Imagine.
Imagine all the people – not knowing who John Lennon is.
For the past three weeks I’ve been all but squealing in excitement over the new Beatles musical “Across the Universe.”
I was so thrilled telling my friend’s 17-year-old sister about the movie and the Beatles when she replied that she never heard of them.
Not heard of the Beatles?
I was shocked.
What about John Lennon?
Don’t know who he is, she replied.
Not know John Lennon? Paul, George, Ringo?
The Beatles?
The band whose compilation “1” rose to No. 1 in more than 20 countries.
The band who’s music defined a generation. The Fab Four that released more than 10 albums in 10 years and starred in five films.
How is this possible?
John Lennon? The man who represents peace and love?
He has been a cultural icon for generations. His political consciousness helped give a voice to those against the war.
Sure he’s not Elvis with his million impersonators, wandering the streets of Vegas, but surely everyone could put John and peace together, especially during this time of war.
She shrugged and went right on listening to her ipod of Glassjaw and Pussycat Dolls.
It hit me. Baby Boomers like my parents are prepping for retirement. I’m getting older, too.
Soon there will be a generation who doesn’t remember The Beatles at all.
OK, maybe they haven’t exactly released a top selling album in over 30 years.
And their songs seem a little out of touch and outdated for this this new generation.
All I am saying is give them a chance.
Here are some fascinating facts from the Internet Movie Database about everyone’s favorite “working class heroes.”
“Rolling Stone” voted John as the 38th Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artist. Guess which band was voted Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artists of all time?
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industries reported in 2006 that “the Beatles are the biggest popular music act of all time, with 400 million albums sold.”
Lennon was so shocked after hearing Paul McCartney’s single “Coming Up””that he returned to music in 1980. He replied, “Oh s**t, I’ve got to get back.’
The Fab Four were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
Earlier on the day John was assassinated he was photographed for the cover of “Rolling Stone.”
The Liverpool Airport was renamed the John Lennon Airport in 2001.
Now 400 million people can’t be wrong. The Beatles have sold more records than Michael Jackson.
I’m not sure where the message of love and peace got lost, but the message is still prominent.
People are still protesting war and yearning for peace.
It’s sad to see a generation of kids who have never heard of the Fab Four and the tremendous influence of the British invasion.
Maybe the Beatles aren’t bigger than Jesus.
Alexandra Lozano, a senior journalism major, is editorial director of the Campus Times. She can be reached by e-mail at alozano@ulv.edu.
