40 years ago today, some crazed "fan" murdered one of the greatest writers in rock history. RIP John Lennon

[shockedcanadian]

I always respected his solo writing and lyrics. Possibly the best post band work of any solo artist in history, which suggests to me at least, that he carried Paul more than vice versa.

Yes, I hear some of the calls of him supporting communism, and there is a possibilities he was a naive, Useful Idiot being used by foreign powers in one form or another. Needless to say, his talent can't be debated, and his heart was most certainly in the right place.

Murder of John Lennon - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[miketx]

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” - J Lennon

 

[shockedcanadian]

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” - J Lennon

Was that from his last interview just a few hours before he was murdered?

I do recall hearing the interview years ago on the day he was murdered and I remember him suggesting that fans who grew up with his music who still follow him as he ages, and he talks to them very down to earth, "we survived to the 80s" and spoke about the aging and maturing as being alright, "how are you holding up", type of narrative. He was a part of their youth and they are still together as he pursues his solo career and he was thanking them I suppose. Then he is murdered.

He trusted the big city a little too much. It isn't like living in France where people just leave you alone. I didn't have to agree with all his politics, I don't do that with anyone. His music though, was at the pinnacle of creativity for his time and very direct to the listener.

 

[Gdjjr]

He refused to be subservient to the rulers- I wasn't a fan until I read about the masters fearing his power- the pen is mightier than the sword- he was murdered, and I'd bet the farm it was the US gov't behind it-

 

[Moonglow]

He refused to be subservient to the rulers- I wasn't a fan until I read about the masters fearing his power- the pen is mightier than the sword- he was murdered, and I'd bet the farm it was the US gov't behind it-

Nah, just Hillary..

 

[miketx]

"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans” - J Lennon

Was that from his last interview just a few hours before he was murdered?

I do recall hearing the interview years ago on the day he was murdered and I remember him suggesting that fans who grew up with his music who still follow him as he ages, and he talks to them very down to earth, "we survived to the 80s" and spoke about the aging and maturing as being alright, "how are you holding up", type of narrative. He was a part of their youth and they are still together as he pursues his solo career and he was thanking them I suppose. Then he is murdered.

He trusted the big city a little too much. It isn't like living in France where people just leave you alone. I didn't have to agree with all his politics, I don't do that with anyone. His music though, was at the pinnacle of creativity for his time and very direct to the listener.

It's a passage from a song he wrote. Beautiful boy I think it was.

This guy supposedly said it first.

Allen Saunders - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

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[Anathema]

There’s no better Communist than a dead Communist. “Imagine” earned him a bullet if nothing else.

 

[Gdjjr]

There’s no better Communist than a dead Communist.

That's true- but, murder is murder, no matter what the political leanings are- IF the US was truly about not being communist would it kill those who were "free" to prove its point about how great the US is?

 

[Canon Shooter]

He trusted the big city a little too much. It isn't like living in France where people just leave you alone.

The "big city" had nothing to do with it. It's not like his being shot was some random crime of chance. He spent months planning his crime. He traveled to New York to kill Lennon. He didn't live there...

 

[shockedcanadian]

He trusted the big city a little too much. It isn't like living in France where people just leave you alone.

The "big city" had nothing to do with it. It's not like his being shot was some random crime of chance. He spent months planning his crime. He traveled to New York to kill Lennon. He didn't live there...

Regardless. He might have been safer in a nice secluded community outside the city. He was known to stroll the streets at night, jump into cabs etc. He wanted to be the average guy, the Everyday Man and I respect him for it. Obviously, when you are that big of a star you're going to attract crazies. How many stars today face threats and have stalkers.

 

[Canon Shooter]

Regardless.

No, not regardless.

The statement was that he was killed because he trusted the big city too much.

The fat is that New Yorkers loved John Lennon. By and large, the public respected his privacy. Sure, there were always fans hanging around the Dakota, but those weren't New Yorkers. Those folks were tourists (and one assassin) who would hang out waiting to see him.

New Yorkers knew where to find him, but left him alone...

 

[DrLove]

I caught this on the news this morning and it made me feel really old. Anyone over the age of 55 remembers exactly where they were when the news hit. I was driving home after a round of golf in SoCal and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had to pull over.

