25 Years and a long time gone … RIP John Lennon
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Posted on Dec 08, 2005 03:50 am
cocofromscotland
Hello!
Member Since: Jan 12, 2004
Well folks, its been 25 years to the day since John Lennon was murdered in New York City as he walked back from a studio session recording what was to be his final album, “Double Fantasy”.
Ye know, I often wonder what he’d be doing in todays world…I’d wager he’d certainly be involved in the auld Peace work and probably strongly protesting against all the wars, racial hatred, religious intolerance and all the other **** that plagues the planet we all live on.
I reckon, without a shadow of a doubt, the murder of the great man is one of the darkest days in music’s history and the reason behind it still alludes me. Conspiracy theories about FBI/CIA/replace with other organisations he pissed off are rife. There may be some truth – there may not – fact is…the world is a sadder place without John Lennon...
Anyways, here are some good quotes from the great man’s songs and words:
“Nobody loves you when you’re down and out … everybody loves you when you’re six foot in the ground” – never a truer word said.
“I seen the one eyed witch doctor leading the blind” – read into that what you will…makes perfect sense on many levels.
“When they've tortured and scared you for twenty-odd years, Then they expect you to pick a career, When you can't really function you're so full of fear” – the whole song is great but this is a good line…and still holds true today, like most of John’s lyrics/words/sayings.
“We insult her every day on TV, And wonder why she has no guts or confidence, When she's young we kill her will to be free, While telling her not to be so smart we put her down for being so dumb” – says it all really…and again, still holds true to an extent today…
“I've had enough of reading things by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians…All I want is the truth, just gimme some truth” – I honestly cannot EVER see this one being outdated and rendered any less poignant. He even invented a word in this song with “hypocritics” – a fantastic wee word.
“You wanna’ save the human race but it’s people that you just cant stand” – well, I see plenty logic in that, indeed, have had thought over many times myself!!
I could quote and ramble all day – I wont. Today, I light a candle and remember the life of John Lennon…indeed, long gone from this mortal coil but never forgotten.
RIP John Winston Lennon.
Sidenote: I am currently working on a new song with Guitar Jim based around John Lennon. I had hoped to have finished for today but unfortunately, won’t. Still, I hope to have it done fairly soon but in the meantime, here is a link to last year’s HRC Christmas collab:
www.breverwebdesign.com/HRC/happyxmas.mp3
Guitar Jim – Rhythm Guitars, Vocals
OldDog – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Coolo – Violins, Vocals
Flame – Vocals
Myself – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Indeed, this took me a fair while to mix last year with a staggering 15 or 16 tracks I believe but I think, its fitting to re-release it now to you all…enjoy this version of “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and seasons greetings one and all.
Cheers…
Coco.
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Dec 08, 2005 08:22 am For UK viewers...
Tonight, Channel 4 - 10.00pm - "I Killed John Lennon" - a programme featuring interviews with the scumbag that killed John..."unrepentant" apparently...leave him to rot is my view on the matter.
Anyways...just for the UK dudes who are interested.
Cheers
Coco.
Dec 08, 2005 08:35 am Quote:
leave him to rot is my view on the matter
As long as you feel that way because he killed a person and is completely unrepentent, yes, I agree, if you feel that way only because he killed John Lennon, well, then thats a different matter.
All the conspiracy theories and crap around Lennon's death are soooo stupid. He was a musician and a peace activist, nothing more, certainly nothing for the CIA/FBI/etc too be so concerned with as to put him on ice.
I have never been much of a Lennon fan, I thought he went incredibly downhill after the Beatles, whereas I think Paul McCartney still made great music.
Not to dis your hero Coco, it's just my view on the subject. Very sad he was murdered and all that, but no more sad (to me) than when any person is murdered, it's all lame.
Dec 08, 2005 09:24 am It's been well-documented here on HRC that I am a bigger McCartney fan than a Lennon fan. Nevertheless, he certainly had some memorable musical moments in his post-Beatles career. I remember the first time I heard the first track from "Double Fantasy" which released just before he died. (What song was that again?) I thought to myself, "Ahh...John's back!!" Then the SOB shot him.
I remember the night very well. Freshman in college. Watching Monday Night Football when I heard the news. It affected me deeply at the time...still bums out when I think about it. One of those terrible events that changed the way I look at the world.
