There are so many debates still continuing on today about John Lennon – was he the “best” Beatle? Was he a better songwriter than Paul McCartney. Was he ultimately responsible for the breakup of the Beatles?
On they go!
What is certain for me, is that he is one of the very few people whose death remains indelibly printed on my memory. I clearly remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when the news of his death came across the radio.
Has the legend of John Lennon now become larger than the man himself?
Maybe it has. This is the way of our legends, but what I am certain of is, that he inspired so many people.
In his article, Me and John Lennon, author and music/film producer, Frank Howson, wrote:
“He was my liberator, my hero, my friend He made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me angry, he made me care And sometimes when I am lost or despairing I think about how Johnny Rhythm would handle things And it gives me the inspiration to go on To try and find a way”
As a Beatle we loved him as part of the “Fab Four”.
As John Lennon, post Beatles, we loved him more. Without the Beatles, he was far more exposed. He showed his pain, he showed his failings, he also showed his true genius.
What might have been?
Each of us will remember John differently to some degree and for some, he will just be a small part in the history of music.
For others he wasn’t just a key figure in the development of music, he was an activist, a philosopher and, he inspired.
Forty years seems so long ago, but it is a drop in the bucket of human-kinds collective memory.
For me, his story and his music, are still fresh in my mind. This anniversary simply brings back the pain of the moment. I have a tear in my eye but still strong love in my heart.
I invite you to click the link below and go to the retro-review of John Lennon’s 1970 John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.
This album revealed more about him than any before or after its release.
As long as you are spoken of John, you will never really die.
John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band – link
Rob Greaves – Senior Editor
