Top 200 Albums of All Time: The Rolling Stones

Aftermath: The Rolling Stones (1966)

The Rolling Stones’ sixth album represented a major breakthrough for the band. It marked the first time the Stones did not cover any songs. Every track was a Jagger/Richards composition. It is also notable for the inclusion of a variety of non-rock instruments such as the sitar, dulcimer, and xylophone.

Key Tracks:
Paint It Black
Under My Thumb
Lady Jane

Beggar’s Banquet: The Rolling Stones (1968)

The Stones abandoned the psychedelic and returned to their primal roots with Beggar’s Banquet. Fans and critics enjoyed the return to form for the band. In December, the Stones filmed The Rolling Stones Rock n Roll Circus to promote the album. The film included John Lennon, The Who, Jethro Tull, and Eric Clapton, but was not released until 1996.

Key Tracks:
Sympathy for the Devil
Street Fighting Man
Salt of the Earth

Let if Bleed: The Rolling Stones (1969)

Mick Jagger lists Let It Bleed as his favorite Stones album. The record is the last with Brian Jones and first with Mick Taylor. This album captured the period’s zeitgeist. It is infused with a feeling of impending doom. In fact, the day after it was released, the Stones held the Altamont Free Concert.

Key Tracks:
Gimme Shelter
Midnight Rambler
Monkey Man
You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Sticky Fingers: The Rolling Stones (1971)

The Stones eleventh album, Sticky Fingers, is a soundtrack to the early 1970s as well as many a gangster film. It is dark and autobiographical. Sticky Fingers marks Mick Taylor’s official full album debut after replacing the late Brian Jones. The album’s cover created some controversy as it featured a male crotch. Overall, Sticky Fingers represents what rock n roll.

Key Tracks:
Brown Sugar
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking
Bitch
Sister Morphine
Dead Flowers

Exile on Main St.: The Rolling Stones (1972)

There is a consensus that Exile is the Stones finest effort. Keith Richards claimed that the double album hit many different areas and the band felt like exiles at the time. It also marked the point at which the Stones decided they were big enough to do whatever they wanted. For his part, Jagger does not count Exile as one of his favorites. He believes its success lies in the whole, “I'm not too sure how great the songs are, but put together it's a nice piece.”

Key Tracks:
Tumbling Dice
Rip this Joint
Sweet Virginia
Happy
Ventilator Blues

Tattoo You: The Rolling Stones (1981)

Although they continued to produce hit records, Tattoo You remains the Rolling Stones last #1 studio album. Many of the songs were outtakes and leftovers from the previous decade. According to Richards, the Stones felt the urge to tour and did not have the time to write new material. The result was an extremely popular record among fans and critics alike.

Key Tracks:
Start Me Up
Hang Fire
Waiting on a Friend

Top 200 Albums of All Time: "L" Artists

Plastic Ono Band: John Lennon (1970)
Plastic Ono Band is John Lennon’s solo debut. It followed three experimental albums and a live album and was released concurrently with Yoko Ono: Plastic Ono Band. Lennon underwent primal therapy to deal with childhood traumas including his mother’s death. His therapy led to a very raw and personal album that touches on a number of subjects including religion, class relations, and his parents.

Key Tracks:

Mother

Working Class Hero

Love

God

Isolation

Imagine: John Lennon (1971)
John Lennon’s follow up to Plastic Ono Band was less raw and more commercial. It was a softer album which included his signature song. “Imagine” ponders a world without hate and petty strife. Lennon seems less conflicted on Imagine and a tad happier.

Key Tracks:

Imagine

Jealous Guy

Gimme Some Truth

It’s So Hard

John Lennon: Double Fantasy (1980)
John Lennon released Double Fantasy three weeks before his death. He retired in 1975 to care for his infant son. After five years in the wilderness, Lennon returned. People were ready for him. They longed for something in the wake of the Carter years. The album was extremely personal and mature. John and Yoko alternated tracks on the album hence the title.

