Happy Birthday John! Happy Birthday To You Wherever You Are!
It was on this day in 1940 that John Winston(Ono)Lennon was born.He was born to Fred and Julia(Stanley)Lennon.The reason why his middle name was Winston was because of his parents admiration for then England Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
For most of his childhood,John lived with his Aunt Mimi(Julia's sister)and Uncle George,who were his permanent guardians.Julia would visit him only on the weekends.John really did not know his father all too well.After his birth,John saw very little of him.Fred was going to take him away from Liverpool but Julia stepped in and said NO.After that,Fred disappeared and John never heard from him again until John became famous with The Beatles many years later. His mother was later killed by a hit and run drunk driver in 1958.He also made his first recording after this entitled My Mummy's Dead,which was later released on his second post Beatles solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
In 1956,John and his band The Quarrymen,met Paul McCartney and they clicked immediately.After this,George Harrison would join the band followed by Stuart Sutcliffe.After the demise of The Quarrymen,John,Paul,George and Stu would continue together in search of fame and fortune,which according to John,was "just around the corner,providing we choose the right corner."
Pete Best,who they met via Alan Marshall,their first manager,joined and they went to Hamburg.It was during these days that they met Tony Sheridan and they would record some songs that would help the Beatles(as the Beat Brothers)enhance their chances for fame.After these sessions and a German hit with My Bonnie c/w The Saints,the band returned to Liverpool and would meet up with Brian Epstein at the Cavern Club during the lunch time show.Brian immediately offered to manage them and they accepted.After a tumultuous time for nearly a year trying to get a label deal,Brian finally got what he was hoping for when he met George Martin at Parlophone Records,who actually wanted to meet the band.After that historic meeting,a recording date was set and after Brian sacked Pete Best due to John,Paul & George's refusal to do so because of their love for him,Richard Starkey(a.k.a.Ringo Starr)would join the band permanently and the rest was history until 1970 when the band forever disbanded after the release of their final album and film entitled Let It Be.
Throughout the early 1970's,John Lennon continued to record solo and would become successful.His biggest and best album was Imagine,which hit #1 in both the UK and the US at the same time,would also feature his most beloved and enduring song of the same name.After this,subsequent albums varied in quality and chart success.But it was all proof that John Lennon was never afraid to take any chances with the music he was writing.He also co-wrote Fame with David Bowie and Carlos Alomar,which would also go to #1 in the USA.He would also produce Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats album and his marriage to the love of his life,Yoko Ono,endured a 14 month separation,which became known as The Lost Weekend.After his final live appearance,which had John perform Whatever Gets You Through The Night with Elton John on Thanksgiving night in front of a sold out crowd in 1974,he reconciled with Yoko Ono backstage and he and her made plans for the rest of their lives together.In 1975,after he released two more albums,Rock & Roll and a hits compilation Shaved Fish,John chose to put his musical carrer on hold to help Yoko raise their newborn son Sean Taro Ono Lennon,who was born on Lennon's 35th birthday.
Also,during all of this,He also fought with US Immigration to stay in the USA.Many believed that Richard Nixon was behind the conspiracy to remove Lennon due to his views about the Vietnam War and fearing that Lennon was igniting and inspiring the youth of America to rebel.On July 27th 1976,John Lennon finally got his Green Card to allow him to live permanently in the USA.Judge Ira Fieldsteel approved his application.He also would make occasional public appearances.He also became friends with Howard Cosell,who actually offered him $1,000,000 to be shared with the band if The Beatles reunited on his Saturday Night with Howard Cosell show on ABC.John,of course,wanted for it to happen but it was not meant to be due to all the personal problems that were apparent at the time.In their place,the current teen pop phenonemon at the time,The Bay City Rollers,appeared in place of The Fab Four.Lorne Michaels also offered money for a reunion on Saturday Night Live but again,the offer was refused.Instead,George Harrison and Eric Idle appeared on that episode,with John,Paul,Yoko & Linda watching the show in Lennon's apartment at the Dakota.
In 1980,John announced that he was making a comeback to music.He also announced the release of his forthcoming comeback album entitled Double Fantasy:A Heart Play.When released,the album went all the way to #1 in both the UK and the US and John Lennon was also planning to tour on the album the next year.
In 1970,John Lennon claimed in his first post Beatles break-up interview regarding him and Yoko:
" I Hope That We Are A Nice Old Couple Living Off The Coast Of Ireland Or Somewhere.Looking At Our Scrapbook Of Madness."
Unfortunately,that was not meant to be.The end came much too quickly.On December 8th 1980,John Lennon,alongside Yoko Ono,was returning from a recording session for an upcoming album,which would be released nearly 4 years later as Milk & Honey:A Heart Play because he wanted to see his son Sean before he went to sleep,when he was approached by someone who called out to him with a handgun loaded and ready and fired nearly six times at him hitting him four times.Lennon was pronounced dead nearly a half hour later at Roosevelt Medical Center and to this day,we are still remembering him and showing our love for him throughout the world.His music continues to live on and his memory still lives on within our hearts.
His killer,who shall remain nameless because of this,continues to serve a 20 year to life prison term,which he will probably stay in until the day he dies.
He would have been 67 years of age if he were alive today.Instead of wishing him Happy Birthday and eagerly awaiting any albums,if he were still recording and performing,we are actually wishing that he was still here with us.
On Saturday night,I sang a tribute to John Lennon by singing some of his great songs to a positive review from the crowd.I do it every year when his birthday and the anniversary of his murder roll around.
Rest In Peace,John Lennon.We will always love you and remember you.Thanks for giving us such great music that we are still enjoying to this day.Thanks again John.You were truly one of "The Greatest Men Who Ever Lived."
