I don't know if you'd call this slash fandom or not, in that it's a new exporation of historical materials by smart next-generation Beatles fans and by historians and historiographers. They (mostly women and decidedly not the widely recognized major authors) are taking a fresh look at Lennon and McCartney's real-world love story. Without forcing a label onto it, and without prurience, they posit that the partnership was different than it has been canonized since 1970. Because anything at all redolent of homoeroticism, or physical closeness between men, truly was closeted in the 60s and 70s, there are loads of observations that can be made of existing footage, quotes, and songs, which show that L and M's story (and their split) was a lot deeper, and even the opposite to, the canon "Lennon got bored." In fact his enduring love for McCartney was in plain sight and is, thankfully, being analyzed through the open minds of the next generation.
This is totally aside from real-person fictional L/M stories that I suppose have been going on forever.
And it's pretty hard to imagine that the surviving Beatles and the estates of the other two are going to monetize this new perspective. They are heavily monetizing re-releases of old material, though, for sure.
I’ve talked about McLennon shippers briefly before—you might find my piece on the Beatles Cinematic Universe interesting. That angle has been utilized a few times, especially when it comes to Lennon. The upcoming Sam Mendes quartet might do so as well.
Feel like I need to yell “ITS HABBENINGGGGG MONIA IS TALKING ABOUT SLASH” before I actually read this post.
*performance anxiety: activated*
My original comment was more excitement then expectation. You're a gem, and you know what you're talking about.
I don't know if you'd call this slash fandom or not, in that it's a new exporation of historical materials by smart next-generation Beatles fans and by historians and historiographers. They (mostly women and decidedly not the widely recognized major authors) are taking a fresh look at Lennon and McCartney's real-world love story. Without forcing a label onto it, and without prurience, they posit that the partnership was different than it has been canonized since 1970. Because anything at all redolent of homoeroticism, or physical closeness between men, truly was closeted in the 60s and 70s, there are loads of observations that can be made of existing footage, quotes, and songs, which show that L and M's story (and their split) was a lot deeper, and even the opposite to, the canon "Lennon got bored." In fact his enduring love for McCartney was in plain sight and is, thankfully, being analyzed through the open minds of the next generation.
This is totally aside from real-person fictional L/M stories that I suppose have been going on forever.
And it's pretty hard to imagine that the surviving Beatles and the estates of the other two are going to monetize this new perspective. They are heavily monetizing re-releases of old material, though, for sure.
I’ve talked about McLennon shippers briefly before—you might find my piece on the Beatles Cinematic Universe interesting. That angle has been utilized a few times, especially when it comes to Lennon. The upcoming Sam Mendes quartet might do so as well.
https://exiledfan.substack.com/p/the-beatles-cinematic-universe