rock legends: john lennon rock genius or devil’s disciple?
TRANSCRIPT
Rock Legends: John LennonRock Legends: John LennonRock Genius or Devil’s Disciple? Rock Genius or Devil’s Disciple?
John Lennon 1940-1980John Lennon 1940-1980
Questions to consider tonight
Questions to consider tonight
Does John Lennon merit either title?
Why still the interest – on both sides – 27 years after his death?
What exactly did John Lennon mean to the world – what legacy did he leave behind?
Does John Lennon merit either title?
Why still the interest – on both sides – 27 years after his death?
What exactly did John Lennon mean to the world – what legacy did he leave behind?
First: Who were we? First: Who were we?
Who were we in 1963?RadioTVHomeAbroad
Who were we in 1963?RadioTVHomeAbroad
RadioRadio
AM – very few FM stations.Top forty format – but ‘we’ baby
boomers didn’t define top 40 – yet!
Only the major cities featured radio stations that were ‘all’ rock!
Still news every hourAlso, it got very quiet after
midnight! (Most radio stations signed off at midnight.)
AM – very few FM stations.Top forty format – but ‘we’ baby
boomers didn’t define top 40 – yet!
Only the major cities featured radio stations that were ‘all’ rock!
Still news every hourAlso, it got very quiet after
midnight! (Most radio stations signed off at midnight.)
TVTV
Three networks – NO cable!Network News just expanded to 30
minTV recognized the Boomers – with
cartoons and kids shows. Shows aimed at teenagers had not
yet occurred, except for American Bandstand. (But that would change very soon, in large part because of the Beatles.)
Three networks – NO cable!Network News just expanded to 30
minTV recognized the Boomers – with
cartoons and kids shows. Shows aimed at teenagers had not
yet occurred, except for American Bandstand. (But that would change very soon, in large part because of the Beatles.)
CarsCars
Chevrolet Impala In 1963, sold forunder $2900!
But credit wasn’t easy – and who bought new???
Chevrolet Impala In 1963, sold forunder $2900!
But credit wasn’t easy – and who bought new???
PS: Don’t look for air conditioning, FM radio, or power windows or power locks! (Some did have power steering!)
PS: Don’t look for air conditioning, FM radio, or power windows or power locks! (Some did have power steering!)
HomeHome
TV taking hold – but only 1 per house!
Automatic “washers”Refrigerators (not “ice boxes”)Air Conditioning not yet
standard at home
TV taking hold – but only 1 per house!
Automatic “washers”Refrigerators (not “ice boxes”)Air Conditioning not yet
standard at home
Home, part IIHome, part II
Where was home? America was moving to the
suburbs (or around here, off the farm!)
(Ozzie & Harriet clip)
Where was home? America was moving to the
suburbs (or around here, off the farm!)
(Ozzie & Harriet clip)
On the TV - NewsOn the TV - News
Space Race! Glenn Orbits!Fallout Fears!Berlin Wall – 1962
(newsreel clip)
Space Race! Glenn Orbits!Fallout Fears!Berlin Wall – 1962
(newsreel clip)
On the TV - NewsOn the TV - News
‘Black unrest’ – Freedom Riders Attacked James Meredith at ‘Ole Miss’
(video clip)
‘Black unrest’ – Freedom Riders Attacked James Meredith at ‘Ole Miss’
(video clip)
On the TV - NewsOn the TV - News
Cuban Missile Crisis – 1962(newsreel clip)Viet-Where?(news clip)
On the TV - NewsOn the TV - News
JFK assassinationJFK assassination
We lost a vital and exciting We lost a vital and exciting young President – but for young President – but for millions of Americans, it millions of Americans, it was really the day we lost was really the day we lost our innocence.our innocence.
JFK assassinationJFK assassination
We lost a vital and exciting We lost a vital and exciting young President – but for young President – but for millions of Americans, it millions of Americans, it was really the day we lost was really the day we lost our innocence.our innocence.
On the TV - EntertainmentOn the TV - Entertainment
Westerns are still riding high this
year:
Rawhide (1959-66)Wagon Train (1957-65)The Virginian (1962-71)
Bonanza (1959-73) Gunsmoke (1955-75)
Westerns are still riding high this
year:
Rawhide (1959-66)Wagon Train (1957-65)The Virginian (1962-71)
Bonanza (1959-73) Gunsmoke (1955-75)
On the TV - EntertainmentOn the TV - Entertainment
But there is a new wave on the
way:
The Fugitive starts his 4 year ‘run.’
Combat! starts second year.
Route 66 heading for the last lap.
But there is a new wave on the
way:
The Fugitive starts his 4 year ‘run.’
Combat! starts second year.
Route 66 heading for the last lap.