Key Tracks:

(Just Like) Starting Over

Watching the Wheels

Woman

Cleanup Time

Kiss Kiss Kiss

Little Richard: Here’s Little Richard (1957)
Little Richard’s debut album is rock n roll.

Key Tracks:

Tutti Frutti

Ready Teddy

Long Tall Sally

Rip It Up

Greatest 200 Albums of All Time: The Beatles

This is the third (and final) entry for the "B" artists. So far, I have listed 35 albums from artists in four posts.


Please Please Me: The Beatles (1963)

On February 11, 1963, the Beatles recorded their live shows on vinyl in about 10 hours. The album is a time capsule capturing the Beatles of the Cavern Club Era. Producer George Martin considered actually recording them at the club, but time constraints dissuaded the effort. The album represented a dramatic change in the sound of pop music and led to Beatlemania and the British Invasion the following year. For one brief moment, rock n roll was the culture's dominate music form.

Key Tracks:

I Saw Her Standing There
Please Please Me
Love Me Do
Twist and Shout

A Hard Day’s Night: The Beatles (1964)

The Beatles’ third studio album was also a soundtrack to a film of the same name. The album demonstrated a marked improvement in songwriting. In particular, “Can’t Buy Me Love” was a monster hit that remains amazingly popular nearly 50 years later. The title came from a malapropism. Ringo inadvertently mentioned his hard day’s night and a title was born.

Key Tracks:

A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Things We Said Today
If I Fell

Help!: The Beatles (1965)

Help! is another soundtrack album. The original release included instrumentals to accompany new studio tracks. The album continues to demonstrate the band’s progression. Among the new songs, “Ticket To Ride” and “Yesterday” enjoyed the most success. “Yesterday” is the most covered song in history.

Key Tracks:

Help!
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
Ticket To Ride
Yesterday

Rubber Soul: The Beatles (1965)

Many consider Rubber Soul the greatest album ever recorded. The album expanded the Beatles sound and incorporated a variety of influences. The Beatles branched out like no act had ever done before. George incorporated world music into American pop music with the sitar on “Norwegian Wood.” This kicked off a sitar craze in rock. The album also featured studio innovations and more introspective songs. “In My Life” represents both these changes. The song was very personal and the piano solo sounds like a harpsichord thanks to producer George Martin.

Key Tracks:

Drive My Car
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
In My Life
Nowhere Man

Revolver: The Beatles (1966)

George Harrison considered Revolver and Rubber Soul as basically the same album. Although it was more electric than its predecessor, Revolver was just as groundbreaking. The album experimented with musical diversity in new and exciting ways. Often when bands attempt this, the albums are unequal at best. However, the Beatles managed to pull it off with song topics ranging from loneliness to tax protests. Additionally, the work introduces psychedelic music to the masses with "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said She Said."

Key Tracks:

Eleanor Rigby
Got To Get You Into My Life
Tomorrow Never Knows
She Said She Said

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band: The Beatles (1967)

For years, many considered Sgt. Peppers the greatest album ever recorded. In recent years, Revolver has surpassed it in the eyes of many. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band furthered the Beatles’ musical expansion and exploration. By this point, the band abandoned touring to concentrate on recording and writing. It allowed the Beatles to incorporate multiple musical styles into the album. It included rock, jazz, Indian, classical, psychedelic and old style music hall.

Key Tracks:

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band/With A Little Help From My Friends
She’s Leaving Home
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles (1967)

The Beatles decided to film a television special. The show bombed mostly because most people did not see it in color. However, the album was a success and included many classics. The album included previously released material such as “Penny Lane,” but also showed the Beatles cutting sense of humor. John Lennon wrote “I Am The Walrus” after reading teachers were analyzing Beatles songs in class. He decided to write a song about nothing. “Baby, You’re A Rich Man” slammed their former manager. The album concludes with “All You Need Is Love” which was originally performed live in the first global satellite broadcast. The album is not as even as their previous albums because it is a collection of new and old, but it still was nominated for a Grammy.

