John Lennon 1940-1980: Happy Birthday, John

[featherfingers]

John Lennon, founding member of The Beatles and peace activist later on in his life, was born today, October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England. I thought it would be nice to acknowledge his birthday and perhaps name a favorite song or album by him, be it with The Beatles or as a solo artist. He would have been 64 years old today.
I think I speak for a lot of people when I name his song, "Imagine", as a personal favorite. The song is as meaningful today as it was when it was released 31 years ago. Maybe a new generation can pick up from where he left off. Imagine that.

 

[MAJ0718]

"When I'm Sixty-Four...."

Was it John Lennon who wrote the song "When I'm Sixty-Four"? If it was, then that song would be quite the fitting song to commemorate his 64th birth anniversary. I guess if you listen to the lyrics to that song, then you could very well answer the question in the chorus. John Lennon was miles ahead, in style and talent, of all of today's artists, bar none. But that's my opinion.


Mark
a.k.a. MAJ0718

 

[steph]

SUPER HUGE FAN HERE!


XOXO

 

[Mitchell]

John Lennon was a classic. I loved his music. His life was cut short way too soon. My favorite song by him solo is Imagine, and my favorite Beatles songs by him are Revolution and Help.
As a sidebar, today is also the 64th birthday of my estranged father, who was born the same day as Lennon, 10-9-40, so both are in my thoughts today.
One final thing: When John Lennon was killed, I was just 10, so the magnitude of who he really was and the real loss to the world didnt have the full impact on me at that time. As I became a teenager, I began to really get into the Beatles music, and at that time, the full impact of the horrid loss of life, and who he really was, and how his death left a void in both the world in general and in the world of music, had a profound effect on me. Happy birthday, and Rest in Peace, John, you were magnificent.

Mitch

 

[tkrexx]

A voice from the past
Cried Give Peace A Chance
He paid our price
Now he's Free at last
And Imagine, we called him a Dreamer.

Been missin' ya old man. The planet needs you again.

Rxx

 

[featherfingers]

On the afternoon of December 8, 1980, I was listening to The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album and then played John & Yoko's "Sometime In New York City" album. While listening to the albums, an uncanny feeling of uneasiness hit me... a few hours later, John Lennon was dead. I'd rather remember his life, though.
I suspect that by tomorrow, this thread will slowly disappear due to inactivity. I'm just happy that a few of us remembered the man who wanted to 'give peace a chance'.

"In My Life", by John Lennon & Paul McCartney

There are places I remember all my life though some have changed
some forever not for better, some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
with lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In My Life, I've loved them all

But of all these friends and lovers there is no one compares with you
and these memories lose their meaning
when I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
for people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In My Life, I love you more

Though I know I'll never lose affection
for people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In My Life, I love you more
In My Life, I love you more

 

[MAJ0718]

December 8, 1980

I remember that day as clear as a bell. I was listening to a then rock station in NYC, WPLJ, and was hearing the breaking news that John Lennon was shot six times in front of his Dakota Apartments. I have said to myself, "I hope to God that he can just pull through." But, alas, to my chagrin, the radio announced "The UPI reports that John Lennon has just died from his wounds." I was so devastated inasmuch as I really wanted to see the Beatles give it one shot back together someday. I was in a motel attending DeVry Technical School back then when my roommate Joe suddenly asked me, "Who was John Lennon anyway?" I responded with "You don't know who he was?" Joe then asked me, "Was he the drummer?" I then shook my head in shame. That was also the time when Ronald Reagan was just elected President by a landslide, also to my chagrin. What a bad time, indeed. With apologies to those who really liked Ronald Reagan, but I remember that time like it was just yesterday.

Mark
a.k.a. MAJ0718

 

[featherfingers]

We've got the music to remember him by... generations to come will be influenced by him... although you'd never know it listening to today's music. (Steph mentioned a brand new remake of "Imagine", though. Maybe there is hope).

 

[MAJ0718]

Re: December 8,1980

Another thing to add is that John Lennon had a hit song out at the time of this tragedy: "(Just Like)Starting Over" off his "Double Fantasy" album with his wife, and the alleged disbander of the Beatles, Yoko Ono.

Mark
a.k.a. MAJ0718

 

[featherfingers]

That's what gets me...had he lived, his new music would have made the 80s and 90s more enjoyable. If anything, he sure would have had fun with the New Wave trend. Yoko even said in an interview that John would have gotten into rap. I'm not so sure about that.

 

[intense tickler]

The Beatles were revolutionary and there will be none like them ever or at least for a long time. They have sold more records and had more #1 hits than any other recording artist. First and foremost John Lennon really made his mark as a Beatle and the wonderful songs that he and Paul Mcartney composed together or seperate as Beatles inspired so many. By the way it was Mcartney who wrote "when im 64".
and let us not forget beatle George Harrison who became a fine talent and and equal songwriter by the time the beatles broke up and ringo starr who was a fine drummer, just listen to those wonderful tom tom fills on "a day in the life".

 

[giantfan121262]

Happy birthday to one of the greatest talents that ever lived. Paul and John were instrumental in organizing the Beatles and kept themselves going with all the songs he and Paul created. I remember when he dies. It was 4 days be4 my 18th birthday. What a present that was 🙄