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John Lennon - is anyone else fed up hearing about him?


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Old 13-12-2005, 23:19
Satchmo
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Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate he was a great songsmith, a member of one of the most influential bands of all time, but please just give it a rest. This godlike status that's been bestowed on him is just too too much and is at such odds to that given to him post Beatles where he was treated more as a freak.

For crying out loud, he's not the only musician to die before their time, but I've yet to land at the Jimmy Hendrix, Phil Lynott or Janis Joplin airport and yet they all contributed as much to music as (IMO) Lennon. I can't stand this contrived hero worship that was rarely evident when he was alive and which ranks alongside that reserved for Princess Di.

Could someone PLEASE enlighten me for the reason for this because, frankly I'm baffled
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Old 13-12-2005, 23:22
gomezz
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You had to be there.
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Old 14-12-2005, 00:49
lardyda
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John Lennon was English and the Beatles changed music forever in this country.
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Old 14-12-2005, 01:20
bigbroben
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i am fed up of hearing about him

john who?
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Old 14-12-2005, 02:21
Tel69
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I'm more fed up with Yoko Ono who appears to have Professional Widow as her job title. I know she loved him and they were together a long time but 25 years on she's still trying to grab the limelight at every opportunity.

I still like Lennon's music and as each new generation discovers his music the Press Interest will continue.
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Old 14-12-2005, 06:39
performingmonk
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If Lennon's legacy wasn't worth so much money then we would hear about him a whole lot less. In 5 years it'll be 30 years since his death, so then there'll be more compilation CDs and DVDs out and countless tributes and docos about him all over again. And Yoko will be making a million appearances. He was a genius, and you cannot underestimate the extent of his influence on music since the early '60s. This is the guy who wrote 'She Loves You', 'Strawberry Fields', 'Jealous Guy' amongst countless others. He was way better than McCartney, who is still jealous of him to this day IMO.
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Old 14-12-2005, 10:53
cybergirl3
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Originally Posted by Satchmo
Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate he was a great songsmith, a member of one of the most influential bands of all time, but please just give it a rest. This godlike status that's been bestowed on him is just too too much and is at such odds to that given to him post Beatles where he was treated more as a freak.

For crying out loud, he's not the only musician to die before their time, but I've yet to land at the Jimmy Hendrix, Phil Lynott or Janis Joplin airport and yet they all contributed as much to music as (IMO) Lennon. I can't stand this contrived hero worship that was rarely evident when he was alive and which ranks alongside that reserved for Princess Di.

Could someone PLEASE enlighten me for the reason for this because, frankly I'm baffled
I totally agree with you, if "Imagine" tops another poll for being the greatest song ever, i'll smash my TV. I don't understand why people can't move on. I think in reality most people really don't give a crap about him but, the media, pop culture specialists and what not, keep shoving him down our throats ever so often. Everytime something about him comes on, I just change the channel because frankly, I couldn't care less about him and his contribution to music.
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Old 14-12-2005, 11:46
Spiv
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I agree that there does seem to be an overload of John Lennon at the mo..

To me though he was the real deal, not perfect but someone who genuinely believed that he could help make the world a better place - a cliche yes, a bit sacherine yes but heartfelt all the same.. I'm not embarrased to go against the latest trend of slating Imagine - for me it easily ranks as one of the best songs of all time, beautifully simple in both its melody and its message.

Perhaps if he was still around now he would be regarded as a sad old hippy, or perhaps he would be a voice that people would really listen to. Who have we got now? Bono?
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Old 14-12-2005, 12:39
Mal_Reynolds
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I think it's sad whenever music loses a voice, but the difference I think is that Lennon died through no fault of his own. Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain et al had a hand in their own demise. John Lennon was walking home from work and some nutter decided to empty a gun into him. The shock is palpable today, and I believe the hero worship partly comes from that, and also because he did write some truly amazing music. In My Life, Instant Karma, Tomorrow Never Knows, A Day in the Life - so many great songs.

Although not a fan of "Imagine", I do like the fact that the second most played song at funerals ("Angels" no1?) begins with the line "Imagine there's no heaven". Irony not lost on me....
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Old 14-12-2005, 13:41
Reality Sucks
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Originally Posted by Satchmo
Now, don't get me wrong, I appreciate he was a great songsmith, a member of one of the most influential bands of all time, but please just give it a rest. This godlike status that's been bestowed on him is just too too much and is at such odds to that given to him post Beatles where he was treated more as a freak.

