John Lennon left a momentous legacy that few of us dare to dream of doing ourselves. John starts his legacy with being a part of the biggest and arguably, most influential band of all time, the Beatles. Where his talent and ingenuity for song writing created some of the biggest pop hits of modern culture. The world didn't really get to know John until his solo career though. A stage in his life where his song writing became an unflinching self reflection of his faults, life, and beliefs. Titles like "Mother" tell us so much about his childhood in Liver Pool that we barely have to look up any facts. God clearly declares all of Johns core beliefs, giving us the only window we need into his position on matters. With "Working Class hero" he sings clearly in defiance of the new age profit title so many fans have given him. Working Class hero also doubles as a subtle cry for anyone born and raised in middle class society.
Sean Lennon recently said,
"On my dad I must admit I've always been slightly jealous of the world for having had more time with my father than I did.....My only chance of having a relationship with my father was in becoming a musician. I remember the first time I picked out a tune on the piano. It was either "imagine or Yellow submarine". I was six years old and for the first time since his passing it was as if he were there with me again....Everyone spoke as if they knew him, and the fact is they did. My father had touched the lives of an entire planet, had shaped the world around me, and had entered into the deepest most private parts of the human psyche. He didn't belong to me, he never did, he belonged to everyone."
John wasn't just an artist, and he wasn't a politician. But an activist none the less. Lennon redefined the ideals of peace. John and Yoko (as the two are inseparable even to this day) were the voice for their generation. Leading out crys against Nixon and the Vietnam war with controversial peace demonstrations such as "John and Yoko's bed in for Peace" or the genius "Bagism" approach.The Lennon's even rented out bill boards across the world and sent out fliers with the message "WAR IS OVER. if you want it". Some right next to army recruiting offices. The couple knew because of their combined fame they were in the spot light and made sure that spot light was used as a pedestal to shape the world. John's beliefs about peace didn't end in the 60's 70's or even the 80's after his passing. No they are still ever present today even in the 21st century. When the ball in time square dropped for 2010, one tune was playing leading up to it "Imagine"Imagine. John and Yoko's simple statement, that may also be the most powerful deceleration to another human being that can be made. The idea to be open minded and imagine peace, to think peace , act peace and peace will spread is a phenomenal one. Certainly it is taken from Martin Luther King and the likes of Gandhi, but before John how many had put it in that simple word? The song "Imagine" is probably Johns complete legacy in one song. It was John's wishes and dreams for the world, it was his deceleration and ideal, his instruction to humanity. To imagine peace, to imagine for an instant what life would be like with out all these things that cause war. If one truly listens ,stops and ask themselves to imagine the evidence is clear how superficial and unnecessary our core logic for war is. That without a few certain misconceptions and unnecessary ideals war would indeed be over. And its with that statement and word that war no longer makes sense for any reason anywhere.
So I celebrate October 9th. John Lennon himself feels like a friend. I honestly have never felt a connection to any celebrity but I feel one towards John like I would a dear friend I've known for years. And that's just it. We do know John. Listen to his music! He's all there! I feel a connection with him as well because of how he would sing of his own faults. Titles such as "Jealous guy" or yes "Imagine", come unnervingly close to my own feelings, faults and beliefs. Lennon was born on October 9th I on October 3rd. Peace is a quality of the Libra sign so maybe our connection has more to do with the stars than I know. Make no mistake I know John was no saint, he had problems like we all do and I do disagree with him from time to time. His words are not holy in any sense. Hes not my idol I wish to aspire to be just like. But John Lennon is someone who I have great admiration for. Because of all he did in regards to peace, because of how he helped impact the world in such a positive, loving way , John Lennon is my hero. So I consider John a friend, he helps cool my head with his music, express myself, and put my own individual ideals into words such as "Imagine".He inspires me with his art like as if an adrenalin shot to my beliefs. So...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN LENNON!....it's been a pleasure getting to know you.
"I believe strongly that John wanted his voice to come out for the people and for the world at this moment. We are feeling the depletion of energy on many levels. Depletion starts in our minds, our spirit and our soul. So wake yourself up, my friends. Listen. Enjoy. Dance with it in your heart. Keep John close to you. He loves you." -Yoko Ono Lennon. (August 9th,2010)
