn the role of Lennon and do you feel, that you can actually imagine, what life as a Beatle and solo artist must have been like for John?
Although I have been a 'professional' Beatle for a dozen years now, I have really been studying The Beatles since 1964. Actually, I never stop studying them (John) as there always seems to be something new to learn about them. One can only imagine what it must have been like to be a Beatle - there is so much involved and the times were so different. We have the luxury of looking back over the years with modern sophistication in terms of the media etc. They pioneered so many things we take for granted be it musically and/or socially!

What is life like for you as a John Lennon double? How do Beatles fans and ordinary everyday people react when they see you and how does this feel?
A day certainly doesn't go by without some one saying "you know who you look like…" Of course, I get positive reactions and as I said, it helps - being that this is my chosen profession. Fans also feel that I am very approachable because I am familiar to them. They feel that they kind of already know me.

Do you think that you can relate to John after portraying him for so many years?
I thought I related to The Beatles since day one. Truly, I felt that I understood where these guys were coming from and I felt as many others have, that I could have been one of them. Again not to be misinterpreted on this, there is only one John Lennon!

What are your personal favourite John songs and sayings?
They change, depending on where I am at, but an early choice would be 'I Should Have Known Better' and a later piece might be 'Watching The Wheels'. John has so many sayings that they are still being analysed and quoted today, but I still like his innocent optimism when he said, "I really thought love would change the world".

Musically, do you think John was a genius or just a Working Class Hero?
Both.

Tell Us About your career as Working Class Hero and how it came about?
I have been doing Beatles since childhood (if you will) and Working Class Hero - The Show, gives me a chance to do an 'adult' version of his life as Beatle/John, taking on more personal issues we share as people and exploring more deeply, the growth and pain of one our greatest artists. It presents a major challenge because now I go beyond the 'cheeky Moptop' image into an individual who quite honestly turned a lot of people off with his honesty and choices that he made.

You have starred in many films as John Lennon. What was it like working alongside an actress playing Yoko?
The films I have appeared in which most people would recognize are: The Linda McCartney Story - CBS; The John Lennon Story - E Television; Beatles Wives - E Television; In His Life John Lennon Story - NOT acting but SINGING the part of John, when he becomes a Beatle - this one being the most recent. As far as the Yoko actress goes, I really feel that she gets 'written off' as just this Japanese bitch that was a thorn in the side of the other three.

What do your family think of you as a John Lennon Tribute Artist? (I'm sure they are proud!)
I have an exceptional family that have been supportive since day one. My folks raised us in 'showbiz', so it really came naturally. I have an older brother Greg, who is manager for 'Working Class Hero', as well as playing rock-solid bass for the band.

How did you feel the night John tragically died and can you remember it?
He was our Kennedy! Monday night Football when Howard Cosell, shakily blurted out that John Lennon had been allegedly shot, I was devastated. I was hoping it was an awful mistake and I felt my own life rushing past by me in a frantic loss of innocence. The world had just been turned inside out.

What is it about John's music that makes you want to keep it remembered all over the world?
Even though John had a lot of pain in his life, his love for music for the most part, was optimistic and compassionate. This is a message that you really can't get enough and as you know 'The Word Is Love'.

What will appearing at The Liverpool Beatles Convention mean to you and what is in-store in 2001 for Tim Piper?
Coming to Liverpool will feel like 'coming home'. All though I was born in Manhattan, (where John died), I have been intrigued by most things 'British' all my life. Now I get to go to that 'fairytale' land of the four lads that shook the world - performing as one of them! I have had many highlights with in my career so far, from playing around the world, from clubs to cruise ships, theatre's to symphonies, meeting Ringo, Julian Lennon, Louise Harrison and Paul's brother Michael, portraying John live and on television - and now being invited to come and play at Strawberry Fields in Central Park on the 20th anniversary of John's death, and of course, hosting the Liverpool tour, August 2001! Including playing the Cavern Club and recording the final public gathering in London's Abbey Road Studio 2 singing 'All You Need Is Love'. Need I say more?

Jo Rishton
TWIL Issue Three January 2001