Where Were You on Dec.8, 1980?

[Deb]

Where Were You on Dec.8, 1980?

Yeah...I was a Beatle freak...still am. Those simple melodies and vocals that evolved into intricate masterpieces.....invaded my brain for most of my life.

John was always my favorite Beatle...guess probably because he never had a problem speaking his mind, had a razor sharp wit, and always seemed to have more of an edge. In high school, although I got caught up in the usual music of the time......alone in my room...it was always those Beatles tunes.

I remember where I was on the day John Lennon was shot....I was at work...I was listening to the radio at the time...and the news literally left me numb.
All I can remember even looking back now was the horror, and the pointlessness...

Since I know there are few fans here..Juke and Summerisfunner.........I thought I'd write this and since it's coming on the holiday season....thought I'd leave you with these lyrics....


IMAGINE....


Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
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

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

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 live as one

 

[the kid 05]

i wasn't even an apple in my fathers eye yet

 

[Kangaroo]

Somewhere in the POS that is called Indiana

 

[the kid 05]

haha, i live right next door to that POS called indiana

 

[Juke99]

I was thinking of a good way to use my 14,000th post.

This is perfect.

My gf called and woke me up to tell me. I put the radio on and heard "Imagine" and that was when the realization hit me.

I still miss the guy.

For those of you too young to remember, here's an example John Lennon's wit...

The Beatles were asked to perform for the Queen in a royal performance. They weren't thrilled about the idea but Brian Epstein, their manager, made sure they understood the importance. So they did the performance.

At the end of the show they performed "Twist and Shout" (for those of you who love "screamer" vocal tracks, I suggest listening to this one..it's a Rock legend. Lennon used to sing this at the end of shows because his vocal chords were so shredded he couldn't sing after it). In any case, Lennon approaches the microphone and says "For our last number, we'd like to ask for your help. Would those of you in the cheaper seats clap your hands? And the rest of you, if you'll just rattle your jewelry."

Then he took a little bow with a devilish little grin on his face.

And the camera shot to the Queen sitting there, forced smile on her face and then turns to someone with a look on her face that says "Exactly what kind of awesome person is this guy anyway?"

Here's the performance. It's wonderful how sweet McCartney is compared to Lennon's edge....which was, in part, what the magic was all about. It was 1963. Performers didn't say stuff like they do today. So, Lennons remark was quite out of the ordinary.

It's at the 4:42 mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GJ-mRtvJsQ

Thank you John. You are still missed to this day.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I was in jr high. I didn't realize then how big of a loss it was.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I miss the songs and only wished they would never have broken up.

There was just a special ability with the band together that was not the same when they went solo IMO.

Sure each had some good songs afterwards but it was just not the same for me.

I have never bought a Wings album nor a John Lennon album, I have listened to them but never felt beyond a couple of songs that I cared for them.

Maybe I was trying to hard to find another beatles album and that was not what they were anymore.

John and Paul complimented each other and at the same time their conflicts of styles made it work out...not too much of one and not too much of the other.

So although I like and respect them individually I was never a fan of them more than them being a group. They were just better as a group IMO.

Too bad they had to break up, I can only think of the extra music they could have made together.

Either way RIP John and thanks for all the great songs.

 

[Faerluna]

Growing up in a house filled with country music, I was never really exposed to Beatles music.

The news came on the TV and I asked my mother, "Who is John Lennon?" and she said "He's one of The Beatles."

Sadly, my next question was "Who were the Beatles?"

I was only 10 at the time, and it wouldn't be until years later that I discovered the beauty and the brilliance of their music.

http://i33.***BLOCKED***/albums/d57/Faerluna/Lennon.jpg

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Growing up in a house filled with country music, I was never really exposed to Beatles music.

The news came on the TV and I asked my mother, "Who is John Lennon?" and she said "He's one of The Beatles."

Sadly, my next question was "Who were the Beatles?"

I was only 10 at the time, and it wouldn't be until years later that I discovered the beauty and the brilliance of their music.

http://i33.***BLOCKED***/albums/d57/Faerluna/Lennon.jpg

I feel your pain on Country music.

Luckily my house was a hodge podge of music being played.

Beatles, Eagles (never really a big fan), Simon and Garfunkle, some Disco (an extensive K-Tel 8 track collection lol), Freddie Fender (man how I hated that 8-track tape), Conway Twitty, Bill Anderson and a bunch of other country artists.

So although I had to listen to way too much county music, especially on long trips, I still got some good music in other areas as well.

The beatles were my fave at that time, Led Zepplin came later.

 

[Deb]

Juke~ I've seen that clip and heard that story so many times..and I think too what makes that story stand the test of time is during that British Invasion.....so many of those groups were cut out copies of each other as far as a look....a sound....and then you had a John....a free thinking, highly intelligent...outspoken artist....and in away that story set them apart too.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I feel your pain on Country music.

Luckily my house was a hodge podge of music being played.

Beatles, Eagles (never really a big fan), Simon and Garfunkle, some Disco (an extensive K-Tel 8 track collection lol), Freddie Fender (man how I hated that 8-track tape), Conway Twitty, Bill Anderson and a bunch of other country artists.

So although I had to listen to way too much county music, especially on long trips, I still got some good music in other areas as well.

The beatles were my fave at that time, Led Zepplin came later.

I think everyone has had that skeleton in their closet at one time or another

 

[Juke99]

Juke~ I've seen that clip and heard that story so many times..and I think too what makes that story stand the test of time is during that British Invasion.....so many of those groups were cut out copies of each other as far as a look....a sound....and then you had a John....a free thinking, highly intelligent...outspoken artist....and in away that story set them apart too.

