This page will contain videos about Scott Joplin, as they become available.Scott JoplinScott Joplin (ca. 1867–April 1, 1917) remains the best-known ragtime musician and composer, setting the standard for the many who followed. Scott JoplinJoplin was born near Linden, Texas to Florence Givins and Giles (sometimes listed as "Jiles") Joplin. He was the second of six children. While for many years his date of birth was thought to be November 24, 1868, new research by ragtime historian Ed Berlin has revealed that this is inaccurate. After 1871 the Joplin family moved to Texarkana, Texas and Scott's mother cleaned homes so Scott could have a place to practice his music. By 1882 his mother had purchased a piano. Showing musical ability at an early age, the young Joplin received piano lessons for free from a German music teacher, who gave him a well-rounded knowledge of classical music form. This is something that would serve him well in later years, and fuel his ambition to create a "classical" form of ragtime. He would later further his musical education by attending the George Smith College in Sedalia, studying composition. By the late 1880s Joplin had left home to start a life of his own. He may have joined or formed various quartets and other musical groups and travelled around the midwest to sing. What is known is that he was part of a minstel troupe in Texarkana around 1891. In 1895, Joplin was in Syracuse, New York, selling two songs, Please Say You Will and A Picture of Her Face. But despite all this travelling, his home base was in Sedalia, Missouri where he moved in 1894, working as a pianist in the Maple Leaf and Black 400 clubs, both social black clubs for respectable gentlemen. By 1898 Joplin had sold six pieces for the piano, most very advanced tunes that were fine musically, but not anything special. Of the six, only Original Rags is a ragtime piece. The other five were two songs (mentioned previously), two marches, and a waltz. In 1899, Joplin sold his most famous piece, Maple Leaf Rag to John Stark & Son, a Sedalia, Missouri, music publisher. Joplin received a one-cent royalty for each copy and ten free copies for his own use. It has been estimated that Joplin made $360 per year on this piece in his lifetime. Maple Leaf Rag boosted Joplin to the top of the list of ragtime performers and moved ragtime into prominence as a musical form. Joplin had several marriages. Perhaps his dearest love, Freddie Alexander, died at age twenty just two months after they married, of complications resulting from a cold. The first work copyrighted after Freddie's death, Bethena (1905), is a very sad, musically complex ragtime waltz. After some months of faltering, Joplin continued writing and publishing, and in those days before recorded music was a best-selling composer based on sales of sheet music. Joplin continued to experiment with other musical forms as well; after moving to New York City, Joplin attempted an ambitious ragtime opera, Treemonisha, which he produced himself at great personal expense. It was performed only once during his lifetime, in 1915. The score to an earlier ragtime opera by Joplin, A Guest of Honor, is lost. Joplin wanted to experiment further with compositions like Treemonisha, but by 1916 he was suffering from the effects of terminal syphilis. He suffered later from dementia, paranoia, paralysis and other symptoms. Despite this, he recorded six piano rolls that year — Maple Leaf Rag (for Connorized and Uni-Record labels), Something Doing, Magnetic Rag, Ole Miss Rag, and Pleasant Moments (all for Connorized). These are the only records of his playing we have, and are interesting for the embellishments added by Joplin to his performances. A surviving copy of the 'Pleasant Moments' roll has not yet been discovered. It has been claimed that the uneven nature of some of Joplin's piano rolls, such as one of the recordings of the Maple Leaf Rag mentioned above, documented the extent of Joplin's physical deterioration due to syphilis. However, the irregularities are just as likely due to the primitive technology used to record the rolls. In mid-January 1917 Joplin was hospitalized at Manhattan State Hospital in New York City, and friends recounted that he would have bursts of lucidity in which he would jot down lines of music hurriedly before relapsing. Joplin died there on April 1, 1917. His death did not make the headlines for two reasons: ragtime was quickly losing ground to jazz and the United States would enter World War I within days. He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery