Hey John Lennon, my life wouldn't be the same without your music.
Thank you.
John Lennon 25 years
John Lennon's tragic murder was one of the indelible markers of my life. John F. Kennedy, Jr.; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; and Martin Luther King, Jr. were the three other, most prominent. I remember the time and place of my hearing of each of their deaths, and my cell memory still holds the same, exact, visceral feelings of shock, horror, and incredible, deep sadness. There have sadly been others since, including Princess Diana's death, the root cause, of her own, untimely death, still 'unknown,' for me.
At the time of his murder, I was filled with many angry, hurt, confused, helpless, outraged, and other feelings. I eventually came to terms with it, as best I could.
I am grateful to have seen John Lennon and Yoko Ono, within 25 feet of the stage, when they performed at a "Free John Sinclair" concert, that they [unannounced] attended, in support of the fundraising for his release. His 'crime' for imprisonment was Possession of Marijuana, a single joint. It was known by all, obviously including John and Yoko, that he constituted a political prisoner, as this was the Sixties, and he lived near Wayne University, in Detroit, where as a poet/writer, he participated in various protest- and anti-government activities. I don't think it's necessary to say how he felt, overall, about the government, the Viet Nam War, the CIA, etc.
I am grateful for all of John's; all of John and Yoko's; and all of Yoko and Sean's music. I also have, and have enjoyed, some of Yoko's, esoteric productions on albums.
I am grateful for John's conceptual basis for, the result showing in the writing and recording of, the songs "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance" ~ along with many others. He was the intellectual Beatle, and the one, for a variety of reasons, I gravitated to most. I loved and deeply respected how he, in the face of anything and everything, stood by his woman. His disappearance from their life was a matter between them. Their love was profound, genuine, lasting, and real. Yoko still stands as a testimony to that today. I wish you a white feather, Yoko. My heart is with you, as well as Sean.
I am grateful for the respectability he brought to the concept of stay-at-home fathering. The direct involvement with children, that a number of men have since followed, to the entire family's benefit.
It hurt at the time, and still does, to think of all that was lost in the world of music, when he was so horribly, senselessly murdered. He and Yoko were a seemingly unlikely pairing, that proved to be a strong, respectable combination. Contrary to some, I enjoyed the vulnerability, and the openness and solidarity with each other and the world, that they symbolized in the nude photo of them together.
I was glad to be able to attend an art showing of John's work in Jacksonville, sponsored by Yoko, though she was not in attendance. I purchased a black, baseball-style hat with his stylized, rainbow-coloured 'face' insignia.
As a matter of honour, respect, and remembrance, I felt compelled to go to the site of his death at The Dakota in New York City, when I attended the Leonard Cohen Event there, summer before last. Margaret accompanied me and I was doing fine emotionally, until the guard told me, after Margaret had taken a photo of me in front of the black, wrought-iron gate, that I had stood in the exact spot where he was slain. When he said that, tears filled my eyes, and that sealed-off, emotional part of me regarding his death, was immediately washed away, and I walked away crying. I cried softly, but they were the hot tears of pain, and as I'd try to talk with Margaret about the emotions I was feeling, they would just start coming, again. As we walked, I was finally able to explain.
I'm deeply sorry you're gone, John. You left so much behind ~ your family; the good that you gave to them, to music, and to the world; and all of your own, unrealized potential. Thank you for having done so much in the few years you were here.
Love,
Elizabeth/Lizzy
At the time of his murder, I was filled with many angry, hurt, confused, helpless, outraged, and other feelings. I eventually came to terms with it, as best I could.
I am grateful to have seen John Lennon and Yoko Ono, within 25 feet of the stage, when they performed at a "Free John Sinclair" concert, that they [unannounced] attended, in support of the fundraising for his release. His 'crime' for imprisonment was Possession of Marijuana, a single joint. It was known by all, obviously including John and Yoko, that he constituted a political prisoner, as this was the Sixties, and he lived near Wayne University, in Detroit, where as a poet/writer, he participated in various protest- and anti-government activities. I don't think it's necessary to say how he felt, overall, about the government, the Viet Nam War, the CIA, etc.
I am grateful for all of John's; all of John and Yoko's; and all of Yoko and Sean's music. I also have, and have enjoyed, some of Yoko's, esoteric productions on albums.
