John Lennon: Tribute Story

"A Day in the Life" of John Lennon

By Jennifer Pascale

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

John Lennon is one of the most influential people in not only the music industry, but in history itself. Through his music, he introduced the world to his many ideas and theories on peace in humanity.

John Lennon in his earlier years
photo credit: johnlennon.com

"When people ask me who I'd want to have dinner with, dead or alive, I always say, 'John Lennon.'" said Alanis Morissette, Canadian-American singer-songwriter. "I just feel that he was an artist who was, in his own way, committed to wholeness and authenticity in a not dissimilar way that I am years later." 

We have lost one of the greats this week. On Monday, December 8th, Lennon was fatally shot outside of his New York City apartment by Mark David Chapman, a disturbed fan. He was shot 4 times in the back and once in the chest. Yoko Ono, Lennon's wife was present at the scene. He was taken by ambulance from The Dakota apartment building to Roosevelt Hospital, located on 59th Street near Central Park. Upon his arrival at Roosevelt Hospital, doctors were unable to save him and Lennon was pronounced dead. Ono repeatedly said, "It's not true. I don't believe you. You're lying."

"Lennon was a most talented man and above all, a gentle soul. John and his colleagues set a high standard by which contemporary music continues to be measured," Frank Sinatra told Extra when asked his thoughts on the musician.

Lennon, born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England, impacted the world in ways greater than we ever imagined. Starting in 1956, at the age of sixteen, he began his musical career with the Quarrymen, a band that he spearheaded with his friends who all went to the Quarry Bank school. 

This garage band later evolved into the Beatles in 1960. The Beatles played their first gigs at the Casbah Coffee Club. This small joint in Liverpool helped them to gain their reputation. 

Their first real gig was at The Indra in Hamburg. 

"Hamburg made them sound better," said Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers. "It made them different. Before that, I didn't notice anything directly different between the Beatles and all the other bands in Liverpool, but after their first Hamburg trip, they were tremendous." 

The iconic picture of the Beatles walking on Abbey Road
photo credit: bettylivin.com

In January of 1962, the Beatles signed their first contract with music producer, Brian Epstein. 

Also during this time, Lennon married his first wife, Cynthia Powell, who he met at in an art class at the Liverpool College of Art. They were married in August of 1962.

Earlier that year, on June 6th, 1962, the Beatles had their first recording session at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London. In October later that year, they released their first single, "Love Me Do". They had grown in popularity in the United Kingdom and by 1964, they had become international stars.

Lennon once stated that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus, which caused a lot of controversy within the community. 

The Beatles headed to the United States after their single, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" hit #1 in the American Top 100. They flew into New York City and were welcomed by thousands of fans. They performed on the Ed Sullivan Show for a live audience, along with 73 million who tuned in for the show. 

Up until the late 1960's the Beatles fame grew and they had dozens of songs and several albums out. Their popularity progressed even more. 

In 1963, Lennon and Powell had their first son together, John Charles Julian Lennon. Lennon was on tour at the time so he did not get to meet his newborn son until 3 days after the birth. A few years went by and Powell found Lennon cheating on her with another woman who happened to be Lennon's second wife, Yoko Ono.

The Beatles fan base consists of millions of people all over the world
photo credit: Google images

In 1966, Lennon met Yoko Ono, a London artist. They married 3 years later. 

In 1968, Powell filed for divorce when she found out Ono and Lennon were having an affair. In November of that year, the divorce was final.

In 1969, The Beatles performed together for the last time in London. Their last album, "Abbey Road", was released later that year. April 10th, 1970, the Beatles officially broke up. 

"I couldn't believe it," said Linda Hurst, Beatles enthusiast. "I modeled my life after their ideas and the outlooks they had on world peace and equality. I was absolutely devastated"

Once the Beatles went their separate ways, Lennon became very interested in politics. He was an activist for peace and in protest, he returned his MBE (Member of the British Empire) back to Queen Elizabeth when Great Britain gave support to the Vietnam War. 

After the political activism began, he started to follow radicals and people who are influential in groups that support world peace. The Attorney General John Mitchell thinks it would be best if Lennon is deported so John fought deportation for a long 4 years. He ended up winning the case and became a permanent resident of the United States.

He also grew as a solo artist in the music industry. During this time he wrote "Strawberry Fields", "Working Class Hero", "Jealousy Guy", and his famous piece, "Imagine".

In 1975, Ono gave birth to their first son and Lennon's second, Sean Ono Taro Lennon. 

Later, in November of this year, Lennon is inspired and writes and releases his seventh and final album with music contributions from Ono. 

This brings us back to today, and this week. Jules Lorusso, a High Point University student, looks back on Lennon's beautiful life.

"He was such an iconic figure in the lives of many, not only in music, but in fashion and humanity."

He will be greatly missed by friends, family, and fans alike. He truly inspired us all in a plethora ways. He believed in his ideas and the people around in him and put his whole heart into it.

"I never got to meet John, but I always felt like I knew him anyway. The Beatles taught us to fly, and John taught us to free fall back to Earth," said Steven Tyler, singer-songwriter and instrumentalist. "All songwriters ever want to do is crawl inside other people's souls and psyches, and somehow change everything. Jesus, what part of John or the Beatles did not get inside every one of us? If it wasn't for John Lennon, we wouldn't be here."

Lennon has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

"I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one"

These words became the mantra of the 1970's and forever, an anthem to humanity. The man behind the music will live on as a legend. 

For more information about John Lennon, visit johnlennon.com

John Lennon's Life Timeline

1940	John Lennon is born in Liverpool, England
1956	Lennon forms his first group, the Quarrymen
1957-1960	Lennon meets Paul McCartney and George Harrison and they join the group, which begins the Beatles. They make their debut in Hamburg.
1962	Ringo joins the Beatles
1962	Lennon marries Cynthia Powell, his first wife
1963	Lennon and Powell have their first child, Julian.
1964	The Beatles begin their first U.S. tour in Washington, D.C.
1966	The Beatles declare the concert in San Francisco’s Candlestick Park to be their final concert. Lennon meets Yoko Ono.
1968	Powell files for divorce and it is settled in November
1969	Lennon and Ono get married. They host a “bed-in” for peace. In order to protest for peace, he returns his MBE back to Great Britain.
1970	“John Lennon/ Plastic Ono Band”, Lennon’s debut album enters the album charts
1972	Lennon is brought up to be deported from the U.S.
1973	Lennon and Ono move to The Dakota in New York City. John then goes to Los Angeles for 18 months.
1975	Lennon and Ono have a son, Sean Taro Ono Lennon.
1976	Lennon’s application to remain a U.S. citizen is approved and he is no longer going to be deported
1980	Lennon writes his first new single in more than five years, “(Just Like) Starting Over”. ‘Double Fantasy’ by Lennon and Ono is released
1980	Lennon is shot by a deranged fan at his apartment in NYC
1990	On what would have been Lennon’s 50th birthday, “Imagine” is broadcast in 130 countries
1992	John Lennon is given the Lifetime Achievement Award
1994	Lennon is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame