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Favorite Beatle John Lennon, 40 Years Ago Today

Published December 6th, 2020 - 09:17 GMT

“The thing you must remember is that I’m the number one John Lennon fan. I love him to this day and I always did love him.” - Paul McCartney

John Lennon is still alive in the songs of other artists. Many sing his tunes, some mention him in their lyrics, while others question his legacy and his contribution to music.

Perhaps the greatest tribute to Lennon in recent years has come from Bob Dylan. The closing track of Dylan's 2012 album "Tempest" was titled "Roll On John". The seven-minute dirge recounts Lennon's murder on December 8, 1980.

For all the nostalgia, Lennon was a divisive and contradictory figure. Skeptics questioned his status as a counterculture icon and the sincerity of his positions on gender equality and capitalism.

"Lennon had a 'teddy boy' side to him," said Stan Cuesta, author of a book about The Beatles.

Even so, the "who's your favorite Beatle" debate is as old as the group itself.

"Lennon had a rather surreal artistic side to him. He was more political, rebellious, intellectual," said Laurent Voulzy, a French rocker of The Beatles' generation.

Lennon "was a natural musical genius, more intuitive than the other Beatles," Cuesta said, citing also the band's psychedelic hit "Strawberry Fields".

"I'm not claiming divinity. I've never claimed purity of soul. I've never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can ...But I still believe in peace, love and understanding." - John Lennon, December 5, 1980

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In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 Music legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono pose for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where they presented their movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 Music legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono pose for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where they presented their movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 the British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, holding a press conference in Tokyo at the start of their tour. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 the British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, holding a press conference in Tokyo at the start of their tour. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 music legend John Lennon poses for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where he presented his movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 music legend John Lennon poses for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where he presented his movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

Sceptics questioned Lennon's status as a counterculture icon / © AFP/File

Sceptics questioned Lennon's status as a counterculture icon / © AFP/File

John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 / © AFP/File

John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 / © AFP/File

In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 This photo taken on June 30, 1966 shows British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, performing during their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP

In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 This photo taken on June 30, 1966 shows British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, performing during their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP

In this file photo taken on December 09, 2002 a Japanese couple place bouquets in front of a big portrait of former Beatle John Lennon at the John Lennon Museum before a charity concert to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of his death in Saitama, suburban Tokyo, 09 December 2002. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

In this file photo taken on December 09, 2002 a Japanese couple place bouquets in front of a big portrait of former Beatle John Lennon at the John Lennon Museum before a charity concert to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of his death in Saitama, suburban Tokyo, 09 December 2002. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP

In this file photo taken on October 07, 2020 a statue of John Lennon and members of the Beatles stands in central Liverpool, northwest England on October 7, 2020. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. Paul ELLIS / AFP

In this file photo taken on October 07, 2020 a statue of John Lennon and members of the Beatles stands in central Liverpool, northwest England on October 7, 2020. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. Paul ELLIS / AFP

A champagne bottle with flowers adorns the "Imagine" mosaic at the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon, in Central Park on December 3, 2020 in New York City. On December 8, 1980, the filigree gates of New York's Dakota residence across from Central Park went down in history as the spot John Lennon was shot dead. But for nearly a decade prior to his shock murder, the former Beatle's adopted hometown was where he rediscovered life. Angela Weiss / AFP

A champagne bottle with flowers adorns the "Imagine" mosaic at the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon, in Central Park on December 3, 2020 in New York City. On December 8, 1980, the filigree gates of New York's Dakota residence across from Central Park went down in history as the spot John Lennon was shot dead. But for nearly a decade prior to his shock murder, the former Beatle's adopted hometown was where he rediscovered life. Angela Weiss / AFP

In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 Music legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono pose for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where they presented their movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 the British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, holding a press conference in Tokyo at the start of their tour. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 music legend John Lennon poses for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where he presented his movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
Sceptics questioned Lennon's status as a counterculture icon / © AFP/File
John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 / © AFP/File
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 This photo taken on June 30, 1966 shows British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, performing during their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on December 09, 2002 a Japanese couple place bouquets in front of a big portrait of former Beatle John Lennon at the John Lennon Museum before a charity concert to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of his death in Saitama, suburban Tokyo, 09 December 2002. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on October 07, 2020 a statue of John Lennon and members of the Beatles stands in central Liverpool, northwest England on October 7, 2020. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. Paul ELLIS / AFP
A champagne bottle with flowers adorns the "Imagine" mosaic at the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon, in Central Park on December 3, 2020 in New York City. On December 8, 1980, the filigree gates of New York's Dakota residence across from Central Park went down in history as the spot John Lennon was shot dead. But for nearly a decade prior to his shock murder, the former Beatle's adopted hometown was where he rediscovered life. Angela Weiss / AFP
In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 Music legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono pose for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where they presented their movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 Music legend John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono pose for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where they presented their movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 the British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, holding a press conference in Tokyo at the start of their tour. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 the British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison, holding a press conference in Tokyo at the start of their tour. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 music legend John Lennon poses for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where he presented his movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on May 17, 1971 music legend John Lennon poses for photographers in Cannes 17 May 1971 where he presented his movies 'Apotheosis' and 'The Flu'. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
Sceptics questioned Lennon's status as a counterculture icon / © AFP/File
Sceptics questioned Lennon's status as a counterculture icon / © AFP/File
John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 / © AFP/File
John Lennon and wife Yoko Ono at the Cannes Film Festival in 1971 / © AFP/File
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 This photo taken on June 30, 1966 shows British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, performing during their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on June 29, 1966 This photo taken on June 30, 1966 shows British band The Beatles, (L to R) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon, performing during their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. JIJI PRESS / AFP
In this file photo taken on December 09, 2002 a Japanese couple place bouquets in front of a big portrait of former Beatle John Lennon at the John Lennon Museum before a charity concert to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of his death in Saitama, suburban Tokyo, 09 December 2002. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on December 09, 2002 a Japanese couple place bouquets in front of a big portrait of former Beatle John Lennon at the John Lennon Museum before a charity concert to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of his death in Saitama, suburban Tokyo, 09 December 2002. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. AFP
In this file photo taken on October 07, 2020 a statue of John Lennon and members of the Beatles stands in central Liverpool, northwest England on October 7, 2020. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. Paul ELLIS / AFP
In this file photo taken on October 07, 2020 a statue of John Lennon and members of the Beatles stands in central Liverpool, northwest England on October 7, 2020. John Lennon's career was cut short 40 years ago, on December 8, 1980, when he was shot dead in New York. Paul ELLIS / AFP
A champagne bottle with flowers adorns the "Imagine" mosaic at the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon, in Central Park on December 3, 2020 in New York City. On December 8, 1980, the filigree gates of New York's Dakota residence across from Central Park went down in history as the spot John Lennon was shot dead. But for nearly a decade prior to his shock murder, the former Beatle's adopted hometown was where he rediscovered life. Angela Weiss / AFP
A champagne bottle with flowers adorns the "Imagine" mosaic at the Strawberry Fields Memorial for John Lennon, in Central Park on December 3, 2020 in New York City. On December 8, 1980, the filigree gates of New York's Dakota residence across from Central Park went down in history as the spot John Lennon was shot dead. But for nearly a decade prior to his shock murder, the former Beatle's adopted hometown was where he rediscovered life. Angela Weiss / AFP

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