in the Astoria section of Queens. Joplin's musical papers, including unpublished manuscripts, were willed to Joplin's friend and the executor of his will, musician and composer Wilber Sweatman. Sweatman took care of these papers and generously shared access to them to those who enquired. However these were unfortunately few, since Joplin's music had come to be considered passé. After Sweatman's death in 1961 the papers were last known to go into storage during a legal battle among Sweatman's heirs; their current location is not known, nor even if they still exist. There was, however, an important find in 1971 — a piano-roll copy of the lost "Silver Swan Rag," cut sometime around 1914. It had not been published in sheet-music form in Joplin's lifetime. Before this, his only posthumously published piece had been "Reflection Rag", put together by Stark in 1917 from fragments of Joplin melodies in Stark's archives. After Joplin's death ragtime music experienced two bursts of popularity. The first was in the early 1950s when ragtime was regarded as a happy nostalgic music of a more innocent time. The second ragtime revival was prompted by the release of the movie The Sting in 1973, which despite being set in the 1930s still anachronistically featured a Joplin soundtrack and introduced new generations to his music. Marvin Hamlisch's adaptation of the Joplin song "The Entertainer" reached number 3 on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 music chart in 1974, and a much wider and deeper interest in ragtime in general and Joplin in particular was created. In 1974 Kenneth MacMillan created a ballet for the Royal Ballet, Elite Syncopations, based on tunes by Joplin, Max Morath and others. It is still performed occasionally. Joplin's music
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Further readingEdward A. Berlin, King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era (ISBN 0195101081) — the most authoritative book on Joplin's life. This page about Scott Joplin includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Scott Joplin News stories about Scott Joplin External links for Scott Joplin Videos for Scott Joplin Wikis about Scott Joplin Discussion Groups about Scott Joplin Blogs about Scott Joplin Images of Scott Joplin |
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Berlin, King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era (ISBN 0195101081) — the most authoritative book on Joplin's life. Some of John's most well known solo songs include:. Edward A. John Lennon wrote three books himself: A Spaniard in the Works, John Lennon: In his own write, and Skywriting by Word of Mouth. A personal sketchbook with Lennon's familiar cartoons illustrating definitions of Japanese words, Ai, was published posthumously. It is still performed occasionally. Notable among these are The Lives of John Lennon by Albert Goldman and Lennon: The Definitive Biography by Ray Coleman. In 1974 Kenneth MacMillan created a ballet for the Royal Ballet, Elite Syncopations, based on tunes by Joplin, Max Morath and others. Numerous biographies of John Lennon have been published. Marvin Hamlisch's adaptation of the Joplin song "The Entertainer" reached number 3 on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 music chart in 1974, and a much wider and deeper interest in ragtime in general and Joplin in particular was created. In 2004 Madonna paid tribute to Lennon by singing a cover of the song "Imagine" during her anti-war themed "Re-Invention World Tour". The second ragtime revival was prompted by the release of the movie The Sting in 1973, which despite being set in the 1930s still anachronistically featured a Joplin soundtrack and introduced new generations to his music. BBC History Magazine commented that his "generational influence is immense.". The first was in the early 1950s when ragtime was regarded as a happy nostalgic music of a more innocent time. In the same year, Lennon was voted 8th by the British public in the "100 Greatest Britons" poll run by the BBC. After Joplin's death ragtime music experienced two bursts of popularity. In March, 2002, his native city, Liverpool, honored his memory by renaming their airport "Liverpool John Lennon Airport", and adopting as its motto a line from his song "Imagine", "Above us only sky". Before this, his only posthumously published piece had been "Reflection Rag", put together by Stark in 1917 from fragments of Joplin melodies in Stark's archives. An avowed devotee of Lennon, Young's performance