I don’t want to be a dead hero, so forget it,” says John Lennon.
Three days before he was shot, John Lennon complained to his critics, who, according to him, were only interested in “dead heroes” and he was optimistic about his future. This is shown by the recordings of the last interview with the former “Beatle”, which the magazine “Rolling Stone” provided to the AP today, when it is 30 years since the death of the legendary musician.
Brief excerpts of the interview were published by the magazine in 1980, days after Lennon’s death, but now Rolling Stone will publish it in its entirety for the first time in its new issue. “His words were joyful and lively, full of hope and without fear”says Jonathan Cote, who conducted the interview with the musician. In it, John Lennon says he has plenty of time to accomplish his life’s goals and reserves his harshest words for his critics. Those who were disappointed by his path in music and life after The Beatles.
“These critics with the illusions they have created for the performers – like worshiping an idol. They only like people when they’re on their way up… I can’t go up again. What they want are dead characters like James Dean. I don’t want to be a dead heroso forget it,” shared John Lennon.
In the interview, he predictsthat Bruce Springsteen, who at that time was considered the bright future of rock, would suffer the same criticism. “And God help him when they decide he’s no longer Lord. They’re going to turn on him and I hope he survives it,” Lennon predicted. About his strong relationship with his wife, Yoko Ono says: “I chose to work with only two: Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono… It’s not a bad choice.” At 40, Lennon also reflects on what he has already achieved in life, stressing that he still clings to his goal of peace and love on earth. “I have never claimed that my soul is pure or that I have the answers to life. I just make songs and answer questions as honestly as I can. But I still believe in peace, love and understanding.”
John Lennon’s name is associated as much with music as with the global cause of peace on the planet. The Beatles star was murdered by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980. His tragic death provoked mass protests and silent demonstrations around the world and plunged an entire generation of followers into grief.
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