John Lennon's 76th Birthday- What Would He Look Like Now?

Although I'm a little late writing this, John  Lennon would have been 76 years old this month; it's always effortlessly easy to work out his age, both during his life and posthumously, because his life neatly spanned 1940 to 1980.

There are quite a few pictures of 'what Lennon would look like now', floating about the internet, including this rather dour, Alan-Partridge-style picture of him... 



As many people have pointed out, it's dubious whether John would have worn such fuddy-duddy clothing, just because he was in his seventies (although to be fair, it appears he always had a propensity for roll neck jumpers). He was, after all, along with the other Beatles, at the vanguard of the latest fashion in the 1960s. 

Then there's this picture, which I believe was made using an image of Lennon aged 40, shortly before he died, which is perhaps a lot more accurate- if not rather eerie.




It turns out he doesn't look too dissimilar to an older Bob Dylan, who's bizarrely recently been awarded the Noble Prize for Literature. What would Lennon, famously the author of several off-beat books like 'A Spaniard in the Works' and many highly poetic lyrics, have made of that?

John Lennon's 76th Birthday- What Would He Look Like Now?

Although I'm a little late writing this, John  Lennon would have been 76 years old this month; it's always effortlessly easy to work out his age, both during his life and posthumously, because his life neatly spanned 1940 to 1980.

There are quite a few pictures of 'what Lennon would look like now', floating about the internet, including this rather dour, Alan-Partridge-style picture of him... 



As many people have pointed out, it's dubious whether John would have worn such fuddy-duddy clothing, just because he was in his seventies (although to be fair, it appears he always had a propensity for roll neck jumpers). He was, after all, along with the other Beatles, at the vanguard of the latest fashion in the 1960s. 

Then there's this picture, which I believe was made using an image of Lennon aged 40, shortly before he died, which is perhaps a lot more accurate- if not rather eerie.




It turns out he doesn't look too dissimilar to an older Bob Dylan, who's bizarrely recently been awarded the Noble Prize for Literature. What would Lennon, famously the author of several off-beat books like 'A Spaniard in the Works', and many highly poetic lyrics, have made of that?

50 years since the Beatles' last live show

Ron Howard is soon to release a film called 'Eight Days a Week', which shows new footage of the Beatles playing live. The film delineates the various tours they had around the world. And exactly why they eventually burnt out as a live band.
This is perfectly synchronised with the 50 year anniversary of the band's last live show.

                     

'George Harrison and John Lennon were the ones most against touring. I'd been trying to say, 'Ah! Touring's good and it keeps us sharps. But eventually I agreed with them.' (Paul McCartney).

As the 1960s progressed, the Beatles played live less and less- they couldn't stand the screaming which drowned out their music, and George Harrison in particular disliked touring. Besides, it felt like nobody- particularly the groupies- were actually listening. 

In August 29th 1966 they played final official concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Some would argue this wasn't technically their last show; what about that famous rooftop gig in 1969, after all? But it was the last organised concert with tickets and an official venue. The 1969 rooftop gig, meanwhile, was a more impromptu affair, which made it even more special. 

The concert at Candlestick Park was plagued by John Lennon's notorious comments about Christianity, and the band were receiving death threats; however the concert went pretty well considering!

Did John Lennon have a violent side?

Most people have heard about the allegations of domestic violence against Johnny Depp, and felt either confused or disillusioned. So far the popular movie star has remained silent about the accusations. 

John Lennon was yet another iconic star that had a much darker, more violent side, that didn't correspond with his 'peace and love image'. Of all the Beatles, he was the most complex and amorphous: the 'yin' to Paul McCartney's 'yang'. Here are the incidents that not everyone knows about...

Was Lennon a wife beater?

Reports of domestic violence are always disturbing, but Lennon wasn't consistently violent. That doesn't make it right, but Cynthia has stressed that he wasn't 'a wife beater' and that she wouldn't have stayed with him if he was. Nonetheless, he did violently slap her early on in her relationship, when they were still at art school. 

'John was in constant need of proof of love and security and he was constantly testing people for that proof.' (Cynthia Lennon). 

In her book 'John' published in 2005, she describes how he lashed out, when he saw her dancing with another man. He slapped her across the face and caused her head to hit the wall. Wisely, she ended the relationship, but he apologised profusely and she ended up forgiving him. From what I remember from the book, I believe he didn't touch her again after that.
When asked if she would marry him again, knowing what she knew later on, she said no.


