“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role, is to try and express what we all feel. Not to tell people how to feel. Not as a preacher, not as a leader, but as a reflection of us all” (John Lennon Quotes). John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England on October 9, 1940. He was born to Julia and Arthur Lennon but eventually moved and lived with his Aunt Mimi after his parents divorce. Lennon was always drawn into the arts, especially at an older age. Lennon was made into a rock star during his time with the Beatles. Lennon started to drawn attention during his career with the Beatles with some controversial comments.
After Lennon’s time with the Beatles, he showed his political activism. He fought against the Vietnam War and fought for peace among people. John Lennon was an important figure in the late 1900’s because of his individual career, his influential songs and his political activism. John Lennon cherished music and the arts. He attended the Liverpool College of Arts when he was sixteen. One year after college, he started to play music with a small band. Lennon played guitar with this group, called The Quarry Men. The small band developed into the immense band called The Beatles (John Lennon’s Activism).
John Lennon’s career blossomed with The Beatles. However he became the most outrageous member of The Beatles because of his use of drugs and his appearance in public. At the age of twenty-eight, Lennon realized that The Beatles were lost, so he began to move on after being with the band for several years. He married his beloved second wife, Yoko Ono, when he was twenty-seven. John Lennon and Yoko Ono started their career with their first album entitled, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins. (John Lennon’s Activism)Lennon and Yoko released five albums between late 1968 and early 1970.
One of Lennon’s most important songs was titled, Give Peace a Chance. This song was recorded during his peace movement, The Bed-In for Peace. Give Peace a Chance was his first notable song after his break up with The Beatles. This song spoke to many peace activists then and still affects people now. It was used at many peace gathering and rebellion concerts. Lennon’s reputation as a fanatical guitarist from The Beatles was changed to the fantastic guitarist who stands for peace. John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s most popular album John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band grew much attention promoting his solo album, Imagine, hich was arguably John Lennon’s greatest album. The album and song sparked a revolution of peace during the 1970’s. This song affected so many people because of the important and meaningful lyrics. Imagine is “Rolling Stone’s third best song of all-time” (John Lennon’s Biography). Lennon’s fame grew after the success of this song. He became the top artist of that time period. Lennon kept releasing more hit songs that were about peace, love, and happiness. John Lennon toured the world multiple times while he was in his prime. Lennon’s downfall began in 1976 with the over use of drugs and trouble with his family.
He began his addiction with Marijuana, LSD and multiple other drugs. John Lennon did not put out any other songs until 1980. He tried to make his comeback with the album, Double Fantasy. Unfortunately, John Lennon’s comeback was cut short with his murder on December 8, 1980 at 10:50 (John Lennon’s Biography). John Lennon may have died early but his songs will live on forever. John Lennon’s songs did not only affect millions of people in his time period; his songs are still affecting people today. John had many hit songs but his most important songs were, Imagine, Give Peace a Chance, and Happy Xmas (War is Over).
In many of these songs John Lennon has a deeper message. All three of these songs support peace and each song may speak to the listener. In Lennon’s top song, Imagine, he discusses how the world would be if things that divide us (i. e. race, religion, etc. ) did not exist. He continuously describes how much better the world would be. Lennon believed that the song would reach more people if there was a slow peaceful melody. In the music video, Lennon dresses up as a cowboy and Ono as an Indian. He demonstrates how both groups should get along. The song was number one on the U. K. charts for weeks after Lennon’s death.
Imagine was voted second on the all-time favorite songs in Britain (Song Facts). John Lennon’s most influential peace song is Give Peace a Chance. This song was the most influential song at the time. The song was used many times at peace concerts and gatherings. The song was recorded during Lennon’s and Oko’s Bed-In for Peace. It got much media attention and helped Lennon get his point across. When John Lennon saw 500,000 people protesting the Vietnam War outside the White House with his song, Give Peace a Chance, he said it was, “one of the biggest moments of my life” (Song Facts).
Lennon’s song was his first hit after The Beatles. This song he became one of the greatest of all-time. The third song that was chosen was Happy Xmas (War is Over). This song is one of the most played Christmas songs of all time (Song Facts). The song was written after Lennon and Yoko put up billboards that said, “War is over! (If you want it)” (Song Facts). Happy Xmas (War is Over) was created as an anti-war message to people in 1971. In the song, Lennon and Yoko whisper “Happy Christmas” to their children. John Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980.
Happy Xmas (War is Over was re-released that year and it had massive success in the U. K. (Song Facts). John Lennon’s songs were so powerful because of his strong feelings against war and for peace, love and happiness. Lennon’s songs will always support peace and love within the world. John Lennon was an important peace activist in the 1960’s and 70’s. Lennon led many peace concerts and organized rebellions. John Lennon’s most important acts of peace were The Bed-Ins for Peace, his concerts, and the overturn of John Sinclair’s conviction on drug charges.
In March of 1969, Lennon and Ono made a statement on the Vietnam War by staying in bed for six days. The media covered Lennon and Yoko’s entire journey in bed. When they announced their movement, many media companies were hesitant to film their journey because they were afraid of what antics they would do on camera (John Lennon’s Activism). During their first bed-in, they were interviewed by many stations. Lennon and Yoko talked to the world about the Vietnam War and world peace. They continued to speak about how there should be no more war and the U. S. should stop sending troops to Vietnam.
During Lennon and Yoko’s second bed-in, they recorded Give Peace a Chance, which was played multiple times as an anti-war protest song. In fact, the song was sung by half a million anti-war supporters during a Vietnam memorial. Throughout their second bed-in celebrities came to visit. Many celebrities supported Lennon and his movement. Some even hosted the news stations newscast (John Lennon’s Activism). John Lennon’s concerts for peace were huge rallies. Lennon had many rallies for peace but most was against the Vietnam War protests. He had multiple peace movement concerts from 1969-1972 (John Lennon’s Activism).
One important incident was during a concert that he hosted at the Chicago Democratic Convection. Strom Thurmond sent a memo to Attorney General John Mitchell because of Lennon’s political impact. Mitchell started a FBI file on Lennon because they believed he could be a threat Nixon’s reelection. Lennon had so many followers that he may have had a chance to affect the vote of the election. It was thought that he would get most of the youth votes to vote against Nixon (John Lennon’s Activism). Lennon’s political guidance was so powerful he had the ability to sway a presidential vote.
In December of 1971, John Sinclair was jailed for possession of drugs. John Lennon did not like the hearing, so he organized a concert and performed the song John Sinclair. Lennon had power within the government which made him so influential to the people. Lennon’s concert for Sinclair was successful, and Sinclair was released from jail. His concerts all had a purpose. John Sinclair’s case is a perfect example of how John Lennon was like a king of some sort; he had the ability to control hundreds of thousands of people (John Lennon’s Biography).
Lennon’s acts toward peace affected the world greatly because of his social fame. John Lennon was an influential icon in 20th century because of his solo music career, his powerful songs, and his political activism. John Lennon is an amazing guitarist and singer. He had an incredible music career with his band and solo talent. John Lennon is believed to be a hero to some people. He has made drastic contributions to history and promoted what he wanted most, peace. Lennon’s artistic feel for music made his songs so special. His songs were so strong because he believed in what he was saying.
He had a passion for what he did and enjoyed his life. He lived his life to the fullest and although it was sad to see John Lennon die so young, he made his mark in society. John Lennon’s legacy will be as a solo artist not a Beatle. Lennon was a genius as a musician and a singer. His work as a solo artist was so important in history. If we could only, “Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one” (John Lennon Quotes).
