John Lennon

Introduction

John Winston Lennon was born in Liverpool England on October 9, 1940, the only child of Fred and Julia Lennon. His parents split when he was a toddler and he was raised by his aunt, Mary Smith. The childhood of John Lennon was anything but typical. Lennon's mother, Julia, drifted in and out of his life during his childhood and then died in a car accident when Lennon was seventeen. His father was similarly absent, essentially walking out on the family when John was an infant. He disappeared for good when Lennon was five, only to return after his son had become famous as a member of the Beatles. As a member of the Beatles, John Lennon became one of the most well known individuals in the World. As a musician and song writer he used is popularity and music to voice his political opinions and concerns to his fans and the World. John Lennon was assassinated on December 8, 1980 while attempting to enter his home in New York City. Dead at the age of 40, John Lennon was one of the most prolific songwriters of the 20th century. (www.john-lennon.com)20th Century GeniusWith songs such as Imagine, Norwegian Wood, Revolution, In My Life, Instant Karma, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, I Am The Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever, A Day In The Life, and Mother, John Lennon is one of the most prolific songwriters of the 20th Century. It is for this reason that I nominate John Lennon for the 20th Century Genius Award.

Discussion

If John Lennon had only been known as one of the four Beatle members, his artistic immortality would already have been assured. The so-called "smart Beatle," Lennon, brought a penetrating intelligence and a stinging wit both to the band's music and its self-presentation (johnlennon.com). But in such songs as "Strawberry Fields Forever," "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)," "Rain" and "In My Life," he also organized gorgeous melodies to evoke a stylish, dreamlike World awareness well beyond his years. Such work suggested not merely a profound musical and literary sensibility - a genius, in short -- but a vision of life that was simultaneously reflective, utopian and poignantly realistic (johnlennon.com).

Lennon learned to play the guitar and his first band the Black Jacks, was a group of his High School friends. Lennon soon changed the name of the band to the Quarrymen after his school the, Quarry Bank Grammar School. Then he was introduced to Paul McCartney and he thought that Paul was just as good as he was at playing the guitar. He asked Paul to join the Quarrymen. The headmaster at John's school got him into the Art College of Liverpool. That same year Paul introduced him to George Harrison. John paid little attention to George, but he sometimes asked him to play with the Quarrymen, and soon would ask George to join the band. Soon the Beatles were formed, when John thought the name up and the first four original members were, cause others came ...