John Lennon Quotes: Late Beatle Was 'Not Interested' in Being 'Dead Hero'

On the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's tragic murder, parts of a previously unpublished interview have been released by Rolling Stone.

In the newly unearthed interview, which hits newsstands on Friday, Lennon said, "I'm not interested in being a dead [expletive] hero," just three days before he was gunned down by deranged fan Mark David Chapman. The Beatles legend had been speaking with journalist Jonathan Cott about the suicide of Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious.

Lennon also spoke brightly of his future plans and sang the praises of Bruce Springsteen on the recorded interview which Cott uncovered while cleaning out a closet in his home and fully transcribed this year. Only parts of the final interview ran in the magazine after Lennon's death in December 1980.

Having just released the album 'Double Fantasy' after a five-year sabbatical, the rock icon complained about his critics and "the illusions they've created about artists."

"It's like idol worship," Lennon said. "They only like people when they're on their way up ... I cannot be on the way up again."

Lennon also praised his wife and his former musical partner. "I've selected to work with ... only two people: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono. That ain't bad picking," he said.

In related news, Yoko Ono released a statement on Tuesday about her husband. "On this tragic anniversary please join me in remembering John with deep love and respect," she 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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