John Lennon really about peace?

Question

I can't listen to John Lennon anymore.

I have read Albert Goldman's biography on John Lennon.
Yes I know that this author is notorios for skewing the "truth." But I have read other books that Lennon was violent, sometimes hit both his wives, attacked and mugged a sailor in Hamburg (left him for dead) when the Beatles first toured, and beat up a man accusing him of being gay.

Stu Sutcliffe, the original bassist of the Beatles, died of a brain hemmorage in 1962. It has been alleged by Stu's sister that Lennon kicked Stu Sutcliff in the head repeatedly in Hamburg, causing the young man to never recover. That makes me sick.

Factual or not, these accusations had caused me to reasses my love for John Lennon several years ago.
The 1960s Liverpool scene was violent sometimes, but Lennon stands out. He could be sweet and peaceful, then a mean, violent drunk, like his "Lost weekend" punching a waitress and heckling the Smothers Brothers.
For me the dream is over.
Thoughts?

I have changed my opinion of the Beatles too. I am 22. When I was in 7th and 8th grade, I listened to the Beatles constantly. Now, I never listen to their albums, only rarely.

They were more soiled than people realize, and were not clean-cut. Brian Epstein put them into matching suits, and made them sing pop songs, when in reality, the Beatles were a rough rock band who sold themselves short.

Touring in 1964-1966 destroyed the Beatles, and was too much, too fast. They hardly did concerts after that, and to me, live performance is essential, and keeps bands alive.

Each member wanted to do their own thing, John was dominated by Yoko, Paul wanted to keep going, George struggled under the Lennon/McCartney shadow, and Ringo was overlooked.

I think the peace and love thing was a publicity stunt by John and Yoko. Not the fact that he was wealthy and sung about no possessions in "Imagine," that is irrelevant, but his violence toward people, and even more disturbing, to the ones he "loved"

As far as looking at the songs and not the musician, I cannot, because I can't listen to a song knowing it is not pure, and is phony, and the person behind it didn't believe in what he wrote.

I can't listen to lies and hypocrisy. I have to respect the person singing the song or I will NOT buy their album. Music is spiritual to me

As far as would it be better if someone else sang them, yes, maybe someone who believed in their words.

And you don't have to be tormented to make good music... so you are saying that Lennon's horrible childhood was a good thing, because he made music...

I wouldn't wish sorrow on anyone, no matter how good their songs are. That is like saying, musicians work better when stoned and drunk.

But take away their stimulants and uppers and downers, and their music falls flat like they do.

Sometimes its NOT just about the music.

Answer 1

Okay, yes he did beat up a man because the man accused him of being gay. He did hit Cynthia Lennon a couple of times, but I don't know about Yoko Ono because she denies it. But, his anger came from his bottled up childhood. At age five, he left his mother to live with his aunt. Then, his father took him on vacation and they wanted to live together. John's mother Julia found out and asked John to come live with her. John wanted to live with both of his parents, but his father said he must choose one or the other. John cried and picked his father. But then, Julia left sobbing and John ran after her and never saw his father until many years later. Even though John went home with his mother, he continued to live with his aunt. He later found out that his mother lived nearby. They became very close, but a few years later, Julia died in an accident. In Cynthia Lennon's book "John", she says that John became very jealous if he saw her near another man. At a party, he heard that she was dancing with Stu Sutcliffe. He found them dancing and when Cynthia saw the look on his face, they quickly stopped. The next night, Cynthia came to greet John, and he slapped her, causing her to hit her head on some pipes. A few days later, John was crying, and apologized, promising he'd never get violent again.
Mimi, his aunt, never really encouraged John. Even when he became famous, Cynthia Lennon said the top three things on her mind was money, John, and her cats; in that order.
I think most of his anger came from his childhood. But after that fight with the man who accused him of being gay, he never fought again, as he says. I'll still listen to John because his music won't change because of what he did. They only wore the suits because Epstein said they would never sell unless they wore suits and didn't swear, yell, eat, smoke, fight, and talk to their audience. They used to be the opposite in Hamburg and in the early days at the Cavern Club. I still love the Beatles.

Answer 2

Hey I know exectly what you are going through. I have felt the same way about John Lennon also. But I have come to the point in that what I believe is that John Lennon had split personalities and could be at times very angry for many different reasons. But I dont let the bad take away from the good. I like to enjoy the good music and listen to the good lyrics and just take them for what they are. Damm good songs.
By the way. I dont read to much into all that crap about his childhood. I mean come on, he had it good compared to a lot of kids, its not like he was out in the cotton fields all day is it. Also read about Paul and Ringo's childhoods. They also had it rough but they didnt grow up angry.
No John would have been an angry genius no matter what.

Answer 3

I LOVE JOHN LENNON!!! If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be what I am today. I play the piano, guitar, and several other instruments. I have read MANY of his biographies, yet I still LOVE him. I'm in 8th grade now and my mind hasn't exactly "matured". However, what I know now is that John Lennon has inspired me. I listen to The Beatles and John Lennon EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! I have since my mother was pregnant with me in her. I love to read the lyrics and cherish them. Different people think different things about him. Yes, he was mean, rude, and etc., but he was also many other things. If it weren't for him, so many things would of never happened. I believe that John Lennon is awesome, but for all I know NO ONE really knows much about him. They only look at him from the outside and write about it. Until we die, we won't really know John Lennon. All I know is that right now I LOVE JOHN LENNON, and if it weren't for him... I don't know what my life would be like. He has impacted my life so greatly, even though I am ONLY 13 and ONLY an 8th grader. It's weird how things like that happen. I love John Lennon.

Peace and Love,
Nhi

Answer 4

Wow you are getting into the singer and not the song...Would it be better if someone else sang them? Musicans are just people and they make mistakes. Usually the more talented the musician the more tormented the soul. Look at Jim Morrison, he told people his parents were dead. While I don't care for Michael Jacksons personal life there is no denying that he is a talented musician and performer. Should I not listen to his songs because of what he does? We are not the judge there is only one that does that, but you must do what makes you feel right.

Answer 5

The Beatles were punks when they first started. Although John had his flaws, I think later his heart was in the right place and he was sincere about the peace thing. Don't let that ruin the music for you. I have read about and met some of my musical idols (Todd Rundgren, Yes, John Entwhistle) and though they have flaws and big egos, their music still speaks to me. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!

Answer 6

Peace appears like an incredible theory, yet i think of Lennon's view grow to be unrealistic. that's impossible to stay in a society devoid of conflict, using fact ought to be a suited international. If each and every u . s . a . gave peace of venture, ultimately, somebody could grow to be adverse and harm the solidarity interior the international. i'm no longer attempting to sound cynical or something, yet giving peace of venture would not carry some utopia. there is often going to be somebody who makes use of their ability for grasping purposes, no longer worrying who they harm. i do no longer think of John Lennon grow to be incorrect, yet he grow to be unrealistic.

Answer 7

Whatever he may or may not have done I think his music is still worth listening to. I try not to let "celebrity news" affect my listening or viewing habits. I listen to music that I like, and watch movies in spite of an actor's "reputation". There're a lot of musicians out there who's behavior is controversial, but I don't care about that . After all, it's all about the music, isn't it?

Answer 8

I woulda thought he stayed too stoned to do any of that...lol

Answer 9

Yoko had it coming...

Answer 10

du he was about peace! ever heard of GIVE PEACE A CHANCE?!