John Lennon’s 70th Birthday Celebrated Worldwide
Millions worldwide, even powerful search engine Google, pays tribute to John Lennon – who would have turned 70 years old this year.
If you journeyed to Google.com this Friday, you certainly witnessed the interactive video tribute to John Lennon embedded in the ‘Google’ logo. Some claim it as the most clever and most creative logo since their tribute to Pac-Man earlier this year (which allowed you to play a java-scripted mini version of the game).
Goggle is just one of the resources out there that joined in on the celebration for the late Beatle. Lennon would have turned 70 years old this Saturday, but the worldwide celebration and remembrances have started a bit early.
As a member of the Fab Four, Lennon wrote or co-wrote most of the hits with Paul McCartney; songs that helped defined and revolutionized rock ‘n roll. The group disbanded in September 1969 and lead Lennon to record a number of solo albums; some of which he recorded with wife Yoko Ono and the Elastic Oz Band. His songs became more aggressive, militant and protest-like. His most beloved song, “Imagine,” was originally written as a protest song against organized religion. Other trademarks of Lennon’s activism included the Vietnam-focused “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” and “Mind Games.” Throughout the ’70’s, he collaborated off and on with other artists like Elton John and fellow Beatle Ringo Starr, but spend much of his time in seclusion and eventually retirement. He emerged out of retirement to record Double Fantasy with Yoko Ono; an album that was winning favor from critics and placing him once again on top. While the album was riding the charts and with “(Just Like) Starting Over” also climbing the pop charts, Lennon’s life was was tragically cut short due to a suicide attempt in December 1980.
Here are just a few tributes from writers, artists and journalists circulating the web:
- Jon Friedman, at the Wall Street Journal, writes that John Lennon – if still alive – would have loved Twitter [article]
- Family of Lennon, including sons, mother and Ono, get together for family time [article]
- John Lennon remembered through 30 years worth of tributes [article]
- Beatle fans welcome new box set, ‘Nowhere Boy’ film and PBS documentary (‘LennoNYC’) based on Lennon [article]
- “Imagine” worked in Goggle logo [article]
On October 5, the Grammy-award winning Double Fantasy album was recently remastered and even stripped down version for a double-disc set.
December this year will mark the 30th anniversary of Lennon’s death.
