This information was compiled by Jeannette Caserta, with slight alterations and additions made here and there by Sentimentalist. More on Cynthia can can be seen at my beatlegirls website HERE.
The friendship between Cynthia Lennon and Maureen Tigrett began over 30 years ago. This page is about them, their friendship...the highs and lows and why they remained friends until Maureen's passing in 1994.
The Beginning-Birth
September 10, 1939-Cynthia Powell was born in Blackpool, England to Charles and Lillian Powell
August 4, 1946-Mary Cox was born in Liverpool, England to Joseph and Florence Cox
Previous Boyfriends: Before John and Richie
Cynthia: unknown 3 years, 1955-1958 off/on engaged
Maureen: Johnny Brynne 2 years, 1960-1962 off/on steady, and Peter Hepworth for an unknown time.
Meet the (fledging) Beatles
Cynthia and John: Liverpool College of Art, 1957
Maureen and Richie: Cavern Club, 1960
The 2 couples, how they first met and fell in love
John and Cynthia-In 1957, when Cynthia Powell first laid eyes on John Lennon, she didn't like him, mainly thinking he was a loud mouthed Teddy Boy. But then 2 things happened between them that changed her mind. During lunchtime, John was entertaining a group of students by playing his guitar. During "Ain't She Sweet," Cynthia went over to see what was going on and saw a side of John that she never knew existed. She didn't realize that she was in love with him until a mutual friend of theirs, Helen Anderson, stroked John's hair in class. Cynthia was jealous and started to work hard to get John's attention, only achieving this when the students were paired up to take an eye test. While working on this together, both found that they had nearly the same eyesight and found a subject to talk about. After that, John was nicer to her than he was to other students and constantly borrowed her art supplies since he hardly ever bothered to bring anything of his own. In July of 1958, John's mother died and his relationship to Thelma Pickles faded out. Meanwhile, Cynthia's own relationship to her fiance was starting to have problems. That same month, Liverpool College of Art gave a small party. Cynthia attended, hoping that John wouldn't go, but he did and went over to Cynthia and asked her to dance to the song, "To Know Him is To Love Him." While they were dancing, John asked her out, but Cynthia refused, saying that she was engaged. John stormed off, leaving Cynthia on the dance floor, alone and embarrassed. Later on during the day, John asked her out for a drink. Cynthia came along, but as soon as they arrived, they went in different directions. Cynthia was getting impatient about John not chatting her up since he was drinking with other people and decided to leave. Just as she began to make her way out, John called her from across the room. Cynthia went over to his side and joined him for a round of drinks. Later, John and Cynthia left to go over to Stuart Sutcliff's apartment and made love, marking the event of being together and inseparable.
Richie and Maureen- In 1960, Maureen and a couple of friends went to a popular local jazz club which had just begun to accept Rock'n'Roll. There, she met John Brynne from Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, a band which also had Ringo Starr on the drums. Maureen and the drummer acknowledged each other and were nothing more then friends, since Ringo was engaged with Geraldine McGovern at the time (For more information on Geraldine and Richard Starkey's relationship click here). When Rory Storm and the Hurricanes were preparing to go to Hamburg in Germany, Johnny and Maureen decided to cool off their relationship. While in Liverpool, Maureen quit school and got a job as a hairdressers and beaticians apprentice in a local beauty salon. When Rory Storm and the Hurricanes returned, briefly, from Hamburg, Johnny and Maureen picked up their relationship. By the end of 1961, Ringo and Gerry broke up and called off their engagement. In 1962, Johnny and Maureen decided to break up. Maureen continued to be a regular at the Cavern Club, cheering for Rory Storm and the Hurricanes and her other favourite band, the Beatles. One night, Maureen's friend dared Maureen to stand outside of the dressing rooms and kiss Paul McCartney. Maureen did so, and her friend got upset and left. Now well aware about her growing feelings for "Richie", Maureen decided to wait