John Lennon's talents, contradictions and self-inventions
John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1972. The former Beatle once told music writer Ray Connolly that his childhood ambition was “to write ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and be Elvis Presley.” Connolly was set to interview Lennon on Dec. 9, 1980, but the rock star was killed Dec. 8. (AP Photo/Anthony Camerano)
Why another biography of John Lennon? Surely, almost 40 years after his death, there can be nothing left to say about this endlessly famous man? Veteran British music journalist Ray Connolly thinks there is, and so it is that “Being John Lennon: A Restless Life” takes its place on an already very crowded shelf. After reading this likable and workmanlike but hardly revelatory book, whether he is right remains an open question.
Source: Michael Lindgren/washingtonpost.com