I am grateful for John's conceptual basis for, the result showing in the writing and recording of, the songs "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance" ~ along with many others. He was the intellectual Beatle, and the one, for a variety of reasons, I gravitated to most. I loved and deeply respected how he, in the face of anything and everything, stood by his woman. His disappearance from their life was a matter between them. Their love was profound, genuine, lasting, and real. Yoko still stands as a testimony to that today. I wish you a white feather, Yoko. My heart is with you, as well as Sean.
I am grateful for the respectability he brought to the concept of stay-at-home fathering. The direct involvement with children, that a number of men have since followed, to the entire family's benefit.
It hurt at the time, and still does, to think of all that was lost in the world of music, when he was so horribly, senselessly murdered. He and Yoko were a seemingly unlikely pairing, that proved to be a strong, respectable combination. Contrary to some, I enjoyed the vulnerability, and the openness and solidarity with each other and the world, that they symbolized in the nude photo of them together.
I was glad to be able to attend an art showing of John's work in Jacksonville, sponsored by Yoko, though she was not in attendance. I purchased a black, baseball-style hat with his stylized, rainbow-coloured 'face' insignia.
As a matter of honour, respect, and remembrance, I felt compelled to go to the site of his death at The Dakota in New York City, when I attended the Leonard Cohen Event there, summer before last. Margaret accompanied me and I was doing fine emotionally, until the guard told me, after Margaret had taken a photo of me in front of the black, wrought-iron gate, that I had stood in the exact spot where he was slain. When he said that, tears filled my eyes, and that sealed-off, emotional part of me regarding his death, was immediately washed away, and I walked away crying. I cried softly, but they were the hot tears of pain, and as I'd try to talk with Margaret about the emotions I was feeling, they would just start coming, again. As we walked, I was finally able to explain.
I'm deeply sorry you're gone, John. You left so much behind ~ your family; the good that you gave to them, to music, and to the world; and all of your own, unrealized potential. Thank you for having done so much in the few years you were here.
Love,
Elizabeth/Lizzy
Last edited by lizzytysh on Sat Dec 10, 2005 8:07 am, edited 2 times in total.
I want to remember you like this...
People say I’m crazy doing what I’m doing
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin
When I say that I’m o.k. well they look at me kind of strange
Surely you’re not happy now you no longer play the game
People say I’m lazy dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I’m doing fine watching shadows on the wall
Don’t you miss the big time boy you’re no longer on the ball
I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
Ah, people asking questions lost in confusion
Well I tell them there’s no problem, only solutions
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I’ve lost my mind
I tell them there’s no hurry
I’m just sitting here doing time
I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
People say I’m crazy doing what I’m doing
Well they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin
When I say that I’m o.k. well they look at me kind of strange
Surely you’re not happy now you no longer play the game
People say I’m lazy dreaming my life away
Well they give me all kinds of advice designed to enlighten me
When I tell them that I’m doing fine watching shadows on the wall
Don’t you miss the big time boy you’re no longer on the ball
I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
Ah, people asking questions lost in confusion
Well I tell them there’s no problem, only solutions
Well they shake their heads and they look at me as if I’ve lost my mind
I tell them there’s no hurry
I’m just sitting here doing time
I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round
I really love to watch them roll
No longer riding on the merry-go-round
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
I just had to let it go
Lizz
The number of your post on John was 9999. It could not have match John's own personal numerology any better. That is quite a synchronicity. There must be a connection between you two.
http://www.rareexception.com/Garden/Beatles/Number9.php
Simon
The number of your post on John was 9999. It could not have match John's own personal numerology any better. That is quite a synchronicity. There must be a connection between you two.
http://www.rareexception.com/Garden/Beatles/Number9.php
Simon
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Tchocolatl
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Teratogen
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yes, and one more for lizzy means 10,000!!!
"Rock and roll is dead, but I am its revival. I'm prophesied by sages died, from Buddha to the Bible." --TERATOGEN
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http://www.myspace.com/teratogen (music page)
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There will be gatherings of people all over the world to remember and celebrate John lennon, and maybe in some unexpected places. I went to Cuba not so long ago, and visited John Lennon Park in Havana. There is a life-size statue of John sitting on a bench, and the words to "Imagine" (in Spanish) written at his feet. See Cuba's tribute on the link below.
http://www.blythe.org/nytransfer-subs/a ... ennon.html
Rob
http://www.blythe.org/nytransfer-subs/a ... ennon.html
Rob
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Kevin W.M.LastYearsMan
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I'm also a huge Lennon fan and particularly of "Watching the wheels" so it's cool that you added that. Also a huge Dylan fan as are many on the board, it seems.