Key Tracks:

Hello, Goodbye
Strawberry Fields
Penny Lane
All You Need Is Love

The White Album: The Beatles (1968)

The Beatles released their unnamed double album in 1968. The unofficial title, The White Album, derives from its blank white sleeve. It was their first album after their manager Brian Epstein’s death and ninth overall. The Beatles drew from every potential source including avant-garde, traditional, rock, blues, country, etc. The Beatles provide a complete history of popular music up until 1968 on this record.

Key Tracks:

Back in the U.S.S.R.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Blackbird
Julia
Yer Blues
Helter Skelter
Revolution 1

Abbey Road: The Beatles (1969)

By February 1969, The Beatles were imploding. Amazingly, they managed to record a masterpiece. The album includes George Harrison’s best known works in “Something” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Additionally, the record is split in two. The first portion contains stand alone singles. The second part contains a number of short tunes that transition into each other culminating in the “Golden Slumbers Medley.” Although technically the band released Let It Be in 1970, Abbey Road is the last album the Fab Four recorded making “Golden Slumbers” the Beatles farewell.

Key Tracks:

Come Together
Something
Here Comes the Sun
Golden Slumbers Medley

Let It Be: The Beatles (1970)

The Beatles released Let It Be following their breakup. The band recorded the album before Abbey Road, but did not like the outcome. They brought Phil Spector in to rework the album and decided to film the sessions which became notorious. The film documented the band’s dysfunction as opposed to their genius. It’s hard for a band with three front men to succeed and cameras recorded the end for posterity.

Key Tracks:

The One After 909
Get Back
Let It Be
The Long and Winding Road
Two of Us

Quotes of the Year: 2010

Quote of the Year:

"We went to a movie and then had a little midnight picnic on a Satanic altar."

-Christine O’Donnell

And the rest:

"I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president,"

- Barack Obama

“Obama Forgot Option 3 - Mediocre 1- Term President, & That's What He's Been Thus Far."

-Charles Krauthammer

“Plug the damn hole.”

-Barack Obama

'You're being a crazed sex poodle,'

-Al Gore

"We already have a UN on the ground and it's worthless. Now you want to build one in space?"

-Charles Krauthammer

"Each generation gets the music they deserve.”

-Ray Manzarek

“Please don't ask me if I'm going to die today.”

-Joe Paterno

“The rent is too damn high.”

-Jimmy McMillan

“It should be easy to market the Virgin Galactic commercial space flight. It's the name of the company AND the target audience.”

-Dennis Miller

“Dems really have their finger on the pulse of America. If there's one thing people worry about ALL THE TIME, it's the Chamber of Commerce.”

-Caleb Howe

"I don't want to see my old friend Lucifer just yet."

-Keith Richards

"You touch my junk, and I'm going to have you arrested."

-John Tyner to a TSA guy

"We have harpooned every whale in the ocean - and some minnows."

-Debt Commission Co-Chair Alan Simpson

"I PRAISE YOU 24/7!!!!!!" AND THIS HOW YOU DO ME!!!!! YOU EXPECT ME TO LEARN FROM THIS??? HOW???!!! ILL NEVER FORGET THIS!! EVER!!! THX THO..."

- Buffalo Bills player Steve Johnson blaming God after dropping a game winning TD pass

"I haven't died. I'm drinking a beer and eating fried chicken."

-Yao Ming

"'When you win, say little. When you lose, say less."

-Tom Brady

"I'm not interested in being a dead f--king hero…so forget 'em, forget 'em."

-John Lennon

"We've become a nation of wusses.”

-Ed Rendell

Quotes of the Month: December 2010

Quote of the Month: "I haven't died. I'm drinking a beer and eating fried chicken."

-Yao Ming

and the rest...

“NASA has found a new form of life? Neat. Call me when it's got heat vision, wears blue pajamas, and flies.”

-Batman

"'When you win, say little. When you lose, say less."

-Tom Brady

“If I'm going to be honest with you, I was angry about it."

