TIGERX.COM Memorials: Fond Farewells to John Lennon

Fond Farewell

John Lennon

October 9, 1940 - - - December 8, 1980

Born in Liverpool, London, John Lennon was best known for his music and protests for peace, but ironically died by asssasination of an insane lone gunman in front of his home, The Dakota, in Manhattan's Central Park West. There was no real motive for the shooting and Lennons last words were simply "I've been shot". Most would blame the violent New York City atmosphere, but Lennon's killer, Mark David Chapman, was from Hawaii. Another irony is that John Lennon loved New York so much he gave thousands of dollars to the NYPD for bullet proof vests, one that could have saved his own life. Lennon did not always have this love for the United States, he once was deported for protesting against its government.
His earliest days were spent playing with his band The Quarrymen in London nightclubs. He met Paul McCartney and they began to write music together, John writing the music, Paul the lyrics, and they would always put the music on one of the stereo tracks, and the lyrics on the other. The Silver Beatles formed, and they dropped drummer Pete Best from the group to pick up Richard Starkey, better known as Ringo Starr. They played many places, including the most famous, the Cavern. Their American appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show accelerated their popularity even more and lead to sold out world tours of major stadiums. This trend only died when John Lennon stated "We are more popular than Jesus Christ now". Though just a statement regarding their popularity, not a judgement of who was better, Christ or the Beatles, Lennon was blasted for it in the press. He offered and apology and a explanation for the comment he knew was wrong, but many Christian groups banned their records and banned the Beatles.
The Beatles parted in 1970, and it is no mystery that there was a feud between Lennon and McCartney. Lennon went on, as they all did, to a successful solo career, but took a break to raise his son by second wife, artisit Yoko Ono, Sean. in 1981 he came out of retirement to record his last album, Double Fantasy. Shortly after, he died from several gunshot wounds. There is a place in Central Park called "Strawberry Fields Forever" in memory of John Lennon and was sanctioned by the city's mayor. Today his son from his first marriage, Julian also records music, and Sean also has a solo album.
Many of Lennon's friends recorded songs in his memory: Elton John recorded Hey Hey Johnny (Empty Garden); Paul McCartney recorded Here Today; and George Harrison, All Those Years Ago.

The Beatles in the early years: George Harrison was always known as the spiritual one;
John Lennon the smart one; Ringo the funny one; and Paul McCartney, the cute one.

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