Spring Loaded: A Message from the Editor top of page | cover page

With the ghosts and goblins of Halloween soon to be returning to their darkened hideaways, the big celebration of autumn is upon us. That's right, I am talking about Thanksgiving. I think that too often we don't stop and consider all of the things we should be thankful for. For my part, I am thankful for many things. For example, I'm a thankful that Pezhead Monthly is still rolling along on this, its sixteenth issue. It has been a fun ride and it only becomes more fun issue after issue.

October 2002 was, may I say, an incredible month for Pez collecting. In fact, not counting the two Pez conventions I've attended, I don't recall a single month where I added so many different Pez to my collection. First, I found refills for the delicious new Sourz candy. Then, I came across the Doctor and Nurse Pez bobbleheads, along with the singing Snoopy Giant Pez. If that wasn't enough (and, quite frankly, it never is), I most recently found the five new Johnny Lightning cars, released in celebration of 50 years of Pez in America. If you knew how hard I had been looking for these JL cars, you would know the sense of elation I had when I finally found them. Finally, I got some dispensers from a friend who went garage sale hunting and got them for me. Any Pezhead will tell you that the most meaningful way to get a Pez is from a friend.

This issue of Pezhead Monthly is also meaningful in its own way. The feature article is an imagining of a world where the legendary John Lennon was a Pez dispenser. As with all articles in the newsletter, it's not meant to mock Lennon's well-earned place in pop culture history, but rather to honor him by giving it a Pez-flavored twist. Speaking of flavors, this month's interview is with the Pineapple Sourz Pez dispenser. Also in this issue is a humble helping of Pez Poetry (including an anagram poem called "Thanks") and a very educational Pez Almost-Quote of the Month.

I don't know about you, but I very much enjoy November. I like seeing the beautiful colors of the trees, one last time before winter strips them bare. I like diving into a pile of leaves after I just spent half an hour raking them. And I like to pause and give thanks for what I have, Pez and beyond.

Until next month, take care and keep flipping that Pez!

Joe Durrant
Editor, Pezhead Monthly
joe@pezheadmonthly.com

If John Lennon Was a Pez Dispenser top of page | cover page

He was part of the biggest band in the world, he was an activist for peace and justice, and he is today considered one of the true legends in music history. But what if John Lennon was a Pez dispenser? Imagine, if you will. It's easy if you try.

1940

John Lennon Pez is born in Liverpool, England. First, he reached for the guitar. Then, he began to tap piano keys. Not long after that, he was dispensing Pez to kids of all ages.

1957

John Lennon Pez meets Paul McCartney Pez, forming the crucial bond that would later bring to life the most important band in music history. However, their friendship gets off to a rocky start when a non-footed and somewhat inebriated John Lennon Pez tips over, almost causing Paul McCartney Pez serious paint damage and thereby ruining his resale value. Fortunately, the two soon thereafter begin playing music together and get along famously.

1964

Along with his fellow bandmates, John Lennon Pez arrives in the US for what is called, among other things, "Beatlemania," "the dawn of the British Invasion," and "the longest plane trip of any Pez dispenser in recorded history." He performs on the Ed Sullivan show and as a result, awareness and sales of Pez skyrocket. Parents in American society at first resent the spell that the Fab Pez Four casts on their teenagers, but soon come to realize that the color, nostalgia, and tasty candy that the band offers is something that should be celebrated instead of shunned.

1966

John Lennon Pez causes quite a stir in the candy community when he declares, "The allure of candy wafers will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Neccos now."

Also in 1966, John Lennon Pez meets Yoko Ono Pez, and they fall deeply in love. Many music and candy historians have harsh words for Yoko Pez, accusing her of "breaking up the Beatles set" and taking John Lennon Pez "out of his original wrapper."

1967

As part of the Beatles, John Lennon Pez releases the songs "Strawberry Pez Forever" and "All You Need is Pez." A psychedelic nation responds, "Yeah, man!"

1969

The hits just keep on comin'. With his newly formed Plastic Dispenser Band, John Lennon Pez records "Give Pez a Chance".

1976

After a lengthy battle, John Lennon Pez is finally awarded a green card from the United States. An unfortunate panic ensues when Pez collectors around the world mob stores looking for a new variation of John Lennon Pez with a green display card. It is later explained to them that a "green card" deals with American immigration status. The incident demonstrates further proof of the dedication and persistence of Pezheads.

1980

John Lennon Pez dies, much too soon to offer the world the full breadth of his talent, and also much too soon to be sold as a vintage collectible on eBay.

Click here to check out two of the songs that made John Lennon Pez great, "Strawberry Pez Forever" and "Give Pez a Chance"!