14 - The Michigan Daily - Friday,December 8, 2000
FRIDAY Focus
0
born. Oct.9,1940
Twenty years later, Lennon's death remains a painful
memoiy -even for those too young to recall it.,
Campus stunned by tragic
slaying of former Beatle
Died: Pec. &,96G&
This story was originally printed in the kednesda,
Dec. 10, 1980 edition of The Mwchigan Daily
By Mitch Cantor
Daily Managing Editor
An atmosphere of pessimism and gloom prevait-d -on cail
pus as both students and faculty members - MtIenberS of con-
trasting generations which were both deeply affectd by John
Lennon - discussed and mourned the Monday night slaying
of the former Beatle.
Stereos blasting Beatle music all day long, scattered
posters taped up at various city sites ("Peace. Love. John."
marked one kiosk), and thousands of disillusioned faces were
constant reminders that fans felt a deep loss with the death of
Lennon.
Many students, like LSA sophomore Pam Staal, spent all
day yesterday stunned at the story of the man who gunned
down Lennon in front of the musician's apartment building in
Manhattan.
"I was very shocked and amazed," Staal said sadly. "A very
creative mind was totally destroyed."
I feel it's a real loss ... his talent was never really recog-
nized," said Engineering student Dave Turner.
For many the shooting finalized the death of the Beatles,
the members of which went on to pursue solo careers after
the formal breakup of the group in 1970. Constant specula-
tion of the group's return and the continual popularity and
salability of Beatle records in the last ten years has kept the
group together in the minds of many fans.
"There was always a hope that they would get back togeth-
er," said Beth Fein, a Residential College student.
While students mourned the murder, people working in
music-related fields were also affected by the effects of
Lennon's death.
Several local records stores reported increased sales of
Beatle albums and Lennon's solo albums. His latest record,
Double Fantasy, was completed and released earlier this fall.
- We're out of Lennon's albums, and almost out of Beatles
(lbums)," said Discount Records Manager Jim Leonard.
V/hat else would you expect?"
A Schoolkids Records employee said the store had sold
about 60 Double Fantasy albums and many Beatles records.
The store had previously exhausted its supply of Lennon's
other solo albums.
Like many of those who purchased the albums yesterday,
LSA student Lisa Schechter said she bought the Beatles
White Album "in memorium" of John Lennon.
Several radio stations played a series of Beatle and Lennon
sets in honor of the former Beatle. WWWW in Detroit
played Beatles and Lennon music for 24 consecutiv e hours.
"It's kind of surprising to me that more stations around
here aren't doing anything special," said the stations' assistant
program director Laurie Converse. "Politically, socially, we
thought he deserved some kind of tribute." she added.
In Ann Arbor, rock and roll nightclub Second Chance
closed yesterday to honor Lennon.
"The nightclub will remain silent (yesterday) in memory of
the passing of one of the greatest members of the rock and
roll community," said a recorded statement delivered to those
who phoned the establishment.
- City Editor atricia I/agen, Features Editor Adrienne
/.Yons, and staff members Claudia Centotnini and Iamin
Kramer contibuted to this report.
