S A L T U S M A G A Z I N E
3 1
Several Saltus alums played a
big part in this summer's suc-
cessful John Lennon Tribute.
The two creators and organisers
of the multi-month festival were
business partners
Tony Brannon
and
Michael Freisenbruch
(friends who both attended the
School until 1962). The pair
conceived of the idea to honour
the former Beatle's connection
to Bermuda--Lennon spent two
months on the Island in 1980,
before he was fatally shot in New
York later that year. He enjoyed a
creative rebirth and wrote or
completed many songs here for
his comeback albums, Double
Fantasynamed for a freesia in
the Botanical Gardens--and Milk
& Honey. Freisenbruch-Brannon
Media commissioned a comm -
emorative sculpture, CDs featur-
ing Lennon covers, a book and
boxset--and finally staged a
sold-out concert at the Botanical
Gardens, Paget, featuring inter-
national and local music stars
including Maxi Priest, Heather
Nova, and Christina and Julia
Frith (Mom and sister to S9
Gabriel Frith
).
Artist
Graham Foster
('88)
designed the statue--a circular
steel sculpture, stylised to
incorporate mirror images of
icons such as doves and
freesias along with Lennon's
distinctive profile. Measuring
six feet across and weighing
some 4,000 pounds, it was
erected in front of the Master-
works Museum for Bermuda
Art in June. Graham also painted
an evocative Lennon portrait,
which was used in all tribute
materials.
Journalist
Rosemary Jones
('82)
edited the book on Lennon, by
Royal Gazette reporter Scott
Neil, and her company, Brimstone
Media, designed the book, CDs,
boxset and promotional materials
for the tribute concert. That
event, in September, saw per-
formances by several students
and alums, including violinists
Kaleb Phillips
(S9),
Jackson
Spurling
and
Gabriel Jones
(both
S7); Mohawk Radio lead singer
Mia Chambray
('01); reggae
artist
Daniel Frith
('96) as his
"Uzimon" alter-ego; and
Tiffany
Paynter
('03), who wrote a poem
about Lennon. "It was such a
special night," she said. "Better
than I had ever imagined."
HOST OF ALUMS CREATE LENNON FANTASY
ALUMNI
The Lennon Bermuda artwork and commemorative sculpture by Graham Foster
Triathlete Tyler Butterfield (2001)
represented Bermuda in his second
Olympics, crossing the line in 34th
place in what he felt was the best race
of his professional career. "I'm truly
pleased with my achievement and the
effort I put forth in London," says Tyler.
"The Olympic journey is a long one.
I'm deeply indebted to my support
team and the Olympic infrastructure
for making this awesome experience
possible. In particular, I'm thankful to
the Bermuda Olympic Association,
the International Olympic Committee,
and my major sponsors, Tokio Millen-
nium Re and Philadelphia Insurance
Companies. I also would never have
managed to reach this highlight in my