is considered one of the highlights of his lengthy career. It had not been published in sheet-music form in Joplin's lifetime. Hosted by Lennon publicist Elliot Mintz, the show spotlighted raw sessions from throughout Lennon's career with and without The Beatles, including rare material never released to the public. During the America: A Tribute to Heroes concert on September 21, 2001, Neil Young sang "Imagine". There was, however, an important find in 1971 — a piano-roll copy of the lost "Silver Swan Rag," cut sometime around 1914. Specially selected radio stations aired a syndicated series called The Lost Lennon Tapes in 1990. After Sweatman's death in 1961 the papers were last known to go into storage during a legal battle among Sweatman's heirs; their current location is not known, nor even if they still exist. The Mellotron that Lennon used to record, amongst other songs, Strawberry Fields Forever, is currently owned by Trent Reznor of the band Nine Inch Nails. However these were unfortunately few, since Joplin's music had come to be considered passé. The following year, at an auction of Beatles memorabilia, Lennon's jukebox was sold at Christie's for 2,500 pounds. Sweatman took care of these papers and generously shared access to them to those who enquired. It also introduced "Real Love", one of the last songs composed by Lennon, in an early demo (a later demo would form the basis for the version rehashed by The Beatles for The Beatles Anthology). Joplin's musical papers, including unpublished manuscripts, were willed to Joplin's friend and the executor of his will, musician and composer Wilber Sweatman. The movie was a biography of the former Beatle, featuring interviews, rarely seen musical material, and narration by Lennon himself (formed from interviews and tapes recorded by Lennon). Michael's Cemetery in the Astoria section of Queens. produced a documentary film, Imagine: John Lennon (sanctioned in part by Yoko Ono). He was buried in St. In 1988, Warner Bros. His death did not make the headlines for two reasons: ragtime was quickly losing ground to jazz and the United States would enter World War I within days. When George Harrison died in 2001, people congregated on the "Imagine" mosaic circle in Strawberry Fields. Joplin died there on April 1, 1917. The Strawberry Fields Memorial was constructed in Central Park across the street from the Dakota, in memory of Lennon. In mid-January 1917 Joplin was hospitalized at Manhattan State Hospital in New York City, and friends recounted that he would have bursts of lucidity in which he would jot down lines of music hurriedly before relapsing. A special commemorative issue of Rolling Stone magazine released shortly after the murder featured as its cover a photo taken the morning of the shooting by Annie Leibovitz showing a nude Lennon in an embryonic pose kissing a fully clothed Ono. However, the irregularities are just as likely due to the primitive technology used to record the rolls. Her request for a silent gathering was honoured all over the world. It has been claimed that the uneven nature of some of Joplin's piano rolls, such as one of the recordings of the Maple Leaf Rag mentioned above, documented the extent of Joplin's physical deterioration due to syphilis. Ono sent word that their singing kept her awake and asked that they re-convene in Central Park the following Sunday, for ten minutes of silent prayer see also the 1980 Central Park Vigil - Tribute to John Lennon (http://www.johnlennon.it/english.htm). A surviving copy of the 'Pleasant Moments' roll has not yet been discovered. A crowd gathered outside the Dakota the night of Lennon's death. These are the only records of his playing we have, and are interesting for the embellishments added by Joplin to his performances. Millions would receive the news that night from Howard Cosell, commentator for ABC's Monday Night Football. Despite this, he recorded six piano rolls that year — Maple Leaf Rag (for Connorized and Uni-Record labels), Something Doing, Magnetic Rag, Ole Miss Rag, and Pleasant Moments (all for Connorized). Despite extensive resuscitative efforts in the hospital, Lennon had lost over 80% of his blood volume and expired as a result of his wounds. He suffered later from dementia, paranoia, paralysis and other symptoms. When asked if he knew who he was, Lennon's last words have been reported to be, "Yeah," or "I'm John Lennon of the Beatles", or a nod. Joplin wanted to experiment further with compositions like Treemonisha, but by 1916 he was suffering from the