pan6467

The world lost a true musical genius and a great social commentator who "IMAGINED" a world of peace and people living side by side.

I started this thread to get the Memorium in early, for those of us old enough to tell where we were, or how it affected us. And to pay tribute to the man that changed music, pop culture and was "A Working Class Hero".

I realize there will be some who do not like Lennon or what he said..... PLEASE DO NOT RUIN THIS THREAD OF TRIBUTE WITH YOU PETTINESS..... IF YOU CANNOT COMMENT ON HOW HE POSITIVELY CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND THE WORLD THEN MOVE ON.....

I was 13, and staying up late to watch MNF with my dad when Howard Cosell made the announcement. My mom cried the rest of the night, my dad turned the game off and put on "Rubber Soul", I don't think it truly registered with me.

The next week my mom had attended a memorial with several of her high school friends, my dad would play Beatles and Lennon solo work and even the kids at school were different. We lost the voice of a generation, even if it hadn't been ours he was for most of our parents and none of us had grown up without hearing the music at least.

It is sad and ironic the we seem to lose men of peace through violent means, MLK, Jesus, John Lennon, Robert Kennedy, and so on. Lennon's was the last major assassination of that era that lasted close to 20 years.

They say when JFK was assassinated the baby boomers lost their innocence, they say when MLK was assassinated they lost a uniter, they say when RFK was killed they lost a great leader who had yet to lead............. but this day 25 years ago we lost our heart, our soul and our conscience.....we lost the dreamer, the man who threw fame away so that he could "watch the wheels go round and round and be a stay at home father to his son Sean.

The memory of John Lennon shall live in our hearts till we die, but his music and the words and his dreams shall live forever and someday, hopefully a world leader will put on "Imagine" and be inspired to find world peace, an end to hunger and greed and to just have a brotherhood of man living side by side.............

We loved you John and we still do.... as a baby born the day Sgt. Pepper's was released I will always fel a bond with you....... God gave us someone truly great and special and one man took him away, this day 25 years ago......

I'll close with the 3 Lennon songs that mean the most to me..... one he wrote explaining why he had taken his "sabbatical" from the music world but to me is truly the greatest addiction recovery song ever written and tells me that my dream to help others recover is ok ..... and the 2nd needs no explanation...... the 3rd is how we who love you feel..........

Quote:

========================================================== Watching The Wheels People say I'm crazy doing what I'm doing, Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin, When I say that I'm o.k. they look at me kind of strange, Surely your not happy now you no longer play the game, People say I'm lazy dreaming my life away, Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me, When I tell that I'm doing Fine watching shadows on the wall, Don't you miss the big time boy you're no longer on the ball? I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round, I really love to watch them roll, No longer riding on the merry-go-round, I just had to let it go, People asking questions lost in confusion, Well I tell them there's no problem, Only solutions, Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I've lost my mind, I tell them there's no hurry... I'm just sitting here doing time, I'm just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round, I really love to watch them roll, No longer riding on the merry-go-round, I just had to let it go. Written By: John Lennon © Lenono Music ========================================================= IMAGINE by John Lennon Imagine there's no heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today... Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world... You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one ========================================================== In My Life 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 compared with you, And these mem'ries lose their meaning, When I think of love as somthing 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'll 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'll love you more. In my life I'll love you more. Written by: John Lennon © Northern Songs LTD ==========================================================

GOD HAS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU, JOHN LENNON....... RIP.......

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

maleficent

pssst - he was killed on December 8... not the 6th...

it was the day before my 16th birthday...

__________________

pan6467

I knew that I was testing you...... yeah that's the ticket.

Don't know why I put the 6th down...... I do know I bawled like a baby writing the whole post though. Had to keep drying my eyes so I could see and wiping my KB off so my fingers wouldn't keep slipping on the keys.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Daoust

Sounds democratic to me. No diversity of opinions, only one please.

I notice how many replies you have...

__________________
I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace
But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

Leto

interesting thread. Here's what my situation was: Back in 1980, I had finished my first two years of university, when I applied for and was accepted to go on a cultural exchange trip (Canada World Youth) to Sri Lanka.

so I was to spend 4 months living (billeted) and working in the mountainous tea estate (plantation) country side of the central part of the island (near to Kandy for all you geographers). So what was a young lad, music lover (punker, rock and roller, prog rock fan) to do in a land where the pop music consists of mostly Tamil movie melodies??

Other than 'getting into ' the local scene, after a couple of months I was starved for some of the 'backhome' music. So, one evening around dinner time, I was at a friends house, we were sitting in a bamboo grove (towering dark green bamboo stalks, which were a welcome relief from the sun) just tucking into a scrumptious bowl of rice and dahl curry, when I hear the song Imagine playing. I couldn't belive my ears! John Lennon in the depths of Sri Lanka! Just what I needed... then the announcer started to speak over the song. I was so angry I turned to my friend to get a translation, as my limited Sinhalese was only making sense of New York, and died.

He said that the person who sang this song was just murdered in New York City. He didn't know who John Lennon was, but through repeated questioning, he confirmed that the news was reporting that somebody had shot the person that sang Imagine.

I was stunned. The next morning I bought a copy of the Sri Lanka Sun newspaper (the English language paper) and sure enough, it was front page news.

I still have that paper.

__________________
You said you didn't give a fuck about hockey
And I never saw someone say that before
You held my hand and we walked home the long way
You were loosening my grip on Bobby Orr

http://dune.wikia.com/wiki/Leto_Atreides_I

pan6467

Perhaps, but why would anyone feel the need to try to post hateful mean things in a tribute thread for a man of peace that meant so much to so many.

To me that would just be egotistical and show that the person has no value for anyone but themself.

I don't find anything wrong with asking for positive comments only.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

micah67

If you have a diverse opinion you'd like to share, I encourage you to start a new post. Seriously, I'd like to hear it.

Meanwhile...

I, too, was 13. Strangely, I do not recall the moment when I found out. My memory is hazy and all I remember was a general feeling of being aware that he had been murdered. My love for his (and their) music really started at that time and throughout the years my growing realization of the potential of what we were missing grew. Even today, I often wonder, "what if..."

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~micah

texxasco

Whoa.... your birthday must be really close to mine (11/21/64), another "middle-ager".. The 30's were confusing, and so far the 40's have been - like coming out of the fog. Clarity Finally.
/end threadjack

I remember John Lennon's death as well, although it did not affect me nearly as much as it did the OP. I do remember feeling a sense of sadness, and at the time I really didn't comprehend what a loss it really was. "Watching the Wheels" and "Imagine" were two of my favorite songs from those days, and again I didn't fully comprehend their meaning, at the time they just sounded good. Since then I have come to appreciate his music even more, and realize just what the world lost when John Lennon was taken from us. I really believe his best music was yet to come. What a shame.

__________________
...A Bad Day of Fishing is Better Than a Great Day at Work!

pan6467

His death bothers me far more now than it did then, I was a Paul fan at the time. I too wonder what if and have come to appreciate what he said and the obstacles, laughter and contempt others threw at him.

His last album was definately his best solo work, overall. I am of the belief that he would have had some very great music ahead maybe even have worked with Julian (if Yoko would have allowed him to).

As much as Paul now says he and Juhn would have written together, I seriously doubt it, I think as friends they may have gotten along but working together I believe John had put it behind him and enjoyed what he had. It may have been nice at first, but I think it would have tarnished the Beatles in the end.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

meembo

I remember that night very clearly. Music was very big to me in high school, and I thought the sun rose and set on Lennon and McCartney. I used to live in New York -- I was born there -- I thought New York was way too cool a place for something as mindless and stupid as that. When he was killed it was my first "WHY? -- What the fuck is going on?" moment of my adulthood.

I'm no fan of Yoko, but I like the way John was her fool, and that he didn't give a shit what people thought of him for loving Yoko or anything else. I think the Give Peace A Chance tour was brilliant and brave.

__________________
less I say, smarter I am

Elphaba

Pan, given your vocation, don't you find Lennon's lifestyle and the example he set to be a contradiction? Or did his death bring you to your current place?

Chapman couldn't deal with the contradiction of Lennon's life vs. his lyrics.

Salomon

My favorite Lennon song:


"Nobody Told Me"

Everybody's talking and no one says a word
Everybody's making love and no one really cares
There's Nazis in the bathroom just below the stairs
Always something happening and nothing going on
There's always something cooking and nothing in the pot
They're starving back in China so finish what you got

Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Strange days indeed -- strange days indeed

Everybody's runnin' and no one makes a move
Everyone's a winner and nothing left to lose
There's a little yellow idol to the north of Katmandu
Everybody's flying and no one leaves the ground
Everybody's crying and no one makes a sound
There's a place for us in the movies you just gotta lay around

Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Strange days indeed -- most peculiar, mama

Everybody's smoking and no one's getting high
Everybody's flying and never touch the sky
There's a UFO over New York and I ain't too surprised

Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Nobody told me there'd be days like these
Strange days indeed -- most peculiar, mama...Whoa!!



A fantastic, unforgettable musician.

meembo

Elphaba, I'd appreciate it if you could please elaborate a bit on your question and comments about pan's vocation, and Mark David Chapman. They seem very interesting. On first glance, I see no contradiction that is more significant than lifestyle choices of anyone I know "in real life".