RIP John
PS Coco...I noticed you left out the "Ono" from his middle name...
Dec 08, 2005 10:48 am dB, aye, a bit of both really but I reckon ANYONE that kills anyone and is unrepentant, should in fact just be left to rot. Or better still, just given the auld electric chair or equivelant...in the end, an eye for an eye and all that. I also would take it a step further and for certain crimes, where it has been proved beyond all resoanble doubt i.e. with a rock solid evidence and perhaps, an admissable confession, that such people also be given the death penalty. I refer to people like murderers, child abusers and such low life...
Anyway, I move off track. Aye, it is indeed a sad thing to happen and, what really pisses me off is, I wonder what he would have done next! As Jim says, Double Fantasy released, a move towards himself again (I believe he was thinking more for himself, considering a possible move back to the UK (at least on a part-time basis) and spending time with his side of the family etc...indicating less of a dependency on Yoko (which too me was overly unhealthy and more of a mother role to replace his dead one, which in itself, cant be overly healthy but thats another matter)...indeed, he was coming back to "John" by all accounts...then, wham. ENDOF.
Anyways, a legacy of fine music to my mind, a peace activist and indeed, a man who questioned what he didnt agree with and to an extent, done what he seen fit to do to change it. A guy who didnt sit on his *** and moan but indeed, took the bull by the horns and made an attempt, to do something about some issues he had.
Aye...a shame it was. Not perfect by any means was John Lennon, plenty faults and indeed, done many wrong things like most of us, but, was generally man enough to admit his mistakes and oftentimes, commented them in a song. Jealous Guy is a good example of that.
Jim, ye know, I am a little too young to remember the day itself but alas, having read all the biographies, watched all the TV programs etc and documentaries and absorbed all "Lennon" info I can, I can see how that would affect ye, as indeed, all other assassinatons would to certain people...a bloody travesty in fact to have such a talent, blown away.
Anyways, onwards and upwards...today, I listen to the "Wonsaponatime" album .. some of the finest Lennon tracks there are, in raw format, and enjoy...
Take it easy guys.
Coco.
P.S. Jim, an oversight missing the "Ono" part by me ;-) ! Or, should it be "Oh No!" hehehehe...
Dec 08, 2005 10:52 am Oh aye..dB - I dont disagree with the conspiracy theories being BS...I suggest Chapman was extremely mixed up and still remains mixed up. A dangerous individual if we believe his need for attention. Then again, other stories suggest he took the whole "Beatles bigger than Jesus" comment in the wrong way and felt Lennon should pay for the comment...
I shall watch the programme tonight, with some anticipation. I am keen to hear what this person has to say on why he killed John Lennon...
Anyways, if anybody is passing Central Park and has a camera to take a snap of the Imagine memorial etc, I'd be eternally grateful of the snap!
Cheers guys and all the best.
Coco.
Dec 08, 2005 02:08 pm Aye, I'd seen those files previously - interesting reading.
It's funny how the minor drug conviction was the main thing that kept Lennon out the US for so long...when in fact, the conviction was for some marijuana that was left in the flat he was renting from Jimi Hendrix, and wasn't even his!!
Crazy huh...that was the main reason he didnt get his green card for 5 years...that and his opposition to war and nixon (which is where the conspiracy theories come from I guess).
There are also other rumours and stories about how Elvis wanted the Beatles and Lennon afterwards, out the US for whatever reason...dunno aboot that or the conspiricy theories.
All I know is, there was NO need for Lennon to be killed and I sure as hell missed the chance to see the man live, which, along with seeing the Beatles live is the ONLY live acts I have never, and will never see that I wanted too...all the others I have seen (I've been to hundreds of gigs over the years and see all the best) with the Stones the only other "big" band I havent yet seen (but I will).
Coco.
olddogMember
Since: Jul 02, 2003
Dec 08, 2005 03:35 pm Very sad day indeed, Lennon was my favorite Beatle, such as senseless waste, I remember that night well.
Dec 08, 2005 06:10 pm OK, so having watched this programme, I have the following conclusions:
Chapman was, is, and always will be based on the condition he has and his intrinsic, narsacsitic personality, a danger to all.
Chapman is still unrepentant.
Chapman, should remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
His condition is not diagnosed to any specific physcological disorder (after 25 years) and is therefore uncurable and therefore, regardless of WHO he murdered, must remain in jail til the day he dies.
