Saturday, October 9, 2010

Tribute to John Lennon on the 70th anniversary of his birth

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2010

Bless you wherever you are
Windswept child on a shooting star
Restless Spirits depart
Still we're deep in each other's hearts
- From the song Bless You
Lyrics by John Lennon
John Winston Lennon was born on October 9, 1940 in Liverpool, England. He was only 40 years old when he was assassinated on December 8, 1980 in New York City. If he were alive today, he would be celebrating his 70th birthday and protesting American involvement in Afghanistan.

John Lennon was certainly a complex man and very controversial. He was the most political and outspoken of the four members of the band and was definitely the one who stirred things up. He was always the most quotable.

To me, Lennon was a musical genius and decidedly the most talented of the Fab Four. He was the heart and soul of the Beatles, their foundation and their leader. John and Yoko Ono are often blamed for the break-up of the group. Yet, it had to happen sometime. It was inevitable because they were all moving in different directions.

One of the saddest aspects of John Lennon’s premature death is that the world has been deprived of some great music. Almost 30 years have passed since Lennon’s assassination. He could have composed so many great songs during those years. What a pity!

To watch a video tribute to John Lennon as he performs the song Bless You, click on the link below.

http://www.last.fm/music/John+Lennon/_/Bless+You


ON THIS DAY IN SPORTS

On October 9, 1915, Woodrow Wilson became the first President of the United States to attend a World Series game. He attended Game 2 of the Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. The game took place at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.and the Red Sox won it by a score of 2-1.  Boston went on to win the 1915 World Series 4 games to 1.

It is interesting to note that a young left-handed pitcher made his postseason debut in that 1915 October Classic. His name was George Herman “Babe” Ruth. The 20-year-old Ruth was not used on the mound in that Series and made a single pinch-hitting appearance in which he grounded out.

- Joanne