Home, Part IIHome, Part II
Average income: $6,200 B&W TV: $399Color TV: $500 and up
Average income: $6,200 B&W TV: $399Color TV: $500 and up
Home, Part IIHome, Part II
4 track Reel to Reel recorder: $249.95
4 track Reel to Reel recorder: $249.95
Clock Radio (!): Clock Radio (!): $49.95$49.95Clock Radio (!): Clock Radio (!): $49.95$49.95
Home, Part IIIHome, Part III
And truly high-tech:And truly high-tech:
The Transistor Radio!The Transistor Radio!The Transistor Radio!The Transistor Radio!
$19.95 $19.95 in 1963.in 1963.$19.95 $19.95 in 1963.in 1963.
On the Radio – Top 25On the Radio – Top 25
1. Surfin' U.S.A., Beach Boys2. Sugar Shack, Jimmy Gilmer and
The Fireballs3. The End Of The World, Skeeter
Davis4. Rhythm Of The Rain, Cascades5. Hey Paula, Paul and Paula6. Blue Velvet, Bobby Vinton7. He's So Fine, Chiffons8. Fingertips II, Little Stevie Wonder
1. Surfin' U.S.A., Beach Boys2. Sugar Shack, Jimmy Gilmer and
The Fireballs3. The End Of The World, Skeeter
Davis4. Rhythm Of The Rain, Cascades5. Hey Paula, Paul and Paula6. Blue Velvet, Bobby Vinton7. He's So Fine, Chiffons8. Fingertips II, Little Stevie Wonder
On the TV – News Part IIOn the TV – News Part II
March on Washington 1
March on Washington 2
Eyes on the Prize
Important Dates Important Dates
Lennon born October 9, 1940Meets Harrison, McCartney – late
1950’s Jan 1, 1962 – Decca AuditionApril 10, 1962 – Stu Sutcliffe dies
Lennon born October 9, 1940Meets Harrison, McCartney – late
1950’s Jan 1, 1962 – Decca AuditionApril 10, 1962 – Stu Sutcliffe dies
1962 1962
August – Pete Best out – enter Ringo
August 23, 1962 – John marries Cynthia Powell
September – George Martin signs the Beatles to EMI
October 5, 1962 – single “Love Me Do”
Released
August – Pete Best out – enter Ringo
August 23, 1962 – John marries Cynthia Powell
September – George Martin signs the Beatles to EMI
October 5, 1962 – single “Love Me Do”
Released
19631963
February 16 – “Love Me Do” tops Brit Pop charts
April - Release first album “Please Please Me”
February 16 – “Love Me Do” tops Brit Pop charts
April - Release first album “Please Please Me” (British Clip)
19641964
February 7 – The Beatles land at Kennedy Airport and retake the colonies!
February 7 – The Beatles land at Kennedy Airport and retake the colonies!
(Sullivan Clip)
19641964
March 31 – US Top 101) Can’t Buy Me Love2) Twist and Shout3) She Loves You4) I Want to Hold Your
Hand5) Please Please Me
March 31 – US Top 101) Can’t Buy Me Love2) Twist and Shout3) She Loves You4) I Want to Hold Your
Hand5) Please Please Me Plus numbers 16,
44, 49, 69, 78, 84 and 88 in the top 100!
Plus numbers 16, 44, 49, 69, 78, 84 and 88 in the top 100!
DatesDates
Hard Days Night – 1964
June 12, 1965 - “Being awarded the MBE – I can’t believe it! I thought you had to drive tanks and win wars!”
Hard Days Night – 1964
June 12, 1965 - “Being awarded the MBE – I can’t believe it! I thought you had to drive tanks and win wars!”
19651965
A Spaniard in the Works available at all fine book stores!
August 15, 1965: Beatles at Shea Stadium
December – last tour of England
A Spaniard in the Works available at all fine book stores!
August 15, 1965: Beatles at Shea Stadium
December – last tour of England
19661966
August: Beatles last tour of US
“The Beatles are bigger than Jesus Christ” ignites controversy - and hundreds of albums go up in flames.
August: Beatles last tour of US
“The Beatles are bigger than Jesus Christ” ignites controversy - and hundreds of albums go up in flames.
19671967
The Beatles go Mystical – George meets the Maharishi for the first time in February.
The Beatles go Mystical – George meets the Maharishi for the first time in February.
19671967
February -Without tours, Penny Lane b/w Strawberry Fields does NOT reach number 1!
June 1 - “Sgt. Pepper” debuts
February -Without tours, Penny Lane b/w Strawberry Fields does NOT reach number 1!
June 1 - “Sgt. Pepper” debuts
“All You Need is Love” puts them back at number 1 in June. (clip)
“All You Need is Love” puts them back at number 1 in June. (clip)
19681968
April - Travel to India bombs
August 30 – “Hey Jude”
hammers the charts.
November – 1st non-group effort – George’s Wonderwall.
April - Travel to India bombs
August 30 – “Hey Jude”
hammers the charts.
November – 1st non-group effort – George’s Wonderwall.