In remembrance: Daily staffers pick their favorite Lennon songs
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;r THE BELLESR
I was so impacted by the song "Imagine" that it
literally woke me from a sound sleep. I was 11,
and in the habit of falling asleep with the
radio on. One night I was suddenly jolted,
awake ... "Imagine" was playing. Heart
pounding and wide awake, I sat up in bed
waiting for the DJ to announce the name
of the song and the artist - it was my
first time hearing it. The DJ didn't
give any info about the song when
it was over. Unable to sleep, I
stayed up all night with "Imag-
ine" running through my head. In
the morning I sang it for my
dad, an avid music fan, who of
course knew what it was. He
took me out to buy the tape
that day. - Lisa Rajt, Daily
Arts Writer
I remember listening to
my mom's vinyl copy ofJ
Sgt. Peppers LonelyW
Hearts Club Band after digging it out of dust balls
at my grandparent's house in the late '80s. "A Day
in the Life" immediately redefined every assump-
tion I ever had about what good music is, and how
great music could be. - Mike Spahn, Editor in
Chief
This is going to sound sappy, but it's really easy
for any teenager or college student to identify with
the lyrics. "And now my life has changed in oh so
many ways/My independence seems to vanish in
the haze/But every now and then I feel so inse-
cure." These words ring true to me. We're in one of
the most confusing parts of life, and it's good to
have someone to turn to for help. -- Ryan Blay,
Daily Arts Writer
"Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)" is one of
Lennon's cheesier solo efforts. But the only truly
utopian experience I've ever had was when I first
heard that song. I was riding the Underground in
London and this guy who was listening to head-
phones just started belting out his own very soulful
rendition of that song - utterly oblivious to the
fact that 50 startled people took a break from what-
the situation, everyone in that car got off in a much
better mood. - Nick Woone,; Daily Editorial
ssociate Editor
Being something of a "Jealous Guy"
myself, I'm impressed that John was able to
deal with his feelings by writing a song
rather than going through the usual chan-
nels open to guys like us: Stalking her,
hanging out with her parents, stealing
her car keys, leaving small, dead ani-
mals at her doorstep, and so forth.
Seriously, though, if all jealous guys
could come up with something so
beautiful, melodious and generally
heartwarming to give to the object of
their affection, there'd be no need
for restraining orders.
- Christian hoard, Daily
Arts Writer
I'd have to go with "Happi-
ness is a Warm Gun"
from the White Album. It always keeps
you guessing, and it keeps switching h
styles until it's barely the same song any-
more. It also has the greatest sarcastic and 4
surreal lyrics, and the doo-wop ending is
perfect. - Andy Taylor-Fabc, Daily Artsl
Writer
sing "Il'm so tired" over and over in my head. I love
the utter exhaustion expressed through his voice
and song tempo while remaining so emotionally
powerful.- Jane Krull, Daily Staff Reporter
"Across the Universe": Probably one of the most
calming songs ever written. Definitely inspired by
the Beatles' India visit, it just shows the complete
emptiness of everything in such a beautiful way. -
Andy Klein, Gaily Arts Writer
"I Want You (She's So Heavy)": This slow,
groove-heavy song is indicative of Lennon's range.
It was a perfect background sound for one crazy
sangria night with friends. - Gina Hamadey, Daily
Books Editor
0
"Across the Universe"
ten to. It is incredibly1
together perfectly. -
Editorial Staffer
is always soothing to lis-
lyrical - the words fit
Jessica Guerin, Daily
"Tomorrow Never Knows" is my
personal favorite Lennon/Beatles
song. I always liked this final
track from Revolver as it
seemed to be the bridge
between the Beatles pop ;
music era and their experi-
mental rock era. The title 42
seems appropriate, for no one
knew the change the Beatles
were about to make with their
monumental album Sgt. Pep-
pers Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Matt Gran dstaif Daily Arts
Writer
My favorite John Lennon song is "Norwegian
Wood" - it's a great story about something near
and dear to every man: Trying to score and fail-
ing. It's also one of the first times the Beatles use
a sitar. But there's one thing I can't figure
out about the end of the song: "So I lit a
fire/Isn't it good?/Norwegian wood..."
- is he talking about a fire in the fire-
place, or does he burn her house down?
-David Enders, Daily Staff Reporter
"Watching the Wheels": People say I'm
crazy too. --- Anna Clark, Daily Staff
Reporter
Like most music fans, I find it hard to
describe what John Lennon's music means
to me. Words could never do it justice.
When I was growing up, his music helped
describe the indescribable. Lennon wrote
about many things, but I think his legacy is
one of humanity. His music spoke of a better
world, a hope that things can always
improve. If I had to pick a favorite song (an
impossible task), it would be "Across the Uni-
verse," from Let it Be. It's just a beautiful song -
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