-Derek Jeter on negotiations with the Yankees

"I'm not interested in being a dead f--king hero…so forget 'em, forget 'em."

-John Lennon

“Coincidence that Julian Assange looks a lot like "Jigsaw" from the Saw movies?”

-S.E. Cupp

“I thought ‘what the heck have I done?’”

-Hal Smith on his 3-run Homer in Game 7 of the 1960 World Series

"Experts built the Titanic. Amateurs built the Ark."

-Anonymous

"They're in the halls of Congress everywhere, and it means, for example, that you sit on a committee and you say something about concern about Chinese influence or something, you don't even know if in the next election, somehow or another, they manage to send some money to some group that now doesn't even have to say where they got it."

-Carol Shea-Porter on Chinese influence in Congress

"We've become a nation of wusses.”

-Ed Rendell

“If it exists, why not put it out?”

-Chris Mathews on Obama’s birth certificate

Favorite 70s Albums

Not in any order...

Dark Side of the Moon (1973)

Born to Run- Bruce Springsteen (1975)

Who’s Next- The Who (1971)

The Wall- Pink Floyd (1979)

Quadrophenia- The Who (1973)

Sticky Fingers- Rolling Stones (1971)

Some Girls- The Rolling Stones (1978)

Plastic Ono Band- John Lennon (1970)

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd (1975)

Let it Be- The Beatles (1970)

The Greatest TV Episodes #51-60

51. Magnum P.I.: Limbo (1987): This was originally supposed to be the series finale, but people wanted Magnum back. In the episode, he is shot and ends up in limbo. Magnum tries to communicate with his friends to stop his ex-wife’s murder.

52. The Dick Cavett Show: John and Yoko (1971& 1972): John talks candidly about a whole range of subjects in these classic interviews. He even calls people randomly to tell them he loves them. Footage later appears in Forest Gump.

http://www.openculture.com/2009/10/john_lennon_and_yoko_ono_on_the_dick_cavett_show.html

53. Star Trek Deep Space Nine: In the Pale Moonlight (1998): Sisko and Garak engineer the assassination of a Romulan senator to get the Romulans to enter into the war against the Dominion. Some point to this as the beginning of the end of Star Trek as producers move away from Roddenberry's utopian vision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTgGtJ-PisA


54. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Body (2001): Buffy arrives home to find her mom dead. The Scoobies have to deal with natural death as opposed to demons and vampires.

55. Friends: The One with the Prom Video (1996): The friends watch Rachel and Monica’s prom video. The gang look ridiculous in their 80s fashions. At the end, Rachel learns about Ross’ feelings ending almost two years of Ross-Rachel crap and launching another decade of it.

56. Rockford Files: So Help Me God (1974): Once again, Rockford has to dodge those that would do him ill. The episode is famous for its lesson in civil liberties as an innocent man is railroaded.

57. Star Trek: TNG: Tapestry (1993): Picard takes a knife through the heart and dies. In the afterlife, he meets Q. The two travel back to Picard’s graduation and events that led to his artificial heart which killed him. Picard changes the past and ends up a lowly junior officer. Q allows him to return to the past to put things right.

58. I Love Lucy: Lucy meets Harpo Marx (1955): This episodes includes the now famous mirror routine.

59. Twilight Zone: Back There (1961): Four braniacs are discussing time travel. Peter Corrigan, played by Russell Johnson (aka The Professor from Gilligan’s Island), leaves for the night. After leaving his snooty club and friends, he finds himself in April, 1865. Corrigan tries to warn the police about Lincoln's impending assassination, but no one will listen. John Wilkes Booth himself later drugs Corrigan who awakes in time to hear news of the assassination. He could not change history; or could he? When he returns to 1961, the club’s waiter was now a millionaire.

60. X-Files- Duane Berry/Ascension (1994): Scully is abducted in one of the iconic pop culture moments of the decade.

The Greatest TV Episodes of All Time: #91-100

I thought it might be fun to develop a list of the 100 greatest TV shows ever. Some of these are incidents or events or skits on certain shows while others are full episodes. I wanted to mix it up. So, the top 100 TV Episodes include everything from late night to Geraldo to Monday Night Football to MASH...