effects of terminal syphilis. Unable to wait for an ambulance, two officers transported Lennon to the hospital in the back of their squad car. The score to an earlier ragtime opera by Joplin, A Guest of Honor, is lost. As Lennon walked past him, Chapman called out to him and assumed what witnesses called a "combat stance", firing five shots as Lennon turned around. It was performed only once during his lifetime, in 1915. Chapman was hiding in the carriage vestibule as Lennon and Ono got approached the building. Joplin continued to experiment with other musical forms as well; after moving to New York City, Joplin attempted an ambitious ragtime opera, Treemonisha, which he produced himself at great personal expense. Later that evening, Lennon and Ono returned to the apartment from recording Ono's single "Walking On Thin Ice" for their next album. After some months of faltering, Joplin continued writing and publishing, and in those days before recorded music was a best-selling composer based on sales of sheet music. Chapman remained in the vicinity of the Dakota for most of the day as a fireworks demonstration in nearby Central Park distracted the doorman and passers-by. The first work copyrighted after Freddie's death, Bethena (1905), is a very sad, musically complex ragtime waltz. On the morning of December 8, 1980, in New York City, deranged fan Mark David Chapman met Lennon as he left for the recording studio and got his copy of Double Fantasy autographed. Perhaps his dearest love, Freddie Alexander, died at age twenty just two months after they married, of complications resulting from a cold. Winston O'Boogie, Mel Torrment, and The Reverend Fred Gherkin. Joplin had several marriages. Throughout his solo career, Lennon appeared on his own albums (as well as those of other artists like Elton John) under such pseudonyms as Dr. Maple Leaf Rag boosted Joplin to the top of the list of ragtime performers and moved ragtime into prominence as a musical form. Lennon's son with Cynthia, Julian Lennon, enjoys a notable recording career of his own, as does his son with Yoko, Sean Lennon. It has been estimated that Joplin made $360 per year on this piece in his lifetime. It was some time before Ono could bring herself to complete it. Joplin received a one-cent royalty for each copy and ten free copies for his own use. He also commenced work on Milk and Honey which he left unfinished. In 1899, Joplin sold his most famous piece, Maple Leaf Rag to John Stark & Son, a Sedalia, Missouri, music publisher. "(Just Like) Starting Over" began climbing the singles charts... The other five were two songs (mentioned previously), two marches, and a waltz. Lennon's retirement lasted until 1980, when he and Ono produced Double Fantasy, a concept album dealing with their relationship. Of the six, only Original Rags is a ragtime piece. immigration status was finally resolved favourably, after a years-long battle started by the Nixon administration that included a politically-motivated FBI investigation. By 1898 Joplin had sold six pieces for the piano, most very advanced tunes that were fine musically, but not anything special. This was made easier in 1976 when his U.S. But despite all this travelling, his home base was in Sedalia, Missouri where he moved in 1894, working as a pianist in the Maple Leaf and Black 400 clubs, both social black clubs for respectable gentlemen. This project was complicated by Phil Spector's involvement as producer and several legal battles; the result received generally negative reviews, though it yielded a lauded cover of "Stand By Me". At this point Lennon retired to concentrate on his family life. In 1895, Joplin was in Syracuse, New York, selling two songs, Please Say You Will and A Picture of Her Face. The following year Lennon released the Rock 'n' Roll album of cover versions of old rock and roll songs of his youth. What is known is that he was part of a minstel troupe in Texarkana around 1891. It was to be his last ever concert appearance. He may have joined or formed various quartets and other musical groups and travelled around the midwest to sing. Lennon capped the year by making a surprise guest appearance at an Elton John concert in Madison Square Garden where they performed "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Whatever Gets You Through the Night", and "I Saw Her Standing There" together. By the late 1880s Joplin had left home to start a life of his own. Another top ten hit from the album was the Beatlesque reverie "#9 Dream". This is something that would