Imagine All The People

John Lennon died 25 years ago tonight. I know, you've heard that about a thousand times today. At least ten times that if you were listening to Q104.3 here in the NY area. I spent a good part of the day listening to John's music, and reflecting on his place in history, on the influence that his various works have had on my life. I know, I'm a school bus driver, what possible effect could The Beatles and John Lennon have on me?

The funny thing about it all is that John Lennon died 25 years ago tonight...four weeks later I was born. I wasn't even alive when John was, never had the opportunity to meet him, or hear something he said when he actually said it. Everything I know about John Lennon I know from history. In a lot of ways he's no more real to me than any other historical figure. He might as well be Napoleon, or even Jesus Christ.

And that's always been the category I would put him in. He was bigger than Napoleon and despite his boasts he was only almost bigger than Jesus Christ. I have to admit I probably would have been more of a Paul guy, but having never had the chance to see or hear the living breathing John I've always seemed to lean towards his side. It's like his being dead gave him the edge up.

I've always had this notion that the only fitting tribute to John would be an end to all war, all anger, all violence, and hate. The only fitting tribute to John would be some sort of unattainable perfection. But I suppose that would be a fitting tribute to anyone really.

I've always had another dream though, Paul singing Imagine along with John's vocal track and a live orchestra, millions of people watching and singing along. Would be something nice, something beautiful, nowhere near enough...but something grand nonetheless.

Lennon, like many great (and many greater) men before him, left us with a direction. An idea, somewhere to go, a place to move forward to. John left us with a goal, and a long way to go.

25 years since John died...and we haven't even started.