IMAGINING LENNON 25 YEARS AFTER DEATH, HIS SONGS REMAIN STRONG IN HEARTS AND MINDS.Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer John Lennon's music continues to stir generations of listeners, many of whom were born in the years since the Beatles broke up, and his signature is instantly recognizable 25 years after his death. In the beginning, Lennon performed cover versions of '50s rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. before finding a writing partner in Paul McCartney Noun 1. Paul McCartney - English rock star and bass guitarist and songwriter who with John Lennon wrote most of the music for the Beatles (born in 1942) McCartney, Sir James Paul McCartney , whom he met at a church picnic in 1957. The pair quickly began churning out originals that would strike a chord around the world. The duo essentially stopped composing together in 1965, but because of contractual and personal arrangements, their individual songs were credited to Lennon and McCartney. But it remained clear whose song was whose. Lennon was plainly the instigator in·sti·gate tr.v. in·sti·gat·ed, in·sti·gat·ing, in·sti·gates 1. To urge on; goad. 2. To stir up; foment. [Latin of such inward-looking Beatles classics as ``Norwegian Wood,'' ``Strawberry Fields Forever,'' ``In My Life,'' ``Julia'' and ``You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.'' The mark of those songs and such post-Beatles tracks as ``Imagine'' and ``Working Class Hero'' is the sincerity of Lennon's voice and an inclusive sense that we know as much as he does. Rarely maudlin maud·lin adj. Effusively or tearfully sentimental: "displayed an almost maudlin concern for the welfare of animals" Aldous Huxley. See Synonyms at sentimental. , he didn't insult the intelligence. Lennon continues to fascinate: Three new books on the ex-Beatle are just out: ``Lennon Revealed'' by friend Larry Kane, ``Memories of John Lennon'' edited by Yoko Ono and ``John Lennon: The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Years'' by photographer Bob Gruen. Lennon's story is also told in the new Beatles biography by Bob Spitz spitz Any of several northern dogs, including the chow chow, Pomeranian, and Samoyed, characterized by a dense, long coat, erect pointed ears, and a tail that curves over the back. In the U.S. , and his post-Beatles music was showcased this year in the Broadway show ``Lennon.'' Tributes today include a gathering of Lennon fans at 6 p.m. in front of Capitol Records in Hollywood. And his legacy will be celebrated with a four-hour ``Lennon Live'' concert at 11 a.m. today on Sirius Satellite Radio
Also marking the 25th anniversary of his death is a covers project organized by Amnesty International Amnesty International (AI,) human-rights organization founded in 1961 by Englishman Peter Benenson; it campaigns internationally against the detention of prisoners of conscience, for the fair trial of political prisoners, to abolish the death penalty and torture of to feature the Cure, Black Eyed Peas This article is about the American hip hop group. For the vegetable, see Black-eyed pea. The Black Eyed Peas are an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California, who have enjoyed worldwide pop success. The group is currently composed of will.i.am, apl.de. , Snow Patrol, the Postal Service and Avril Lavigne. To mark the anniversary, we asked residents, music buffs and musicians for their favorite Lennon song and why. ``If I Fell,'' chosen by Valley marriage and family therapist Stephanie Prince, 33. ``It's a beautiful song that speaks to all kinds of relationships, not just romantic ones. It reflects what people go through in terms of questioning and sincerity. Every time I hear it, it makes me stop and think. It's very rare to have a questioning type of song like this that's so poetic and gorgeous.'' ``I'm Only Sleeping,'' ``I Am the Walrus walrus, marine mammal, Odobenus rosmarus, found in Arctic seas. Largest of the fin-footed mammals, or pinnipeds (see seal), the walrus is also distinguished by its long tusks and by cheek pads bearing quill-like bristles. ,'' ``I'll Be Back,'' ``Look at Me,'' ``I'm So Tired,'' chosen by Chris Carter, Sherman Oaks-based host of ``Breakfast With the Beatles'' (8 a.m. Sundays, KLSX-FM 97.1). ``It's too difficult to pick one favorite, so this is my all-time Lennon top five, which always seem to stay the same. These are personal favorites and not necessarily what I'd select as his best compositions.'' ``No. 9 Dream,'' chosen by West Hollywood keyboardist Morley Bartnoff, 45. ``Paul gets credited all the time for amazing song structure, but this one goes through three sections of chords and moods. A very intelligently written song - melody, structure and lyrics.'' ``Instant Karma karma or karman (kär`mə, kär`mən), [Skt.,=action, work, or ritual], basic concept common to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. ,'' chosen by Sherman Oaks author and record producer Harvey Kubernik. ``This song, from John's Plastic Ono Band The Plastic Ono Band was a conceptual supergroup formed by John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1969 before the dissolution of The Beatles. Amongst the various members of the band were Eric Clapton, two former Beatles (George Harrison and Ringo Starr), old friend Klaus Voorman, future Yes period, makes more sense to me now than it did a third of a century ago. I love the production, which owes much to Phil Spector's involvement, and I know it was done pretty impulsively. John and Phil were going for a raw Sun Records sound.'' ``Jealous Guy,'' chosen by Woodland Hills singer-songwriter Chris Greene, 27. ``It has a unique melodic phrase and deals with a feeling everyone can relate to. Lennon had a hell of a knack for capturing the essence of a common human emotion and communicating it artistically.'' ``Across the Universe,'' chosen by Sheman Oaks computer engineer Kevin Nolte, 49. ``It's so poetic. You can tell immediately it's a John song because of his thoughtful, poetic lyrics. It's a beautiful song.'' ``Imagine,'' chosen by West Hills resident Kevin Olson, 55, a manager at Blue Cross. ``It opens up the listener's mind to the possibilities of a better world. This is what Lennon did best - introspection that everyone can relate to.'' Fred Shuster, (818) 713-3676 fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 3; 1 -- 2 -- color) A tour group, above, looks at the John Lennon ``Strawberry Fields Forever'' memorial, with a peace sign made of flowers, Wednesday in New York's Central Park. The spot is near the Dakota, where Lennon was killed 25 years ago. In the post-Beatles years, near left, Lennon's songwriting output included ``Imagine'' and ``Instant Karma.'' Far left, Lennon in the early Beatles days. A plethora of new books chronicle his life and career. Bebeto Matthews/Associated Press |
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