for him to come out of the dressing room and kissed him as well. Acouple of weeks later, after Richie joined the Beatles, Maureen was on her way to her hairdressing classes and saw Ringo heading towards his car. Maureen ran up to him, asking for his autograph and congratuating him about joining the Beatles. Just as he was leaving, Maureen copied down his car's liscense plate and remembered it until she died. Later on, Ringo spotted Maureen in the Cavern queue when he was about to go in and perform with The Beatles. He went over to chat her up, and later on asked her to dance. After the dance, Ringo asked Maureen out and she agreed but told him that she had to be home by midnight, her curfew. Ringo understood about the arrangement and also offered to take her home that night. Knowing that with her early curfew and his drumming engagements at night they'd get to spend very little time together, Richie arranged their first date to start early in the day so they could spend a day together walking round parks and going to the cinema before he had to start work. He picked her up from her job and they realized during that day that they were perfect for each other. They decided to keep their union a secret from the rest of the fans, but they found out all the same. One time when Maureen was waiting for Richie in his car, a girl came up and asked if she was Ringo's girlfriend. Maureen denied it, but the girl yelled at her, calling her a liar and reached out to scratch at her face. Maureen quickly rolled up the window, fearing for her life. As time went by the fans also started finding out where Maureen worked and would be threatening her as she worked on their hair. This eventually got so bad that Maureen had to quit the job
Boyfriend and Girlfriend Facts - Trips:
John Lennon and Cynthia Powell - April of 1961. While the Beatles were in Hamburg, Germany, John invited Cyn to come and visit him. Cynthia was accompanied by Dot Rhone, a former girlfriend of Paul McCartney, and was there for 2 weeks during Cynthia's spring vacation from Liverpool College of Art.
Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox - September of 1963. Ringo invited Maureen on a holiday to Greece with Paul McCartney and Jane Asher for 3 weeks. Maureen went without her parents' permission only for them to find out from the papers.
Boyfriend and Girlfriend Facts - Keeping In Touch:
John Lennon and Cynthia Powell, 1960-1962. While John and the Beatles were in Hamburg, Germany, John would write to Cynthia daily, telling her how much he loved and missed her, and how the Beatles were doing.
Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox, 1962-1965. While Ringo was away, touring with the Beatles he would try to sneak off back to Liverpool on days off to see Maureen.
Boyfriend and Girlfriend Facts - Pregnant before Marriage:
Cynthia Powell, August of 1962. Cynthia found out that she was one month pregnant with John's child. She was shocked and scared, especially about her future. She quit college after she realized that she was pregnant and told John when he was visiting her. John was shocked and told her that they would get married as soon as possible
Maureen Cox, January of 1965. Maureen found out that she was 1 month pregnant with Ringo's child. At the age of 18, she was shocked but not surprised. Ringo and Maureen had been living together since December of 1964. She told Ringo that she was pregnant. Reportedly, Ringo took it lightly but was aware about his image with the Beatles and insisted that they should keep the pregancy quiet but announced marriage
Tender Loving Care
1959 - Cynthia had some stomach pains which she tried to ignore but the pains kept growing, causing her to miss a couple of days from college. When she felt well enough to go back, Cyn and John went to see Stuart Sutcliffe. He wasn't in, and the couple took this as a great opportunity to make passionate love. Suddenly, the pains kicked in and Cynthia crumpled in pain. John, who was worried, got Cynthia dressed and ready and then carried her to the train station. Once Cynthia got back home, her mother called an ambulence. It was discovered that she was suffering from a burst appendix. She went to the hospital and was operated on. John didn't come to visit until a couple of days later. It was there that John and Cyn made a much more steady and stable commitment to their relationship.
