December 8, 1980
12-07-10, 11:56 PM
#2
Banned by request
Re: December 8, 1980
Out of all the early celebrity deaths, this one always hit me the hardest. Even worse is listening to the songs Lennon did from that period, it was clear he was in a really good and stable place for once in his life.
12-08-10, 12:26 AM
#3
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: December 8, 1980
Man, thirty years, huh? I still remember turning on and listening to my FM clock radio in my room, being pleasently surprised by the back-to-back Beatles songs they just played, when the DJ came on and told everyone why they were being played. Very sad night.
12-08-10, 04:39 AM
#4
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: December 8, 1980
It was awful for something so senseless to happen.
I always wondered what would happen if the four of them ever came back to record a few songs or whatever at some point.
He still left behind an incredible catalog for all of us to enjoy.
I always wondered what would happen if the four of them ever came back to record a few songs or whatever at some point.
He still left behind an incredible catalog for all of us to enjoy.
12-08-10, 06:55 AM
#5
12-08-10, 09:30 AM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
12-08-10, 02:33 PM
#11
Suspended
Thread Starter
Re: December 8, 1980
Rolling Stone releases Lennon's final interview
Dec 8, 6:45 AM (ET)
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
NEW YORK (AP) - Three days before he was gunned down, John Lennon complained about his critics - saying they were just interested in "dead heroes" - and talked optimistically about his family and future, musing that he had "plenty of time" to accomplish some of his life goals.
Lennon's final interview was released to The Associated Press by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the musician's death. The issue using the full interview will be on magazine stands on Friday. While brief excerpts of Jonathan Cott's interview with Lennon were released for a 1980 Rolling Stone cover story days after Lennon's death, this is the first time the entire interview has been published.
"His words are totally joyous and vibrant and hopeful and subversive and fearless," said Cott in an interview on Tuesday. "He didn't mince words."
Lennon saves some of his harshest words for critics who were perennially disappointed with Lennon's path, in both music and in his life, after leaving the Beatles.
"These critics with the illusions they've created about artists - it's like idol worship," he said. "They only like people when they're on their way up ... I cannot be on the way up again.
"What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I'm not interesting in being a dead (expletive) hero. .. So forget 'em, forget 'em."
He also predicted that Bruce Springsteen, then hailed as rock's bright future, would endure the same critical barbs: "And God help Bruce Springsteen when they decide he's no longer God. ... They'll turn on him, and I hope he survives it."
But Lennon also talked about trying to be a good father to his youngest son Sean, learning how to relate to a child (he admitted he wasn't good at play) and spoke of his strong bond with wife Yoko Ono: "I've selected to work with ... only two people: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. ... That ain't bad picking."
At 40, he was also reflective of what he had accomplished so far in life and exploring life's themes, and remained committed to his goal of peace and love on earth.
"I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can ... But I still believe in peace, love and understanding."
Cott interviewed Lennon at his apartment and at his record studio. The interview was originally planned for a cover story for Lennon and Ono's upcoming album "Double Fantasy," but in the rush to put out a story after Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman, only snippets were used.
Cott said he never went back to the three hours worth of tapes until a few months ago when he was cleaning out his closet.
"On a strip of magnetic tape, it was sort of a miracle that first of all, the tape had not degraded after 30 years," he said. "All of this sudden, this guy's voice, totally alive ... just made me feel so inspired that I felt that I should really transcribe the whole thing."
Cott said he was struck by how much he was thinking about his life and mortality.
"There were a lot of strange consideration of where he was and what he felt like sort of in the middle of his journey," Cott said. "I think it was like a mid-life meditation, I was struck by that."
The magazine also included an essay by Ono recalling her final days with her husband.
Ono released a statement Tuesday night in tribute to Lennon.
"On this tragic anniversary please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect," Ono said. "In his short lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you!"
Dec 8, 6:45 AM (ET)
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY
NEW YORK (AP) - Three days before he was gunned down, John Lennon complained about his critics - saying they were just interested in "dead heroes" - and talked optimistically about his family and future, musing that he had "plenty of time" to accomplish some of his life goals.
Lennon's final interview was released to The Associated Press by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the musician's death. The issue using the full interview will be on magazine stands on Friday. While brief excerpts of Jonathan Cott's interview with Lennon were released for a 1980 Rolling Stone cover story days after Lennon's death, this is the first time the entire interview has been published.
"His words are totally joyous and vibrant and hopeful and subversive and fearless," said Cott in an interview on Tuesday. "He didn't mince words."
Lennon saves some of his harshest words for critics who were perennially disappointed with Lennon's path, in both music and in his life, after leaving the Beatles.
"These critics with the illusions they've created about artists - it's like idol worship," he said. "They only like people when they're on their way up ... I cannot be on the way up again.
"What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I'm not interesting in being a dead (expletive) hero. .. So forget 'em, forget 'em."
