I was born on October 9th John Lennon's birthday albeit many MANY years later than he.
I will never forget the day he died December 8, 1980. 37 years ago.
The day after his murder this photo was taken by his wife Yoko Ono. As an artist, I understand her need to capture this on film. As a wife, I also grasp the need to do something at a time when we are powerless to change the outcome, but can only illustrate our grief in a graphic and stark way.
His blood-stained glasses became forever immortalized with his beloved skyline of New York City in the backdrop. The irony of his death in the city he called "home" where locals accepted him as part of the landscape is not lost.
An imperfect man, but one who pushed his artistic abilities in a way that I admire. His artwork has humor, his music has passion and his life was cut short much too early....just as he was "starting over" ...
Images ingrained include the beautiful Rolling Stone cover. Annie Leibovitz captured a moment between John & Yoko no one will forget...
His city. John spoke of not being hassled as he walked down the street or in the park. Part of that due to the lack of Beatlemania, but more a character of New York City itself and part of its appeal. Privacy is respected, the appearance of someone famous on the street is not uncommon. Some are virtually ignored, (unless there are paparazzi).
That is one reason an insane man was able to get so close to him that horrible night.
These are the Images I associate with him more than those of the famous band he founded. The mature John. The John who seemed more at peace with himself and his life.
I really liked the Lennon of 1980.
I liked the music, stepping out from his own shadow. "Double Fantasy" was a personal re-emergence into the musical foray. I still listen to it. It's thoughtful and centered and I'm sad and angry that a madman destroyed this creative spirit.
John Lennon was not an artist I had the opportunity to meet or interview, but his music made him familiar and had a profound affect on me.
I watched his career more closely at first due to the birth date connection, but soon it was the personality and his character that intrigued me. The interviews with Dick Cavett and Tom Snyder were memorable...Snyder's odd questions in 1975 were well volleyed by Lennon's humorous responses and insight and of the two discussions noted here, the more interesting.
Not one to hold himself up to anyone else's mirror but his own.
He was outspoken against inequality and the war. His protests were not violent, but from a bed in a hotel room. He called it a "Seven day press conference for peace". His sarcasm and wit unparalleled. Unconventional, passionate, brave enough to carve his own destiny despite those that disapproved of his choice of partner and soul mate.Lennon remains an enigma and an icon who lived life on his own terms.
Thank you John Lennon. May your spirit continue to inspire.