For crying out loud, he's not the only musician to die before their time, but I've yet to land at the Jimmy Hendrix, Phil Lynott or Janis Joplin airport and yet they all contributed as much to music as (IMO) Lennon. I can't stand this contrived hero worship that was rarely evident when he was alive and which ranks alongside that reserved for Princess Di.

Could someone PLEASE enlighten me for the reason for this because, frankly I'm baffled

Apart from forming the Beatles who virtually invented pop music, he was a man who wasn't afraid to challenge the status quo. He spoke his truth which is rare in itself and wasn't afraid of being ridiculed. When he and Yoko did their bed in for a week, it was, as he put it, an advertisement for peace. He brought it to the forefront in people's minds, whether they thought it was ridiculous or not and that's what he stood for.In the same way Bob Geldof brought poverty to the forefront of peoples minds by doing Live Aid.
There are very few people in this life who are willing to stick their necks out and John Lennon was one of them.
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Old 14-12-2005, 13:55
o u 8 1 2
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he is/was simply unique
whether or not he deserves all the attention is up to yoko


think the atraction of lennon was his grip on reality blurred at times by the press and the worlds state of mind at the time he was around
the fact that he was more political than hendrix or phil lynot
might have something to do with his popularity
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Old 14-12-2005, 14:20
cheeks
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Originally Posted by Mal_Reynolds
I think it's sad whenever music loses a voice, but the difference I think is that Lennon died through no fault of his own. Hendrix, Joplin, Cobain et al had a hand in their own demise. John Lennon was walking home from work and some nutter decided to empty a gun into him. The shock is palpable today, and I believe the hero worship partly comes from that, and also because he did write some truly amazing music. In My Life, Instant Karma, Tomorrow Never Knows, A Day in the Life - so many great songs.

Although not a fan of "Imagine", I do like the fact that the second most played song at funerals ("Angels" no1?) begins with the line "Imagine there's no heaven". Irony not lost on me....
I was thinking along similar lines. I think given the choice John Lennon would prefer to be alive than receive a load of plaudits because he's dead.
His tragic death has added to his legendary status....
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Old 14-12-2005, 15:42
gomezz
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Originally Posted by Reality Sucks
Apart from forming the Beatles who virtually invented pop music
Half-wrong and absolutely wrong.
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Old 14-12-2005, 16:15
Andyscouser
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It's really infuriating for me coming from and living in Liverpool at the moment. The city has had a bad rep in the past, and it really is turning itself round. There are so many new and exciting things happening in Liverpool, yet for the majority of the public and the councillors, it's still The Beatles that they cling on to. The Beatles and John Lennon should be used to draw people in to this city in order to show them the rest of the things on offer... instead, they are still considered a major source of tourism and revenue for the city, often overshadowing more relevant people and events occuring.

So in reply to the OP... I am yes.
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Old 14-12-2005, 16:26
digispec
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Yes he was a true genius, and I'll always respect his achievements.

So no disrespect whatsoever when I say, yes I think I've just about reached my limit of how much I can take with the amount of stuff that's been on TV over the last couple of weeks.

If another J.L. documentary comes on this week, I'm liable to turn over, as I feel I know every minute detail now, inside and out.

They've basically overdone it on the main channels, which is a shame really.
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Old 14-12-2005, 18:01
Reality Sucks
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Originally Posted by gomezz
Half-wrong and absolutely wrong.

In what way? John formed the Quarrymen first before Paul and George were taken on. They then became the Silver Beatles but dropped the Silver part. Pete Best and Stu Sutcliffe were in the band at that time. John was the undoubted leader and instigator of the whole band. Stu stayed in Hamburg, Brian Epstein dropped Pete Best in favour of Ringo.

I say they invented pop music because they completely changed the face of rock and roll to a fusion of melody and rock which had never been done before. They were widely copied and their influence spread all over the world. Bands like Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath would not have come into being without their earlier influences, nor would bands around today such as Oasis or Coldplay. Before the Beatles you either had rock n roll, or crooners or jazz.
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Old 14-12-2005, 19:32
Satchmo
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Originally Posted by digispec
Yes he was a true genius, and I'll always respect his achievements.
Sorry, to snip that particular bit but it's this use of the word genius that really annoys me. He was a good musician, a good songwriter, but genius?? Personally I think that's a word reserved for people who've made more of a difference than John Lennon did, but that's just my personal opinion.
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Old 14-12-2005, 19:36
sticki-vicki
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He was a fantastic songwriter

Even as a 21 year old his songs are amazing
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Old 14-12-2005, 20:33
digispec
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Originally Posted by Satchmo
Sorry, to snip that particular bit but it's this use of the word genius that really annoys me. He was a good musician, a good songwriter, but genius?? Personally I think that's a word reserved for people who've made more of a difference than John Lennon did, but that's just my personal opinion.