If he cannot be cured, he cannot be stopped from doing such a thing again..his lack of self esteem and need for notoriety and fame, has lead him to kill John Lennon in the vein of Haulden Caulfied from the Catcher in the Rye...this is one book that caught his attention and frame of mind...never, never, should hte guy be let loose on society again.
Pisses me off even more that NOBODY ever picked up on the guy and what he was/become in the run up to the murder of John...
And now, its too late.
WASTE...total waste.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Dec 08, 2005 07:20 pm RIP John.
You know, every foreign born resident in the USA has an FBI file. All part of the immigration laws. If you are a prominant figure, and/or an activist, your file is a little thicker than average. I believe there were files on John Lennon, but I doubt that they were anything much more than the basic "keep an eye on this bloke" kidney.
I think that he would have been making some amazing music had he been alive today. I doubt that he'd be pushing pop-for-the-masses type garbage on us.
My favourite song EVER is Eleanor Rigby. The harmony on there - "Ah, look at all the lonely people..." still gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
He was an artist, a great musician, and a generally decent person. We need more like him in the world.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 08, 2005 09:38 pm December 8th 1980. I was playing the night it happened. I remember the look on the audiance faces when they announced it. We played a beefed up version of Revoltion for an encore and left the stage to absolute silence.
Not that I was a huge Lennon fan, more a Lennon/McCartney fan then anything. But I will remember that night for a long time.
TallChap, if EleanorRigby is your favorite tune I have something I think you will enjoy. I cant post it out here as it was done for commercial purposes, but I will post it in the Pro section for those who wish to hear it. It's a very differant take on that tune, but was a lot of fun doing it.
RIP John.
bangbangmofoThecalmlittlecenteroftheuniverseMember
Since: Dec 04, 2005
Dec 08, 2005 09:54 pm I wish I could relate to these stories.
I mean
I was born 8 years after that.
My mom always liked lennon more then mccartney.
She did the whole putting the headphones to the tummy bit. As a result I try to sing way out of my range.
I have a wall of beatles. i guess thats weird for a boy my age.
I dont know. Maybe its just stupid and maybe im too young and still see the romance in the dying for a cause versus living for one but it seems that his death almost gives everything he did a sort of urgency.
Know what I mean?
Like its suddenly more important because you have to make your own conclusions. Burn out, fade away, or evaporate.
I don't know what I'm talking about.
When I invent the time machine I'm going to hang out with him for five minutes.
p.s.-Eleanor Rigby is one of my favs too. Consequently, one of my favorite bands (thrice) became one of my favorite bands when i heard the extremely chunky cover of aforementioned song.
DanMember
Since: Nov 21, 2002
Dec 10, 2005 11:11 pm I was at the Memorial for John on thursday at strawberry fields in central park to pay my respect (just a couple of feet from the dakota where he lived / was shot for those who dont know), many sing-alongs and such, was a good time, there were people from all of the world there for it, and it was just a really nice time hanging out... then yoko ono showed up... (not a fan of her, when she showed up, a lovely circus of camera men and press totally shoved EVERYONE aside to get footage of her...)
as for my favourite Beatles... i'm a huge fan of John and George, never cared for paul (great musician, but never dug his post-beatles career).
RIP John.
Dec 11, 2005 07:49 am Quote:
Chapman, should remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
B.S. If someone is to remain behind bars until death, bring the death swiftly. I am sick of spending my tax dollars to keep worthless people alive. Give him the juice...WTF is the point of keeping him alive, just so he can do more TV shows and bring more money to some damn station...give me a break.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Dec 11, 2005 12:44 pm Yep, in case anybody is wondering. I am in support of the death penalty as well. If you take a small look at the friggin tax dollar's spent on keeping these piece's of crap alive you would definately dump in your trouser's, parden the phrase.
Dec 11, 2005 03:17 pm dB, I agree - however, I believe he cant/wont get the treatment (i.e. kill him) but I reckon ANYONE that kills anyone and is unrepentant, should in fact just be given the auld electric chair or equivelant...in the end, an eye for an eye and all that. I also would take it a step further and for certain crimes, where it has been proved beyond all resoanble doubt i.e. with a rock solid evidence and perhaps, an admissable confession, that such people also be given the death penalty. I refer to people like murderers, child abusers and such low life...
