Letters To Lennon


Dear John, In very dramatic fashion, I was born about 2 months premature. Lungs collapsed, in an incubator for weeks, and barely made it...but I was born on October 9th, 1975. Not only your birthday, but hours apart from Sean. I have felt a bond with both of you since I can remember. When you were murdered, Sean and I were 5 years old. My father was also a musician, as well I was an only child. I couldn't imagine losing my father at that moment, and have always felt great sympathy for Sean's position. Sadly, one of my earliest memories was a picture they posted on the cover of the National Enquirer the week after you died. Someone had gotten a snapshot of you in the morgue. It's a bit of a blurry picture, but effected me nonetheless. I kow it's kind of tasteless to post this today of all days, but if I were in your shoes, I would definitely wanna see it. I mean who ever gets to see a picture of them after they die? That picture haunted me for years. I hadn't seen it for 20 years, until I found it online earlier this year. It's not realy shocking. It is very sad. I'd be curious as to what you thought. Did you assume people would be all nutty after your death? Trying to break into morgues just to get the last picture? I'm sure you assumed that was a possibility. The man who killed you was a delirious fan named Mark David Capman. Ironically, you signed his Double Fantasy album cover hours before he shot you. Yet another picture that has haunted us for 20 years: Incredible isn't it. He said he thought if he killed you, he would get your fame. Such haunting images and thoughts that we've dealt with for 20 years. It NEVER gets easier. It is as sad as it was 20 years ago. Your life was so exciting and happy at that moment, and then it was gone... The bulk of letters you will read in the coming years will show you the incredible influence you have had on the world. It's been unmatched. Both as a Beatle and a solo artist you rewrote musical history. I'll try not to gush too much. In my life, I have been blessed with the talent to sing, write and perform. I have surrounded myself with images and music of you and all of The Beatles. You taught me how to write a song, and inspired me to be creative. It's funny, there's a recent band "Oasis" who loves The Beatles, and you specifically, so much that they basically steal every melody, look, feel, and chord progression you guys ever wrote. Stating you were the only band that ever mattered. What they didn't realize, was that you guys were CREATIVE. You invented, you experimented. The fact that they just spit out derivitive music, no matter how great their derivation is, is NOT what The Beatles were about. I try my best to push the limits of performance and songwriting to introduce people to a different forms of entertainment. I can only hope you'd dig it all. Sean too has gotten into music, releasing his first CD (ahem, a digital type of album with enhanced sound quality), and recording with Yoko. It's in his heart, and I'm sure we'll hear much more from him. Being the exact same age, it's great to watch him go through the same experiences that I have had, yet under an incredible microscope. The rest of The Beatles have had great success in their solo careers, and even came together to record 2 songs with some demo tapes you made in the late 70's. "Free As A Bird", and " Real Love" accompanied 3 Anthology sets in 1995. It was quite the expereience to hear new Beatles material after so many years. And rest assured, George said "As long as John remains dead, there will be no Beatles Tour". Rumors persist of course, but they are just that: rumors. I'm realizing I could go on for literally years, but I'd like to give others the opportunites to tell you bits and pieces from the past 20 years. I'm just honored to be able to make this site, and allow people the opportunity to write to you. You have inspired generation upon generation, and as you'll see - we just can't say enough. So in the best way I can think to remember you on this sad day, I will perform tonight. I'll actually be performing as the hour draws near, and past it. I'll know in my heart that your music and thoughts are why I'm performing in such a unique way (with 4 televisions as band members), and with such sincerity. You will never be forgotten, and your inspiration fuels my dreams. Thank you, Adam Kontras 8th December 2000