serve him well in later years, and fuel his ambition to create a "classical" form of ragtime. He would later further his musical education by attending the George Smith College in Sedalia, studying composition. Despite the chaos, Lennon managed to put together a reasonably well-received album, Walls And Bridges, which featured a collaboration with Elton John on the up-tempo number one hit "Whatever Gets You Through the Night". Showing musical ability at an early age, the young Joplin received piano lessons for free from a German music teacher, who gave him a well-rounded knowledge of classical music form. It should be noted that both Goldman and Giuliano have been heavily criticized for their work. By 1882 his mother had purchased a piano. Lennon's estate, however, has denied charges that he was bisexual. After 1871 the Joplin family moved to Texarkana, Texas and Scott's mother cleaned homes so Scott could have a place to practice his music. It was also during his time in New York that Lennon purportedly engaged in sexual relationships with men, according to biographers Albert Goldman (The Lives of John Lennon) and Geoffrey Giuliano (Lennon in New York). While for many years his date of birth was thought to be November 24, 1868, new research by ragtime historian Ed Berlin has revealed that this is inaccurate. During 1974 Lennon's personal life fell into disrepair — a temporary move to Los Angeles, some drunken public escapades, and a fourteen-month split from Ono during which he had an extramarital affair with Ono's former secretary May Pang. He was the second of six children. His most striking song of that year was the wry "I'm the Greatest", which he wrote for Ringo Starr's very successful Ringo album. Joplin was born near Linden, Texas to Florence Givins and Giles (sometimes listed as "Jiles") Joplin. Lennon rebounded somewhat in 1973 with Mind Games, which featured a strong title tune and some vague mumblings about a concept called "Nutopia". 1867–April 1, 1917) remains the best-known ragtime musician and composer, setting the standard for the many who followed. Lennon and Ono also did a week-long guest co-host stint on the Mike Douglas Show, in an appearance that showed that Lennon's wit and humour were still intact. Scott Joplin (ca. On 30 August 1972 Lennon and his backing Elephant's Memory Band staged two benefit concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York; it was to be his last full-length concert appearance. Maple Leaf Rag first section, Ogg Vorbis format, 17 seconds, 148 KB (info...). This record is generally seen as the nadir of Lennon's career, full of heavy-handed and simplistic messaging unredeemed by much artistic value. When Your Hair Is Like the Snow (1907) lyrics by "Owen Spendthrift". Perhaps in reaction, his next album, Sometime In New York City, was loud, raucous, and explicitly political, with songs about prison riots, racial and sexual relations, the British role in the sectarian troubles in Northern Ireland, and his own problems in obtaining a United States Green Card. Weeping Willow (1903). The title track is a lovely song which has become an anthem for world harmony, and was matched in image by Lennon's "white period" (white clothes, white piano, white room ...). Wall Street Rag (1909). This was followed in 1971 by Imagine, his most successful solo album, which alternates in tone between dreaminess and anger. Treemonisha (1911). Lennon continued this effort to demythologise the Beatles with a long, confrontational interview published in Rolling Stone magazine. The Sycamore (1904). The centerpiece is "God", in which he lists all the things he does not believe in, ending with "Beatles". Swipsey (1900) with Arthur Marshall. It remains to this day one of the most brutally personal musical works ever made by anybody. Sunflower Slow Drag (1901) with Scott Hayden. Following the Beatles' split in 1970, he released the Plastic Ono Band album, a raw, honest record, heavily influenced by Arthur Janov's Primal therapy, which Lennon had undergone previously. Sugar Cane (1908). He also recorded three singles in his initial solo phase, the anti-war anthem "Give Peace a Chance", "Cold Turkey" (about his struggles with heroin) and "Instant Karma!". The Strenuous Life (1902). His first 'solo' album of popular music was Live Peace In Toronto, recorded in 1969 (prior to the breakup of the Beatles) at the Rock 'n' Roll Festival in Toronto with a Plastic Ono Band including Eric Clapton and Klaus Voormann. Stoptime Rag (1910). 