John Lennon would have been 66 today.

[Patsy Stone]

[Olney Blue]

1. He would have been so disappointed in the world today.

I miss him. Thanks, Patsy.

[Patsy Stone]

2. I know he would be

I miss him too.

[garybeck]

25. "There are no problems, only solutions"

I believe he meant that. He was still a "glass is half full" person.

[H2O Man]

29. I respectfully disagree.

I think that if we were to put on the 2006 Lennon album, there would be instructions to put the negative thoughts behind us, to concentrate on the many tools at hand, and to work in confidence that we can change the world. If we were to turn on the latest Lennon interview with Merv, we would hear John saying that we need to be focused on ending the war in Iraq, not fooled into believing that if only we had listened to General Eastmoreland we would have fought a better way. And if we could see John in our living room today, he would say that it was simply wonderful that we were there -- and that our selves, our home, and our neighborhood was exactly where we were supposed to be, as it provides us with the exact opportunities to change the world that we are equipped to handle.

The great thing is, is that there is a new 2006 John album. But it's not on a record or a tape of a CD. And there are new interviews, though not on tv. And he's in your neighborhood. If you don't believe me, get a few friends and walk around on this sunny day, singing a few of Lennon's great numbers. If people can sing Christmas songs to enrich their neighborhood, and add a sense of spirit to the holidays, we can surely sing "Imagine" and "Give Peace a Chance." Do it, and watch what happens. I can say for sure that John will be there.

[Patsy Stone]

36. That's a lovely way of looking at it

It seemed ironic to me that a nation went nuclear today, that diplomacy was shelved in favor of threats of force, and that so many of us see the country heading in a direction contrary to the basic tenets on which it was founded. You made me feel better about things. Thanks.

[BeFree]

41. That's the Lennon power hour coming thru the water

Makes ya feel good all over, eh?

[Patsy Stone]

61. It did.

[H2O Man]

42. I have

gone to one town this morning, and will be heading to another this afternoon. I play Lennon music, and roll the windows down in town. People need to hear Lennon's music.

I've got on the best Revolver T-shirt ever made. My daughter has on a Rubber Soul shirt. People need to see Beatle images.

I do not think it is possible to be in a bad mood if it's sunny and Beatle/Lennon music is playing.

[Patsy Stone]

58. I took your advice.

I played the soundtrack to The US vs. John Lennon very loudly all the way home, through many towns.

H2O Man:

[Olney Blue]

39. Yes, thank you for an optimistic post!

[bleever]

48. On a cold December morning,

I trudged to the quad at the University of Illinois for an impromptu Lennon memorial.

Heads hung low and tears were shed as people took turns sharing at the microphone. Then one woman got up and with a great smile on her face said, "You guys, don't be sad: JOHN'S LOVE LIVES!!"

Afterwards I approached her and said, "Thank you," and she responded by saying, "No, thank YOU!"


Thanks for representin', H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

54. From Timothy Leary:

"The Beatles are Divine Messiahs. The wisest, holiest, most effective avatars (Divine Incarnate, God Agents) that the human race has yet produced. ... I declare that John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr are mutant Prototypes of a new race of laughing freemen. Evolutionary agents sent by God, endowed with a mysterious power to create a new human species."
(quoted from N.Schaffner's "The Beatles Forever," McGraw-Hill, 1977; page 71)

[Marnieworld]

56. I'll have what he's having please!

[Marnieworld]

53. Have you seen the documentary "Imagine"?

I watched it this weekend on Tivo but I think they are still playing it on HDNet Movies if you have it. Anyway, it's this amazing documentary from 1988 that has all of this rare personal footage and it really was well-done. It covered The Beatles and his solo stuff and spent a major part of the time focused on when he was writing and producing Imagine in 1971 I think on this massive estate in England. It turned out that while they were working they found some hippie who had been on the property for several days. In a beautiful moment, instead of just calling the police, John instead chose to engage him in a dialogue on his porch. They discusse dthe meaning behind his songs, his motivations in writing them, and really what was on the guys mind. It's like John knew that this guy was in a fantasy world and he just wanted to lift the veil and break the illusion. He was just a man who liked to write songs and sing is all. Then he asked if he was hungry or thirsty, the man obviously was, and the next shot is all of them together sharing a meal at his table. Such beautiful human kindness that it moved me to tears. Perhaps it was also because this kindness made me more susceptible to what actually happened to him in the end. He only had 40 years but he did pack a lot of living in those years. What a beautiful soul. He does live on. He truly does.

[H2O Man]

55. Oh, yes!

It's a great film. The music is wonderful, and the various sides of John we see are powerful. Even though I've watched it more times than I can count, he still makes me laugh. The scene with the confused fellow you mention shows his gentle side. More than any other musician, John shows that all one needs is an acoustic guitar or a piano. But, when he wanted, he could really play some fantastic rock.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Thanks for the reminder, Pats.

I almost forgot. Bless his soul and yours.



(By the way, I saw "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" this week. If you get a chance, see it.)

NGU.

[JI7]

4. what he would have been able to do in all these years if he had lived

and 66 is not even old. he would still have been at the age where he would have been very productive in music and other things if he wanted to be.

[calimary]

24. No kidding.

Such a body blow - and we're still feeling it.

He would have been a beacon of activism, peace, and truth. The bushies would have hated him and demonized him nonstop. We need him now more than ever.

But his spirit does live on. I saw a billboard in West Hollywood just a few weeks ago that shouted in big, block letters "WAR IS OVER." There are many of us still channeling John. And he left us quite a bit to work with - don't forget that!

[Mnemosyne]

5. Imagine...

Thanks for the reminder Patsy!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

6. John Lennon ... loved and missed ...

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it." ~~ John Lennon

[Mnemosyne]

32. Count me as one of the

insane.

Rest in peace dear John.

[niyad]

7. Imagine

JOHN LENNON lyrics - "Imagine"


www.OldieLyrics.com



Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

[John Gauger]

9. Such a beautiful song

Makes me cry every time.

[BeFree]

44. John, you are not the only one

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one


Everyone is a dreamer, it's just that some have different dreams.
But the dream of the world living as one is the best dream of all.
Just imagine.

[John Gauger]

8. Damn, I forgot to wear my "Five Peace a Chance" shirt

Lennon was really great. He is an inspiration to me ideologically and musically. We could really use him now. Ah, well. Best to press on. We can against Fascism without celebrities. I miss him, though.

[nicknameless]

13. Typo alert

You've got time to change "Five" to "Give"

Rats. Time's up.

[Jcrowley]

10. #9 Dream

K&R

So long ago
Was it in a dream, was it just a dream?
I know, yes I know
Seemed so very real, it seemed so real to me

Took a walk down the street
Thru the heat whispered trees
I thought I could hear (hear, hear, hear)
Somebody call out my name as it started to rain

Two spirits dancing so strange

Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè

Dream, dream away
Magic in the air, was magic in the air?
I believe, yes I believe
More I cannot say, what more can I say?

On a river of sound
Thru the mirror go round, round
I thought I could feel (feel, feel, feel)
Music touching my soul, something warm, sudden cold
The spirit dance was unfolding

Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè

Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè
Ah! böwakawa poussè, poussè

[Dune]

11. Give John a Chance!

I am old enough to remember him and young enough to still admit I love him. I feel he and George are my teachers and friends. Oh, by the way I still think the fu*kin FBI did him in like all good people who turn their heads each day so satisfied I'm on my way... YES!

[TheUnspeakable]

30. Yes,they did-ex CIA guy was the doorman at the Dakota..

that night-Jose Perdomo. There's lots of info on it, but nobody ever wants to discuss it.
<http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/Usenet/Perdomo.h... >

check out this cartoon and links <http://www.mackwhite.com/lennon.html >

I don't know if anyone will ever understand that all these deranged madmen like Chapman and Sirhan
etc. were really just patsies. His own son even thought so.

John Lennon's youngest son yesterday blamed the fatal shooting of his father almost 20 years ago on a conspiracy backed by the United States government <http://www.john-lennon.com/washingtonkilledlennon.htm >
Lately, I've been rethinking his five years spent at home-maybe it wasn't so much that he wanted to be a househusband and bake bread, but that he was afraid.
Some interesting quotes from John

"Laurel and Hardy, that's John and Yoko. And we stand a better chance under that guise because all the serious people like Martin Luther King and Kennedy and Gandhi got shot."
-- John Lennon

"If anything ever happens to Yoko and me, it wasn't an accident"

[newyawker99]

37. Hi Dune!!

Welcome to DU!!

[Patsy Stone]

47. Welcome to DU, Dune!

[SaveOurDemocracy]

12. 'Imagine' ... Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj8LR25HeJA

[nicknameless]

14. Happy Birthday, John (n/t)

[SaveOurDemocracy]

15. 'The US Versus John Lennon' ... movie

... mentioned by ClassWarrior in post#3 above.


