Liam Gallagher, Alex Turner, Paul Weller and more talked on the true genius f John Lennon.
Today John Lennon would have turned 75.
Will John Lennon’s genius ever be surpassed? We asked some of his biggest and most famous fans. Here’s what Liam Gallagher, Alex Turner, Paul Weller, Miles Kane and Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro had to say.
“Liam Gallagher on Lennon: The Icon
“John Lennon means everything to me. I wouldn’t say he’s better than Paul McCartney. They’re different but both great. I prefer Lennon because he’s wilder. McCartney is like Noel, too nice. Lennon was twisted, and I like that.
I love his early rock’n’roll, but now my favorite period is Strawberry Fields Forever. Check out Now And Then, recorded in India with George Harrison. They remixed it like Free As A Bird. It’s beautiful. No one has ever matched Lennon. Lee Mavers could have, but he took a different path. My brother Noel is good, but he lacks Lennon’s madness. If you get bored of Lennon, you get bored of yourself. And I’m not bored.”
Alex Turner on Lennon: The Lyricist
“When I started writing, I wanted to create an I Am The Walrus-style song, but it’s hard. It sounds random, but it’s perfect.
Even Come Together, which we played at the 2012 Olympics, is tricky. No word logically leads to the next, yet it all makes sense. I love angry Lennon. In Gimme Some Truth, he spits words with raw fury. He deserves every accolade.”
Miles Kane on Lennon: The Fashion Icon
“John Lennon had many looks. My favorite is from Instant Karma! in 1970: short hair, beard, denim, and glasses. Cool as hell!
His style matched his confidence. Growing up in Wirral, Lennon was everywhere. Gimme Some Truth from Imagine got me into music. If I had to choose between The Beatles and solo Lennon, I’d pick him.”
Simon Neil on Lennon: The Rebel
“He was a huge rock star but different: a working-class hero and provocateur. He questioned religion on a mainstream level. If he were alive, he’d still be rebelling.
Our manager told us a story: at Harry Nilsson’s house, a guy wore a lampshade and acted crazy. When he lifted it, it was Lennon. Not what they expected.”
Paul Weller on Lennon: The Singer
“I love John Lennon for his honesty and power. In Don’t Let Me Down, he lets go completely. His rockers, like Twist And Shout, are raw. Then you have Jealous Guy, showing his sensitivity.
I was obsessed. I visited Liverpool, Menlove Avenue, and Paul McCartney’s house. Strawberry Fields Forever is groundbreaking. No Pro Tools, just genius. George Martin edited two different takes, creating something timeless. It remains unsurpassed.”
Source: NME
Photo: Getty