Lennon:
What could have been
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/L/Lennon_John/2010/12/02/16407861.html
By DARRYL STERDAN
December 4, 2010
Imagine it never happened.
It isn't hard to do. There are countless ways that the tragic events
of Dec. 8, 1980 might have been altered or even erased. A misstep, a
more vigilant doorman, a last-second change of heart; take your pick.
It doesn't matter. Any one could have produced the same result: John
Lennon might not have been gunned down outside his Dakota apartment
in New York City.
What he would have done with his life, no one knows. But everyone
wonders. Would he still be making music? Would The Beatles have
reunited? Would he have Bieber fever? We sifted 30 years of headlines
and Beatle history, did a little crystal-balling -- and based on
Lennon's own words and deeds, we came up with a few possibilities.
1981
Lennon and Yoko Ono release the Double Fantasy followup Milk and
Honey and go on tour -- his first gigs since hopping onstage with
Elton John in 1975. "I was quite astonished that the crowd was so
nice to me," he says. He is also overjoyed that Yoko's avant-garde
sounds are finally tolerated. "This time they're ready for us!"
Lennon plays Saturday Night Live, where producer Lorne Michaels
presents him with a cheque for $750 -- his share of the $3,000 he
offered The Beatles to reunite on the show back in the '70s.
1984
Still on a creative roll -- and in keeping with the pace of his '70s
output -- Lennon releases his fourth album in as many years. In
November, he declines an invite to join other British stars on Bob
Geldof's Band-Aid charity single Do They Know it's Christmas? The
following summer, he sits out Live Aid too. "It's all a ripoff," he
says of benefit shows. "So forget about it."
1988
The Beatles are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Unlike
McCartney, who boycotts because of outstanding business issues,
Lennon shows up, makes a droll speech and jams with George Harrison
and Ringo Starr, living up to Yoko's description of him as "full of
music and love and a sense of fun."
1994
Despite his reluctance, Lennon agrees to meet secretly with other
Beatles to try to record new material for their upcoming Anthology.
The still-distant members bury the hatchet long enough to complete
two songs -- one by McCartney and one by Lennon -- but refuse to
tour. "Do we have to divide the fish and the loaves for the
multitudes again?" Lennon says. "Do we have to get crucified again?
Do we have to do the walking on water again because a whole pile of
dummies didn't see it the first time or didn't believe it when they
saw it?" If fans want second-rate Beatles, he says, they should check
out a new British outfit called Oasis.
1996
Lennon, Ono, son Sean and his band Ima release an album and tour as a
family. Influenced by Sean, Lennon begins listening to -- and working
with -- indie bands such as Sonic Youth and Cibo Matto.
1997
McCartney is knighted. Lennon declines the offer, protesting PM John
Major's polices and the fact that Cold Turkey still hasn't re-entered
British charts.
1998
Linda McCartney dies of cancer. Lennon attends her memorial with
Starr and Harrison, who informs the others he had a cancerous growth
removed from his neck. Later, the four meet and decide life is too
short for grudges. Just for fun, they jam.
1999
The Beatles briefly and informally reunite at A Concert for Linda at
Royal Albert Hall when the other three join Paul onstage to bash out
some old numbers. After, they go their separate ways again.
2001
In the aftermath of 9/11, Lennon -- now a true-blue New Yorker --
takes part in the charity concert America: A Tribute to Heroes,
performing Give Peace a Chance. Two months later George Harrison
dies, marking the official end of The Beatles. A year later, the
three survivors take part in A Concert for George, held at Royal
Albert Hall on the anniversary of his death.
2005
Lennon plays Madison Square Garden on his 65th birthday, hosting an
all-star guest list that includes McCartney and Starr. Elton John
shows up to sing Whatever Gets You Through the Night and Lucy in the
Sky With Diamonds as they did 30 years earlier.
2008
Ringo announces on his website that he doesn't want any more fan
mail. Lennon announces he would like all his fan mail sent to Ringo.
2009
Lennon and Ono celebrate their 40th anniversary by making a new CD.
They pose nude on the cover a la Two Virgins. Walmart refuses to
stock it until Lennon agrees to add tiny fig leaves.
2010
With Rock Band, their remastered CD boxes and their arrival on
iTunes, The Beatles embrace the digital age. Once again rejecting
massive offers for a reunion tour, Lennon quietly turns 70, teaming
up with Sean and Yoko to reform Plastic Ono Band and Elephant's
Memory for a one-off concert. On eBay, an autographed but badly
damaged copy of Double Fantasy found on the street in 1980 sits unsold.
.
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