Please consider registering
Guest
sp_LogInOut Log Insp_Registration Register
Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
sp_Feed sp_TopicIcon
Did Lennon become conservative later in life?
22 January 2016
12.00pm
Avatar
Derek_Francis
London Palladium
Members
Forum Posts: 119
Member Since:
21 January 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

One of his aides claimed that Lennon was a Reagan supporter in his last years, but seeing as how no other source claims this, I’m calling that revisionism.

However, it is true that Lennon being a counterculture hippie was largely a phase for him.  I don’t think he was as liberal as many of the people in the counterculture.  I think he just had a strong opinion on society at the time and wanted to use the press to promote peace. I don’t think he ever stopped being on the liberal side of things, nor did he stop believing in peace, nor did he stop believing in breaking conventions, but he changed from an idealist to a realist.  After the bed-in’s, the peace songs and such, Lennon realized that he can’t change the world and he sort of drifted into the more apathetic apolitical realm of things.

In that sense, most people turn conservative when they get older.  They throw out their punk rock clothes and start wearing khakis.  They’re tired of fighting for change and they just want to enjoy life.  They grow up, raise a family and instead of wanting to shake society up, they want to take it easy and enjoy what capitalism has provided for them.

The following people thank Derek_Francis for this post:

KaleidoscopeMusic
22 January 2016
4.02pm
Avatar
KaleidoscopeMusic
Ed Sullivan Show
Members
Forum Posts: 481
Member Since:
3 November 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline

That’s an interesting topic. I don’t think it was a phase because John did say that peace should not just be a 60’s stereotype. That’s probably where he “grew up”: transitioning to another decade, maturing, etc. Of course no one can “change” the world, but one can make a difference. Sometimes the biggest difference doesn’t always come from holding a sign with a statement but of taking a hiatus to do what matters in life. 

Not all people change much when they get older; they might wear khakis but they also know not wearing khakis won’t make much of a difference if you don’t practice what you preach. They might not rave with fists flying about political topics (although they might, depending on dinner conversations), but it doesn’t mean they disagree any less. It just isn’t worth it when people understand how fleeting life is. Just because you’re liberal doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a Democrat. 

If you’re interested in the whole “Reagan” ordeal, check out the book Fab. 🙂

The following people thank KaleidoscopeMusic for this post:

I was the walrus, Beatlebug

Only music can save us.

Forum Timezone: Europe/London
Most Users Ever Online: 700
Currently Online: PauliesGirl
Guest(s) 1
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Top Posters:
Starr Shine?: 16105
Ron Nasty: 12534
Zig: 9832
50yearslate: 8759
Necko: 8043
AppleScruffJunior: 7583
parlance: 7111
mr. Sun king coming together: 6402
Mr. Kite: 6147
trcanberra: 6064
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 88
Members: 2858
Moderators: 5
Admins: 1
Forum Stats:
Groups: 3
Forums: 44
Topics: 5519
Posts: 380522
Newest Members:
katybphoto, sleeptalker, Lovethebeatles, vtrop, nickygrangery
Moderators: Joe: 5694, meanmistermustard: 24964, Ahhh Girl: 22226, Beatlebug: 18182, The Hole Got Fixed: 8410
Administrators: Joe: 5694