The U.S. vs. John Lennon

[SomeGuy]

The U.S. vs. John Lennon

Saw this documentary on TV last night and was very impressed. I was in early teens when most of it happened and just had bits and pieces of the story.

Seems the US government was highly afraid of this working mans son from Liverpool. Lots and lots of interviews and clips from both sides including John Sinclair who was arrested and sentenced to 10 years for 2 joints. Sinclair credits Lennons involvement with getting the charges dropped. I really liked a quote from Sinclair and I hope I remember it right,

"We were trying to get marijuana legalized while smoking large quantities of it. We should have picked one or the other, if we wanted to be successful at either."

Very much worth a look if you are into Lennon or have a deep mistrust for the US government.

Also it got me to thinking, wheres OUR Lennon? The Dixie Chicks spoke up and were promptly shouted down as un patriotic though they stuck by their guns, I also saw part of their doc entitled "Shut up and Sing." Got to hand it to them as they became VERY unpopular in a short period of time, but have rebounded and I think they have since won an Grammy as well. Makes me wonder if our beloved government had anything to do with spreading mis-information about them.

 

[Guest]

ya, put it in the blockbuster queue.. looks good

 

[Dan42nepa]

There are no more John Lennons... Everyone is concerned too much about making money and If i remember correctly the Dixie chicks retracted or apologized in some manner because I would think record sales and ticket sales were dropping (in the US at least) which was probably the cause.
The only thing I would add is to include Bob Dylan along with Lennon and while we are at it, Woody Guthrie.

 

[SomeGuy]

retracted or apologized in some manner because I would think record sales and ticket sales were dropping (in the US at least) which was probably the cause.

I looked it up at Wikipedia and yes they did apologize. Seems the mouth breathers went into a frenzy and vandalized one of their homes and sent death threats for them and their kids and who knows what. They also had a near nationwide radio boycott. Their ex-fans even tried to organize a "book burning" similar to what they did to the Beatles in Memphis but that appears to have flopped.
They've since taken back their stance that this is America and they'll say what they want but they've pretty much alienated the country music community but the reciepts from their last tour and album don't reflect that. Funny too that Wiki stated that Bruce Springsteen and Madonna were about the only artists to try and defend them.

I'm not what you'd call a Chicks fan but I do admire them none the less.

 

[Uncle Jesse]

John Lennon Proclaims Beatles "More Popular than Jesus" (March 4, 1966)

Maureen CleaveJohn LennonToday in Odd History, The Evening Standard published a long, rambling interview with John Lennon in which he proclaimed that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." Although there was little reaction to his statement in England, Christians elsewhere embarked upon a massive campaign to destroy Beatles albums and other paraphenalia. Lennon apologized for the remark later, and the Archbishop of Boston admitted that he was probably right, but many still refused to forgive him.

 

[Dan42nepa]

John Lennon Proclaims Beatles "More Popular than Jesus" (March 4, 1966)

Maureen CleaveJohn LennonToday in Odd History, The Evening Standard published a long, rambling interview with John Lennon in which he proclaimed that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus." Although there was little reaction to his statement in England, Christians elsewhere embarked upon a massive campaign to destroy Beatles albums and other paraphenalia. Lennon apologized for the remark later, and the Archbishop of Boston admitted that he was probably right, but many still refused to forgive him.

I remember when that happened.. lol.. I was about 10 years old and my parents were pissed... Not that we were especially religious but it came off very wrong when it was published..

 

[Dan42nepa]

I personally get irritated when celebritys get into politics.. Whos to say that a Brad Pitt or Charlie Sheen is more enlightened than the rest of us? Also I remember a "no nukes" concert I went to once... alot of good that did... The music was good though. If musicians have a message they should reflect it in their music and lyrics.. Thats how i feel anyway.

 

[J0sh1]

There will never be a time like that of the documentary. Nowadays all the people in the limelight are interested in making money, getting the PEPSI ads and proyecting a squeaky clean image so they can get invited into the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Awards.

John and Yoko knew the world was listening to them and made sure to spread a positive message around. And they did a damn FINE job enough to get President Shitxxon and Shit Thurmond all worked up.

On the "More popular than Jesus" comments, the comment was taken totally out of context in America and it goes to show what a sensationalist propaganda fueled fired society America is just by making asses of themselves making bonfires of Beatles records and memorabilia and "depositing "beatles thrash" in one of the 14 pickup points". Funny know that 40 years later that stuff those animals burnt is probably worth more than their houses. But oh well Im guessing those are the same type of people that would stick their hand in their buttcrack and sniff it if they heard it on the radio.

Also, John was totally right. At that times The Beatles meant more to kids than Jesus or Religion. I am sorry but how many preachers were filling Stadiums like Shea or Candlestick with "followers"? I know NONE. So Right On John.

Goes to show to what lenght the U.S. Goverment will go to fuck with you if you are a threat to their shitstem.