McCartney Times

Jude Southerland Kessler is an American author and widely recognized authority on John Lennon’s life and The Beatles. She is best known for her ambitious John Lennon Series, a planned nine-volume historical narrative biography chronicling Lennon’s life in detail.

She was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. She completed two college degrees in English and History at Northwestern State University in just three years and went on to earn a Master’s degree in English from The University of Maryland in 1976. Early in her career, she taught English at junior high, high school, and college levels, including positions at the University of Maryland and Troy State University.

In 1986, Jude began the decades-long project of researching The John Lennon Series. She amassed an extensive collection of Lennon and Beatles materials – books, interview recordings, periodicals, and more. She made repeated research trips to Liverpool and London, interviewing many of Lennon’s childhood friends, early bandmates, and associates

Her first volume, Shoulda Been There, was published in 2007 after more than 20 years of research. It reads like a narrative history but is thoroughly documented with annotations, interviews, and reference material.

Subsequent volumes include Shivering Inside, She Loves You, Should Have Known Better, and Shades of Life, Part One, each charting key phases of Lennon’s life and The Beatles’ rise to fame.

Beyond her books, Kessler is active in the Beatles community as a speaker, columnist, and broadcaster. She has co-hosted podcasts (including She Said She Said), contributed to publications like Beatlefan and Culture Sonar, and appeared on radio programs such as BBC Radio Leeds and ABC Australia. She has also been an official blogger for The Fest for Beatles Fans and served in leadership roles at Beatles symposiums and festivals.

For over 30 years, Jude has been regarded as one of America’s foremost experts on Lennon and Beatles history. Her narrative approach blends meticulous scholarship with accessible storytelling, earning her a dedicated following among Beatles fans and scholars alike.

She lives in Monroe, Louisiana, with her husband, Rande, and remains actively engaged in research, writing, speaking engagements, and podcasts.

Jude writes a bi-monthly blog for The Fest for Beatles Fans.

Watch Angie & Ruth’s appearance on Jude’s podcast here:

Read a free sample chapter of her latest book “SHADES OF LIFE” about the Beatles’ arrival in The Bahamas in February on 1965 for the filming of HELP! – where Ruth, Angie and Jim were present…

Learn more about this in-depth series of books dedicated to the life of one John Winston Lennon here: https://www.johnlennonseries.com/