However, she also said, 'Yoko had 10 years and I had 10 years. I would rather have the 10 years I had than the ones she did. I had the raw talent and the raw human being, before the sycophants arrived'. 

The Beatles met Muhammad Ali in 1964. I doubt Lennon would have picked a fight on this occasion!

In 1963 Lennon landed a man in hospital. Yes, really...

To say John Lennon nearly beat a man to death isn't hyperbole. It actually happened. 

Shortly after his wife gave birth, John went away on holiday with the openly homosexual Brian Epstein. It was dastardly enough to leave Cynthia with a new born baby, let alone what happened next. He spent 12 days away in Spain with a man that was rumoured to be in love with him (this has never been proven, but the rumours abounded). Many people thought that Brian Epstein's interest in The Beatles stemmed from his infatuation with John. 

When he returned, a close friend of the band, Bob Wooler, accused Lennon of being homosexual. To say Lennon didn't take this well was an understatement. Years later, he said he wouldn't care less if someone accused him of being gay. But at age 23 he was a heavy drinker and ended up in a blind rage. 

John and Paul with Bob Wooler in 1961

'I realised I was going to kill him,' Lennon said. 'I just saw it like a screen. If I hit him once more, that's really going to be it. I really got shocked and for the first time thought, 'I can kill this guy'.' 
To make matters worse, the incident happened at Paul's 21st birthday party. John eventually apologised to Bob saying, 'Really sorry Bob. Terribly worried to realise what I had done. What more can I say?'

'John Lennon had questionable politics. There was a flip side. He was all peace and love, but he was a very violent character.' Noel Gallagher, Oasis. 

So, was Lennon naturally violent, or did he just need to get it out his system? Like most pundits he didn't always practice what he preached. But like everyone, he had his faults and shortcomings and tried to make up for them. You only have to listen to 'Jealous Guy' to realise that he was aware of his problems, and felt remorse. 

Most Beautiful Beatles' Songs

The most beautiful Beatles songs in no particular order...

1. Across the Universe (1970)

One of John Lennon's last songs written as a Beatle, this song was penned following his irritation with Cynthia, who had been maundering on about something in bed. Hence the line: 'Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup.' Poor Cynthia was probably bemoaning the fact their marriage was nearing its end.

One of the most psychedelic Beatles songs, it features the refrain 'Jai Guru Deva Om', a mantra which is meant to help you attain higher consciousness. Lennon said that this was one of his favourite compositions mainly because it was 'like a poem'. 

2. No Reply (1965)

Mostly written by Lennon again, this is about having a unfaithful girlfriend who pretends not to be home. By most accounts, it wasn't written from his direct experiences, but was inspired by the song 'Silhouettes' by the Rays.

3. In My Life (1965)

Hard to believe but this was written when John Lennon was only 24-years old. Or perhaps, it's not so hard to believe: may be you can only be that sentimental when you're young. In any case, I think this is one of the most beautiful Beatles songs by far (if not, the most). It's nostalgic, wistful, thoughtful and paints a real picture.

According to some sources, it was written about Stuart Sutcliffe- John's friend who died in 1962. You could easily imagine this being played at the end of anyone's life.

When he sings, 'In my life I love you more,' you can't help think it's about his friends, which makes it more moving somehow. This was very much pre-Yoko.

Sutcliffe died of a brain haemorrhage aged 21 

4. Here Comes the Sun (1969)

One of the most positive and uplifting Beatles songs, and definitely my favourite of George's. Someone once commented that when The Beatles rallied for Abbey Road, it was like ' a glorious sunset mistaken for dawn'. This song certainly reflects that idea, including the imagery of the sun.

                                                      

The song was written during a very difficult time for George, when he'd actually temporarily quit the band. He had also been arrested for possessing pot and had his tonsils removed. Well, they do say it comes in threes... It's therefore surprising he managed to write a song so life affirming. Even the recording was difficult: John had to be absent due to recovering from a car crash. 

The track was reportedly written in Eric Clapton's garden. 

5. I've Just Seen a Face (1965)

'Falling, yes, I am falling...'

                                               

I love the chorus of this one. Although it's extremely upbeat, it's also got a stunningly beautiful melody. It's possible one my favourite of Paul's, and apparently also one that he's most proud of.

