Imagine John Lennon Alive

Today marks 25 years since John Lennon was shot dead. He would have been 65 on October 9th of this year.

I imagine John would still be chiming in on world affairs. I just wish he were still around. He might not have done anything, he might have put out a few albums over the years. Hard to say, isn't it? I imagine he might have just lived out his life the way he wanted to. A couple of records here and there, maybe written a book. I imagine he would have turned up on Letterman or Regis or on Oprah with Yoko. Who knows. All speculation. Just wish he had had the chance. I imagine he would have hosted a Saturday Night Live. He would have loved saying "Live from New York!"

I imagine, during Live Aid, the Beatles would have done something. Maybe. Maybe a Beatle on each continent, singing and performing solo songs. Maybe not. I just wish Lennon had gotten the chance to live out his life, and be there when George died.

Funny that. Even though it was horrible when Lennon was shot dead, it seemed so much sadder when George died. George was the first to die of natural causes. Somehow that seemed so much sadder; it would have been the true end of the Beatles no matter what. Maybe, collectively, we were in denial about John's murder. "How could that happen?"

Lennon and Bono?

I imagine that, at 65, Lennon would be out there saying some hardcore, insightful truths with that wink in his eye. I imagine that he might have been beside Geldolf and Bono to challenge the G8 leaders. I imagine he might have turned up here and there to sing on some concerts by Elton John or Oasis maybe. Hard do say what Lennon would have made of Oasis. Probably grinned and called them wankers but played their CD loudly in the Dakota.

I imagine that John might have enjoyed the Internet, but may have never gotten into computers at all. I imagine Sean would have shown him how to Google and then John might have wrecked havoc at some of the Beatle fans chatrooms.

I imagine John and Paul might have scrapped a little bit, off and on in the public press, but still might have done a couple of things together. I imagine John would have shown up to Linda's funeral.

Wish your killer had given you a chance at retirement and peace.

Barry Warne is a writer who works at the School of Journalism at UBC.