Since the suject has been brought up, I can't think of anyone's death that bothered me more than Marvin Gaye's. I was a little kid and I remember it like it was yesterday. My Mom and I were noth crying and listening to his music. He was one of the few people who I didn't know personally, whose death really had an impact.
Kevin
Since the suject has been brought up, I can't think of anyone's death that bothered me more than Marvin Gaye's. I was a little kid and I remember it like it was yesterday. My Mom and I were noth crying and listening to his music. He was one of the few people who I didn't know personally, whose death really had an impact.
Kevin
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Tchocolatl
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Tchocolatl
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http://www.centralparknyc.org/virtualpa ... erryfields
The Dakota is a 'can't miss' looming gothic monument of a building. And a place that folks still call "home."
I would recommend visiting the memorial site (actually it is an 'area') in Central Park that Yoko Ono helped create in John's memory. It is beautiful and serene. The mosaic plaque simply states: IMAGINE. It had a yellow rose on it the day I visited a few years ago. From what I read this morning, it almost always has flowers or candles on it. A well deserved never ending gesture of remembrance.
In switch of focus, sadly, no make that pathetically I saw while channel surfing the other night QVC running an ad for John Lennon Jewelry. Bracelets, pendants and such with 'imagine,' 'give peace a chance' and those scribbled self-portraits that John himself penned, that you'd recognize if you saw. Worse than any horror movie I ever saw....
Laurie
The Dakota is a 'can't miss' looming gothic monument of a building. And a place that folks still call "home."
I would recommend visiting the memorial site (actually it is an 'area') in Central Park that Yoko Ono helped create in John's memory. It is beautiful and serene. The mosaic plaque simply states: IMAGINE. It had a yellow rose on it the day I visited a few years ago. From what I read this morning, it almost always has flowers or candles on it. A well deserved never ending gesture of remembrance.
In switch of focus, sadly, no make that pathetically I saw while channel surfing the other night QVC running an ad for John Lennon Jewelry. Bracelets, pendants and such with 'imagine,' 'give peace a chance' and those scribbled self-portraits that John himself penned, that you'd recognize if you saw. Worse than any horror movie I ever saw....
Laurie
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Tchocolatl
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Here is this candle again, it re-appeared, now. It was not removed from its site after all, maybe the server of its site was just down for a certain time.
Well, the result is like for :
Flowers and candles every day.
Laurie, what a gorgeous part of Central Park this Strawberry Field is! The picture of it is beautiful. I would like to have seen this "live" like you did.
Well, the result is like for :
Flowers and candles every day.
Laurie, what a gorgeous part of Central Park this Strawberry Field is! The picture of it is beautiful. I would like to have seen this "live" like you did.
Speaking of Strawberry Fields... [not] Forever ~ When I was in England this past summer, John and Margaret took me to that black, wrought-iron gate, with the overgrown trees, bushes, and grass partially covering it ~ and graffiti on the attached stone ~ I looked through the trees and across the field, into the distance, at the multi-storied, old building situated by itself inside of the huge, enclosed expanse of property, and John advised me that Strawberry Fields, the adoption home made notorious by the Beatles, "closed yesterday." As George Harrison said, "All Things Must Pass" 
.
That's not the reason I hunted up this thread, however. I'm listening to a repeat of the "John Lennon ~ In His Own Words" special on NPR ~ apparently being repeated due to multiple requests by people who didn't get a chance to hear it. In gathering some albums for a friend, tonite, I came across the "John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band ~ With Elephant's Memory / Plus Invisible Strings" album titled "Some Time in New York City" ~ Great album [amongst many others I never get to listen to, anymore; perhaps, my New Year's Resolution will be to listen to all the music I've accumulated over the years, that I never listen to, anymore
] ~ [an aside: "Imagine" is playing right now....a little bit ago, "Give Peace A Chance" played ~ Christmas really is the perfect time for repeating this program on John ~ now it's "Watching the Wheels Go Round" ~ "Beautiful Boy" now. They just rebroadcast the radio announcement of his murder ].
