Lennon: The Solo Years

On December 8, 1980, John Lennon was murdered in New York City. For millions of Beatles fan, it is a date we will never forget. On the 44th anniversary of his death (damn, that doesn’t seem remotely possible), this 13-song medley is filled with only his solo music because if I had added his Beatles material, this medley would have lasted for hours.

John Lennon was not a saint. He would have laughed at the very notion of that. He was a complex human being who struggled to get his band to the “toppermost of the poppermost” only to dismiss much of their success in a 1970 interview as a nightmare because “one had to completely humiliate oneself to be what the Beatles were and that’s what I resent.

Years later he had mellowed, saying a Beatles reunion shouldn’t be ruled out. “If it happens, I’ll enjoy it. My memories are now all fond and the wounds have healed.”

That possibility was ended forever by four hollow-point bullets fired from a Charter Arms .38 caliber revolver at close range by an obsessed “fan” into Lennon’s back as John and Yoko Ono walked through the archway entrance of their residence at The Dakota.

The Dream Was Over.

Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right

The John Lennon Medley

Comments (16)

  1. Penny

    A sad day and such a waste, will never understand the craziness of some people!
    Another one who was lost way too young. But like the others, he will live on long after we are all gone thru his music!

    XXOO

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Nicely said, Penny ❤️
      Although I was, in all honesty, not much of a Lennon fan at the time of his death, the manner in which he died was shocking. I’ll always love his Beatles music and a few of his solo songs.
      XOXO

      Reply
  2. Sandy Gaither

    This was certainly nostalgic, to say the least. I never really cared for John Lennon, and I thought, when he broke away from the Beatles on his phone, that most of his songs were very sad and morose. The music was even kind of a downer. I think that toward the last few years he did improve upon that, but I took greater joy in listening to the group as they were, as they were introduced to the world., and felt that was where the talent was. Sorry, if other people disagree with me, that’s perfectly OK. Everyone has their own opinion about things. I do appreciate that you spent the time to get this together for us, and I will always listen, no matter what! Thank you so much, Ray, and remember “you’re the best!”🥰

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thank you, Sandy. ❤️ I, for one, happen to agree with you. I thought very hard about not posting this medley, but I was awake at 1:o0 in the morning, so I figured, why not? I much preferred John’s work with the Beatles, even if he did not. I probably should have done a Beatles medley featuring John’s songs, but just as I did with George, I went with Lennon’s solo work because that’s where his mind was at the end. When he left the group, he became a little too radical for me.

      Reply
      1. Sandy G

        He did become radical after he left the group, and I really feel that he was influenced heavily by Yoko Ono. I thought she was always very outspoken, and always relayed that he was abused as an artist. I think she felt that he wasn’t treated as if he were a success. I could be all wet on this, but I think I’m on the right track.

        Reply
        1. Ray (Post author)

          Once again, I agree with you 100%!

          Reply
  3. Nancy Garbati

    Thanks for taking us back and honoring him. As with you, I wasn’t a big fan but his death was so shocking and sad. Have a good day my friend

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thank you, Nancy ❤️
      I hope you have a sensational day!

      Reply
  4. Jim

    Looks like some of us agree with our feelings. I always thought that he got more than deserved credit and attention compared to the others.
    I’ll leave it at that.
    But, thanks for the memories, Ray!
    Memories are not always so great, but just as important in the end…✌️

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Jim. John had his moments, some of them very good, but his insistence on sharing songs with Yoko on a few of his albums was a turn off for me. I always thought his ‘Imagine’ album was his best work.

      Reply
  5. Mary Helen Hawthorne

    Such a controversial man especially after he left the Beatles
    Shocking that the two dead Beatles were murdered by crazed fans!
    On the Xmas song topic you have shown once again both with this medley and the Orbison one that many artists have written or covered Xmas songs, even John Lennon

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thanks, Mary Helen. but a couple of corrections are necessary. While George was attacked by a crazed fan in 1999 (and stabbed 40 times), it was cancer that killed him a couple of years later.
      While Roy did cover Willie Nelson’s ‘Pretty Paper’, ‘Happy Xmas’ was written by John, Yoko and Phil Spector.

      Reply
  6. Tim Arsenault

    John was always the most outrageous one of the Fab 4.enjoyed all their music , but Imagine hi closest to home for me.

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thank you, Tim. I agree ‘Imagine’ was his best album, but then he sort of went off the rails, in my opinion.

      Reply
  7. Rosa-Lee Gould

    12-9-2924 A day late but enjoyed; thank you Ray 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ray (Post author)

      Thank you, dear girl. 🙂

      Reply

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