He also predicted that Bruce Springsteen, then hailed as rock's bright future, would endure the same critical barbs: "And God help Bruce Springsteen when they decide he's no longer God. ... They'll turn on him, and I hope he survives it."
But Lennon also talked about trying to be a good father to his youngest son Sean, learning how to relate to a child (he admitted he wasn't good at play) and spoke of his strong bond with wife Yoko Ono: "I've selected to work with ... only two people: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. ... That ain't bad picking."
At 40, he was also reflective of what he had accomplished so far in life and exploring life's themes, and remained committed to his goal of peace and love on earth.
"I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can ... But I still believe in peace, love and understanding."
Cott interviewed Lennon at his apartment and at his record studio. The interview was originally planned for a cover story for Lennon and Ono's upcoming album "Double Fantasy," but in the rush to put out a story after Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman, only snippets were used.
Cott said he never went back to the three hours worth of tapes until a few months ago when he was cleaning out his closet.
"On a strip of magnetic tape, it was sort of a miracle that first of all, the tape had not degraded after 30 years," he said. "All of this sudden, this guy's voice, totally alive ... just made me feel so inspired that I felt that I should really transcribe the whole thing."
Cott said he was struck by how much he was thinking about his life and mortality.
"There were a lot of strange consideration of where he was and what he felt like sort of in the middle of his journey," Cott said. "I think it was like a mid-life meditation, I was struck by that."
The magazine also included an essay by Ono recalling her final days with her husband.
Ono released a statement Tuesday night in tribute to Lennon.
"On this tragic anniversary please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect," Ono said. "In his short lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you!"
12-08-10, 02:45 PM
#12
Re: December 8, 1980
I remember my parents being shattered by it, but despite having been surrounded by the sound of Beatles 45s nearly constantly since I was born, I was only five and didn't really realize the significance oh what had happened.
12-08-10, 02:57 PM
#13
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: December 8, 1980
John did a lot of interviews about his come back and the release of Double Fantasy. I still have my copies of Rolling Stone and Playboy where 2 of them were published.
12-08-10, 03:11 PM
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: December 8, 1980
Probably one of my favorite musical artists of all time. The impact he had not only on the music industry but also the world is pretty amazing. Too bad I wasn't born until 5 years after his death, so I could never experience his life and work when he was still around.
My dad told me an interesting story about how he heard John died. He was in a bar in Texas and some dude who was fairly out of it, burst in and exclaimed "Holy Crap, one of the Lennon Sisters died!"
Also, on twitter people are all writing messages about John...unfortunately they seem to not know how to spell, because one of the top trending topics in the US is 'Lenon'.
My dad told me an interesting story about how he heard John died. He was in a bar in Texas and some dude who was fairly out of it, burst in and exclaimed "Holy Crap, one of the Lennon Sisters died!"
Also, on twitter people are all writing messages about John...unfortunately they seem to not know how to spell, because one of the top trending topics in the US is 'Lenon'.
Last edited by Bob_Bobbson; 12-08-10 at 03:20 PM.
12-08-10, 03:14 PM
#15
DVD Talk Legend
Re: December 8, 1980
I was 9. I didn't even know the name "John Lennon" at the time. I knew "John" from The Beatles because of the Yellow Submarine movie. But Paul McCartney was the only Beatle I knew by full name, mostly because of Wings and solo hits.
I didn't find out anything until the next morning, since I was asleep in bed at the time it happened, but that next day was my first experience of WITNESSING THE ENTIRE WORLD SCREECHING TO A HALT. I couldn't process the enormity of it all. Going to school that day (I went to a K through 8 campus), many of the Jr. High students were weeping. So were several teachers. I was in band and our teacher talked John/Beatles all period long. Nobody could talk anything else.
On December 8th 1980, all I knew about him was that he was "John" from Yellow Submarine. After that date, everything changed. Within months I would begin the process of becoming a drooling, hyperventilating Beatlemaniac that I carry to this day.
But I still can't process his loss. I never will.
I didn't find out anything until the next morning, since I was asleep in bed at the time it happened, but that next day was my first experience of WITNESSING THE ENTIRE WORLD SCREECHING TO A HALT. I couldn't process the enormity of it all. Going to school that day (I went to a K through 8 campus), many of the Jr. High students were weeping. So were several teachers. I was in band and our teacher talked John/Beatles all period long. Nobody could talk anything else.
On December 8th 1980, all I knew about him was that he was "John" from Yellow Submarine. After that date, everything changed. Within months I would begin the process of becoming a drooling, hyperventilating Beatlemaniac that I carry to this day.
But I still can't process his loss. I never will.
12-08-10, 04:04 PM
#17
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: December 8, 1980
Same here. We had the sound off, stereo on. When they interrupted the game broadcast with special bulliten from ABC News we turned up the sound to see what was going on. Then the phone started ringing, "Did you hear...?". Then someone else would call, "Did you hear...?"