Great site with LOTS of John Lennon info and links: http://www.theusversusjohnlennon.co.uk /


The Film ~~ FBI Files ~~ Biography ~~ Music ~~ Videos ~~ Art ~~ Fans ~~ Photos ~~ Lyrics ~~ Reviews

[bunny planet]

16. I sure wish he was here. He is so needed.

I still remember when Yoko had a plane write Happy Birthday John in the skies over NYC on his last birthday before he died.
Happy Birthday John.
We miss you.
Peace.

[bleever]

17. 66 is the new 33.

Thanks, John. For everything.

You would have made a fabulous senior citizen, but I'm sure it doesn't compare to being a treasured part of infinity.

[Berry Cool]

19. I still can't believe I've lived as much longer than he did as I have.

That's just not right.

It sure would be interesting to see what he'd be like today.

[bleever]

20. I think he'd be telling the truth.

Like Terry Jones, or George Carlin, or Neil Young.

If someone wanted to make John Lennon irrelevant, they failed.

[Carla in Ca]

18. It's my mom's birthday, too

We always say a toast to her, then one for John. I wish my avatar was easier to see. I miss him so much.

[cosmicdot]

21. Gimme Some Truth

by John Lennon

I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

I've had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky Dick
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of hope
Money for dope
Money for rope

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky Dick
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Money for dope
Money for rope

I'm sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending, mama's little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric, paranoiac, prima-donnas
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky Dick
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
It's money for dope
Money for rope

Ah, I'm sick to death of hearing things
from uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of reading things
by neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now

All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth



I hope I'm No. 9 recommendation.

[WinkyDink]

22. My husband was born the very next day, 1940. Irrelevant, but cool to me!

[Swamp Rat]

23. The Messiah returned, and they killed him again.

Make room for the Antichrist!

[hsher]

26. Revolution Number Nine is next year

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know... we all want to change the world.
We're going to change America.
It's on. Game date: Summer 2007.

[ginnyinWI]

27. His b-day is October 9th, 1940

Unless you are posting after midnight where you are, you're a day early.

[Patsy Stone]

40. It was after midnight when I posted this.

According to the OP time/date stamp.

[Raine]

28. John loved and missed...

always.

[bdamomma]

31. He would have made an unbelieveable impact if he

was still here with us. Miss you John.

[KG]

33. yeah. but y'know, amurkins gotta have they guns. no matter the cost.

[progressoid]

34. "War is Over, If You Want It"

[H2O Man]

43. Yes

[AllegroRondo]

35. "When everyone in the world wants peace..."

"....as much as they want another television, then we will have peace."

[BlooInBloo]

38. Here's dubya's contribution (mp3)...

http://www.archive.org/download/Imagine_sung_by_George_...

[KurtNYC]

45. From war to peace -- John's legacy

John Lennon was born October 9, 1940 in Liverpool England. At the time of his birth, England was experiencing the frightening blackouts, air raids, and terrible bombings of the Second World War. John’s birth took place during a lull in the bombing of Liverpool, which was targeted by the Germans because of the docks. As the bombing continued, Julia and her newborn baby took refuge in nearby makeshift bomb shelters.

When John was born, his father, Alfred, was away at sea, and did not reappear for another 18 months. He played practically no part in his son’s early life. John’s mother, Julia, was left as the sole caregiver for her son. And when Alfred came home, she filed for divorce. When his mom began seeing a man named Dykins who the preschooler did not like, John became angry and rough, acting out. When he was five and a half, little John was expelled from kindergarten for misbehavior.

Time and time again he ran away from home to make his way to his Aunt Mary’s house.
One time when he got lost on his way to his aunt’s house, his father came for him and announced that he was emigrating to Australia with his son. Mom Julia confronted him and the ensuing argument ended with their son being asked to choose between them. Five year old John chose to stay with his mother.

By now, Julia and Dykins were living in a small flat with John. But his Aunt Mary began to interfere. She was a determined and forceful personality and had previously taken part in raising John. She now felt that the accomodations in the flat were not suitable for the child. She called a social worker who first thought that children should remain with mothers. But when Mary pointed out that the young John would be sharing one bedroom with two adults, the social worker gave in and handed little John to Aunt Mary and her husband to raise....

http://fosterclub.com/funstuff/fam_fosterKids/johnLenno...

And we will party in Central Park today and tonight:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[graywarrior]

46. Miss him, miss him, miss him.

There's a hole in my heart that will never get filled up because of John.

[blues90]

49. It's too damn depressing to think about

I went to the candle light vigils in 1980 and there were massess of people there . I was excited when Lennon came back with the new album and had hope he would be back on the scene for a long time to come .