2: Life With The Lions, and Wedding Album. Something Doing (1903) with Scott Hayden. 1: Two Virgins, Unfinished Music No. Solace (1909). While he was still a Beatle, Lennon and Ono recorded three albums of experimental and difficult electronic music, Unfinished Music No. Silver Swan Rag (1971) posthumous publication. Of the four former Beatles, Lennon had perhaps the most varied recording career, often reflecting the vicissitudes of his personality. Searchlight Rag (1907). Though the split would only become legally final some time later, Lennon and McCartney's partnership had come to a bitter end. School of Ragtime (1908). He was even quoted as saying that he was "sickened" by the "mutilation" of his music. Sarah Dear (1905) lyrics by Henry Jackson. Bridges were burnt as an enraged McCartney announced he was quitting the group stating that his approval was not obtained when Phil Spector, at the insistence of Lennon and George Harrison, added overly lush orchestration to several of McCartney's pieces. Rose Leaf Rag (1907). But the release of the rough, and over-orchestrated Let It Be album in May, 1970 had acrimonious results. The Rose-bud March (1905). Abbey Road was the last polished, united effort by the group, and after its release in the autumn of 1969, it seemed the four members had made a peaceful parting of ways. Reflection Rag (1917) posthumous publication. A full-sized bed was rolled into the studio so that Lennon would not be separated from Ono. The Ragtime Dance (1906) this version was shortened and published to recoup losses from the 1902 version. After both being injured in the summer of 1969 in a car accident in Scotland, Lennon arranged for Yoko to be constantly with him in the studio as he recorded his last album with The Beatles, Abbey Road. The Ragtime Dance (1902). Lennon wrote "The Ballad of John and Yoko" about his marriage and the subsequent press it generated. Please Say You Will (1895). Shortly after, John changed his middle name from Winston to Ono to show his "oneness" with Yoko. Pleasant Moments (1909). They were mainly patronized as a couple of eccentrics by the media, but still were important figures in the anti-war movement. Pine Apple Rag (1908). During the second "bed-in" the couple recorded "Give Peace a Chance". A Picture of Her Face (1895). John and Yoko followed up their honeymoon with another "bed-in" for peace this time held in Montreal. Peacherine Rag (1901). On March 20, 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono were married in Gibraltar, and spent their honeymoon in Amsterdam in a "bed-in" for peace. Paragon Rag (1909). He sent back the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) he got from the Queen of England to protest British support of the Vietnam War and their involvement in African affairs as well as "'Cold Turkey' slipping down the charts". Palm Leaf Rag (1903). During his last two years as member of The Beatles, Lennon spent much of his time with Yoko on public displays protesting the Vietnam War. Daniels. At the end of 1968, Lennon and Ono performed as Dirty Mac on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. N. In reality the four Beatles were already diverging shortly after the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967, due to their having increasingly incompatible personal and musical interests. Original Rags (1899) arranged by Chas. Casual folklore has often placed blame on Ono as the major or sole cause of the group's fracture. The Nonpareil (1907). This new development led to obvious friction with the other members of the group, and heightened the tension during the 1968 White Album sessions. March Majestic (1902). Cynthia Lennon filed for divorce later that year, while Lennon and Ono from then on were inseparable in public and private, as well as during Beatles recording sessions. Maple Leaf Rag (1899). Lennon began his love affair with Ono in 1968 after returning from India and revealed the fact to his estranged wife Cynthia. Magnetic Rag (1914). On November 9, 1966, after their final tour ended and right after he had wrapped up filming a minor role in the film How I Won the War, Lennon visited an art exhibit of Yoko Ono's at the Indica art gallery in London. Little Black Baby (1903) lyrics by Louis Armstrong Bristol. He was often misquoted as saying "bigger than Jesus", which led many to believe that he meant that the Beatles were better than Jesus. Lily Queen (1907) with Arthur Marshall. The Vatican accepted his apology. Leola (1905). Lennon later admitted that he didn't like having introduced more hate into the