Today would have been John Lennon's 72nd birthday. And whether you grew up hearing John's music as he made it or are too young to remember the '60s and '70s (many who were there can't either), his birthday is always a comfort during this time of year, like a tap on the shoulder reminding us that John's wish for peace is alive and well, as if he too is somewhere still watching the wheels,
"baking bread, feeding the cats, and sometimes ordering pizza" - as he described his life in an interview with the BBC in December, 1980.
John Lennon's birthday is also cause for celebration since his life and work is a powerful reminder that more than anyone before or since, John Lennon showed that rock and roll was the people's art. Rock and Roll transcends politics, language or anything else that gets in the way, and that's largely due to John Lennon.
Without him, would there be guitar stores in every city, all over the world? Today, you can hang an
Epiphone Casino in the window of any music store anywhere in the world and even people who don't play an instrument will recognize the Casino as the guitar John Lennon played when he sang "Revolution." So today, listen to the music, watch the many great clips of John and his wit in action, and listen to the fantastic body of work that still enriches our imagination. And while you're at it, say happy birthday to his son Sean who turns 37 today.