Rock Hall to Celebrate John Lennon's Legacy

Few rock artists of the past possessed the raw charisma of the Beatles, and none of the Fab Four compared to the innately earnest, humanized John Lennon. It was he who led the band to success, and—unlike the other members—carried his religious and political messages forth to the media. He also began creating experimental music with his wife and lifetime partner, Yoko Ono, including his best-know album, Imagine.

Beginning next Friday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will further the world's dedication to Lennon's life and legacy in a weekend-long tribute, honoring what would have been his 70th birthday. Visitors will be invited to participate in a time capsule dedication of his solo recordings—wherein "video performances and 'art pieces' will be sealed within until 2040," assistant curator Meredith Rutledge told us. They will be stored in the Rock Hall's library and archives, as well as at Liverpool John Moores University—the art college that Lennon attended—and at the Reykjavík Public Library, under the care of Listasafn Reyjavíkur. Visitors will also view highlights from the Beatles and his solo induction into the Rock Hall. The weekend will culminate with the Imagine Peace World Festival.

"His spirit expressed in his words and music is a gift to all people of all generations—it will keep giving wisdom forever. His words and music live within each of us, and his spirit remains present in our remembrance of him. Let's celebrate his life together this year," Ono told us. Though the notion of world peace seems far-flung, an event like this reminds us of Lennon's words to the press in July 1969, as quoted in The Beatles: An Oral History: "If you want to get peace, you can get it as soon as you like if we all pull together. Think peace, live peace, and breathe peace and you'll get it as soon as you like."