Well, anyway, I found on the back of the album cover a photo of them from the Free John Sinclair concert I attended, where they showed up unannounced. The lyrics for the song Lennon wrote for the occasion are printed. The song is simply titled "John Sinclair":
. They were able to arrange for a telephone conversation between John and his wife, which was telecast over the speakers, at the concert. He ended up being released early, as well... though not immediately.
The photo of the mosaic plaque of "IMAGINE" with the roses is simply beautiful
. Next time in New York, I'll make it a point to go see it. When Margaret and I were cutting through Central Park to get to the Dakota, it was already getting very late, and we were concerned about being able to get back to the dorms on time.
Love,
Lizzy
.That's not the reason I hunted up this thread, however. I'm listening to a repeat of the "John Lennon ~ In His Own Words" special on NPR ~ apparently being repeated due to multiple requests by people who didn't get a chance to hear it. In gathering some albums for a friend, tonite, I came across the "John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band ~ With Elephant's Memory / Plus Invisible Strings" album titled "Some Time in New York City" ~ Great album [amongst many others I never get to listen to, anymore; perhaps, my New Year's Resolution will be to listen to all the music I've accumulated over the years, that I never listen to, anymore
] ~ [an aside: "Imagine" is playing right now....a little bit ago, "Give Peace A Chance" played ~ Christmas really is the perfect time for repeating this program on John ~ now it's "Watching the Wheels Go Round" ~ "Beautiful Boy" now. They just rebroadcast the radio announcement of his murder ]. Well, anyway, I found on the back of the album cover a photo of them from the Free John Sinclair concert I attended, where they showed up unannounced. The lyrics for the song Lennon wrote for the occasion are printed. The song is simply titled "John Sinclair":
Okay ~ so it was two joints instead of one. And 10 yearsIt ain't fair, John Sinclair
In the stir for breathing air
Won't you care for
John Sinclair?
In the stir for breathing air.
Let him be, set him free
Let him be like you and me.
They gave him ten for two
What else can the judges do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta set him free.
If he'd been a soldier man
Shooting gooks in Vietnam
If he was the CIA
Selling dope and making hay
He'd be free, they'd let
him be
Breathing air, like you
and me.
They gave him ten for two
What more can the judges do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta set him free.
Was he jailed for what
he done?
Representing everyone
Free John now, if we can
From the clutches of the man
Let him free, lift the lid
Bring him to his wife and kids.
They gave him ten for two
What more can the bastards do?
Gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta
gotta, gotta
gotta, gotta, gotta, gotta,
gotta, gotta, gotta
Gotta, gotta set him free.
. They were able to arrange for a telephone conversation between John and his wife, which was telecast over the speakers, at the concert. He ended up being released early, as well... though not immediately.The photo of the mosaic plaque of "IMAGINE" with the roses is simply beautiful
. Next time in New York, I'll make it a point to go see it. When Margaret and I were cutting through Central Park to get to the Dakota, it was already getting very late, and we were concerned about being able to get back to the dorms on time.Love,
Lizzy
You can hear that song if you buy the cd "John Lennon Acoustic". I think it is likely the live recording from that show that you were at as it was recorded at a 1971 Ann Arbor, MI, rally for John Sinclair. The song is alright. There are some others on the cd that are really good. I am personally fond of the version of Cold Turkey that he does in this collection.
Thanks, Anne ~
Yes, I believe this particular song was composed for the message vs. artistic merit in mind. I actually have it on one of the two records that are part of this album. I bought it during a time when I had no player, and now that I've come across it, again, my stereo is in the repair shop ~ so I still can't listen to it. It doesn't say "Live" on it, but I'm sure it was. The year, place, and event are all accurate for where I was and when.
I'm looking forward to listening to this album ~ the banner beneath the album title says, "Ono News That's Fit To Print" on the left ~ in the middle, "There are no birds in Viet-Nam ~ on the right, "JOKO Press."
On one of the sleeves, it notes for the "Sometime in New York City": "Produced by John and Yoko and Phil Spector" [he just shows up everywhere
] ~ for the "Live Jam" one: "John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band with The Mothers of Invention and star studded cast of thousands!!" ~ the Mothers portion was at Fillmore East ~ June 1971; the Plastic Ono Band portion was at Lyceum London ~ December 7, 1969. One (1) day and 11 years later, John would be gone .
