Anniversary of Lennon's death

[Al Truest]

It was 25 years ago today that John Lennon was murdered outside "the Dakota" where he lived in NYC. Just think of the continuing influence he may have been if not for the senseless actions of a madman. Shame...

[Adey]

I recall the day of the announcement very well. I was in something like a state of shock for about 2 days and couldn't get the news out of my head.

Ironically, I'd just bought Double Fantasy at that time, and was really enjoying the material on it. I remember thinking what a positive up-beat album it was - perfect for a comeback recording..

[Xanadu]

Well, I can't say that I remember it in that way you do. I was far too small to understand the magnitude of what happened, but my father is a Beatles fan, and I was exposed to much music when I was little. All I remember was thinking why would someone kill that man.

As I have grown up in a culture changed by his murder, I can only speculate as to how truly shocking the stalking and murder of a beloved celebrity was at the time. My whole life, celebrities have feared the masses and distanced themselves from fans. When I watched a documentary on the days before his murder, I was stunned at how casual he was with the fans who would wait outside his door. In fact, he signed an album for the man who shot him.

I recently read an article on how Yoko was protesting a filmed interview with Lennon's murderer to be aired for the 25th anniversary. She was outraged, as well she should be. She stated that we would be encouraging other fans to consider the same - in a way, by proclaiming this man as a celebrity in his own right by still showing interest in him.

I feel slightly uncomfortable with such notice being taken of the anniversary, though. It seems to celebrate the horror of his untimely death rather than his contributions and life. I don't think he would understand it, and do you think it comforts his loved ones or reminds of painful memories? I believe they want him to be loved and remembered, but I wouldn't want to relive those feelings every year.

He should be honored in a most appropriate fashion, but maybe some take it too far, as over-zealous fans always do.

[Al Truest]

I believe it to be in poor taste to recognize Lennon's killer by name. In my mention of this anniversry, I intentionally did not offer this information. He deserves no more footnote than being a madman. That's as much as anyone needs to know about the perspective of his murderer.

[Xanadu]

altruest said:

I believe it to be in poor taste to recognize Lennon's killer by name. In my mention of this anniversry, I intentionally did not offer this information. He deserves no more footnote than being a madman. That's as much as anyone needs to know about the perspective of his murderer.

I didn't, mention it in that fashion. Did you not agree with me, or didn't you want to discuss it any further?

[Al Truest]

xanadu76 said:

altruest said:

I believe it to be in poor taste to recognize Lennon's killer by name. In my mention of this anniversry, I intentionally did not offer this information. He deserves no more footnote than being a madman. That's as much as anyone needs to know about the perspective of his murderer.

I didn't, mention it in that fashion. Did you not agree with me, or didn't you want to discuss it any further?

I was agreeing with you. But what I had meant to make more clear was how the media should not bring more fame to the murderer - not necessarily you or me. I had in mind that the news reports should avoid doing so in my first post and , poorly, explained it in my last post. I'm slipping ;lately.

[Xanadu]

altruest said:

xanadu76 said:

I didn't, mention it in that fashion. Did you not agree with me, or didn't you want to discuss it any further?

I was agreeing with you. But what I had meant to make more clear was how the media should not bring more fame to the murderer - not necessarily you or me. I had in mind that the news reports should avoid doing so in my first post and , poorly, explained it in my last post. I'm slipping ;lately.

I guess I'm reading too much between the lines, hmmmm?

[Adey]

In the UK during the week, TV Channel 4 screened an ill advised documentary on Lennon's assassin, using some of his prison interview tapes. I gather Yoko Ono was understandably particularly upset about it, as were many other people. I certainly had no interest in watching it and was genuinely mystified by the motives of the TV Production Company involved and those of Channel 4 themselves.

The very best that could be said about the killer's reasons, is that they are entirely irrelevent..

[Al Truest]

xanadu76 said:

altruest said:

I was agreeing with you. But what I had meant to make more clear was how the media should not bring more fame to the murderer - not necessarily you or me. I had in mind that the news reports should avoid doing so in my first post and , poorly, explained it in my last post. I'm slipping ;lately.

I guess I'm reading too much between the lines, hmmmm?

Here lately, I've been having difficulty read the lines - let alone between them.

[Sheila]

altruest said:

xanadu76 said:

I guess I'm reading too much between the lines, hmmmm?

Here lately, I've been having difficulty read the lines - let alone between them.

"The passage of time is dimly up on the screen. I can't read the lines I used to think I could read between."---Brian Eno--"Golden Hours"

I do not wish to comment on John Lennon's death. I have my reasons.

Okay well I will say this---rock and roll got as big as religion at the time, and someone seemed to have gone down as Christ did---I see a human pattern here.

I also want to say that my best friend at the time had a dream John Lennon died about 3 days before it actually happened. That was quite freaky.