The beatles came along when I was 14 and it was great . I have album they ever had as well as the 8 tracks which are now falling apart .

Now it seems the dream is over , Lennon had hope when hope had real meaning and was still possible now the way things are none of what Lennon hoped for seems likely . We are in a different world entirey one Lennon would certainly hate and may be the leader of a revolution and he would surly be murdered as he was back in 1980 .

I wish we could go back and have kept ahead of this takeover and just maybe we would not be sitting in this hell on earth .

[MzNov]

50. Saw US v. John Lennon yesterday

I laughed, but mostly cried thru the whole thing. Oh to have a courageous voice such as his in today's political swamp. I can't believe he's gone and I'll never forget the day he was shot. Some right wing religious nut job. What else??

Power to the People.

[DTinAZ]

51. bought some CDs in honor of John

My parents have most of the old vinyl (somewhere in storage, unfortunately), so I just bought "Rubber Soul" and "Revolver" (at Amazon.com for less than $10 each, new).

All we are saying is "give peace a chance"!

DT

[Forrest Greene]

52. From Another John:

...his mother's words echoed again,
"Don't take your guns to town, son,
leave your guns at home, Bill,
don't take your guns to town."

Thanks for everything, Johnny.

[cureautismnow]

57. Happy 66th B-Day, John, and Happy 31st B-Day, Sean!

May you both continue to shine on like the moon, the stars, and the sun.

[Patsy Stone]

59. Aw.

You're so right. Happy Birthday, Sean!

[onecent]

60. Happy Birthday John. I still love you!!! Peace! n/t

[CTyankee]

62. I heard the news today oh boy

that was the editorial in the NYT the day after JOhn was shot.

I was a transplanted New Yorker living in the D.C. area at thet ime. I was in shock. Why, why, why?

Rest in peace, John. I think of you and your voice so oftent these days...

[Cha]

63. Happy Birthday, John Lennon!

We miss you! Imagine!

[Imagevision]

64. Playboy Interview: John Lennon and Yoko Ono (must read) Link

Playboy Interview: John Lennon and Yoko Ono (Page 1)

January 1981 by David Sheff
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/6797/int1.ht...

[BlackVelvetElvis]

65. John was an amazing songwriter and human being

I also find the older I get, the more I love his voice. That man could sing the hell out of a song!

My favorite Lennon song and Lennon at his best:

Working Class Hero

As soon as you're born they make you feel small
By giving you no time instead of it all
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

They hurt you at home and they hit you at school
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years
Then they expect you to pick a career
When you can't really function you're so full of fear
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV
And you think you're so clever and class less and free
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be

There's room at the top they are telling you still
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill
If you want to be like the folks on the hill
A working class hero is something to be
A working class hero is something to be
If you want to be a hero well just follow me
If you want to be a hero well just follow me

[Patsy Stone]

66. I just listened to this today.

Amazing.

[BlackVelvetElvis]

67. Yet, it was so simple.

All he needed was a guitar and his voice to express himself.
I was 14 when he died and he was a hero of mine. I miss his voice.

[Patsy Stone]

68. I was a bit older

Every time I go to NYC I make a point of visiting Strawberry Fields -- it makes me happy and calm. The great ones only need a voice, and they don't even need to sing to make it heard. With John, we just got lucky; he had it all.

Peace.

[Dakini23]

69. Happy Birthday John!

Yesterday was my birthday!
A few days ago it was Gandhi's!
I wish John was still around....I have tears in my eyes as I write this.

[Patsy Stone]

70. Welcome to DU, Dakini23!

and a belated Happy Birthday.

[Jcrowley]

71. we all shine on

Instant karmas gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon youre gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love
What on earth you tryin to do
Its up to you, yeah you

Instant karmas gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together darlin
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin at fools like me
Who in the hell dyou think you are
A super star
Well, right you are

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Evryone come on

Instant karmas gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Evryone you meet
Why in the world are we here
Surely not to live in pain and fear
Why on earth are you there
When youre evrywhere
Come and get your share

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Come on and on and on on on
Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
On and on and on on and on

Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun

[H2O Man]

72. Great song,

and the photo from "The Beatles" brings back memories of being at Herkimer Community College, and having a "Beatles' room" where we listened to parts of that double album backwards, etc.

[PhilYerHead]

73. "we all shine on". Thank you John, and everyone on this thread.

and it was when "imagine" came out and just a couple of months later he was gone.

I wish he was still here.

Thank you again, all.

Peace, John.