John Lennon
John Lennon was born in a Liverpool hospital in 1940 amid a German Air Raid, which is ironic due to his role as the main protagonist of the Vietnam anti war movement. Raised by his aunt he was mischievous from his youth and famous in the school yard for his quick wit and rebellious stand against authority figures.
He picked a guitar in the 1950’s and was told he wouldn’t make a dollar out of countless hours spent practicing and playing free music. John ignored the detractors and formed his own band the Quarry Men Skiffle Band which went on to become The Beatles in 1961. Together with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr he made music that is still as popular, influential and enjoyable today as it was fifty years ago. He complemented the positive McCartney with his satirical persona while he also knew how to craft a song and innovate a broad range of methods into his vocals, lyrics, guitar and piano playing.
My favorite Lennon penned tracks for the group are Across the Universe, All you Need is Love, Revolution, Strawberry Fields, In My Life and You’ve got to Hide Your Love Away.
By the end of the 1960’s Lennon was growing tired of many things related to The Beatles, his relationship with McCartney was strained, fame had become tiresome and he wanted more freedom politically and musically. The Fab Four split up in 1970, much to the despair of their wide international fan base and Lennon went on to pursue a successful solo career with the aid of his second wife Yoko Ono.
During the next decade Lennon produced many political anthems and wondrous tracks about life, love and the human condition. Give Peace a Chance, Beautiful Boy, Jealous Guy, Watching the Wheels, Working Class Hero and Just Like (Starting Over) are in my opinion the greatest moments of this time and highlight the enigma of the man. John Lennon was mourned by the world when he was killed by a deranged fan in 1980.
Oh yes I know that I left out Imagine….sorry I never liked this track ….except for the chorus.
Tags: bass guitar, Guitar, Harmonica, Piano, Vocal
One of the greatest musicians and legends that will ever live! I find it interesting that you do not like Imagine, especially since you say you’re fond of Give Peace A Chance. Is it too musically simplistic for your taste? I only ask because it’s one of my all time favorites! Check out the article I wrote about it on http://www.earmusic.net.
I too also love Lennon and Imagine would not be in my top five tracks, something off about the video being shot from a multi-million dollar estate and speaking of hunger and an equal share for mankind.
My favorite is Jealous Guy, I think I can relate to this, and it is so raw and Lennonesque in its delivery it sums up a lot about he was as an artist.