John Lennon Throughout the course of history there has been many remarkable people that have created an impact on the world. But what is hero? Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or lots of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a ripple of hope.” Meaning a true hero is someone who can stand up for an idea, or can help eliminate the unfair treatment in which the rights of a person are ignored; and everytime gives people the faith that everything is going to be okay after all. John Lennon is a good example of a hero based on Robert F. Kennedy's description of a hero. John lennon is a hero because he peacefully fought against war through his fame and music, promoting peace and inspiring many people. There were many things that had influenced the way Lennon thought, the Vietnam war had a strong impact on his point of view. The Vietnam war had not only affected Lennons point of view, but many people around that have been touched by the war as well. John lennon had the support of his former wife Yoko Ono and well as many of the people he touched. Partridge indicated that “John and Yoko fervently condemned America's aggression on vietnam”(2). As a result of their attitude and state of mind to end the war and give peace a chanc , it later on led to many protests and interviews. One of Lennons most shocking form of protest was when he returned his MBE award on November 25, 1969 in protest against Britain's involvement in the Niagara- Biafra Thing against our support of America in Vietnam (Middleton). His actions was quickly spread throughout the media, which led to more interviews and more future protests. Many people have certain viewpoints that really alter peoples views and ... ... middle of paper ... ...cember 8, 1980 John Lennon was shot. Lennon was shot at the entrance to the Dakota Building by Mark Chapman, and he died died shortly afterwards in Roosevelt Hospital, he was later on cremated at hartsdale crematorium in New York on the 10th of December(Middleton). Many people that Lennon had touched throughout his lifetime was greatly affected, “vigils everywhere , messages of sympathy pouring inand continuous broadcasts of Lennon music was such as to suggest that a major world figure had died”(Middleton) Lennon impacted many around the world , his music and messages gave people an alternative outcome to the controversy of the Vietnam war. As Middleton stated people even suggested that “a major wold figure had died”. Rooney claims that “His impact remains universal, his influence undiminished”(349). This clearly proves John Lennon had a stong impact on the world.
John Lennon, The founding member of the Beatles and unofficial king of the hippies said in his final interview,
It takes a lot to be called a hero. Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or the lot of others. Or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” A hero is someone that will always be remembered for something good that they did. There are numerous reasons as to why one can say Harry Truman is a hero. His commitment and strength began earlier in his life when he decided to serve his country by joining the army during the World War (Miller 132).
When someone mentions a hero people like Batman and Superman immediately pop into your head. A hero is constantly thought as someone with super powers that save the world, but that’s not always the case. An average person can become a hero with the right characteristics and mindset. The person must be kind, hardworking, perseverant, responsible, courageous, trustworthy, and a leader. You don’t have to save the whole world either; a simple action that impacts even just 1 person can make you a hero. Paul Revere showed all those characteristics and came to be one of the greatest heroes of our nation, the United States of America.
What is a hero? A hero can be classified as a number of things. A hero can be a person who in the opinions of others has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Ervin Staub, a holocaust survivor from Hungary and as scholar on altruistic behavior, has written, "Goodness like evil often begins in small steps. Heroes evolve; they aren't born. Very often the rescuers make only a small commitment at the start, to hide someone for a day or two. But once they had taken that step, they begin to see themselves differently, as someone who helps. What starts as mere willingness becomes intense involvement." The business man, Oskar Schindler, demonstrated a powerful example
Joseph Campbell once proposed that, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Over time, the ideology of the characteristics making someone a hero, has changed. The way Campbell perceives a true hero, may differ depending on who you ask. Elton John is an awe-inspiring candidate to not only be a true hero, but an epic one at that. Elton John is an award-winning pianist, singer and composer. Not only is he one of the most controversial, flamboyantly dressed celebrities out there; Sir John is also very invested in philanthropy in addition to giving gratitude. Sir Elton John is an epic hero because he is good-natured and public-spirited, he has overcome many problems, and is an indubitable leader for the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Questioning) community.
During the turbulent era of the 1960s, youth excelled boundaries and expectations to adequately improve the world. Throughout this time, many individuals were trying to juggle the conflicts between racism, sexism, and the turning point in the Vietnam War, the Tet Offensive. This battle occurred in 1968, and was a watershed moment in the Vietnam War that ultimately turned many Americans against bloodshed. “The total casualties – dead, wounded, and missing in action – had grown from 2,500 in 1965 and would top 80,000 by the end of 1967” (Willbanks 6). Destruction from the poignant fighting convinced rising numbers of Americans that the expense of United States’ commitment was too immense. The Anti-War movement gained momentum as student protesters and countercultural hippies condemned this kind of violence. As a result, many American citizens attended a three-day concert, Woodstock, because they desperately needed a place to be rescued from the brutality and turmoil. A young member of “The Beatles,” John Lennon, created music that was essential for the success of antiwar uprisings, as well as Woodstock attendees who justify the purpose of attending. Woodstock abruptly became a compelling icon; a turn of events where even all of the world’s calamities could not conquer the notions of peace, harmony, and cultural expression driven by young Americans to assert their voices as a generation, by genuine music and proclaims made by Woodstock celebrators.