For most of his childhood,John lived with his Aunt Mimi(Julia's sister)and Uncle George,who were his permanent guardians.Julia would visit him only on the weekends.John really did not know his father all too well.After his birth,John saw very little of him.Fred was going to take him away from Liverpool but Julia stepped in and said NO.After that,Fred disappeared and John never heard from him again until John became famous with The Beatles many years later. His mother was later killed by a hit and run drunk driver in 1958.He also made his first recording after this entitled My Mummy's Dead,which was later released on his second post Beatles solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band.
In 1956,John and his band The Quarrymen,met Paul McCartney and they clicked immediately.After this,George Harrison would join the band followed by Stuart Sutcliffe.After the demise of The Quarrymen,John,Paul,George and Stu would continue together in search of fame and fortune,which according to John,was "just around the corner,providing we choose the right corner."
Pete Best,who they met via Alan Marshall,their first manager,joined and they went to Hamburg.It was during these days that they met Tony Sheridan and they would record some songs that would help the Beatles(as the Beat Brothers)enhance their chances for fame.After these sessions and a German hit with My Bonnie c/w The Saints,the band returned to Liverpool and would meet up with Brian Epstein at the Cavern Club during the lunch time show.Brian immediately offered to manage them and they accepted.After a tumultuous time for nearly a year trying to get a label deal,Brian finally got what he was hoping for when he met George Martin at Parlophone Records,who actually wanted to meet the band.After that historic meeting,a recording date was set and after Brian sacked Pete Best due to John,Paul & George's refusal to do so because of their love for him,Richard Starkey(a.k.a.Ringo Starr)would join the band permanently and the rest was history until 1970 when the band forever disbanded after the release of their final album and film entitled Let It Be.
Throughout the early 1970's,John Lennon continued to record solo and would become successful.His biggest and best album was Imagine,which hit #1 in both the UK and the US at the same time,would also feature his most beloved and enduring song of the same name.After this,subsequent albums varied in quality and chart success.But it was all proof that John Lennon was never afraid to take any chances with the music he was writing.He also co-wrote Fame with David Bowie and Carlos Alomar,which would also go to #1 in the USA.He would also produce Harry Nilsson's Pussy Cats album and his marriage to the love of his life,Yoko Ono,endured a 14 month separation,which became known as The Lost Weekend.After his final live appearance,which had John perform Whatever Gets You Through The Night with Elton John on Thanksgiving night in front of a sold out crowd in 1974,he reconciled with Yoko Ono backstage and he and her made plans for the rest of their lives together.In 1975,after he released two more albums,Rock & Roll and a hits compilation Shaved Fish,John chose to put his musical carrer on hold to help Yoko raise their newborn son Sean Taro Ono Lennon,who was born on Lennon's 35th birthday.
Also,during all of this,He also fought with US Immigration to stay in the USA.Many believed that Richard Nixon was behind the conspiracy to remove Lennon due to his views about the Vietnam War and fearing that Lennon was igniting and inspiring the youth of America to rebel.On July 27th 1976,John Lennon finally got his Green Card to allow him to live permanently in the USA.Judge Ira Fieldsteel approved his application.He also would make occasional public appearances.He also became friends with Howard Cosell,who actually offered him $1,000,000 to be shared with the band if The Beatles reunited on his Saturday Night with Howard Cosell show on ABC.John,of course,wanted for it to happen but it was not meant to be due to all the personal problems that were apparent at the time.In their place,the current teen pop phenonemon at the time,The Bay City Rollers,appeared in place of The Fab Four.Lorne Michaels also offered money for a reunion on Saturday Night Live but again,the offer was refused.Instead,George Harrison and Eric Idle appeared on that episode,with John,Paul,Yoko & Linda watching the show in Lennon's apartment at the Dakota.
In 1980,John announced that he was making a comeback to music.He also announced the release of his forthcoming comeback album entitled Double Fantasy:A Heart Play.When released,the album went all the way to #1 in both the UK and the US and John Lennon was also planning to tour on the album the next year.
In 1970,John Lennon claimed in his first post Beatles break-up interview regarding him and Yoko:
" I Hope That We Are A Nice Old Couple Living Off The Coast Of Ireland Or Somewhere.Looking At Our Scrapbook Of Madness."
Unfortunately,that was not meant to be.The end came much too quickly.On December 8th 1980,John Lennon,alongside Yoko Ono,was returning from a recording session for an upcoming album,which would be released nearly 4 years later as Milk & Honey:A Heart Play because he wanted to see his son Sean before he went to sleep,when he was approached by someone who called out to him with a handgun loaded and ready and fired nearly six times at him hitting him four times.Lennon was pronounced dead nearly a half hour later at Roosevelt Medical Center and to this day,we are still remembering him and showing our love for him throughout the world.His music continues to live on and his memory still lives on within our hearts.
His killer,who shall remain nameless because of this,continues to serve a 20 year to life prison term,which he will probably stay in until the day he dies.
He would have been 67 years of age if he were alive today.Instead of wishing him Happy Birthday and eagerly awaiting any albums,if he were still recording and performing,we are actually wishing that he was still here with us.
On Saturday night,I sang a tribute to John Lennon by singing some of his great songs to a positive review from the crowd.I do it every year when his birthday and the anniversary of his murder roll around.
Rest In Peace,John Lennon.We will always love you and remember you.Thanks for giving us such great music that we are still enjoying to this day.Thanks again John.You were truly one of "The Greatest Men Who Ever Lived."
posted by LennonFan4Life at 10:35 PM
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