__________________
less I say, smarter I am

Craven Morehead

I remember hearing Howard Cosell say on Monday Night football that he had been shot. I woke my wife and told her someone had killed John Lennon and it would be like a President had been assassinated. It was terribly depressing for days afterwards. Pictures of grieving fans in New York and London and Liverpool filled the news reports. And everyone was in shock. Everyone. How could ANYONE kill John Lennon? I miss him to this day. We all lost so much.

Martian

I wasn't born until a few years after John Lennon was shot. I think it speaks to the man's eloquence and power that even I can say unabashedly and without hesitation that he's influenced my life.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

pan6467

Good question, but not really. Everyone has contradictions and hypocracies in their lives, some unfortunately have their every step publicized, I can't imagine how hard that would be.

I look at Lennon's work and see how what great love, optimism and true belief man could do better in him. His private life and drug addictions were just those private, at least for me. I think, if I'm not mistaken, he was truly in recovery from drugs when he was killed. Perhaps, at the end he had found some inner peace, which would make his murder even that much more tragic.

It's interesting to read some biographies on him, but they don't and can not influence how he has touched me with his artwork. He truly was 1 in a billion.

His work inspired me in many ways, it helped me form my political beliefs and who I wanted to be. Even moreso now, like I said I find "Watching the Wheels" very inspiring for me, and every so often in group I'll run music therapy, play that song and have clients write down what the song means to them and their recovery. I'm the whack job at work, with all these "new age ideas".... go figure lol.... although I am also the wonderboy that a lot of old time counselors have taken under their wing and teach me as well as revitalize their belief in the work we do. It is one of the highest burnout jobs, if you let it.

I think John, the KINKS, and others inspired me to be myself. They taught me that we need to care about what goes on and to never be afraid to speak out. Look at what Lennon endured for speaking out, the losses and sacrifices..... I feel personally, my gift back to John and those who came before him (not many have come after him) is to speak out as best as I can.

Chapman was a nutcase, had it not been Lennon I have a feeling he would have gotten someone.

But I also believe it is the man of peace's fate that he dies by another's hand in violence. As stated above when you look at the people of peace who died by violent means it is easy to draw that conclusion.

Meembo,

I'm an addictions counselor/student who is getting ready to open a therapeutic recovery house soon. I plan to have a coffeshop with stage for artshows, poetry readings, plays and music concerts all written and performed by clients. I'm big into art therapy. I feel art is a way to release the negativity that feeds your need for addiction. So, with art you can release your inner demons.

I think art, some psychoanalysis and finding one's own spirituality is the best path for a true recovery. I plan to combine all 3, for some it will work, for others it won't.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

pan6467

Great song you chose

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Cynthetiq

In My Life is my favorite tune. It denotes a siplicity of my past present and future. It is somewhat of an anthem that I hear in my head year after year as I think back on my past and those friends that may still walk the earth but I have fond memories of being with at a previous point in history.

I don't recall the date being a Monday Night Football game, as I remember my parents playing mahjong until the wee hours of the night which made it a Friday or Saturday. I was staying up watching one of the Pink Panther movies and remember running downstairs to tell my mom the news. She didn't believe me and continued to play the game with her friends.

Today, when I get the opportunity I stop by Strawberry Fields in Central Park whenever I'm in the area.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Mojo_PeiPei

Can't say he has really affected my life in any other way then writing really good music as a Beatle and a solo artist, my personal fav of his being Jealous Guy.

__________________
To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition.

Craven Morehead

Yeah it was Monday night, I can recall waking up my wife that night to tell her just like it happened last week. Googled just to make sure....http://www.angelfire.com/pa/bluelifesavers/lennon.html <nice site

Ananas

It was during MNF that I remember hearing the news. Howard Cosell sounded strange, almost muted or something (was it Dandy Don Meredith who said something like "you're kidding" after Howard made the announcement?), that's what caught my attention. Everyone I knew got the Imagine album for Christmas that year (most of us got the album from our parents).

He made some beautiful music that stands the test of time. "In My Life" is a personal favorite.

__________________
it's gritty

Elphaba

Pan, I have far more belief in you, than I do in Lennon's heroin induced lyrics and lifestyle. His death created an unworthy martyr, who abandoned his wife, son, and country for a celebrity slut, drugs and tax evasion. Love the lyrics if you wish, but Lennon was not a man worth worship.

pan6467

Ah, Elph, we disagree, and I can respect your view of Lennon, truly I can.

But what he taught, supercedes anything he could have done.

Not knowing his true relationship with Julia, I can't pass judgement. He might have been in a very bad marriage, or just very unhappy. It may have been far more painful for him to leave then we'll ever know.

As for Yoko, he seemed very happy and devoted to her and Sean. Why? I can never fathom but ....... to each their own and he seemed to be happiest in life with her.

As far as drugs, many, many great people have gotten mixed up in them and while it ruined their lives they were/are still great people. At the end of his life he had given them all up though, which is so sad because we'll never know what a clean John Lennon was capable of.

