Lost Interview With John Lennon Released 30 Years After His Death
Three days before he was gunned down, John Lennon complained about his critics -- saying they were just interested in "dead heroes" -- and talked optimistically about his family and future, musing that he had "plenty of time" to accomplish some of his life goals.
Lennon's final interview was released to The Associated Press by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, the 30th anniversary of the musician's death. The issue using the full interview will be on magazine stands on Friday. While brief excerpts of Jonathan Cott's interview with Lennon were released for a 1980 Rolling Stone cover story days after Lennon's death, this is the first time the entire interview has been published.
"His words are totally joyous and vibrant and hopeful and subversive and fearless," said Cott in an interview on Tuesday. "He didn't mince words."
Lennon saves some of his harshest words for critics who were perennially disappointed with Lennon's path, in both music and in his life, after leaving the Beatles.
"These critics with the illusions they've created about artists -- it's like idol worship," he said. "They only like people when they're on their way up ... I cannot be on the way up again.
"What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I'm not interesting in being a dead (expletive) hero. .. So forget 'em, forget 'em."
He also predicted that Bruce Springsteen, then hailed as rock's bright future, would endure the same critical barbs: "And God help Bruce Springsteen when they decide he's no longer God. ... They'll turn on him, and I hope he survives it."
But Lennon also talked about trying to be a good father to his youngest son Sean, learning how to relate to a child (he admitted he wasn't good at play) and spoke of his strong bond with wife Yoko Ono: "I've selected to work with ... only two people: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. ... That ain't bad picking."
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Inside the Killer's Mind
At 40, he was also reflective of what he had accomplished so far in life and exploring life's themes, and remained committed to his goal of peace and love on earth.
"I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can ... But I still believe in peace, love and understanding."
<< Who Told You About John Lennon's Death? Check out the various news reports from that horrible night in New York City. Cronkite, Koppel, Rivera, Chung and Kurtis included.
Cott interviewed Lennon at his apartment and at his record studio. The interview was originally planned for a cover story for Lennon and Ono's upcoming album 'Double Fantasy,' but in the rush to put out a story after Lennon was shot to death by Mark David Chapman, only snippets were used.
Cott said he never went back to the three hours worth of tapes until a few months ago when he was cleaning out his closet.
"On a strip of magnetic tape, it was sort of a miracle that first of all, the tape had not degraded after 30 years," he said. "All of this sudden, this guy's voice, totally alive ... just made me feel so inspired that I felt that I should really transcribe the whole thing."
Cott said he was struck by how much he was thinking about his life and mortality.
"There were a lot of strange considerations of where he was and what he felt like sort of in the middle of his journey," Cott said. "I think it was like a mid-life meditation, I was struck by that."
The magazine also included an essay by Ono recalling her final days with her husband.
Ono released a statement Tuesday night in tribute to Lennon.
"On this tragic anniversary please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect," Ono said. "In his short lived life of 40 years, he has given so much to the world. The world was lucky to have known him. We still learn so much from him today. John, I love you!"
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Mourning Lennon, 30 Years Later
John Lennon's fans gather at New York City's Strawberry Fields in Central Park December 8, 2010 in New York. Fans in several cities held vigils to mark the 30th anniversary of the murder of John Lennon, as part of a global day of celebrations of the music icon's life.
Bonnie Biess, PopEater
Bonnie Biess, PopEater
Scenes From Strawberry Fields
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An incredible loss to the culture.
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John Lenin is dead? When did that happen? So, so sad. Does he leave any survivors? Wow. This is truly newsworthy. I hope it gets reported on national news. Wow, what a calamity.
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First of all it's LENNON not Lennin. Secondly, where have you been since 1980, under a rock? Well just slip quietly back under that rock, or in that cave.
More newsworthy then all these poptarts and reality people in the media. John Lennon was an incredible influence in music and you wouldn't be listening to some of the music you do if it wasn't for John Lennon and the Beatles...so as bobcorps said go back under your rock.
Obviously a child, if not in body, definitely in mind.
Don't feed the troll.
On this very sad day of remembrance, let us celebrate the man, his music, his artistry and his message of peace and goodwill toward all of humanity. May his legacy continue to inspire our imagination that a better and more just world is possible! Thank you, John, for all the joy your music has given me and millions of others.
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John Lennon was great but Yoko Ono was not. What WAS he thinking?
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I don't know, maybe S E X ?
Bobcorps-kind of makes you sick to your stomach to think about it. With his money, you think he could have chosen somebody decent. Not even her kids want anything to do with her.
'Imagine' and 'Across the Universe' are my favorites of John Lennons masterpieces.
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I like those very much and then there was Help and Girl which he of course did as a beatle they are so honest and great for listening. Also the other one on his own that is just amazing is called Women.
The are trying to making this guy a saint. He was all for peace and love, yet he neglected his son from his first marriage. He was all for peace however he urinated in peoples drinks. What a GUY!!
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I agree with that. While being a an extraordinary talent both musical and lyrical, John Lennon was not the nicest guy. He totally neglected Julian Lennon like he never had a first son, he cheated on Yoko and there was even domestic violence. I loved his music, but as a person I think there were a lot of phony things about him. Sorry, but it's true. Let's not get carried away with false hero worship...
We gave peace a chance: didn't like it, so it's back to war.
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I think some of the people on here dont even know who he was, they were to young. Someone said hes dead? Yes, for thirty years.I think John was to trusting, and felt safe in new York so he walked around like everyone else. But some crazy person found him. I remember hearing it on tv when I was in the kitchen, and I went into the room and it was scrolling on the bottom of the screen. Unreal. What a loss for everyone. I felt bad for his young children he had at the time. So sad...
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I love that his influence is still felt this strongly 30 years later...
We all still love you John.
Peace.
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the very best of john lennon were 5 special years from 1963 to 1968 john lennon was "it" however, i shall celebrate the man, for love can never die.