I am reminded today of that December 8 twenty-six years ago when John Lennon was killed on the streets of New York.
I was a teenager growing up in the city, and the Beatles were the single biggest musical influence in my budding artistic explorations. I knew every word and every chord to every Beatle song, and was mesmerized by the artistry of their productions, especially from '66-'70. It was during the summer of '80 when my older brother turned me on to his John Lennon solo album collection, which I had never really delved into before. I immediately was attracted to the stark and brutally honest "Plastic Ono Band" - I had never heard an album sound like that! "Imagine" also came close to wearing out its LP grooves in those days. Lennon's music was all so personal and real, and listening to those two albums every day for several months was like visiting a friend bearing his soul. It happened to be John's goobye for me.
Of course, I have every Lennon solo album, but none in my opinion reaches the sheer emotion of "Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine". And I am reminded in my musical journey to bring out that same level of emotion in my music. I aspire to do it with an epic orchestra and choir, and John did it simply with a raw guitar, basic piano chords and scratchy vocal. Genius, that.....
"Wherever you are, you are here"
Thanks, John.
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2 comments:
When I first heard Imagine, it was very emotional for me. In fact it still is today and I was born more than 20 years after it was originally published.
There have been a lot of great artists that have published a lot of great music over the years, but few of it can be felt in the skin.
Lennon's music has had a huge effect on me as has yours Yoav. Thank you.
Thanks. Yoav.
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