I wish I still had my original, Mothers of Invention album! "Cold Turkey" is on the Live Jam record, but "John Sinclair" is on the "Sometime in New York City" one. I'll be interested to see if it sounds [now there's a mix ] Live ~ the only *notation is: "*slide guitar/John." Since the photo that accompanies the album is of the concert itself, I'm sure it's [likely?] the singular recording of it.
The selection of songs is really great:
~ Side one of Sometime in New York City ~
1. Woman Is The Nigger Of The World ~ Lennon/Ono
2. Sisters, O Sisters ~ Ono
3. Attica State ~ Lennon/Ono
4. Born In A Prison ~ Ono
5. New York City ~ Lennon
[reading down the performer credits there, you get LOLOL ~ weren't they ahead of their time ]
~ Side two of Sometime in New York City ~
1. Sunday Bloody Sunday ~ Lennon/Ono
2. The Luck Of The Irish ~ Lennon/Ono
3. John Sinclair ~ Lennon
4. Angela [Lizzy's note: that's Angela Davis] ~ Lennon/Ono
5. We're All Water ~ Ono
~ Side one of Live Jam ~
1. Cold Turkey ~ Lennon
2. Don't Worry Kyoko ~ Ono
~ Side two of Live Jam ~
1. Well (Baby Please Don't Go) ~ Walter Ward
2. Jamrag ~ Lennon/Ono
3. Scumbag ~ Lennon/Ono/Zappa
4. Au [with the .. over the u] ~ Lennon/Ono
At the very bottom of the sleeve, in small print, it says:
"Make a Love call.
Pass it on to the world."
~ Lizzy
Yes, I believe this particular song was composed for the message vs. artistic merit in mind. I actually have it on one of the two records that are part of this album. I bought it during a time when I had no player, and now that I've come across it, again, my stereo is in the repair shop ~ so I still can't listen to it. It doesn't say "Live" on it, but I'm sure it was. The year, place, and event are all accurate for where I was and when.
I'm looking forward to listening to this album ~ the banner beneath the album title says, "Ono News That's Fit To Print" on the left ~ in the middle, "There are no birds in Viet-Nam ~ on the right, "JOKO Press."
On one of the sleeves, it notes for the "Sometime in New York City": "Produced by John and Yoko and Phil Spector" [he just shows up everywhere
] ~ for the "Live Jam" one: "John & Yoko / Plastic Ono Band with The Mothers of Invention and star studded cast of thousands!!" ~ the Mothers portion was at Fillmore East ~ June 1971; the Plastic Ono Band portion was at Lyceum London ~ December 7, 1969. One (1) day and 11 years later, John would be gone .I wish I still had my original, Mothers of Invention album! "Cold Turkey" is on the Live Jam record, but "John Sinclair" is on the "Sometime in New York City" one. I'll be interested to see if it sounds [now there's a mix
] Live ~ the only *notation is: "*slide guitar/John." Since the photo that accompanies the album is of the concert itself, I'm sure it's [likely?] the singular recording of it.The selection of songs is really great:
~ Side one of Sometime in New York City ~
1. Woman Is The Nigger Of The World ~ Lennon/Ono
2. Sisters, O Sisters ~ Ono
3. Attica State ~ Lennon/Ono
4. Born In A Prison ~ Ono
5. New York City ~ Lennon
[reading down the performer credits there, you get LOLOL ~ weren't they ahead of their time
]~ Side two of Sometime in New York City ~
1. Sunday Bloody Sunday ~ Lennon/Ono
2. The Luck Of The Irish ~ Lennon/Ono
3. John Sinclair ~ Lennon
4. Angela [Lizzy's note: that's Angela Davis] ~ Lennon/Ono
5. We're All Water ~ Ono
~ Side one of Live Jam ~
1. Cold Turkey ~ Lennon
2. Don't Worry Kyoko ~ Ono
~ Side two of Live Jam ~
1. Well (Baby Please Don't Go) ~ Walter Ward
2. Jamrag ~ Lennon/Ono
3. Scumbag ~ Lennon/Ono/Zappa
4. Au [with the .. over the u] ~ Lennon/Ono
At the very bottom of the sleeve, in small print, it says:
"Make a Love call.
Pass it on to the world."
~ Lizzy