91. John Lennon on MNF (1974): Monday Night Football was a major event during the seventies and eighties. One of the major events in the history of MNF occurred when Howard Cosell interviewed John Lennon on air. Below is the video of the interview:

http://tubevube.com/u/u/maccafixx/Ds82Id_GMe8&feature/john-lennon-on-monday-night-football-1974.html

92. Beavis and Butthead: True Crime (1993): The two find an ATM card and get some cash. They end up on America’s Most Wanted and Cops. Butthead recognizes his neighborhood on the TV as the police bust down the door to arrest the two.

93. Geraldo: Satanic Abuse Special (1987): It does not get much better than Geraldo, King Diamond, and Satanists. He even includes warning signs of Satanism for parents. The highlights are below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tpPDsx4Oac

94. Gilligan’s Island: So Sorry, My Island Now (1965): This episode would never be made today. A Japanese sailor does not realize World War II is over. Gilligan must defend the castaways from the confused sailor. The sailor is a pure Japanese stereotype and would send the PC police over the edge today.

95. Late Night with David Letterman: The Madonna interview (1994): For some strange reason, Madonna decided to attack Dave Letterman on air. She picked the wrong person to mess with. She came off poorly and got served. Letterman tore her apart and Madonna’s career suffered for a time because of the way she presented herself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRSP5ZUmxP8

96. Joe Thiesmann breaks a leg (November 18, 1985): Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Thiesmann met Lawrence Taylor on Monday Night Football. Joe’s leg cracked and slung over. Frantically, LT called for the trainers. Thiesmann never played football again. The video is not for the faint of heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ1iVRRu6w0

97. The Six Million Dollar Man: The Secret of Bigfoot (1976): Aliens and Bigfoot unite and encounter the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman.

98. V Mini-Series (1983): To capitalize on Star Wars, NBC produced a two-part miniseries based on the premise of an alien invasion of Earth. In V, the aliens masquerade as friends as opposed to conquerors. The façade is eventually lifted and the visitors turn out to be Nazi reptiles bent on exploiting Earth’s resources and eating people. In the 2010 remake, the visitors are not Nazis from space, but rather friendly visitors bringing hope, change, and national health care.

99. MTV before the change (1981-1990s): Before the Jersey Shore and other assorted trash, MTV played music. MTV began as Music Television. Most of the early videos were cheesy, but fun. By the early 90s, acts spent millions on elaborate mini-movies. People talked about the videos and tried to figure out what some of them meant. Then came all the shows, MTV played fewer and fewer videos and now just stinks. How can they call themselves Music Television and not play music?

100. Keith Olbermann loses his mind (September 5, 2006): Olbermann rarely knows what he is talking about and often goes off the deep end. On September 5, 2006, he completely lost his mind. President Bush read a statement from Osama bin Laden on El Queda’s media strategy and Olbermann believed Bush was tying terrorists to the media. He screamed, “Have you no decency, sir?” Although he was wrong (as usual), the amusing tirade made for good television.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-wJNpWgss8

Most Liberal Songs of All Time

American Idiot- Green Day: The song is about the brain dead public going along with the Iraq War.

Beds Are Burning- Midnight Oil: Beds Are Burning is more Euro-focused. Essentially, the West raped and pillaged the third world and now it is time to make amends.

Fight the Power- Public Enemy: The title could lend itself to any ideology. However, this is geared toward militant revolution. The power is society itself and that needs a fundamental transformation.

Fortunate Son- Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fortunate Son is the best of the Vietnam Era anti-war songs. The song tells the story of a man that is not fortunate enough to be born into wealth and privilege and thus can not escape the draft. The song was resurrected during the Iraq War as many tried to paint Bush as the fortunate son.

Fuck the Police- NWA: The title says it all.