1964 - During a photo session with the Beatles, Ringo collapsed due to tonsilitis. Ringo was rushed to the hospital and was operated on. Meanwhile, the Beatles went on tour as scheduled, temporaly replacing Ringo with Jimmy Nicol. When Maureen heard the news, she rushed to London from Liverpool, with a bucket of ice cream. She stayed with Ringo's mother, Elise Graves and had no problem passing the bodyguards to visit Ringo, since she was on the visitors only list. It was there that Ringo asked Maureen if she wanted to get married. She said yes.
The Wedding
John Winston Lennon and Cynthia Powell, August 23, 1962. At Mount Pleasant Registry Office in Liverpool during the morning. Cynthia wore a purple and black checked 2-piece suit with a white frilly blouse, black high heel shoes, and a black handbag. John wore a black suit, white shirt, and a black tie. The best man was Paul McCartney, and the reception was held at Reeces' Café
Richard Starkey, Jr. and Mary Cox, February 11, 1965 At Caxton Hall Registry Office in London at 8am. Maureen wore a creamy white 2-piece suit, a white knitted bun-holder with a white bow in the front, and white high heels, with a bouquet of flowers. Ringo wore a dark brown suit with white pinstripes, a creamy white shirt, and a brown tie. The best man was Brian Epstein, and the reception was held at Brian's home.
Trips
March of 1965 - The Beatles, with Cynthia Lennon and Maureen Starkey, traveled to Austria to film "Help!." Pattie Boyd also joined the entourage to be with her boyfriend George Harrison, but Paul's girlfriend Jane Asher couldn't attend due to work engagements.
January of 1966 - The Lennons and the Starkeys traveled to Trinidad, Spain, and Tobago in the Carribean for a holiday
September of 1966 - Richard and Maureen Starkey traveled to Spain to see John Lennon film "How I Won the War" and be with him and his wife Cynthia.
February of 1968 - The Beatles and the entourage went to India for meditation instruction from the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Ringo and Maureen left early, due to Ringo's sensitive stomach which couldn't handle the strong Indian food, Maureen's fear of insects, and both of them missing their children. John and Cynthia Lennon left a month later.
Careers Before Marriage
Before Cynthia and Maureen got married and settled in as housewives for their husbands, Cynthia and Maureen had fledging careers.
Cynthia - illustrator artist training to become an art teacher
Maureen - hairdresser, beautician and manicurist
Children
Cynthia: John Charles Julian Lennon born April 8, 1963.
Maureen- Zak Starkey born September 13, 1965... Jason Starkey born August 19, 1967... Lee Parkin Starkey born November 11, 1970... Augusta King Tigrett born 1986.
*November of 1962-While John was away on tour with the Beatles, Cynthia nearly miscarried her unborn child and had to stay in bed for 3 days.
*To protect John and Ringo's image in the Beatles, Julian's birthday had to be set back away from the actual wedding date so that it won't be confirmed that Julian was conceived out of wedlock. Zak's birth was stated premature, like Julian, so that the information of Zak being conceived out of wedlock wouldn't be confirmed. (The very same thing happened with Paul and Linda McCartney's first child, Mary, in 1969)
And Your Bird Can Sing
Cynthia - "Yellow Submarine" recorded 1966 * her own single "Those Were The Days" recorded in the 1990s.
