Classic Pop Icons

The appearance of John Lennon in a commercial for the Citroën DS-3 car has caused some predictable controversy, with some offended by Lennon being used to endorse a product from beyond the grave.

The Citroën DS-3 is being promoted with the slogan “Anti Retro.” In keeping with this, footage is shown of Lennon criticizing people’s nostalgia for the 1960s and 70s. He says “Once a thing’s been done it’s been done. Looking backwards for inspiration, copying the past - how is that rock ’n’ roll? Do something of your own. Start something new. Live your life now. Know what I mean?”

The footage is from a June, 1968 interview for the BBC arts program ‘Release.’

What was Lennon really saying?

The footage is of course manipulated, with a fake voice over. For those who want to know what Lennon was really talking about before the footage was altered, I’ve tracked down the original, undoctored footage and put together a comparison video.

Although Lennon’s original words were far removed from the voice over on the Citroën commercial, it’s fair to say that the voice over does ring true as something Lennon might say. It’s a similar sentiment to these words from his 1980 interview with Playboy:

“If the Beatles or the Sixties had a message, it was to learn to swim. Period. And once you learn to swim, swim. The people who are hung up on the Beatles’ and the Sixties’ dream missed the whole point when the Beatles’ and the Sixties’ dream became the point. Carrying the Beatles’ or the Sixties’ dream around all your life is like carrying the Second World War and Glenn Miller around. That’s not to say you can’t enjoy Glenn Miller or the Beatles, but to live in that dream is the twilight zone. It’s not living now. It’s an illusion.”

Fans call for Citroën boycott

Some John Lennon fans are now calling for a boycott on Citroën cars and there is a war of words on Twitter between fans and John’s son Sean, who has defended Yoko’s decision to allow the footage to be used. He notes that the move was not about making money, but about helping to maintain Lennon’s public presence. Given the huge exposure The Beatles have received in the last year with the album remasters and the Rock Band game, I think that explanation is a little flimsy.

Whether Yoko’s motive was financial or to raise Lennon’s profile, I think this is all much ado about nothing. Sometimes fans can get a little precious about Lennon and to me the ad is fairly innocuous. That said, I wouldn’t advocate excessive or tacky use of his image of the kind the Elvis Estate can sometimes be guilty of.

Do you approve of the use of Lennon’s image for such overtly commercial purposes? Let us know. Please note, comments are moderated so there is a short delay before they appear.

Twenty-nine years ago today the world heard the shocking news that John Lennon had been murdered at the entrance of The Dakota building in New York City.

Lennon’s death robbed the world of one of its brightest and most original stars, and scuppered any talk of a Beatles reunion - however unlikely that was.

To mark the anniversary, there is a public candlelight tribute at Lennon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is in front of the iconic Capitol Records Building at 750 Vine Street in Hollywood. The annual memorial features music, guest speakers, an open mic and a Circle of Peace of Beatles fans before and after the ceremony.

John is best remembered through his music, so today I’d like to highlight some of my favourite Lennon songs, starting with a Beatles classic and finishing with what has become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time.

The Beatles- Ticket to Ride

The Beatles- In My Life

John Lennon - Imagine

John Lennon - Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

The John Lennon biopic ‘Nowhere Boy’ has received critical praise after debuting at the 53rd London Film Festival.

The film, which is the debut feature from artist Sam Taylor Wood, tells the story of the future Beatles’ teenage years. Newcomer Aaron Johnson takes on the title role and there is an impressive supporting cast, including Anne-Marie Duff as Lennon’s mother Julia, Kristin Scott-Thomas as Aunt Mimi and David Morrissey as Julia’s partner. The role of Paul McCartney is played by Thomas Sangster, who is best remembered as the little boy in ‘Love, Actually’.

Aaron Johnson as teenage John Lennon

Written by Matt Greenhalgh (’Control’) and based on Julia Baird’s ‘Imagine This: Growing Up with My Brother John Lennon’, the film commences in 1955 with a 15-year-old John Lennon living with his conservative Aunt Mimi. In this period John reconnected with his mother and the film explores the friction this caused with his Aunt Mimi and the impact of this relationship on his musical ambitions.

Critic, Sandra Hebron, says:

“Decidedly a love story rather than a John Lennon biopic, Nowhere Boy nevertheless provides a wealth of imaginatively presented insights into what fuelled his musical genius.

It’s great credit to Sam Taylor-Wood that she has made a film of broad appeal while retaining an assured authorial signature. Her experience of working with actors in her previous film and photographic work pays off, with tremendous performances from all the key cast, and her collaboration with cinematographer Seamus McGarvey gives the film a visual beauty which underscores its considerable emotional heart.”

Nowhere Boy trailer

The film will go on general release in December, so look out for it.