20th Century Genius - John Lennon

Essay by mrbudziszUniversity, Bachelor'sA, July 2008

download word file, 4 pages 3.0

John Winston Lennon was born in Liverpool England on October 9, 1940, the only child of Fred and Julia Lennon. His parents split when he was a toddler and he was raised by his aunt, Mary Smith. The childhood of John Lennon was anything but typical. Lennon's mother, Julia, drifted in and out of his life during his childhood and then died in a car accident when Lennon was seventeen. His father was similarly absent, essentially walking out on the family when John was an infant. He disappeared for good when Lennon was five, only to return after his son had become famous as a member of the Beatles. As a member of the Beatles, John Lennon became one of the most well known individuals in the World. As a musician and song writer he used is popularity and music to voice his political opinions and concerns to his fans and the World.

John Lennon was assassinated on December 8, 1980 while attempting to enter his home in New York City. Dead at the age of 40, John Lennon was one of the most prolific songwriters of the 20th century. (www.john-lennon.com)20th Century GeniusWith songs such as Imagine, Norwegian Wood, Revolution, In My Life, Instant Karma, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, I Am The Walrus, Strawberry Fields Forever, A Day In The Life, and Mother, John Lennon is one of the most prolific songwriters of the 20th Century. It is for this reason that I nominate John Lennon for the 20th Century Genius Award.

If John Lennon had only been known as one of the four Beatle members, his artistic immortality would already have been assured. The so-called "smart Beatle," Lennon, "brought a penetrating intelligence and a stinging wit both to the band's music and its self-presentation" (johnlennon.com). But in...