Well, the amazing thing about them was, yes, there were copycat bands. They stuck to the sound that made $$$.

The Beatles, TRULY were artists. They had a sound. The created MANIA. And then thought, "Ah this is boring, let's try a new sounds"

And that new sound was wildly successful...and they thought "Ah, this is boring now too, lets try something different"

And on and on it went.

Most bands go the route of Boston (talented as they were) They have one sound. It makes $$ and they stick to it.

Not these guys.

Like 'em or not. That's what I think is the most admirable aspect of their music.

 

[Hostile]

Juke, that is a fitting way to hit 14k.

I was a Junior in High School, dating a pretty blonde named Tanya. We broke up right after Christmas. I remember them playing "Imagine" on the PA system the next day at school to start the first class of the day. Not a dry eye in the room where I was. I'd heard about it when I got to the bus stop that morning to go to school. I don't remember what I was doing the night before when it happened. I do remember feeling numb when that song was played.

Just a couple of days ago I was talking about George Harrison with Juke. He was supposed to be one of the lesser talents of that group. Man oh man. If that is "lesser talent" send some out to the world.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Well, the amazing thing about them was, yes, there were copycat bands. They stuck to the sound that made $$$.

The Beatles, TRULY were artists. They had a sound. The created MANIA. And then thought, "Ah this is boring, let's try a new sounds"

And that new sound was wildly successful...and they thought "Ah, this is boring now too, lets try something different"

And on and on it went.

Most bands go the route of Boston (talented as they were) They have one sound. It makes $$ and they stick to it.

Not these guys.

Like 'em or not. That's what I think is the most admirable aspect of their music.

I remember seeing the classic clip on American Bandstand. And it spoke to what you are talking about.

For some time the beatles were a sort of pop band, mostly I want to hold your and type of songs (which are still good IMO).

When they came out with the video to Strawberry Fields forever they showed it on american bandstand.

All the kids were really waiting to see the video and hear the song.

When it was over you could see the confusion and some disappointment in some of the kids.

Not only was it not a I want to hold your hand type of song but the beatles had longer hair and facial hair.

I remember one girl saying they just looked so different and the song not being what she was expecting.

To this day Strawberry Fields forever is still one of my favorite songs.

I have always said that the beatles and led Zep were bands that no matter what type of music you liked...if you listened to enough of their songs you would find at least one you liked. That is because they did so many different things....and did them well.


Strawberry Fields Forever Video

HISTORY of Strawberry Fields Part I

HISTORY of Strawberry Fields Part II

HISTORY of Strawberry Fields part III

 

[the kid 05]

Well, the amazing thing about them was, yes, there were copycat bands. They stuck to the sound that made $$$.

The Beatles, TRULY were artists. They had a sound. The created MANIA. And then thought, "Ah this is boring, let's try a new sounds"

And that new sound was wildly successful...and they thought "Ah, this is boring now too, lets try something different"

And on and on it went.

Most bands go the route of Boston (talented as they were) They have one sound. It makes $$ and they stick to it.

Not these guys.

Like 'em or not. That's what I think is the most admirable aspect of their music.

I see one of my favorite bands KoRn doing that. Each album has a totally different sound. its a good thing too because its a joy ride.

 

[Juke99]

I remember seeing the classic clip on American Bandstand. And it spoke to what you are talking about.

For some time the beatles were a sort of pop band, mostly I want to hold your and type of songs (which are still good IMO).

When they came out with the video to Strawberry Fields forever they showed it on american bandstand.

All the kids were really waiting to see the video and hear the song.

When it was over you could see the confusion and some disappointment in some of the kids.

Not only was it not a I want to hold your hand type of song but the beatles had longer hair and facial hair.

I remember one girl saying they just looked so different and the song not being what she was expecting.

To this day Strawberry Fields forever is still one of my favorite songs.

I have always said that the beatles and led Zep were bands that no matter what type of music you liked...if you listened to enough of their songs you would find at least one you liked. That is because they did so many different things....and did them well.


Strawberry Fields Forever Video

HISTORY of Strawberry Fields Part I

HISTORY of Strawberry Fields Part II

On the nosey.

They did Rubber Soul and Pepper in between the I Want To Hold Your Hand period and Strawberry Fields.

The thing that I always loved about Strawberry Fields was that it was backed on the single by Penny Lane. Both songs were tributes to where these guys grew up. McCartey, Penny Lane. Lennon, Strawberry Fields. And you couldn't get two more different songs.

Strawberry Fields was also the work of George Martin. Lennon liked the first half of one recording and the second half of another and asked Martin to link them. In THOSE days, that was a bear of a project.

 

[Juke99]

I see one of my favorite bands KoRn doing that. Each album has a totally different sound. its a good thing too because its a joy ride.

And that's what makes it art.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I remember Cosell announcing his death in the middle of the MNF broadcast. I don't recall who was playing, but I do remember that vividly.

 

[Hostile]

I remember Cosell announcing his death in the middle of the MNF broadcast. I don't recall who was playing, but I do remember that vividly.

Holy cow, that's right. I first heard it from Cosell, not at the bus stop the next morning. I do still remember the song over the PA System.

Wow. I had totally forgotten that. The Dolphins were playing but I have no memory of who their opponent was. I want to say the Jets. The only reason I remember Miami was playing was because my friend Jose Luis was watching the game with us at my house and he was a Dolphins fan.

 

[HTownCowboysFan]

I 15 and was watching MNF when Cosell broke the news. I'm an Elvis fan, but as John Lennon said, "Without Elvis, there would be NOTHING." Because of that quote by JL, I love the historical importance of The Beatles and JL.

And the beat goes on....