Buzz
10. John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Despite publicly criticizing his former bandmate, Lennon secretly maintained a friendship with McCartney after The Beatles broke up in 1970. This continued especially in 1974 when Lennon was separated from his wife, Yoko Ono, and was spending time with their personal assistant, May Pang. The two former Beatles met regularly, and according to Pang, even recorded together. On March 28, 1974, they tracked a few songs at Burbank Studios in LA. Lennon took the lead vocals and played guitar, while McCartney contributed harmony and drums, using Ringo Starr’s kit (though Starr wasn’t present).
This moment occurred during the first night of recording sessions for singer Harry Nilsson’s album Pussy Cats, which Lennon was producing. Nilsson and Stevie Wonder also joined in. However, the session didn’t yield anything groundbreaking, as Lennon, in an altered state, led the group through lackluster renditions of “Lucille,” “Sleep Walk,” and “Stand By Me.” The public didn’t know about this session until it was revealed in Pang’s 1983 book, Loving John. Even then, many were skeptical until the tape was eventually released. The lackluster results are available on the aptly titled A Toot and a Snore.
9. Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant
On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered 28,000 Confederate troops to Union Army leader Ulysses S. Grant. After years of bitter conflict, the two men met in the small Virginia town of Appomattox Court House to bring an end to the Civil War. This, however, was not their final encounter. On May 1, 1869, a year before his death at age 63, Lee, who was serving as president of Washington College (later Washington and Lee University), accepted an invitation from President Grant to visit the White House.
Although no one recorded their conversation during the brief 15-minute meeting, a witness described the atmosphere as solemn. Historian Anthony Bergen suggests they might have discussed the progress of North/South reconciliation, and perhaps even recalled their time together as army officers during the Mexican-American War, over two decades earlier. Lee remains the only American in history to visit the White House after being stripped of his citizenship, a right only restored by President Gerald Ford 106 years later.
8. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis
On July 25, 1956, exactly 10 years after they formed the legendary comedy duo that starred in 16 films, Dean Martin decided to end his partnership with Jerry Lewis. Martin wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a serious singer, leaving Lewis behind. The two wouldn’t speak to each other for two decades. Their emotional reunion in 1976, during Lewis’s annual muscular dystrophy telethon, was watched by millions. However, their last onstage reunion, which occurred years later, was witnessed by only a small audience of a few hundred.
In 1989, while performing at Bally’s in Las Vegas, Martin was surprised when Lewis showed up with a cake to celebrate Martin's 72nd birthday. Lewis jokingly thanked Martin for the years they had spent together and quipped, 'Why we broke up, I’ll never know.' Martin responded, 'You surprised me. I love you and I mean it.' Despite their 1976 reunion, they remained distant until 1987, when Martin’s son, Dino Jr., tragically died in a plane crash. Upon learning that Lewis had secretly attended the funeral, Martin reached out, and they reconciled. Their friendship continued until Martin passed away in 1995.
7. Larry, Moe, and Curly
After Curly Howard suffered a stroke that ended his time with the trio that made him a star, his place was taken by his older brother, Shemp Howard, who had also been part of their earlier vaudeville acts. Although Curly never recovered and died in 1952, he appeared posthumously in Shemp’s third film with the Stooges, 1947’s 'Hold That Lion!'
Stoogemaniacs are aware of Curly’s brief appearance, though it’s not widely known. He had grown his signature bald head back and appeared as a background passenger in a train scene in the new Three Stooges’ film. According to 'The Three Stooges Journal,' Curly also filmed another cameo for the 1949 short 'Malice in the Palace,' but his scenes, where he played an angry chef with a mustache, were cut. The role was later reassigned to Larry Fine.
6. Simon & Garfunkel
It turns out that the final album this legendary pair recorded together wasn’t 1970’s 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' Thirteen years later, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for an album that was set to be titled 'Think Too Much.' However, after their first reunion tour, tensions arose in the studio. Simon, who had written all the songs and produced the album, insisted on directing Garfunkel’s vocal performance. Garfunkel, on the other hand, wanted more privacy while recording, and the partnership hit a rough patch.
Simon explained to Playboy in 1984, 'I was getting to feel that I didn’t want him to paint on my painting. Finally, I said, 'This is not a good idea. I think what we have here is the partnership that wasn’t.'” Simon then removed Garfunkel’s harmonies and released the album as his solo project, 'Hearts & Bones.' The duo wouldn’t record together again for another 20 years, and even then, only for a single track, 'Citizen of the Planet,' which appeared on a live CD in 2004.
