To mark the 27th anniversary of the death of John Lennon, Yoko has the following request: “On December 8th, 11.15pm (your local time) please remember John by taking a moment of quiet reflection.”
How many years?
Tag Archives: John Lennon
Rare Lennon Photo Unearthed
A photo of John Lennon taken in 1958 was found in a cupboard where it was forgotten for almost 50 years. The picture shows Lennon, then 17 years old, with friend and Quarrymen manager, Nigel Walley. The image is appearing ina BBC show called Inside Out North West, which is reviewing Lennon and the Beatles’ early years.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Quarrymen’s founding. Lennon’s original skiffle group is still playing shows and making appearances at Bealtes-related events.
Hear John Lennon 1970 Rolling Stone Interview
Rolling Stone has the audio from Jann Wenner’s interview with John Lennon, conducted in December of 1970.
• The Rolling Stone Interview: John Lennon – Part I (35 min)
• The Rolling Stone Interview: John Lennon – Part II (35 min)
• The Rolling Stone Interview: John Lennon – Part III (54 min)
• The Rolling Stone Interview: John Lennon – Part IV (65 min)
• The Rolling Stone Interview: John Lennon – Part V (21 min)
It’s great to hear this stuff. Three and a half hours of interviews.
FBI Finally Releases John Lennon Files
The FBI has released the last 10 documents from its secret files on John Lennon that had been withheld for 25 years on the ground they could “lead to foreign diplomatic, economic and military retaliation against the United States.”
See the ten “new” documents here. See the rest here.
And prepare yourself for the oncoming military retaliation by listening to “The Weathermen” by Riviera off their Glorious Noise Records release, Capital. Where are the Weathermen when we need them most?
Last Known Photo of Lennon-McCartney SOLD
Corrected: The “last known” photograph of John Lennon and Paul McCartney together is for sale was sold in 2000. The image was taken at the recording of US singer Harry Nilsson’s album Pussy Cats in 1974, four years after the Beatles split up. John Lennon produced Pussy Cats during his “Lost Weekend” and McCartney stopped by unannounced.
The black and white photo was part of a collection of the late Who drummer Keith Moon’s memorabilia auctioned off in 2000.
But now there’s even more Keith Moon stuff going up for auction on November 21, 2006, through Christie’s. You can bid on some awesome flared pants, lots of gold records, a couple of diaries, and even some drums.
John Lennon invented the Apple iPod
Apple v Apple, Round 2: John Lennon invented the iPod! Who knew? Via sg.
In a Fanatic’s Head
There is no place in a fanatic’s head where reason can enter. —Napoleon Bonaparte
A recent thread in GLONO’s message boards about Jared Leto playing John Lennon’s killer, Mark David Chapman, got me thinking about hero worship and criticism and the seeming inability some people have to face any assessment of their heroes or to acknowledge their shortcomings as humans. Frankly, I find it weird. Why is it some people can’t separate the art from the artist?
I’ve heard Beatle fans say they refuse to utter Chapman’s name so he “doesn’t get what he wants,” which is presumably the fame he so desperately sought as a young man. These fans argue that the mere mention of his name is to reward him for killing a celebrity. But that’s asinine. Mark David Chapman is a historical figure. I don’t like it anymore than anyone else does, but facts are facts. He killed a member of the most famous and most successful group in the history of popular music. He killed an icon. Having done so makes him a historical figure by definition. When you read any rendition of Lennon’s story it ends with the name Mark David Chapman. That’s not rewarding Chapman for his act, it’s acknowledging his horrendous role in Lennon’s death.
Lennon fans threaten his killer
Lennon fans threaten his killer as release looms. Mark Chapman could be released from jail next month.
Please, For the Love of God, Let it Be
Paul and Yoko duke it out once more, but for what?
So what’s the big stink? Paul wants to switch the order of names on the songs he mainly wrote. Who cares? Apperently, Yoko. Though I tend to see it as a lot of hot air, most media outlets have reported that Yoko Ono is investigating her legal options to force McCartney to switch back the names on later releases of his Back in the U.S. Live 2002 album. Is there any legal ground?
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah?
Although “dippy” isn’t the sort of adjective one would associate with the level of discourse found here on GloNo, it is that word that best lends itself to John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Had that song been done by anyone other than the brainy Beatle, the level of excoriation would cause this page to explode. Think only of the crescendo of the “You-hoo-hoo,” as though he’s thirsting for a chocolate beverage. Oh, sure, the right sentiment is hit, with the idea about no war and living in peace and harmony, but the same can be said of “Kumbya,” and that isn’t a particularly revered song unless you happen to be 14 and you are sitting around a campfire. If Barry Manilow had busted out with “Imagine,” it would have been considered sappier than “Mandy.”
So I take some encouragement that the Brits haven’t judged “Imagine” to be their favorite single of all time. It takes number two.
But what is number one? Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Please. From a country that produced such singles as “Satisfaction,” “Can’t Explain,” hell, I’ll even throw in “Stairway to Heaven,” and we haven’t even scratched the surface, Mountain Dew commercial notwithstanding (and do they even have Dew in the U.K.?), it is hard to imagine. “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Apparently, a poll by British Hit Singles, published by Guinness World Records, gives it the nod. Crikey! Clearly, you can’t underestimate the taste of the masses.
That Brits tend to have comparatively bad teeth is evident. (Something to do with the national health care, presumably.) Perhaps there is some sort of hearing (or taste) impairment, as well.