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Just Imagine - John Lennon Would Have Been 70 Years Old Today

By Claudette Millette

Real Estate Agent with The Buyers' Counsel

October 09, 2010 01:41 PM

John Lennon, along with being one of the founders of the most famous rock group in history, is also remembered as one half the one of the most prolific and successful song writing teams ever. My friends and I would play the game of "Name fifty Beatle songs in less than ten minutes." I think I could probably still prevail today, if challenged.

When the Beatles first came to America I was just a little girl but that didn't stop me from screaming in front of the television set as I watched them perform on the Ed Sullivan show. At the time of that appearance, Lennon was already an accomplished author of two books, "In His Own Write" and "A Spaniard in the Works."

John Lennon went from his first band the Quarrymen with a rough street kid facade into being a well-groomed a member of The Beatles with their identical suits and clean cut image. A little older than the rest of the band members, he was always considered their leader.

It was John who expressed concern during their touring years that "Beatlemania" was getting a bit out of control. The screaming during their concerts was actually drowning out the performances leading him to make the statement, "It's not really about the music any more."

Following the break up of The Beatles, Lennon went on to have his own independent successes. Although he is best remembered for the song, "Imagine" my personal favorites were "Working Class Hero," "Give Me Some Truth" and "Instant Karma."

John Lennon is remembered for his musical genius, his independent and peace loving spirit and his enduring observations of life such as, "Living is easy with eyes closed."

As people gathered today in Central Park to celebrate his life in the memorial, Strawberry Fields, it was a reminder of his wide appeal and of how much the man is still thought of and very much missed.

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Robert L. Brown

www.mrbrownsellsgr.com - Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Real Estate Bellabay Realty, West Mic

He was a great musician. His music will live on. And ye imagine was a greta song.

Oct 09, 2010 01:57 PM

Pam Dent

Gayle Harvey Real Estate, Inc. - Charlottesville, VA

REALTOR® - Charlottesville Virginia Homes / Horse

Claudette - I feel so lucky to have grown up with the Beatles and John Lennon's music. Can you imagine if his life hadn't been cut short.

Oct 09, 2010 02:34 PM

Steve Shatsky

Dallas, TX

Hi Claudette... I saw this on the news and was blown away at the thought of a 70 year old John Lennon and what he might have done had he lived to see today. What a loss not have had him with us for so long!

Oct 09, 2010 03:29 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Robert:

That's one thing we can be grateful for. Not only his music but his influence on music will live on.

Pam:

He still much more of his talent to share with us. It's sad that that it was taken away too soon.

Steve:

One of his characteristics was that he was too open and trusting and greeted his many admirers and fans out in the front of the Dakota where he lived. Hours before he was murdered he signed a record album for a fan name Mark David Chapman. Yes, we could have had with us for much longer had he been more of a cautious man.

Oct 09, 2010 03:45 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

I was thinking about John Lennon on my wat to the ACL Festival today and how his influnce still touched musicians in just about every genre. Ironically, ACL Fest takes place in Zilker Park, the same place a huge vigil was held the day he was shot. It was a much happier day today!

Oct 09, 2010 04:14 PM

Robert Schwabe

Herron Real Estate - Orange Park, FL

Orange Park Real Estate

Claudette - I just can't believe that John would have been 70 today. Time sure does fly by.

Oct 09, 2010 04:15 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

It is so difficult to imagine a 70 year old John Lennon. What a talent... His music will live on as well as his message... what a gift and legacy for all of us.

Oct 09, 2010 05:55 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Russell:

I was unfamiliar with Zilker Park and just looked it up. It sounds like a wonderful place for a music tribute. I hope you will grace us with a post about it.

Yes, John Lennon left his influence on so many musicians.

Robert:

So much has happened in 30 years. It is like another life time for some people.

Joan:

I actually can imagine a 70 year old John Lennon since I saw Paul McCartney in concert last year. And at 67 he is still as vibrant as ever. I suspect John would have been the same.

Oct 10, 2010 12:27 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

It's so sad when a person who has so much to offer the world has their life come to an abrupt end. I was never much of a Beatles fan, but I have to respect John Lennon and his accomplishments. Great post.

Oct 10, 2010 05:15 AM

Nick T Pappas

Assoc. Broker ABR, CRS, SFR, e-Pro, @Homes Realty Group, Broker/Providence Property Mgmnt, LLC Huntsville AL - Huntsville, AL

Madison & Huntsville Alabama Real Estate Resource

Claudette, lucky you to have seen McCartney. It just worked out for me that I was never able to see any of them in concert. Of course I have most all their records, tapes and CD's. Anyway, he is missed and yes it's hard for me to imagine a 70 year old Lennon.

Oct 10, 2010 06:50 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Chris Ann:

The Beatles may have been a little before your time. I have a younger friend who was asking me about it one day. She said, "What was all that Beatlemania about?" I told her the truth which is that it is hard to define. And, I don't think there has been anything quite like it since.

Nick:

I have been to a lot of concerts and McCartney was one of the best. He gives it his absolute all, plays all of the crowd favorites and he seems like he is having so much fun up there.

I would expect a John Lennon concert even with him at the age of 70 would still be great.

Oct 10, 2010 07:00 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Such a tragic loss. John Lennon's death was one of those moments in my life that I'll never forget where I was, what I was doing, who I was with when I heard the news. By the way, I posted a tribute too!

We so have to get together one day.

Oct 10, 2010 12:35 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Craig:

I just read your piece. It was a lovely tribute. I don't know how I missed it. It was a sad and tragic day when Mark David Chapman decided on such a terrible way to be remembered. It was at a great cost to all of us who still treasure the memory of John Lennon.

Oct 10, 2010 03:27 PM

Scott Hayes

(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX

Realty Austin, Broker Associate

Claudette- Probably the most talented of all the Beatles, although George Harrison was underrated.

His death announced on Monday Night Football. Just one of those things I remember as a kid.

Oct 10, 2010 06:03 PM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Scott:

Certainly Yoko would agree with you but I put Paul McCartney right up there with John Lennon. Although John was the deepest thinker. You are absolutely right about George Harrison and he revealed a different side of himself when he collaborated with Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne as the Traveling Wilburys.

I remember the day George died because I was moving into my new house and heard it on the radio when I went to the town hall to pay my water bill. I think we always remember these events.

Oct 11, 2010 12:19 AM

Elliott S. Topkins

Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com - Boston, MA

Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty

Claudette--I missed this post the first time around, but,like most of your offerings, it is relevant, timely and sensitive. I remember buying my first Beatle record (a 45 rpm) and playing it until the grroves wore out. The Beatles became my "standard" too, and I was crushed when they broke up. Sometimes, too much charisma and too much ego can bring you down. Look at the tragic saga of Tiger Woods, a person I envisioned as President of the United States. But, the Beatles were genuine, and the rest of us worshiped their work. That will probably not happen again in my lifetime.

Oct 31, 2010 12:50 AM

Claudette Millette

The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA

Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Hi, Elliott:

Imagine music with "grooves." That doesn't happen anymore. No matter that they broke up really. Their music still lives on and I think has even grown in a way. It has certainly followed me throughout my life and is still relevant.

So many of those major groups had huge egos and battles throughout the years and often came back together. Look at "The Who." It makes you wonder if it would even have happened with The Beatles had John not been taken away from us.

Oct 31, 2010 01:19 AM