5. Joey Buttafuoco and Amy Fisher
Their first romantic involvement ended in both of them being imprisoned for attempted murder and statutory rape. In 1992, 17-year-old Amy Fisher shot Mary Jo Buttafuoco, the wife of her lover Joey Buttafuoco, in the face. Despite this dark history, Joey and Amy decided to reignite their relationship in 2007 for what was likely one of the most questionable reality show concepts ever conceived. The plan was to film one or more dates, supposedly overseen by producer David Krieff, to see if any old feelings might resurface. At the time, reports indicated both of their current spouses had just filed for divorce.
Krieff shared with the New York Post that Joey expressed, 'I still have feelings for her. I can’t wait to have dinner with her. I can’t wait to be with her. I can’t wait to touch her.' Thankfully, this attempt at a television spectacle revealed just how low the bar for TV morality can go. The series was ultimately never picked up, and the former couple went their separate ways once again, where they will hopefully remain apart forever.
4. The Sopranos
Before James Gandolfini's passing in 2013, he and four prominent cast members from 'The Sopranos' reunited for a made-for-Nickelodeon movie titled 'Nicky Deuce.' In addition to Gandolfini, who played a character named Bobby Eggs, the 2012 film featured Tony Sirico, Michael Imperioli, Vincent Curatola, and Steve Schirripa, who also executive produced and co-wrote the books that inspired the movie. The plot followed a nerdy boy (played by iCarly's Noah Munck) who, instead of attending math camp, is sent to stay with his uncle (Schirripa) in Brooklyn, where he mistakenly develops a tough-guy reputation.
Being a family-friendly movie, 'Nicky Deuce' was devoid of violence or inappropriate content and—according to most reviewers and fans—lacked much in the way of quality. After a brief TV airing, the film quickly faded into obscurity on DVD. Following Gandolfini’s death, Schirripa took the dignified route and made no attempts to revive it based on its newfound tragic significance.
3. Sonny and Cher
The Sonny and Cher Show, which aired during the 1976–1977 television season, was essentially a reunion, though it came after the couple had already divorced. Following the cancellation of their individual variety shows, The Cher Show and The Sonny Comedy Revue, it became clear that the public was far more eager to see Sonny and Cher together again than they were themselves. Over time, this particular show has often been confused with the more popular, earlier version, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, which was a major critical and commercial hit from 1971 until their split in 1974.
In contrast to its predecessor, The Sonny and Cher Show was a peculiar and often unfunny imitation, where the couple poked fun at their divorce and, instead of sharing intimate moments, merely shook hands. Furthermore, for legal reasons, none of the characters or sketches from their previous series were able to make a return. Though it had a strong start with ratings in February 1976, The Sonny and Cher Show quickly lost its appeal and was canceled by August 1977.
2. Rod Stewart and The Faces
In 2008, according to the London Telegraph, Rod Stewart reassembled the remaining members of The Faces, the legendary rock band known for their 1971 hit 'Stay with Me.' The band was formed in 1969 when Stewart and guitarist Ronnie Wood joined Ian McLagan, the former keyboardist of the Small Faces, alongside bassist Ronnie Lane and drummer Kenney Jones. The group disbanded in 1975 when Wood joined The Rolling Stones. There were occasional reunions, such as during a 1986 Stewart concert and the 1993 Brit Awards, but this one was meant to be permanent, featuring a full tour and new material from all surviving original members.
However, the reunion took place within the confines of a London rehearsal studio. McLagan, who passed away in 2014, shared that Stewart was no longer able to hit the high notes, and the band resented having to perform in lower keys. It was eventually decided to part ways with Rod and instead bring in former Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall. Hucknall was able to hit the high notes, but by then, the public had lost interest.
1. Yoko Ono and Her Long-Lost Daughter
Few people recognize the woman who accompanies Yoko Ono when she dines out or visits art galleries in Manhattan. That woman is her daughter Kyoko, now 51, who was famously abducted in 1971 by her father, British filmmaker Tony Cox, Ono’s first husband. At the time, Ono and John Lennon had just won custody of Kyoko, an eight-year-old, and they launched a worldwide search, making announcements during TV interviews with Mike Douglas and Dick Cavett. By 1980, Lennon had realized that the publicity had only driven Tony and Kyoko deeper into hiding. As he told Playboy shortly before his death, “We chased him all over the world. God knows where he went. So, if you’re reading this Tony, let’s grow up about it. It’s gone. We don’t want to chase you anymore, because we’ve done enough damage.”
It was later discovered that Kyoko and her father had joined a cult called the Walk, which they later renounced. According to the Sunday Mirror in London, Yoko and Kyoko reunited in 2000, 29 years later, after Kyoko reached out unexpectedly. Some reports claim the reunion occurred a few years earlier. While it doesn’t make up for John Lennon’s tragic loss, it’s undeniably a heartwarming story.