world, and on August 11, 1966, he held a press conference in Chicago in order to address the growing furor. Kismet Rag (1913) with Scott Hayden. Spain and the Vatican denounced Lennon's words, and South Africa banned Beatles music from the radio. I Am Thinking of My Pickanniny Days (1902) lyrics by Henry Jackson. Radio stations banned the group's recordings, and their albums and other products were burned and destroyed. Heliotrope Bouquet (1907) with Louis Chauvin. Though the article went unnoticed in the UK, there was a severe backlash by conservative religious groups in the U.S. Harmony Club Waltz (1896). On March 4, 1966, in an interview for the London Evening Standard with Maureen Cleave, he made the following statement:. Gladiolus Rag (1907). John Lennon often spoke his mind freely. Fig Leaf Rag (1908). Lennon's partnership in songwriting with McCartney many times involved him in complementing and counterbalancing McCartney's upbeat, positive outlook with the other side of the coin, as one of their songs, "Getting Better" demonstrates:. Felicity Rag (1911) with Scott Hayden. His most surreal pieces of songwriting, "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "I Am the Walrus" are fine example of his unique style. The Favorite (1904). Lennon's lyrics are also often the more lyrical, due to his love of word-play, double-meaning and strange words. Euphonic Sounds (1909). Though overly simplistic, this view does have some truth as much of the songs credited to Lennon-McCartney, but actually inspired by Lennon himself are more developed, introspective pieces often in the first-person and dealing with more personal issues. Eugenia (1906). Of the two, Lennon is generally viewed as the better lyricist, while McCartney is seen as the more accomplished composer. The Entertainer (1902). He is widely considered, along with fellow-writing partner Paul McCartney, as one of the most influential singer-songwriter-musicians of the 20th century. Elite Syncopations (1902). As a member of The Beatles, Lennon had a profound influence on rock and roll and in expanding the genre's boundaries during the 1960s. The Easy Winners (1901). He married Cynthia in 1962 after she became pregnant with his child, Julian. The Great Crush Collision March (1896). Eventually, in the late 1950s, Lennon formed his own skiffle group called The Quarry Men, which later became The Silver Beetles (a tribute to Buddy Holly's Crickets) and soon afterwards was shortened to The Beatles. Country Club (1909). However, John steadily grew to hate the conformity of art school and, like many young men of his age, became increasingly interested in Rock 'n' Roll music and American singers like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. Combination March (1896). His Aunt Mimi was able to get him accepted into the Liverpool College of Art by showing them some of his drawings, and it was there that he met his future wife, Cynthia Powell. Cleopha (1902). Later, in 1968, Lennon wrote a song entitled "Julia" in honour of his mother. The Chrysanthemum (1904) dedicated to Freddie Alexander, Joplin's second wife. This event influenced many of his later songs, and was also one of the factors that cemented his friendship with Paul McCartney, who had lost his own mother to breast cancer at the age of 14. Cascades (1904). Soon after his 16th birthday, his mother was killed after she was struck by a car driven by a drunken off-duty police officer. A Breeze From Alabama (1902). Although John lived apart from his mother he still kept in contact with her through regular visits, and during this time Julia was responsible for introducing her son to a lifelong interest in music by teaching him how to play the banjo. Binks' Waltz (1905). During his early Beatle career, Lennon wore contacts or prescription sunglasses, but later donned his trademark, round "granny-glasses" in late 1966. Bethena (1905). Around adolescence, Lennon developed severe myopia and was obliged to wear glasses in order to see clearly. Augustan Club Waltz (1901). His mother, Julia, then decided that she was unable to care for John and so gave him to her sister, Mimi. Antoinette (1906). Lennon lived with his parents in Liverpool until his father Fred Lennon, a merchant seaman, walked out on the family. Both of his parents had musical background and experience, though neither pursued it seriously. John Winston Lennon was born on the evening of 9 October 1940 during the height of Germany's Blitz on Britain. He is recognized as one of the musical icons of the century, and his songs (such as "Imagine" and "Strawberry Fields Forever") are frequently ranked among the best songs of the 20th century. As half of the legendary Lennon-McCartney songwriting team, he heavily influenced the development of rock music, leading it towards more serious and political messages. His creative career also included the roles of solo musician, political activist, artist, actor and author. John Winston Ono Lennon, (October 9, 1940 - December 8, 1980), is best known as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist for The Beatles. 