Strangely, it's Lennon's greatest work that reveals his weaknesses, which in turn reveals his greatest strength, his humanity, however messy. Thru humor he was able to change not the world but at least how we look at it. There are select moments we remember where we were when they happened: 9-11, JFK, the assassination of John Lennon, when yr parents died. I was returning in a bus, late night, from an indoor painting job in Lynbrook, mid-desolate December Long Island. At some point the bus driver received news on his radio & tearfully announced it to us passengers. Sighs of shock followed by silence for the duration of the ride. The driver turned on his transistor playing Lennon music interspersed with news. I got off at the E train stn in Jamaica, took it into the City & walked 20 blocks to the Dakota, kept my distance, observing from afar. Then walked all the way home to my dingy E. 13th street apt. & listened to the radio under the blankets.