John would be 80 years old if alive today. We missed out on 40 years of genius. It would have been fascinating to see what he'd have created and accomplished over that span of time. He was a great writer and illustrator as well. And always the brilliantly dry wit. I'll never stop missing the man.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Regardless.

No, not regardless.

The statement was that he was killed because he trusted the big city too much.

The fat is that New Yorkers loved John Lennon. By and large, the public respected his privacy. Sure, there were always fans hanging around the Dakota, but those weren't New Yorkers. Those folks were tourists (and one assassin) who would hang out waiting to see him.

New Yorkers knew where to find him, but left him alone...

Sure, 99.9% of people love their celebrities. If Madonna, Michael Jackson or other global, high profile stars are walking the streets among millions of people, the risks are going to be higher. Just statistically. It's not as if the Beatles themselves didn't understand this, certainly John must have.

It could have been L.A, Chicago or even Tokyo. When you are among so many people and not in a secluded safe place, the risks are higher because unlike you or I, they have fans, they are on magazine covers, on TV, playing their voices in their homes. It's why the super wealthy live in secluded estates, often with large fences, walls and security. It has to be even more dangerous for those in the arts, unlike some wealthy businessman in his tight circle of influencers who only the largest shareholders follow.

 

[Moonglow]

I was in college doing homework with my future first wife when I heard the news...Sad day, eh....

 

[Anathema]

That's true- but, murder is murder, no matter what the political leanings are- IF the US was truly about not being communist would it kill those who were "free" to prove its point about how great the US is?

I don’t believe he (or any other Socialist/Communist) should have been allowed into the country to begin with. I’m not a huge proponent of “Freedom”. Especially not the Freedom to endorse or support immoral and improper ideals like Socialism and Communism.

 

[shockedcanadian]

Regardless.

No, not regardless.

The statement was that he was killed because he trusted the big city too much.

The fat is that New Yorkers loved John Lennon. By and large, the public respected his privacy. Sure, there were always fans hanging around the Dakota, but those weren't New Yorkers. Those folks were tourists (and one assassin) who would hang out waiting to see him.

New Yorkers knew where to find him, but left him alone...

I've also heard that he had a list of other celebrities he was considering killing, Paul McCartney, Johnny Carson and many others apparently. He stated the only reason it was Lennon was out of convenience and he actually had met Lennon and obtained his autograph on an album just hours earlier. Confirming the access he had.

 

[Canon Shooter]

Regardless.

No, not regardless.

The statement was that he was killed because he trusted the big city too much.

The fat is that New Yorkers loved John Lennon. By and large, the public respected his privacy. Sure, there were always fans hanging around the Dakota, but those weren't New Yorkers. Those folks were tourists (and one assassin) who would hang out waiting to see him.

New Yorkers knew where to find him, but left him alone...

I've also heard that he had a list of other celebrities he was considering killing, Paul McCartney, Johnny Carson and many others apparently. He stated the only reason it was Lennon was out of convenience and he actually had met Lennon and obtained his autograph on an album just hours earlier. Confirming the access he had.

I know he said it was out of convenience, but I have my doubts that it's true.

Chapman was a pretty religious guy, and he took great exception to Lennon's whole "We're more popular than Jesus" thing with regards to The Beatles. Chapman was also angered by Lennon saying he didn't believe in God, that he only believed in himself and Yoko.

Make no mistake, Lennon's assassination was planned.

Chapman actually pinned James Taylor (yes, that James Taylor) to a subway wall the day before and went off on some rant about meeting John Lennon. Taylor says he was pretty shaken up by the encounter...

 

[basquebromance]

"It's weird not to be weird." - John Lennon

 

[Canon Shooter]

Me and my buddy Mark were at my brother's house getting high, listening to WBAB 102.3 on Long Island. Bob Buchmann was on the air and, I remember when he announced that "a man, tentatively identified as former Beatle John Lennon, has been shot outside The Dakota luxury apartment building in New York City."

I was only 18 at the time, and remember thinking how old Lennon was: 40. Man, that was so fucking old...

 

[Natural Citizen]

Never could stand The Beatles. In fact, I never could stand that whole sound. Derned hippies.

I like Motley Crue's cover of Helter Skelter, though. That's about it.