Imagine - John Lennon: Lennon’s masterpiece is generally considered a left wing anthem. Although, Lennon was a leftist agitator at times, the song itself ponders a world where everyone can get along. What strikes many as uber-liberal is Lennon’s imagining no religion and no countries. To some, this smacked of Marxist Revolution.

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday- Carole King: The Monkeys made this famous. The song is about conformity and modern life. It’s about how the American dream can become the American nightmare. Instead of enjoying life, people have to keep up with the Joneses and maintain status.

Sleep Now In The Fire- Rage Against The Machine: Rage takes on capitalism, religion, history, genocide, and imperialism. Michael Moore directed the video filmed at Wall Street. The band’s ideology is simple and the song’s understanding of history is clearly lacking. On the other hand, the riff is as good as it gets.

This Land is Your Land- Woody Guthrie: This is the 1930s version of “spread the wealth around.”

War Pigs- Black Sabbath: The song originally was going to be about the witches’ sabbath. However, the band changed the term “Walpurgis” to War Pigs and an anti-war song was born. The song re-emerged during the last decade as some radio stations decided to protest the Iraq

#1 The Beatles

The Beatles formed in Liverpool, England in 1960. The band moved from its working class roots to become the most popular and influential group in history. In 1957, John Lennon formed The Quarrymen. Paul McCartney and George Harrison joined soon thereafter. Stuart Sutcliffe and Colin Hanton rounded out the band. Sutcliffe would die of a cerebral hemorrage in 1962. It was Sutcliffe that suggested “Beetles” as a name for the group. Drummer Colin Hanton quickly left the band and was replaced by Pete Best.

The Beatles earned their chops touring Hamburg, Germany. They began earning a name for themselves and soon came to the attention of Brian Epstein. Epstein became their manager in January, 1962. Their new manager contacted producer George Martin. Martin took an interest in the band, but did not like the drummer. The Beatles fired Pete Best and replaced him with Ringo Starr.

In 1963, they experienced modest success in England. In 1964, the world exploded. No English band had experienced success in the United States. The Beatles debuted in the states and Beatlemania was born. People went nuts. Girls would faint and soil themselves. The record companies began searching for other British groups.

Musically, the Beatles represented a British reworking of American Rock n Roll. Rock had been shoved aside due to scandals in the late fifties. With the exception of the Surf Craze, popular music had no edge. Lyrically, the Beatles were nothing extraordinary until they met Bob Dylan. Dylan dug the Beatles sound, but was critical of their lyrics. The lyrics did not say anything. John Lennon took the advice to heart and began writing more personal songs.

After the Dylan meeting, the Beatles work improved dramatically. Rubber Soul and Revolver represent a fundamental reworking of rock music. Meanwhile, the band tired of touring. They could not hear each other on stage and that bothered them. As a result, they stopped touring. This, combined with their popularity, gave them the freedom to do whatever they wanted.
Creativity and freedom led to Sgt Peppers. The band experimented and created a masterpiece. The album changed the rules of the game and other acts scrambled to keep up. It drove Beach Boy Brian Wilson over the edge. The Rolling Stones countered with their own take on the album with Their Satanic Majesties Request. One month after Sgt Peppers’ release, the Beatles performed “All You Need Is Love” for a worldwide satellite audience. It was one of the first satellite feeds to go around the world.

After the worldwide performance, they went to India to investigate the mysteries of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and transcendental meditation. Yogi proved a fraud and the band was disenchanted. At this point, Paul decided to do another movie. Their previous movies were well received. However, The Magical Mystery Tour was perceived as the first real chink in the Beatles armor. The unscripted movie came across poorly to audiences. It lacked direction and most T.V. sets were black and white which meant the colorful film lost its impact.

The Beatles continued to record. They followed the film with Yellow Submarine, The White Album, Let It Be, and Abbey Road. By the end, tensions within the group tore it apart. Many blamed John Lennon’s partner Yoko Ono. However, the real cause appears to be financial. After the Brian Epstein died, the Beatles took control of their finances and had no idea what they were doing. Eventually, they hired Allen Klein. Klein was a shady character and Mick Jagger warned Paul McCartney not to hire him. Paul advocated another candidate, but John, George, and Ringo lined up against Paul. The band eventually fell apart, Paul announced he was going solo and lawsuits followed.

