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John Lennon Remembered by Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr 31 Years After His Death
- Posted on Dec 8th 2011 3:59PM by Cameron Matthews
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"Now that John's a spirit, he has a different effect on people than when he was alive. Spirits talk on a pure level and don't get distracted by people saying things like, 'That's nice, but why's he wearing that?'" Though Ono admits, even though her lover's ghost exists in countless songs, records and hearts of fans, she would still prefer history in a different way. "Of course, it would still be better if John was around."
Lennon's legacy of activism remains today, from the musical spirit of the Occupy Wall Street movement to the FM radio mainstays that he left behind. With a nation of divided people, Ono agrees that her husband's message of peace is more important that ever. "John was about making the world a better place. He sang 'Gimme Some Truth,' so when I see all the activism out there today, I feel like we will turn the corner soon."
Beatles drummer Ringo Starr also unveiled his tribute to Lennon today through a self-designed sculpture. Starr's "knotted-gun" statue depicts a pistol that has been twisted and rendered useless and painted in dazzling tie-dye. The sculpture, unveiled at the Gibson Guitar Studio, was produced for The Non-Violence Foundation. The non-profit's goal is to promote international youth education, leadership initiatives and to stop violence worldwide. "I am doing the best I can -- how about you?" Starr asked the audience present at the event.
Ono is doing the best she can since Lennon's death to preserve her husband's memory. She has helped package Lennon's signature box set, contributed to various art homages and helped organize the yearly John Lennon Tribute concert in New York City. But it still proves difficult for Ono to sit down and listen to John's music.
"I play John's songs all the time, but mainly because [musicians] are asking if they can do this song or that ... But I don't listen for pleasure. When I do, it chokes me up to remember when it was written."
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Imagine an entire world living in peace… John saw the beauty and inherent good in humanity. I tried to do his legacy justice and channel his world-embracing and loving energy this week with a tribute portrait inspired by his music and his passion for changing the world. You can see this new work of art in memoriam on my artist’s blog at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/2011/12/john-lennon-just-imagine.html along with some pictures showing how I created it. See John holding the Universe in his hand and spreading his message. When you stop by, let me know how his words and music have affected your life and creativity!
December 09 2011 at 2:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyRIP Check this one take Imagine video out --> http://youtu.be/bUtMZgtHkVY
December 09 2011 at 10:47 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI love John Lennon, but Yoko is keeping him alive by selling his teeth in an auction. Her I could always do without....
December 08 2011 at 7:01 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyWhat a joke. He wasn't worth one of the soldiers whose deaths we ignore every day.
December 08 2011 at 5:33 PM Report abuse Permalink -5 rate up rate down ReplyYou must like Tupac or BIGGIE or any of those other pieces of crap who are only in it for the money. And if John was alive today you don't think that he would be against the war but honor the soldiers?
December 13 2011 at 7:13 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Replyi listen to his music every day
December 08 2011 at 5:33 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyWow, 31 years after John Lennon's death, we lose Dobie Gray(Drift Away) to cancer. I believe that will be a great collaboration of songwriters. The music these two could write. Rest In Peace, Dobie. John, your memory and your message is still being heard around the world. I just hope that , one day, just as you did, that the rich and the poor can reach level ground. That the rich can see that in order to acquire what they have, a struggling hard worker made it possible. That there are Americans who need work as much as any overseas country. That Republicans, who control the majority of this country's wealth, will stop saying to the poor: "I got mine, now you get yours, and I am going to make damn impossible for you to get it."That the poor will see that getting by doesn't have to come with the help of violence. These things I hope will happen before The Lord tells me that it is my time to go. If anyone really cares about equality for all, let's make this happen.
December 08 2011 at 5:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyFirst fleeting guilty reaction: The Beatles will never play again! Second six-month misery: some bastard shot and killed my older brother who was helping me (and just about everyone else) get through this crazy life...
December 08 2011 at 5:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyA great talent while alive but I must add in all honesty." And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?"
December 08 2011 at 5:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replyrip john you are missed
December 08 2011 at 5:17 PM Report abuse Permalink +3 rate up rate down ReplyNothings gonna change my world
December 08 2011 at 5:10 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
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