Remembering John…October 9, 2015

Papa Lory

Way back a million years ago there was this little four-piece band from Liverpool who called themselves The Beatles. Maybe you’ve heard of them?

While we only have two of those four lads left on this Earth, many of us still have the memories that their music brought us throughout the ‘60’s and ‘70’s…and beyond.

I don’t remember the very first time that The Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan show; probably because if we were watching it, my grandpa turned the channel when that “goddamned rock and roll” came on. But that’s okay. I’ve been able to see the clips over the years on various documentaries and can now visit YouTube any time I need a quick fix.

It seems that modern music has taken a bit of a turn in recent times. There isn’t always a lot of “message” in the music; at least not like it was in the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. John, Paul, George, and Ringo changed the musical landscape not just in the United States and Britain, but around the world. They inspired those to come (and continue to do so to this day) but who inspired them? How about one of the greatest American composers of all time: Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan.

When The Beatles got to meet Dylan in late 1964, he allegedly turned them on to the glories of marijuana. More than that, however, when John and Paul asked if he liked their music, Dylan replied with a question of his own about their music: (paraphrased) “Where’s the meaning?” And thus, between Dylan’s question and his (alleged) time smoking pot with the lads from Liverpool, The Beatles began a new musical and life journey of enlightenment. Did this encounter later move the guys into seeking council with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1968? Perhaps, perhaps not: the importance here is that their songwriting began to change, especially that of John Lennon.

Interviews during the ‘70’s with Lennon after the group had broken up often reflected his disdain for some of their music. He felt that much of their early music was childish and had no direction. (I’d like to think he had come to peace with his past before he was taken from us on December 8, 1980)

Much of his music in the late ‘60’s and early 70’s addressed issues of the modern world such as hunger, future world peace and harmony, and he even managed to throw a few barbs at the political leaders of the world:

I’m sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
I’ve had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna Mother Hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Money for dope
Money for rope

I’m sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending, mamas little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now
I’ve had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric, paranoiac, prima-donnas
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna Mother Hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Its money for dope
Money for rope

Ah, I’m sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocrites
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
I’ve had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth now
(“Gimme Some Truth”-1971, Imagine)

His words and music have always given me a reason to stop and think about the world and how I view it; to look at things from a different perspective. I believe there are others out there who would admit the same thing. Unfortunately, his words are lost on many people today as we still deal with violence, hunger, poverty, and so many other world issues.

It’s true: he was a dreamer. I wish he were still here so that he could help others to dream as well.

I miss you, Mr. Lennon. I’m still a dreamer, because you taught me how to dream.

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed and 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 lives as one…

Papa Lory’s Show Times

Classic Rock Extravaganza: Friday 4-8pm
Classic Country: Saturday 10am-12pm