Fair enough, but there's got to be something exceptional about the man who penned 'Imagine'.
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Old 14-12-2005, 20:46
gomezz
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Originally Posted by Reality Sucks
In what way? John formed the Quarrymen first before Paul and George were taken on. They then became the Silver Beatles but dropped the Silver part.
So he can lay claim to being the originator of the name.

John was the undoubted leader and instigator of the whole band.
To start with. As part of the process of the band becoming hardened professionals in Hamburg and turning into the Beatles that were to become so successful, the balance of power shifted.

I say they invented pop music because they completely changed the face of rock and roll to a fusion of melody and rock which had never been done before.
I beg to disagree. Elvis for one, would be very surprised on that take on the development of popular music before and during the genesis of the Beatles. The Beatles , like every other artist, before during and since, adopted and adapted from other people, in their case, admittedly,adding more than the usual amount of originality.
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Old 14-12-2005, 20:51
boogada
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"I say they invented pop music because they completely changed the face of rock and roll to a fusion of melody and rock which had never been done before. They were widely copied and their influence spread all over the world. Bands like Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath would not have come into being without their earlier influences, nor would bands around today such as Oasis or Coldplay. Before the Beatles you either had rock n roll, or crooners or jazz."

I agree with the original poster: and also, whilst not denying the Beatles the fact that they were a good pop band I dispute the constant harping on that they changed music forvever: you can say this about loads of bands. Its rarely going to be one band or one individual... Before the Beatles this premise suggests that music didnt exist. But what influenced them? and so on and so forth.... I mean what about Link Wray? He practically invented rock and roll!
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Old 14-12-2005, 21:02
Reality Sucks
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Originally Posted by boogada
"
I agree with the original poster: and also, whilst not denying the Beatles the fact that they were a good pop band I dispute the constant harping on that they changed music forvever: you can say this about loads of bands. Its rarely going to be one band or one individual... Before the Beatles this premise suggests that music didnt exist. But what influenced them? and so on and so forth.... I mean what about Link Wray? He practically invented rock and roll!

Rock n Roll is one thing and Pop is another. No one would deny that Bill Haley first and then Elvis took rock n roll a stage further, and there's no doubt that the Beatles were influenced by Elvis and also some of the skiffle bands around at the time. But if you can tell me the name of a band at the time or even since who've had the same impact
as the Beatles, I'll bow down to your greater wisdom. To be honest, I've never heard of Link Wray.
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Old 14-12-2005, 21:04
Satchmo
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Originally Posted by digispec
Fair enough, but there's got to be something exceptional about the man who penned 'Imagine'.
To be honest, I can't stand the song and don't see the appeal of it one bit - each to their own, but if any bugger plays that at my funeral, I'll be turning long before I even reach my grave

The point is though, that there've been exceptional songwriters both before and after Lennon, yet I don't ever recall hearing them called genius. Lennon seems to have overshadowed The Beatles entirely and the fact that there were four of them seems all but forgotten now. I can't help but think that the hype surrounding him, far outweighs the contribution he made.
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Old 14-12-2005, 21:08
digispec
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I agree with you in that hype always gets out of hand, but Lennon is not the only one whom this has happened to.

The difference clearly between you and I is that some of his material has had a life long impact on me personally, where as I'm guessing some of it is maybe not your cup of tea.

That's fine.

I'm speculating that you are a Louis Armstrong fan. (guess why?)

Funnily enough I'm a great fan of some of his work too.
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Old 14-12-2005, 21:11
Reality Sucks
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Originally Posted by gomezz
So he can lay claim to being the originator of the name.

To start with. As part of the process of the band becoming hardened professionals in Hamburg and turning into the Beatles that were to become so successful, the balance of power shifted.

I beg to disagree. Elvis for one, would be very surprised on that take on the development of popular music before and during the genesis of the Beatles. The Beatles , like every other artist, before during and since, adopted and adapted from other people, in their case, admittedly,adding more than the usual amount of originality.

Where did the balance of power shift to- pray tell

Elvis was a rock n roll singer and the Beatles were fans but there music was entirely different - You only have to listen to other bands at the same time as the Beatles to hear the influence. Ozzie Osbourne took up the guitar because of the Beatles and so did countless others. As you say , they added more than the usual amount of originality. Before the Beatles the music scene was pretty dull - Cliff Richard, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury and Adam Faith, all wannabe Elvises.
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