The Search for John Lennon
The Life, Loves, and Death of a Rock Star
-
- $18.99
-
- $18.99
Publisher Description
Pulling back the many hidden layers of John Lennon’s life, Lesley-AnnJones closely tracks the events and personality traits that led to the rock star living in self-imposed exile in New York—where he was shot dead outside his apartment on that fateful autumn day forty years ago.
Late on December 8th, 1980, the world abruptly stopped turning for millions, as news broke that the world's most beloved bard had been gunned down in cold blood in New York city. The most iconic Beatle left behind an unrivaled body of music and legions of faithful disciples—yet his profound legacy has brought with it as many questions and contradictions as his music has provided truths and certainties.
In this compelling exploration, acclaimed music biographer Lesley-Ann Jones unravels the enigma that was John Lennon to present a complete portrait of the man, his life, his loves, his music, his untimely death and, ultimately, his legacy.
Using fresh first-hand research, unseen material and exclusive interviews with the people who knew Lennon best, Jones' search for answers offers a spellbinding, 360-degree view of one of the world's most iconic music legends. The Search for John Lennon delves deep into psyche of the world's most storied musician—the good, the bad and the genius—forty years on from his tragic death.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Biographer Jones (Hero: David Bowie) delves into the personal struggles of music legend John Lennon in this masterful work. Jones paints a picture of Lennon as a pensive and sensitive artist, but also as a deeply troubled son, husband, and father, who, feeling trapped by his talents and fame, developed a dark side. Jones grants readers an intimate view of the moments and people that shaped Lennon, with a notable focus on the women in his life. Lennon's mother left his sister to raise him at age five and was hit by a car and died when he was 17; the upbeat song "Help!" is, as Jones notes, one of many cries for relief from the pain of his mother's death. Lennon's personal demons, Jones suggests, also drove his creative success and played a major role in his marriage with Yoko Ono: "He was now free to get on with his life in the arms of the woman who made him feel alive." Even casual Beatle fans will marvel at the disclosures, as Jones pushes back against the narrative that Lennon "gave up music" for Ono. Instead, she writes, he was planning a massive comeback tour in 1981, mere months before his assassination. This survey is groundbreaking in its revelations, impressive in scope, and is a must-read for creatives, artists, musicians, and Beatles fans.