Maureen - "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" recorded 1968
Dedications
Cynthia-
"Do You Want to Know a Secret?"... 1962
"Ask Me Why"... 1962
"I Feel Fine"... 1964
"Girl"... 1965
"Across the Universe"... 1968
"Jealous Guy"... 1971
Maureen-
"Husbands and Wives"... 1974
"Cryin'"... 1976
"Little Willow"... 1997
"Sometimes"... 1998
Wives' Affairs
Cynthia - Alex Madras in 1968
Maureen - (reportedly though inconfirmed by Maureen) George Harrison in 1972
Divorce
John and Cynthia Lennon
Separated: June of 1968
Filed: John Lennon, June of 1968
Reason: Cynthia Lennon committed adultery with Alex Madras
Custody: John Lennon, sole
Refiled: Cynthia Lennon, August 22, 1968
Reason: John Lennon committed adultery with Yoko Ono
Custody: Cynthia Lennon, visitation rights
Final: November 8, 1968
Ringo and Maureen Starr
Separated: 1973
Filed: Maureen Starkey, 1975
Reason: Richard Starkey, Jr. committed adultery with Nancy Andrews
Custody: Maureen Starkey, visitation rights
Final: July 15, 1975
Significant Others
Cynthia-
Roberto Bassanini* 1968-1973
John Twist* 1977-1983
Jim Christie 1982-1998
Noel Charles 1999-
Maureen-
Isaac Tigrett* 1975-1994
*-got married during their committed relationship
Sue
Cynthia Twist-
When: 1978
From: John Lennon
Reason: "A Twist of Lennon", the autobiography by Cynthia Twist
Result: Cynthia won
Maureen Starkey-
When: 1987
From: Charles Doughty
Reason: Underestimated Earnings
Result: Maureen lost
Get Togethers (after the Beatles' breakup)
Year: 1970
Where: Roberto and Cynthia Bassanini's home
For: Housewarming Party
Who went: Richard and Maureen Starkey, John and Yoko Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Neil Aspinall
Result: Disaster, from the tense breakup of the Beatles
Year: 1980
Where: Maureen Starkey's home
For: visiting
Result: Well, until Ringo Starr's call to inform them that John Lennon has been murdered
Year: 1988
Where: Lennon's Restaurant
For: Lunch
Result: Well
Year: 1989
Where: Monte Carlo
For: Maureen's wedding to Isaac Tigrett
Result: Cynthia was in attendence
With Children
Year: 1988
Where: Lennon's Resturaunt
Who Came: Cynthia and Julian Lennon, Maureen and Lee Starkey
Year: 1989
Where: Julian Lennon's concert
Who came: Isaac and Maureen Tigrett, Lee and Jason Starkey
Date: April 6, 1992
Where: George Harrison's Benefit Concert (with Zak Starkey on drums for Joe Walsh's opening act)
Who came: Julian Lennon, Lee and Jason Starkey, Ringo Starr, Maureen Tigrett, Dhani Harrison, and Mary McCartney
Differences
*Cynthia joined the Beatles on their first tour to America in 1964
*Maureen was in the Beatles' "Something" music video in 1969
*When John was home, Cynthia tried to keep the house silent so that John would sleep in and would bring him breakfast-in-bed with the newspaper when he wakes up
*When Ringo is out at the recording studio, Maureen would stay up until the early hours of the morning to fix Ringo a proper meal
*In 1966, the Lennons received a kidnapping threat on Julian
*In 1965, the press and the Beatlefans didn't like Ringo and Maureen's choice of Zak
*The Lennons and the Starkeys lived 10 minutes away in Weybridge, Surrey from 1965-1968
* In 1968, after finding John and Yoko Ono together, Cynthia disappeared to Jenny Boyd and Alex Madras' home for 3 days in able to think straight about her marriage. After those 3 days, John and Cynthia reconcilled until John went to New York to promote Apple Records
*In 1980, Richie and Mo attempted to reconcile after he broke up with Nancy Andrews and she with Isaac Tigrett. But it didn't work when he fell in love with Barbara Bach and she went back to Isaac.
The Last Look From Their Loved One
John Lennon and Cynthia Bassanini
When: December of 1974
Where: New York City, New York, and Los Angeles, California
The Feeling: Tense. John invited Julian over to the United States and Cynthia accompanied Julian, since she felt he wasn't old enough to fly on his own. The greeting was cordial, but later, John and Cyn barely spoke on the whole trip
Ringo Starr and Maureen Tigrett
When: December 30, 1994
Where: Seattle, Washington
The Feeling: Well aware of Maureen's illness, Ringo went to see his good friend to tell her that he loved her and goodbye. Ringo was there at her bedside when she crossed over