12-08-10, 04:59 PM
#18
Suspended
Thread Starter
Re: December 8, 1980
I almost put this in the OP, but since a couple of people have mentioned it:
Here's John and Howard Cossell in happier times (December 9, 1974, almost exactly six years prior to John's assassination):
By the way, at the end of the clip, Cossell throws the broadcast over to "the Giffer," aka Frank Gifford. He used that nickname because MNF had a second guest that night. Apparently, Howard had put his foot down that night -- of the two guests, he was going to talk to Lennon and Gifford had to settle for the second-best guest: the Gipper, aka California Governor Ronald Reagan.
Here's John and Howard Cossell in happier times (December 9, 1974, almost exactly six years prior to John's assassination):
By the way, at the end of the clip, Cossell throws the broadcast over to "the Giffer," aka Frank Gifford. He used that nickname because MNF had a second guest that night. Apparently, Howard had put his foot down that night -- of the two guests, he was going to talk to Lennon and Gifford had to settle for the second-best guest: the Gipper, aka California Governor Ronald Reagan.
12-08-10, 05:25 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
12-08-10, 05:54 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: December 8, 1980
I was 9. I didn't even know the name "John Lennon" at the time. I knew "John" from The Beatles because of the Yellow Submarine movie. But Paul McCartney was the only Beatle I knew by full name, mostly because of Wings and solo hits.
I didn't find out anything until the next morning, since I was asleep in bed at the time it happened, but that next day was my first experience of WITNESSING THE ENTIRE WORLD SCREECHING TO A HALT.
I didn't find out anything until the next morning, since I was asleep in bed at the time it happened, but that next day was my first experience of WITNESSING THE ENTIRE WORLD SCREECHING TO A HALT.
I was 10 and definitely knew the Beatles music, but for some reason Paul McCartney was the one Beatle I'd remember the most... and Lennon I only knew by his first name. And like you, I woke up in the morning and found out by watching the news before going to school (which I always did - which I think was kinda rare for a 10 year old boy to do). At that point on I found the Beatles became MUCH more popular.
12-08-10, 07:02 PM
#22
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: December 8, 1980
I can't believe it's been 30 years. I got my first summer job in 1980 & bought The Blue Album with that first paycheck. Followed by everything else over that summer/fall. Imports, rarities, I had to have everything. I was on a major Beatles discovery kick that year.
Then my clock radio goes off on 12/09 & much like Decker, I was happy to hear a couple of Beatles songs together on the radio. I stayed in bed until the end of Strawberry Fields & then started to get up & get ready for school when the DJ broke the news. I still remember punching my pillow over & over and yelling NOOOO. A few of the kids wore black armbands that day.
30 years later, it still hurts. I remember seeing McCartney last summer & standing in a stadium full of people singing Give Peace a Chance was overwhelmingly emotional. Both for all that's happened since & what another 30 years of Lennon might have brought.
Fuck you Mark David Chapman. Fuck you.
Then my clock radio goes off on 12/09 & much like Decker, I was happy to hear a couple of Beatles songs together on the radio. I stayed in bed until the end of Strawberry Fields & then started to get up & get ready for school when the DJ broke the news. I still remember punching my pillow over & over and yelling NOOOO. A few of the kids wore black armbands that day.
30 years later, it still hurts. I remember seeing McCartney last summer & standing in a stadium full of people singing Give Peace a Chance was overwhelmingly emotional. Both for all that's happened since & what another 30 years of Lennon might have brought.
Fuck you Mark David Chapman. Fuck you.
12-08-10, 10:07 PM
#23
Banned by request
Re: December 8, 1980
I meant in terms of thinking about how much more the artist could have accomplished. For example, Hendrix died young, and would have made some amazing music (Band of Gypsies is testament to that), but I don't think of the loss the same way I do Lennon. Even though I wasn't alive to experience The Beatles, their music was an integral part of my life growing up, so to even think of the loss of Lennon (and Harrison when he passed) is painful.
12-08-10, 11:27 PM
#24
Senior Member
Re: December 8, 1980
Even after 30 years, I still can't believe I live in a world in which John Lennon has been murdered. It's not like he was one of those booze and drug fueled rock stars who choked on his own vomit, or died in a plane crash; some fucking asshole just walked up to him and fucking shot him. WHAT THE FUCK?!?! How the hell is the world supposed to make any fucking sense after that happens?
Grief is supposed to ease with the passage of time; mine only seems to get worse. I really can't think it about it too much; I put it away in a compartment in my mind, and I get on with my life. College, work, marriage, raising my daughter, introducing her to the Beatles and hearing them fresh again through her ears. But every so often it comes out and the pain is as fresh as ever.
I hate December 8 every year. And now I really have to stop thinking about it.
Grief is supposed to ease with the passage of time; mine only seems to get worse. I really can't think it about it too much; I put it away in a compartment in my mind, and I get on with my life. College, work, marriage, raising my daughter, introducing her to the Beatles and hearing them fresh again through her ears. But every so often it comes out and the pain is as fresh as ever.
I hate December 8 every year. And now I really have to stop thinking about it.