6. For No one (1966)

One of Paul's saddest songs, about a girl's who's fallen out of love.

'A love that should have lasted years.'

Unfortunately, like most of Paul's songs, it probably wasn't written based on experience. As we all know, the original lyrics for Yesterday were, 'Scrambled eggs, oh baby how I love your legs'...
However, it was reputably written after an argument with Jane Asher when they were on a skiing holiday. The song's original title was the poignant, 'Why did it die?'

7. I'll Follow the Sun (1964)

Again, primarily written by Paul, this is considered a cult favourite. I especially love the lyrics on this one.

8. Blackbird (1968)

'Black bird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly.'

Yup, this was written by Paul again (I really should have mixed these up more). Although it might sound like just a beautiful refrain about the most popular songbird, it's actually about race relations in the U.S.A! According to Paul it was written in reaction to the Civil Rights Movement. However, some people think Paul only decided this later on, to add profundity to the lyrics. 

9. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (1968)

Another entry of George's, this ranked no.136 on the Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time. It was based on the Eastern idea of everything being linked to everything else. The butterfly effect, as it were. 

10. I'm So Tired (1968)

Written by John towards the end of the Beatles career, this reflects the weariness they were starting to feel. In particular, it captured Lennon's fragile state of mind. At this point he was away India, and starting to fall in love with Yoko Ono.

This was the song which led to the 'Paul is dead' conspiracy which has been floating around for years...

11. Let it Be

                                                  

One of the biggest things that cemented the bond between Lennon and McCartney was the fact they both lost their mothers at a young age. While John's mother was hit by a car when he was 15, Paul's tragically passed away from an embolism when he was just 14.

Both Paul and John lost their mothers as teenagers.

This song is largely inspired by his mother (Mary) who is name checked in the lyrics, although it's easy to think he was referring to something biblical instead. Featuring on the last ever Beatles album, it was played at Linda McCartney's funeral in 1998.

12. Nowhere Man

This one has Lennon stamped all over it, who once referred to himself as 'the laziest man in England'. He said he wrote this after thinking of himself, 'sitting there, doing nothing and going nowhere'. It just goes to show you can be internationally famous and successful, and still feel like that. On his days off, John famously like to loll around in bed, which is reflected in one of my favourite Beatles' songs, 'I'm only Sleeping'. 

I don't know if everyone would refer to this song as 'beautiful', but I personally think the lyrics are very poignant. 

13. Because (1969)

Probably the most 60's sounding song they ever did (other than Tomorrow Never Knows), John was inspired to write this after hearing Yoko play Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. He asked if the chords could be played backwards and then decided to write the song around them.

14. Girl (1965)

One of my favourite Beatles song, this one is surprisingly little known and underrated. Although Cynthia thought the song was about her, Lennon said it was about 'a dream girl'. The beauty of it is rather undermined by the chanting of 'tit, tit, tit' on the backing vocals! However, it's still one of the most melodic and gorgeous of John Lennon songs. 

15. Something (1969)

This one's abit too Clapton-esque to me, but I still appreciate it's a pretty song. Again, although his girlfriend (Patti) thought it was about her, George Harrison said he had no one particular in mind. If anything, it was originally intended to be about the Lord Krishna. Who'd be a Beatles' girlfriend, eh?!

16. You've got to hide your love away (1965)

Written by Lennon, this song was written during what he called his 'Dylan period'. Despite much speculation, he never discussed the inspiration behind the song. 

50 years ago, The Beatles...

50 years ago exactly, in March 1966, John Lennon made one of the biggest faux pas of his career. Yes, it was that famous, 'Bigger than Jesus' comment... 

The comment was made in an article written by his friend, Maureen Cleave, as part of a series she was writing on The Fab Four for the Evening Standard. It was published on March 4th 1966, although, mercifully, the media furore didn't happen straight away. In fact it didn't actually break until August of that year.

Although us Brits didn't pick up on the comment, in the summer it was seized upon by the American Bible Belt.The Beatles went from being media darlings to being lambasted by the American tabloids, with thousands of people burning their records and even a high ranking member of the Ku Klux Klan explaining his 'moral objections'. You couldn't make it up.