John Lennon was very outspoken and contributed greatly to his mission of peace. “He became an increasingly important symbol of the burgeoning counterculture” (DeCurtis). John went against the normal acts and beliefs of society and spoke out. He always expressed his true views and nothing else. This is because he believed in questioning authority and not conforming for anything.“[He] helped redefine the rules of acceptable behavior for rock stars” (DeCurtis). This once again shows his desire to stand out and speak out. He reformed many ideas and practices that needed reform and some that did not. But no matter what he was doing, it was always supporting the fight for peace. Even when it did not involve politics or the stand for peace, he acted differently from what was expected of him by the majority of the population. “How the chords can change the world. To me, that is John Lennon” (Ono 117). John thought that change was necessary, and he intended to do everything he could to insure that it happened. “A man who stood up!” (Ono 117). John expressed and conveyed his beliefs, no matter the consequences. His immense support of the fight for peace helped more and more people see a different side of the world.
Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as any man admired for his courage, qualities or exploits, especially in war. Some people attribute the term hero mostly to war. My personal definition of a hero is someone who takes a stand against evil or an unjust cause. The term hero can be applied to anyone, it isn’t necessary to save the world from explosion to be a hero. The act of standing up for a friend can also be called a heroic act.
Not many people would mind having the title of a poet, except maybe one of the most influential artists of all time. (Kennedy and Gioia, 599) Bob Dylan was a remarkable protest singer and songwriter during the Vietnam Era with many well-remembered songs about war and many other significant topics concerning the era. He has influenced many modern day songwriters and many other famous bands such as the Beatles. (Marinucci, Steve)
The sixties and seventies were a time of war, peace and revolution, with “hippies” leading anti-war movements, and protests happening across the nation due to the administration of Richard Nixon and the Vietnam War. John Lennon originally a member of The Beatles, became a star in the anti-war subculture, and a hero to many, not only for his musicianship and the Beatle-mania that was spread across the country but for being a voice of the people. The Beatles were at the time, the voices of their generation and eventually became a product of their generation, with their songs highlighting the issues of the time. Even with the disbanding of The Beatles in 1969, Lennon continued to be a force in the culture, with his wife Yoko Ono and himself taking a prominent role in the media and movement against the war.
John Lennon was a performer, musician, composer, and a talker (Spangler). Even though some people liked what he did, and others disagreed, John possessed a talent like no other. Even though the Beatles separated, John still found a way for his talents to be carried on through a career. John Lennon was a good father to his kids and was considered to be a thoughtful husband (John Lennon Biography). He was a great musician who still lives through his rock and roll music today. John’s message of peace, love, and happiness will be remembered forever in the minds of many (Johnson).
The Beatles have been noted as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, and most persuasive bands of all time. They were both musical and lyrical masterminds whom interpreted their opinions through their music. Of those many opinions their main message they wanted to send was the idea of peace. The Beatles opposed the war in Vietnam and were avid participants in the anti-war movement; by trend setting, not being afraid to speak their mind, and writing songs including: “Give Peace A Chance,” “Revolution,” “All You Need Is Love,” and many more. These songs insinuated and instilled their views on world peace, and back their opinions on the war.
John Lennon was born on October 9th 1940 in Liverpool, England 1. His father left the family to sail the seas before Lennon’s earliest childhood memory and his mother was taken away by a car accident when he was 18 2. A year after his mother’s death, the Vietnam War took place, which is The United State’s longest military dispute ever. The world famous band, The Beatles, debut on 1961 not long after the start of the war and through this band, Lennon was able to demonstrate his feelings to the people across the world. "Revolution," performed by The Beatles, was created in 1968, when the anti-war demonstration was on the move. After the separation of The Beatles in 1969, Lennon composed the song "Imagine" (1971) 3. This song proves that Lennon is a Peace-Loving-Atheist and a "Voluntarist" 4 that believes in the scheme that people’s ideas can change social reality; however simultaneously admits that there are constantly wars going on in the world. As a result, he could be a mixture of all four, Realist, Liberal, Marxist and Constructivist. On December 8th 1980, approximately five years after the end of the Vietnam War, Lennon was assassinated by Mark Chapman 5. It is not for certain that the word assassination could be used on a singer, song writer who also published books. However there is no doubt about the fact that Lennon touched many people’s hearts around the world and maybe was even praised as an almighty figure.
You also don’t have to kill anyone, conquer foreign land, or risk your life to be a hero. Anyone who influences anyone else by saving or helping save his or her lives is a hero. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the lives of millions of people by bringing justice to minorities. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest heroes, led a nonviolent revolution to free his country.
John Lennon’s solo career was marked by experimentation and political activism. Most importantly, he proved that musicians could successfully reinvent and transform themselves, and carve out success on their own. To begin with John Lennon was a poor student and lasted only a year at art school, so thankfully music was a good back up plan. John Lennon would go on to put out albums such as “Power to the People” single and Imagine LP. These albums were more political and musically adventurous. Imagine was also marked by brutal honesty, between Lennon's admissions of cruel behavior on "Jealous Guy" and alleged digs at Paul McCartney throughout "How Do You Sleep?". Like everyone else in life, John Lennon had his ups and downs throughout the 1970’s. The albums Sometime In New York City and Mind Games did not replicate the success of his first two albums. Lennon was also trying to fight off being deported by the Nixon administration in 1973 due to his stance in politics. Things started to look up when his single “Whatever Gets You Through The Night” hit No. 1 in 1974. On December 8th, 1980, Mark David Chapman shot and killed Lennon outside his apartment in New York City. The entire world stopped to grief, and musical tributes poured in from all corners for years to come. John Lennon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in