John Lennon

[daveb]

Where does everyone here stand on John Lennon? His name has been in the news a lot lately on account of Mark David Chapman coming up for a parole hearing. It appears sometimes that the life of a celeb is more valuable than that of a commoner. Even in death Lennon seems to be getting special treatment. Not that I think his killer should be freed. I've read a bunch of stuff on Lennon that says he was a poor husband and father. Plus, I think some of his post Beatles stuff was sub par at best. So, John Lennon: Human being or God? Fair and balanced, you report, you decide.

[tonefight]

Talented; yes,probably a poor husband and father; An asshole to work with; wouldn't want him as a friend but I do appreciate some of his work

[rickw]

Well, John Lennon was certainly not a model father to Julian, but he did make ammends with him, and he was a wonderful father to Sean. As far as the celeb favoritism thing goes, that happens in any art, sports, political, etc., form, not just music. Lennon was a shy person underneath the sarcastic and humourous mask he wore, and when he had to play his first concert without the Beatles he was literally sick backstage. I think he felt he was always overshadowed by Paul's songwriting and cutesy persona, but give me Number Nine Dream over Silly Love Songs anyday!

[tornandfrayed]

I was always more of a Rolling Stones type. I always thought that the Beatles were OK, but.. As far as Lennons post beatles catalog there is not much there that I care for.

I think that we have the beatles to thank for some of the really crappy "Pop Rock" that torments the airwaves. On the other hand I believe that the Rolling Stones were the beginning of things like Megadeth, Slayer and some of the harder edge bands.

[bassist_25]

George was always my favorite Beatle. I always thought that he was the least conventional songwriter of the group. I liked his post-Beatles stuff the best out of the four of them. Plus, my favorite Beatles tune is a George song. (If I Needed Someone off of Rubber Soul)

I think I'm going to grab a Beatles Cd before I head off to school this morning.

[ZappasXWife]

I've read a bunch of stuff on Lennon that says he was a poor husband and father. Plus, I think some of his post Beatles stuff was sub par at best. .

If what you read was The Lives of John Lennon by Albert Goldman (black book), everyone knows that book was a load of crap. He made Lennon look like an asshole and it was full of lies. I think people even sued him over that book because of lies. Also Dakota Days is crap, I couldn't even finish it and I've read them all. It's tricky to judge people by these or ANY books, good OR bad. I realize you said you don't want Chapman freed, but is your point that he has already served more than someone who shot someone not famous? If so, I agree that his notoriety should not make a prison sentence longer. I don't know, but I'd be curious to find out how his sentence compares to others. Remember, it was pre-meditated AND he is mentally ill. Personally I'm surprised someone didn't knock the asshole off in prison. As far as what I have quoted above, what does that possibly have to do with how much time his killer should serve?

[DMFJ03]

John who?

I'm kidding.

I never cared for the Beatles at all. There is maybe 3 or 4 songs that I can bounce my head to, but other than that...nah, I could care less. Same thing with Elvis. I can't stand his music - but I do have a great respect for what they did for music. Without them, we wouldn't have some of the things I enjoy right now. That's a fact.

Anyone got change got a nickle? I need to throw my two cents down.

[esa]

::slides dmfj a canadian coin::

Lennon was cool. Loved the glasses. Hated the Yoko. And definitely appreciated some of his tunes. If he wouldn't have been a lousy father/ husband/ lover/etc or killed, then, "Hey Jude" would never have been written about Jules.

Anyways...everyone knows that the Beatles were only a So-so band. The real genious was in the Bee-gee's...

[jreider]

I always debate this with friends, they get mad when I tell them that Paul's songs appeal to me much more than John's. I love the Beatles, regardless or who wrote what, but Paul's voice just appeals to me much more. Personally, I think if the tables would be turned and it were Paul who got shot and not John, people may be making more of a fuss over Paul - but then again, I may be wrong. I like the Beatles, I think that sums it up for me

[ZappasXWife]

A Beatles debate is fine, but still curious about the original topic...any thoughts?

[daveb]

Mrs. Zappa

The tread was just kind of a cloudburst of thoughts all at once. A fragmented commentary on fame, celebrity and the way they are filtered through our culture. I do think that Chapman has gotten more recognition for killing one human than anyone since Oswald. Not that Oswald did or did not kill anyone. He just got a lot of attention for one death. Note to self: use a different cultural reference next time.

We treat our icons with such reverence and we expect them to be flawless. We have a hard time with them being human. I just refuse to think that the life of one murdered citizen is more impotant or deserving of fame than anothers.

Oh, and for my money it was George all the way. I wept openly when he died. He was the target for a lot of John and Paul's rage as the band was breaking up. Not THE BAND. The Beatles. That's not from a tabloid book, like Goldman's, there is audio tape of the Let It Be sessions where John and Paul are merciless to George.

[tonefight]

George was always my favorite Beatle.

Yeah, George definalty has more apealling songs.

I remember seeing the studio clip where Lennon was giving George shit about something and George just tried to keep the piece saying something like " I'll play whatever you want me to or I won't even play at all on this song "
So obviously John was a bit tough to work with.

[Ron]

I have to say that I think Paul was a better songwriter and vocalist, but like jreider, that's just my opinion. To tell you the truth, I actually have more favorite Wings' songs than Beatle's. My favorite Beatle's song? "Eleanor Rigby".

[homerski]

Most of the posts I've seen here make me sad.

The Beatles burst onto the scene during my teenage years, and as such I suppose that I am extremely biased.

I can only say this, the Beatles changed the face and pace of music (worldwide) forever. The synergy of those four talents (albeit generally under the influence of who knows what?) created a sea-change event for the music scene which continues to this day.

Let me ask you this, what if the Beatles didn't happen? I can't even
- imagine- it!!

As far as Chapman goes, let him out.. maybe some other nut will be kind enough to put him out of our misery.

John Homerski Jr. - Homer's Army

[GUITARII]

Paul definitely topped John in songwriting ability.... George definitely my fav, (I'm not biased to the guitar "hook" developers). But let's face it... John was the guy that made it happen... he was the guy that put them on the map.... Yeah, he fucked it all up when getting with Yoko... and Julian, well shit happens to us normal fams all the time... does that mean I gotta spend my adult life in rehab or counseling? Hell no.... get on with it... it's not like someone blew out his vintage amp while a guest to the jam! (oooppps did I bring that up again? Seriously, I don't even care about that anymore.... must repress, must repress)

[Ron]

I can only say this, the Beatles changed the face and pace of music (worldwide) forever.

Agreed... they started the British invasion, which introduced the world to many of my favorite bands, but that change... like others... brought about the end of another era... Motown.
But I think that they got their vengeance during the disco era.