I still can't believe it's been 28 years!!
I was half Johns age when he died, ...and now, i'm nearly 10 years older than he ever got to be!
At least he has George up there for company!
He was sadly taken away from us way too soon, but he continues to inspire musicians the world over. He's left us a masterful catalog and an incredible legacy. And his music will certainly outlive all of us.
Thanks for the reminder, David.
The Fonz says: "Yo...only nerds don't play Rickenbackers. Aaaay!"
Not only should we remember John, but I hope everybody took time to reflect and remember what happened yesterday 12/07/41 67yrs ago the attack on Pearl Harbor , alot of people lost thier lives that day, I have a great uncle, (on my mothers side) who survived that day, he still lives in Hawii today, he married while there and has lived there since.
After walking out of a arena in Lexington Kentucky in 1990, after seeing one of my musical heroes for the very first time, Paul McCartney, my wife remarked that I sure had a sad look on my face...as much as I enjoyed the show, I could not get the thought out of my mind that I would NEVER get to see John Lennon perform live...and that thought stays with me to this day.
RIP peace John...and thanks.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side."
Hunter S. Thompson
John was born 12 years, 9 months, 2 weeks and 4 days ahead of me. And of course there was not the slightest chance I would have ever seen him or the Beatles live. But like so many Baby Boomers, he has had a profound effect on me, musically speaking.
At some point after his death, I made it a point to see and hear all my musical heroes live at least once before they died. I've had the good fortune to have seen Bill Monroe, Doc Watson numerous times, and the great Pete Seeger. Doc and Pete are still, happily with us. I have one more yet that I'd like to see: Roger McGuinn
"There are places I'll remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I've loved them all "
I still vividly remember watching the Ed Sullivan show and knowing my lifes direction was forever changed even though I was only 12 years old.
I just sat there entranced by that guy with the black and white guitar. For me, forever, JOHN LIVES!!
I saw The Beatles in Philadelphia on Sept 2. 1964 with my best friend Wayne - a night that means so much more to me now than I ever thought it would. Seeing them live, knowing now how much their music would affect my life's course, was one of the true seminal days of my entire existance. Shortly after attending that truly amazing show, I started taking guitar lessons, and have been a working musician ever since. Wayne lost his life in VietNam on March 26, 1968; 2 days after he turned 18.
Today is certainly a day of reflection for me, for John and for Wayne - two men who still mean so much to me, and who will never be forgotten.