19681968
April – Apple launches
August – Paul parts with Jane Asher
November, John divorces Cynthia
April – Apple launches
August – Paul parts with Jane Asher
November, John divorces Cynthia
19681968
November 29 -John releases
“Two Virgins” with he and Yoko in the buff on the cover!
November 29 -John releases
“Two Virgins” with he and Yoko in the buff on the cover!
19691969
January 30 – The Beatles perform in public one last time – on the roof of Apple Records!
John and Yoko release Unfinished Music
January 30 – The Beatles perform in public one last time – on the roof of Apple Records!
John and Yoko release Unfinished Music
(clip)
19691969
September – Abbey Road debuts
November - John and Yoko release the “Wedding Album”
September – Abbey Road debuts
November - John and Yoko release the “Wedding Album”
19701970
May 8, 1970 – “Let It Be”
Recorded before
“Abbey Road” it is the last released Beatles Album
May 8, 1970 – “Let It Be”
Recorded before
“Abbey Road” it is the last released Beatles Album
19701970
December 11, 1970 – “Plastic Ono Band”
December 11, 1970 – “Plastic Ono Band”
19711971
October 2, 1971 – “Imagine”
October 2, 1971 – “Imagine”
19711971
August - John and Yoko move to New York City.
Almost immediately John becomes the focus of an effort by the U.S. Government to deport him as an ‘undesirable alien.’
August - John and Yoko move to New York City.
Almost immediately John becomes the focus of an effort by the U.S. Government to deport him as an ‘undesirable alien.’
19721972
September 16, 1972 – “Sometime in New York City”
September 16, 1972 – “Sometime in New York City”
19731973
March – Lennon ordered to leave US.
John’s response?“Peace and love, John and
Yoko.”
March – Lennon ordered to leave US.
John’s response?“Peace and love, John and
Yoko.”
19731973
November 10, 1973 – “Mind Games”
(Fitting title - the US Gov. is playing the same mind games with Lennon as they did with MLK.)
November 10, 1973 – “Mind Games”
(Fitting title - the US Gov. is playing the same mind games with Lennon as they did with MLK.)
19741974
February - Press Reports John and Yoko have split. Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” stretches for 18 months.
July – Lennon ordered to leave US within 60 days or be deported.
February - Press Reports John and Yoko have split. Lennon’s “Lost Weekend” stretches for 18 months.
July – Lennon ordered to leave US within 60 days or be deported.
19741974
September – “Walls and Bridges”
This is Lennon’s last album of new material until Double Fantasy in 1980
September – “Walls and Bridges”
This is Lennon’s last album of new material until Double Fantasy in 1980
19741974
December – John, back in form, jams onstage with his friend Elton John at Madison Square Garden.
(John had agreed to do so if Elton’s version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds hit #1.)
December – John, back in form, jams onstage with his friend Elton John at Madison Square Garden.
(John had agreed to do so if Elton’s version of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds hit #1.)
19751975
February– “Rock ‘N’ Roll”
Almost didn’t happen – producer Phil Spector didn’t want to give John the tapes!
February– “Rock ‘N’ Roll”
Almost didn’t happen – producer Phil Spector didn’t want to give John the tapes!
19751975
October – “Shaved Fish”
- a one disk collection of most of John’s best solo work.
October – “Shaved Fish”
- a one disk collection of most of John’s best solo work.
19751975
Lennon prevails!Lennon prevails!
19751975
Lennon prevails – he can stay!
Memos uncovered using the Freedom of Information Act powers show Lennon was “being selectively prosecuted for political purposes by the Nixon administration.”
Lennon prevails – he can stay!
Memos uncovered using the Freedom of Information Act powers show Lennon was “being selectively prosecuted for political purposes by the Nixon administration.”
1976 - 19791976 - 1979
Out of Sight – literally.
Back with Yoko, Lennon focuses on raising Sean, born in 1975.
Out of Sight – literally.
Back with Yoko, Lennon focuses on raising Sean, born in 1975.
19801980
“Double Fantasy,” easily one of his best albums, is released Nov 17, 1980
“Double Fantasy,” easily one of his best albums, is released Nov 17, 1980
19801980
On December 8, 1980, returning home from mixing singles at the Record Plant studio, John Lennon is shot at 10:50 PM.
John Lennon is declared dead at 11:15 PM.
On December 8, 1980, returning home from mixing singles at the Record Plant studio, John Lennon is shot at 10:50 PM.
John Lennon is declared dead at 11:15 PM.
19801980
Questions to consider tonight
Questions to consider tonight
What exactly did John Lennon mean to the world? What legacy did he leave behind?
Had he lived, would he would be like Sir Mic, Sir Paul, or Sir Elton?
What exactly did John Lennon mean to the world? What legacy did he leave behind?
Had he lived, would he would be like Sir Mic, Sir Paul, or Sir Elton?