As for tax evasion, he wasn't the only Brit rocker to do so (I believe I read that at the time Britain had a 75% tax). Many of them did. Plus his popularity was based more in the U.S. than in Britain.

We're all human and we all have our flaws, John was no different, but we can overlook those flaws and see the teachings for the beauty they were and the messenger I believe was torn by the message and being human.

I don't worship the man, I worship his teachings and deeply respect his positive attributes while accepting his negatives as his being human. I cannot dismiss what he taught or the beauty of his tortured soul because of his flaws.... perhaps his flaws are what allowed him to be so beautiful. In that he was aware of his negatives yet believed if he worked at showing beauty and love he would eventually find peace.

But that's just my opinion.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Cynthetiq

I'm trying to figure out just why I remember them playing on that night.... my parents never did anything during the weekdays.... only on FRI/SAT.

__________________
I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not.

Craven Morehead

bump

just because

imagine.....

pan6467

Bump only because of the date.....

I am truly surprised that I cannot find any candlelight vigils for the event around here. How sad.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Naked Communist

I was a bit less than 1 yr old when Lennon was killed, so obviously, I don't remember where I was when I heard. But my husband always says that I was born in the wrong decade because I am such an "oldies" addict. I've been a Beatles fan for my entire life. Sometimes I feel like Lennon wrote "How?" just for me.

John has always been my favorite Beatle because of his writing and because of his sense of humor. I laugh and laugh at him in the Beatles movies (...you're a swine...). I think the world lost a truly unique man...one in a million.

Picking a favorite song is too hard. But I love the Imagine Album. "Gimme Some Truth" and "How" are my favs from that album.

Gimme Some Truth

I'm sick and tired of hearing things
from uptight-short-sighted-narrow
minded hypocritics

All I want is the truth
just gimme some truth

I've had enough of reading things
by neurotic-psychotic-pig headed politicians

All I want is the truth
just gimme some truth

No short haired-yellow bellied
son of tricky dicky
is gonna mother hubbard
soft soap with me
with just a pocketful of hope
money for dope
money for rope

I'm sick to death of seeing things
from tight lipped-condescending-mommy's
little chauvinists

All I want is the truth
just gimme some truth

I've had enough of watching scenes
of schizophrenic-egocentric-
paranoic-prima donnas

All I want is the truth
just gimme some truth


How

How can I go forward when I don't know
which way I'm facing?
How can I go forward when I don't know
which way to turn?
How can I go forward into something
I'm not sure of? oh no, oh no

How can I have feeling when I don't know
if it's a feeling?
How can I feel something if I just don't
know how to feel?
How can I have feelings when my
feelings have always been denied?
oh no, oh no

(refrain)

You know life can be long
and you got to be so strong
and the world is so tough
sometimes I feel I've had enough
oh no, oh no

How can I give love when I don't know
what it is I'm giving?
How can I give love when I just don't know
how to give?
How can I give love when love is something
I ain't never had? oh no, oh no

(refrain)

How can we go forward when we don't
know which way we're facingf?
How can we fo forward when
we don't know which way to turn?
How can we go forward into
something we're not sure of?
oh no, oh no

__________________
We are ensnared by the wisdom of the serpent; we are freed by the foolishness of God.

----------------------

...inside the museums infinity goes up on trial. Voices echo "this is what salvation must be like after a while"...

pan6467

2 Great songs.

I've been a Beatles fan all my life, grew up in a household with a Beatles fan (mom) and a Rolling Stones/Simon and Garfunkel freak (dad).

I think they worry sometimes as to whose kid I really am when I am such a KINKS fanatic.

I can relate heavily to the feeling of being born in the wrong generation and a love for the "oldies".

John's sense of humor was most excellent, love when they are on the train and he takes the Coke bottle and pretends to snort it in Hard Day's Night.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Fly

no stories from me today but..........



RIP Johnny



waste of a truely great man......

__________________
BASTARD

SterlingStudios

maleficent

you need to go to strawberry fields in central park in nyc...

__________________

pan6467

I'd love to, I have some good friends who go every year..... playing Lennon and the Kinks music the whole time, of course they live in Boston and NYC.

I'll make it there someday..... and pay my respects.

Time is at hand time to go light the candles, kick on the music and meditate.

__________________
I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

Craven Morehead

Very bitter sweet evening for me yesterday. I watched the video of the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium last night. Then some other Lennon videos I had downloaded over the years.

He was only 40 when he was killed. Only 40, still a young man with so much ahead of him.



And we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun...........

Spektr

We have the same birthday (October 9th), but, I was born four years after he died. I found out about the Beatles when I was 9, and from then on, John Lennon's songs and talent as a musician have affected my every move. No one album sums up my beliefs so succinctly as John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.