John Lennon

Early Family Life Born October 9th 1940 in Liverpool, England Lennon’s father abandoned him as an infant Mom is unstable parent and Lennon lives with Aunt Mimi and Uncle George Lennon’s mom was killed by drunk driver when he was 17 Lennon married wife Cynthia and had a son Julian A quote from Lennon about his father reappearing,” It was the second time in my life I'd seen him - I wasn't having him in the house” Lennon left his first wife Cynthia and son Julian, who was named after his late mother, for Ono.

Early Musical Life Lennon starts The Quarrymen at age 15 Band members come and go until the Beatle’s solidify http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8eqtpLxFO0 The Beatles officially started in 1960 Lennon started his first band at the age of fifteen named The Quarrymen after the high school they attended- Quarry Bank High School the first song ever recorded by The Quarrymen,who will become the Beatles.Recorded in 1958,in a "home" studio with only one mic.George was only 15 years old,John 18 and Paul 16.Not even Pete Best was there.Its called "That'll Be the Day"

The Beatles Lennon was considered the most outspoken and intellectual band member 1965- World tour was cut short because of a controversial comment from Lennon Recorded music only in the studio until 1969 when band broke up While on tour in 1965 he said that The Beatles “were more popular than Jesus” which sparked quite the controversy and lead to their music being banned and records burned. After that they ended their touring days and began recordings in the studio.

Most Famous Works “A Day in the Life” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-Q9D4dcYng “Let it Be” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajCYQL8ouqw Rolling Stone Magazine says that 'A Day in the Life' is The Beatles best song. The ultimate Lennon-McCartney collaboration, 'A

After The Beatles Lennon left the band for Yoko Ono in 1969 McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” Ono and Lennon began recording music together 1970- Plastic Ono Band released first solo album 1971- Lennon released “Imagine” The popular song “Hey Jude” was written by Paul McCartney to help Lennon’s son Julian through his parent’s divorce. He released his most popular album “Imagine” in 1971, and he and Ono decided to move to the United States. Ono and Lennon did split up for a short period of time in the fall of 1973.

Different Band Different Music Lennon’s music becomes more minimalist as compared to more elaborate music of Beatles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKXfqpg-Q-k (Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDVkkwl6aJo (Mother) APROX 1:30- intricate instruments and lyrics 0-:30- very simple beat

Lennon in Society Lennon moves to US in 1971 Politicians felt threatened and he went through several years of trials to obtain green card Finally given green card on July 4, 1976 Told he would be eligible for citizenship in 1981 Lennon was a social activist and he disagreed strongly with America’s involvement with the Vietnam War. The Nixon administration was threatened by his outspokenness and popularity. They were fearful he would become a leader against them so they tried to get him deported back to England. He had to undergo four years of trials to finally obtain a green card because of a charge for possessing hashish in the 1960’s. He finally obtained his green card on the bicentennial of the American Revolution July 4, 1976. He was told he would be eligible to apply for citizenship in 1981.

Ono and Lennon Lennon and Ono married in 1975 Son Sean born soon after Lennon wrote song “Beautiful Boy” for Sean http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_j-tpmdPlI Lennon became a “house husband” and Ono was his music manager 2:10- token famous quote Life is what happens while you’re making other plans.

Death Lennon and Oko were recording new album in 1980 when Lennon was assasinated Lennon was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 There was no funeral He was cremated the day after his death and no one knows where the ashes were spread outside his apartment when he was on his way home from the recording studio. Chapman was once a fan of The Beatles and was supposedly jealous of Lennon’s solo career. 4 Instead of a funeral for Lennon, Ono asked the public for ten minutes of silence and prayer on the following Sunday which was December 14th. She also asked for contributions to charities in his memory. Lennon was cremated the day after his death and Yoko Ono has never revealed what happened to them or where they were spread.

Fame After Death Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Beatles on January 20, 1988. He was inducted as a solo artist in 1994. He was also voted the 38th Greatest Rock and Roll Artist by Rolling Stone magazine. The Beatles voted the Greatest Rock and Roll Artists of all time in same list.

Fame After Death Cont. Liverpool Airport was renamed the John Lennon Airport. 2005, The Beatles replica of a Yellow Submarine was unveiled outside the airport to commemorate Lennon

“Give Peace a Chance” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhyiqGIJQus Song was recorded in 1969 in the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada Was a political statement to stop American involvement in Vietnam War Norman Mailer, well known anti-war writer, Tom Smothers, comedian, composer and musician, and Tim Leary, American writer and psychologist, can be heard as some of the main voices in the chorus of the song.

Listening Guide 0:00-0:15- Music starts with Lennon counting the time to start the music. It sounds like several hands start clapping and a tambourine start to keep the beat Lennon’s lyrics are more conversational and fast paced. 00:20- Chorus. Many voices, both male and female harmonizing to sing the lyrics “All we are saying, is give peace a chance.” Back beat of claps and tambourine continue. This chorus symbolizes the united people and the ideal and peaceful society Lennon wants to achieve. 00:45- Lennon starts his part again. His voice is harsher and a lot faster tempo than the chorus. His voice has a bitter tone as he talks about society. 4:30- Lennon ends the song by thanking and complimenting the chorus and they all break into applause and whistling until that dies down and the song ends.

“Mother” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkOoZDK7Rz8 “Mother” was the first song on his first solo album “Plastic Ono Band” in 1970. “Mother” was one of the three songs he wrote for his mother years after her death. Lennon uses a voice technique in this song called “Primal Scream Therapy” to help him cope with his losses The screams were recorded and added later and he rarely screamed in shows to preserve his voice.

Listening Guide 0:30- Music starts with a slow somber bell ringing. 1:00- Lennon was a minimalist and the music starts with a drum keeping the back beat, and a few chords on the piano throughout. 2:30-Next verse starts more powerfully and lyrics are accompanied by a piano and guitar. 3:30- Chorus- Voice is more harsh and raises to a raspy scream. Piano is very staccato and tempo picks up. 4:20- Lyrics continue, as does the screaming, but starts to fade out to end the song.

“Imagine” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLgYAHHkPFs This song is considered Lennon’s most popular and well-known song. It was on his album titled “Imagine” in 1971. This album was a little richer than his first album “Plastic Ono Band” which was very minimalist. Lennon wanted to depict a utopian society to appeal to society to perfect itself. Lennon was very Zen and a well-known pacifist. The song was originally released at the height of the Vietnam War and today there has been a resurgence of this song that some speculate is linked to the war on terrorism we are now fighting. “Imagine” was even performed by Peter Gabriel at the Opening Ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. Was also featured on tv show glee where the vocal group signed it.

Listening Guide 0:30- Music starts with a very peaceful and melodious piano. Voice accompaniment starts at 0:15 and is very soft and ethereal. Verse 1-Voice doesn’t have much range of pitch. 0:40- Drums start and the music is richer and more complex in sound with both the drums guitars and piano all playing in harmony 1:20- Chorus starts. Music swells and becomes more powerful and dynamic. Voice is soft but has more range and more runs making it sound peaceful and calm. 2:20- Drum riff signals the beginning of the final chorus. Repeats the same words and melody. Music varies a little in harmonies. Climax of the song.

Bibliography DeCurtis, Anthony. "John Lennon." John Lennon. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013 Abb, Paul. "Biography of John Lennon." IMDb. Amazon, n.d. Web. 08 Feb. 2013.