Our Newest Op Ed

Keeping John Lennon in perspective
– By Michael M. Bates

It has already started. With the 25th anniversary of John Lennon’s death approaching, the adoration of the rocker has begun anew.

I was a Beatles fan like just about everyone else. Bought all their albums and have many of their tunes on CD today. I preferred their earlier stuff and didn’t think Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, while an innovative concept album, was as good as what they’d been doing.

The release of the White Album, which included barkers like “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey, “Savoy Truffle” and “Revolution 9,” made it evident the magic was fading.

I thought it was interesting that John, who was often viewed as the “smart Beatle” and the musical driving force behind the group, had a rather mediocre solo career. Maybe it was changes in his personal life or drugs or boredom or something, but the quality of most of John’s work after the Beatles’ breakup was unexceptional.

Lennon became active in the antiwar movement. His liberal views conferred on him an intellectual patina as well as a widespread sense that he spoke for most, if not all, young people. ………………..
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