The Beatles reunited in 1995 for the Anthology Project. They released a couple of new songs. Unfortunately, John Lennon was murdered in 1980 amidst rumors of a reunion. George would pass in 2002 of cancer. Paul and Ringo performed at The Concert for George. Ringo continues to record. Paul had a smash hit album in 2007 and scored some minor hits in the 2000s. The Beatles are in Rock n Roll Hall of Fame as a group and John, Paul, and George are in the Hall as solo artists.

Rock n Roll Moment: John claimed the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. He was right.

Essential Beatles:
Please Please Me (1963)
With the Beatles (1963)
A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
Rubber Soul (1965)
Revolver (1966)
Sgt Peppers (1967)
The White Album (1968)
Abbey Road (1969)
Let it Be (1970)

The Beatles’ Top 10:
Please Please Me
I Want to Hold Your Hand
A Hard Day’s Night
Can’t Buy Me Love
Yesterday
Norwegian Wood
Eleanor Rigby
A Day in the Life
Strawberry Fields
Something
Here Comes the Sun

#21 John Lennon

John Lennon was a rock star, songwriter, artist, author, peace activist, and cultural icon. Along with Paul McCartney, he formed the most influential writing tandem in history. He provided a counterpoint to McCartney while with the Beatles. Lennon was the witty, sarcastic one. After the band broke up, Lennon launched a successful solo career.

Lennon’s post-Beatles life can be broken into two periods. The first period ran from 1970-1975. During this period, John released the bulk of his solo material (some came out before the Beatles broke up). The first post Beatles album, Plastic Ono Band, was emotionally charged which allowed Lennon to vent. The next album, Imagine, provided an anthem for the anti-war crowd. Some of his songs created controversy. “Working Class Hero” was banned for using the word “fucking.” Many stations did not bother to listen to the message in “Woman is the Nigger of the World” and simply banned it outright.

John’s political activism often got him in trouble. His anti-war stance during the Vietnam period found him on the receiving end of the Nixon White House. Lennon underwent several years of deportation proceedings as a result of a late 60s drug bust. Lennon also made friends with several radicals (some of which robbed him blind).

After several years of political wars, John went on sabbatical to raise his son, Sean. Lennon re-emerged in 1980. He recorded Double Fantasy with Yoko and prepared to return to public life. On December 8, 1980, he was murdered by a deranged fan outside his home.

Lennon’s assassin came from Hawaii. He applied for a gun despite having served time in a mental institution. The Hawaiian police did a shoddy background check. Additionally, the gun made it through airport x-ray machines and metal detectors. Once in New York, the murderer met Lennon out front the former Beatles’ home, The Dakota, and got his autograph. Later that evening, he shot Lennon in the back.

There was a memorial and moment of silence for Lennon six days later on December 14. He was later cremated. Three posthumous albums and a number of collections followed. John's son, Julian scored a hit in the mid-1980s. Yoko occasionally appears for interviews and makes some public appearances. For his part, John has become linked to John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. He was the last victim of the 60s. However, unlike the others named, Lennon’s death was not a political act. Instead, it was a deranged loser which clearly represents the culture of the late 1970s.

Rock n Roll Moment: The “Lost Weekend” In 1973, John and Yoko split for a time. John took up with his personal assistant, May Pang. He spent the next 18 months inebriated and called that period, his “lost weekend.”

Essential Lennon:
Plastic Ono Band (1970)
Imagine (1971)
Rock n Roll (1975)
Double Fantasy (1980)
Lennon (1990)- Box Set

Lennon’s Top 10:

Mother
Working Class Hero
Imagine
Jealous Guy
Instant Karma
Power to the People
Mind Games
(Just Like) Starting Over
Watching the Wheels
#9 Dream