2003 "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (with Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band and The Harlem Community Choir) (re-issue) #32 UK. 1999 "Imagine" (re-issue) #3 UK. 1988 "Jealous Guy" #80 US. 1985 "Jealous Guy" #65 UK. 1984 "Borrowed Time" #32 UK. 1984 "I'm Stepping Out" #55 US. 1984 "Nobody Told Me" #5 US, #6 UK. 1982 "Love" #41 UK. 1981 "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (with Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band and The Harlem Community Choir) (re-entry) #28 UK. 1981 "Watching the Wheels" #10 US, #30 UK. John Lennon & The Muscle Shoals Horns) #40 UK. 1981 "I Saw Her Standing There" (Elton John Band feat. 1981 "Woman" #1 UK, #2 US. 1980 "Imagine" (re-entry) #1 UK. 1980 "Give Peace a Chance" (with The Plastic Ono Band) (re-entry) #33 UK. 1980 "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" (with Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band and The Harlem Community Choir) (re-entry) #2 UK. 1980 "(Just Like) Starting Over" #1 US, #1 UK. 1975 "Imagine" #6 UK. 1975 "Stand by Me" #20 US, #30 UK. 1975 "Number 9 Dream" #9 US, #23 UK. 1974 "Whatever Gets You Through the Night" (with The Plastic Ono Nuclear Band) #1 US, #36 UK. 1973 "Mind Games" #18 US, #26 UK. 1972 "Woman Is the Nigger of the World" #57 US. 1972 "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" (with Yoko Ono, The Plastic Ono Band and The Harlem Community Choir) #4 UK. 1971 "Imagine" #3 US. 1971 "Power to the People" (with The Plastic Ono Band) #7 UK, #11 US. 1971 "Mother" #43 US. 1970 "Instant Karma (We All Shine On)" (with Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band) #3 US, #5 UK. 1969 "Cold Turkey" (with The Plastic Ono Band) #14 UK, #30 US. 1969 "Give Peace a Chance" (with The Plastic Ono Band) #2 UK, #14 US. Acoustic (2004). "Mind Games" Ultradisc II Audiophile Gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (2004). "Plastic Ono Band" Ultradisc II Audiophile Gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (2003). "Imagine" Ultradisc II Audiophile Gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (2003). Wonsaponatime (selections from the Lennon anthology) (1998). Anthology (1998). Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon (1997). Imagine: John Lennon (1988). Menlove Avenue (1986). Live In New York City (1986). Milk And Honey (with Yoko Ono) (1984). The John Lennon Collection (best-of and singles compilation) (1982). Double Fantasy (with Yoko Ono) (1980). Shaved Fish (best-of and singles compilation) (1975). Rock 'n' Roll (1975). Walls And Bridges (1974). Mind Games (1973). Sometime In New York City (with Yoko Ono) (1972). Imagine (1971). Plastic Ono Band (1970). Live Peace In Toronto (1969). Wedding Album (1969). Unfinished Music No.2: Life With The Lions (1969). Unfinished Music No.1: Two Virgins (1968). "(Just Like) Starting Over" — Double Fantasy, 1980. "Woman" — Double Fantasy, 1980. "Mind Games" — Mind Games, 1973. "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" — single, 1972. "Woman Is The Nigger Of The World" — Sometime In New York City, 1972. "Jealous Guy" — Imagine, 1971. "Imagine" — Imagine, 1971. "Love_(song)" — Plastic Ono Band, 1970. "Instant Karma!" — single, 1970. "Give Peace A Chance" — single, 1969. In addition to performing with Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, Voorman also performed with George Harrison and Manfred Mann. Lennon's friend, musician Klaus Voorman, did the artwork for The Beatles Revolver LP. Heavy metal musician Dimebag Darrell was murdered in 2004 on the anniversary of Lennon's death. The airport in Liverpool is named John Lennon Airport (http://www.liverpooljohnlennonairport.com/). Dead Silence in the Brain (http://www.mackwhite.com/lennon.html). The Assassination of John Lennon (http://www.john-lennon.com/theassassinationofjl.htm). Many people believe that Lennon's murder was actually a political assassination.
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