McCartney, the consummate PR man, went around with a permanently apologetic expression, while John remained wilfully defiant. That is, until he too was bullied into contrition.
John was always known for being outspoken, but this time it appeared he'd crossed the line. But, as he later pointed out, he was merely making an astute observation: The Beatles WERE more popular than religion, which has been on the decline for decades, never mind years. 

Rereading the article now, it's more poignant for the fact John Lennon was clearly approaching a crossroads in his life- even in 1966. It might have been on the distant horizon but, nonetheless, was already inching closer.
In fact, there's something tremendously touching about this timely interview. John was living in a huge house in Weybridge, among the 'wooded hills and stockbrokers', but was clearly already doing some soul searching- as many people do when they reach a quarter of a century. 

'Weybridge,' he said reflectively, 'won't do at all. I'm just stopping at it, like a bus stop. Banker and stockbrokers live there; they can add figures and Weybridge is what they live in and they think it's the end, they really do. I think of it every day- me in my Hansel and Gretel house. I'll take my time. I'll get my real house when I know what I want. 



He was twenty-five years old and, thanks to the unreal world of fame, didn't even know what day it was. The Beatles were better friends than ever, watching films together and playing rowdy games of Buccaneer. They wiled away the small hours of the morning making 'mad tapes'. 
In a way they were having something of an extended adolescence, with bedtimes and mealtimes having no meaning. 

John was shopping in Aspreys, had fine wine in his cellar, and lived in a mock Tudor house on a hill with his wife, three year old son, and a cat named after his aunt Mimi. He described himself as 'famous and loaded' and said he wanted money 'just to be rich'. 
'If you have money,' he said, 'that's power without having to be powerful.' 
It appears at this point John Lennon aspired to be a plutocrat, not a philanthropist. 

'We're never had time before to do anything but just be Beatles,' John said. Yet now they did.



During this time, Maureen described John as 'imperious, unpredictable, indolent, disorganised, childish, vague, charming and quick-witted'. 
In other words, conducive conditions for an extremely controversial comment to pass his lips. 

Thanks to fame, he was living a curiously cloistered existence, and was definitely searching for some kind of meaning beyond his current life. In the article, he said that 'to live and have a laugh' were things to do; but Maureen mused, was that enough for a 'restless spirit'?



He spent many fruitless hours on the telephone and 'only once got through to a person', but unfortunately, 'they were out'. He claimed to have read millions of books. 
'That's why I know so many things,' he told her proudly. 
He admitted to being incorrigibly lazy, and could lay claim to being 'the laziest person in England'. He told her he could sleep indefinitely; that sex was the only physical thing he could be bothered with. 

He put on some Indian music for Maureen and exhorted her to listen properly. 
'It's amazing,' he said. 'So cool. Don't the Indians appear cool to you? Are you listening? This music is thousands of years old; it makes me laugh, the British going over there and telling them what to do. Quite amazing.'
He hadn't yet met or become disenchanted with the Maharajah; Sexy Sadie was yet to make an appearance.

After this comment, he switched on the television set, and that's when he made his infamous comments:
'Christianity will go,' he said ingenuously. 'It will vanish and shrink. I needn't argue about that; I'm right and I will be proved right. We're more popular than Jesus now. I don't know which will go first: rock n' roll or Christianity,'

For me, the most touching part of this article is the end, when he says: 'You see, there's something else I'm going to do- only I don't know what it is. That's why I go round painting and taping and drawing and writing and that, because it may be one of them. All I know is, this isn't it for me.'

RIP George Martin 1926-2016

In case you haven't already heard, George Martin passed away this week, aged 90.



Many people have been called 'the fifth Beatle', but most people agree that title goes to George Martin. He not only signed the Beatles but contributed heavily to their songs (although Lennon and McCartney deny he was 'what made them'). Nonetheless many people think he was the genius behind the Beatles, or at least something of a puppet master for their music. For instance, it was him that thought it was a good idea to add strings to Yesterday. And he was certainly the one that transferred what was in their heads into a tangible record.



For 'Tomorrow Never Knows' Lennon told George Martin he wanted something which sounded like, 'a thousand monks chanting'. Although this wasn't precisely what he got, it's still one of the most innovative records of all time. This wasn't the only odd request which John Lennon came up with, and every time Martin duly rose to the challenge. Another time he asked for something which sounded like 'the end of the world' for A Day in the Life (you'll probably know which part that was...)

In this sense, George Martin was the technical whiz that truly brought the Beatles music to life.