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John Lennon
John Lennon was, with Paul McCartney, the greatest songwriter in the history of British popular music. But he was more than that. Born during an air raid on Liverpool on October 9th, 1940, it was a portent to John's extraordinary, but short life, which ended when a maniac shot him dead in New York City, on December 8th, 1980. I don't really buy into the concept of heroes, because we all have feet of clay. We're all a mass of contradictions, and John Lennon was no different. On the one hand, a sensitive, songwriting genius, a man of peace, known for such on a level with Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. On the other hand, someone who could be cruel and spiteful, unfaithful to his wives Cynthia and Yoko, and who could be over-indulgent to a sick degree, namely his collection of sealskin coats. But he was one of the few people I'd class as 'heroes'. Lennon inspired people, creatively, socially, and personally. As a songwriter with The Beatles, and as a solo artist, he wrote 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds', 'Imagine', 'Strawberry Fields Forever', 'Nowhere Man', 'Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)', 'In My Life', 'A Day In The Life', 'Give Peace A Chance', 'Jealous Guy', 'Tomorrow Never Knows', 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)', 'Woman', 'Across The Universe', and the list goes on. At the age of 21, I remember listening to the radio in the middle of the night in bed in Luton, Beds, and hearing an unemotional voice announcing that John Lennon had been shot in New York. I was relieved, because I supposed he'd just been wounded, and not killed outright. Then the really bad news came. I cried all day, and Paul said it was a drag. Liverpool is a city which has produced a disproportionate amount of talented footballers, comedians, and musicians. I would venture to suggest that John Lennon is the greatest talent even that city has ever produced. - Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com. Memories of when John Lennon was murdered from the Paul Rance book, Made in Luton, that is available to buy on Amazon stores worldwide John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, one of my favourite bands, had died late in September. While the last month of 1980 had a final kick in the guts - my musical hero John Lennon was murdered in New York City. I remember hearing the news report from a London radio station. Shocked at hearing that John had been shot I comforted myself in the fact that they said he hadn't been killed. Then I woke up to the news. I cried throughout the day as Beatles music played all day. Shortly afterwards I went out to buy Rubber Soul, though it was difficult getting to The Beatles section as lads were lamenting John's death, as they were searching for records to buy. When John Lennon made his musical comeback in 1980, my Mother predicted that his comeback single, (Just Like) Starting Over, would be a number one. I didn't agree, thinking that it was a bit weak. So, when it stalled in the charts having not reached the top spot I thought that I'd be proved right. Then John was murdered and (Just Like) Starting Over did reach number one, but not in a way, my Mother would repeatedly point out, she wanted. More John Lennon Stuff available from booksmusicfilmstv.com - in association with Amazon John (Paperback) Lennon (Paperback) Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon (Hardback) In His Own Write & A Spaniard in the Works (Paperback) Lennon and McCartney, Together Alone (Paperback) JOHN LENNON GUITAR HUGE LAMINATED POSTER
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