 While there , Lennon was inspired to embark on two recording projects : to make an album of the old rock ' n ' roll songs that inspired him to become a musician , and to produce another artist . In December 1973 , Lennon collaborated with Phil Spector to record the oldies album . The alcohol @-@ fueled recording sessions became legendary . Every musician in L.A. wanted to participate , but soon Lennon 's drinking and Spector 's erratic behavior ( which included his firing a gun in the studio control room ) caused the sessions to break down . Then Spector , who claimed to have been in a car accident , took the sessions tapes and was unreachable . 
