While perhaps not a murder, this rewrite is still a felony and shows many of the hallmarks of both Lewisohn’s worst as well as his more seemingly-innocuous butcheries. Specifically, they usually begin or end with a wholly invented line that Lewisohn uses as a thesis statement. And they all show an unbelievable disregard for truth and a license to insert and represent his own words as those of a historical figure that cannot fail to shock the conscience of a scholar.
Tag: Dr Frankenquote
Lewisohn rewrites a foundational Beatles quote (Chapter 16–Endnote 8)
STEP ONE: Set the scene: “a shitty deal in a shitty dressing room”
STEP TWO: Set the theme: “thinking we’re going nowhere”
STEP THREE: Overcome the obstacle through John’s leadership and group belief: “That was our little mantra that got us through”