John Lennon, Mark Chapman, Salinger And Christ?

(1940 - 1980)

Beatles John Lennon, who went solo after the group's breakup, was killed at the entrance of the building where he lived in New York City on Monday, 8 December 1980. He had just returned from a recording studio with his wife, Yoko Ono.

Music Man In Peace:

Like Elvis Presley and many pop 60s singers and musicians, his music lives on.
"Well you know/We all want to change the world/But when we talk about destruction/Don't you know you can count me out..."

(Revolution: Lennon/McCartney)

Relevance Today:

I was talking to a 16 year old student a few days ago and she told me that the Beatles are still relevant to day. When I asked her why, she remarked, "Their lyrics and music." And her favourite Beatle? John Lennon.

Mark Chapman:

Mark Chapman was holding the book, Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger, when he was arrested but he hadn't read it. He had ten cassettes with 14 hours of Beatles songs on him. Is it also true that he had planned to kill Elizabeth Taylor and talk show host Johnny Carson (deceased)?

Controversies:

There were controversies about Lennon's death too and the deportation problems he faced. But it's all over now and we let this man of peace rest in peace. But was he really 'bigger than Jesus'?

Empty Garden:

"He must have been a gardener that cared a lot

Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop

And we're so amazed we're crippled and we're dazed

A gardener like that one no one can replace...

Johnny, can't you come out to play in your empty garden?"

(by Elton John)

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/lennon_report.htm

http://www.jfkmontreal.com/john_lennon/Death_Cert.htm

Songs Inspired By Salinger: Catcher In The Rye

This posting has no connection with 60s music but one of Blogger's favourite books, Catcher In The Rye, written by J.D. Salinger in 1951, has long been inspirational for songwriters. Salinger, (previous blog posting January, 28th, 2010) who died on January 27th, 2010 aged 91, has his book as reference when these 10 songs were written:

1) Catcher In The Rye - Guns N Roses
2) Six Minutes - Jonas Brothers
3) Get It Right - The Offspring
4) Roller Shake Skinny - Old 97's
5) Shadrach - Beastie Boys
6) Le Pastie de la Bourgeoisie - Belle & Sebastian
7) Who Wrote Holden Caulfield -Green Day
8) We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel (image)
9) Warning Shots - Rick Springfield
10) Good Year - The Refreshments

"Holden Caulfield was an antihero who spoke like a real teenager and rebelled against conformity. With his conclusion that successful people were phonies, Caulfield was punk rock long before punk rock existed." (Spinner Staff)**

Blogger is not familiar with most of the songs but some singers are familiar ie: Billy Joey (Piano Man - 1973), Rick Springfield (Beginnings - 1972) and Jessie's Girl - 1981). You can read more from:**
http://www.spinner.com/2010/01/29/j-d-salinger-catcher-in-the-rye-songs/

Many songs and pieces of music are inspired by William Shakespeare's plays. Are you familiar with any song inspired by a book that you have read? It could be in Chinese, Malay or any other language. Possibly a 60s song or novel?

Click: on 'Labels' below:

J.D. Salinger - 'Catcher In The Rye' - Gone At 91

Author of The Catcher in the Rye, has passed on. J. D. Salinger who is one of the most important American writers to emerge since World War II but who then turned his back on success, has died in Cornish, New Hampshire. He was 91.

He lived in seclusion for more than 50 years. His books include: Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters and Seymour - An Introduction.

He can be remembered by many students of English Literature in Singapore because Catcher is a must-read for most. Internationally well-known this book, which has sold 60 million copies so far, is hardly available in our libraries. Perhaps there should be more copies on the shelves?

Anyone written a thesis on Salinger and wishes to share it? Do write in.

Trivia:

John Lennon's killer Mark Chapman was holding a copy of Catcher when the police went to the scene of the murder.
Photographer: Antony di Gesu.
Image: http://www.sandiegohistory.org/digesu/digesu2.htm

Ref: http://www.deadcaulfields.com/DCHome.html