"Lennon Revealed" Offers A Fair,
Moving and Honest Portrait of John Lennon
"Lennon Revealed" by Larry Kane
Forward by Mark Hudson
272 pages, Hardcover
Published by Running Press, October
2005
ISBN: 0-7624-2364-1
My
Review: In a recent British survey, it was (sadly) reported that
a significant percentage of people asked at random, failed to recognize
who John Lennon was after being shown a photograph.
While at first shocking and
disturbing, one can’t help but wonder if the iconic, mythological
treatment that Lennon’s persona has undergone since his death has
unfortunately contributed to this state.
In the past 25 years, John Lennon has
been represented as a logo (with his ‘self portrait’ line drawing often
being substituted for his real image), a product pitchman (for vodka),
a one dimensional peacenik, a trademark for a product line (running
shoes, memorabilia, children’s products), a way to promote tourism (JL
Airport, the Lennon museum, R&R Hall of Fame exhibit), and a
multi-cultural concept (as in the recent ‘Lennon’ Broadway play). As
well intended as these gestures may be, the accumulative effect may
have a dehumanizing outcome. Is it any wonder that people - even recent
fans - have difficulty grasping who the real “flesh and blood” Lennon
was?
In “Lennon Revealed”, Larry Kane uses
his journalistic skills to work around the iconic stature and mythology
that John Lennon’s life and image has undergone since his death.
Kane clearly has a desire to get to
the truth behind the man on the premise that he knows that this is what
Lennon would have wanted. It’s a responsibility that Kane takes
seriously with a great deal of sincerity and
integrity.
Wisely, Kane avoids retelling Lennon’s
biographical details and focuses on his personal and professional
recollections and memories of his time with John. He also avoids the
tendency to fill in the gaps with assumption or speculation.
Some aspects of Lennon highlighted by
“Lennon Revealed” include:
His fears, addictions and
insecurities.
The effects of touring, Lennon’s
relationships with the other Beatles and Brian Epstein and his constant
love and concern for Cynthia and Julian during the Beatlemania years
Lennon’s views on war and racial
issues which were formed much earlier in his life than most people
realize.
His views towards celebrity, authority
figures and social justice issue highlighted by his own immigration
battle.
His humanitarian efforts and
generosity towards his fans.
The environments that shaped his life
and outlook including the four neighborhoods that he lived in while in
New York.
New perspectives and little known
aspects on significant relationships in Lennon’s life including Stuart
Stutcliffe (who helped shape Lennon’s artistic and intellectual world
view) and May Pang (who comes across unconditionally supportive and
caring) and Yoko Ono (who, in a telling comment admits, “I have a bit
of Mimi in me, too.” Mimi, being the aunt who was a stern, dominant
figure in John’s childhood).
Even Lennon’s death is written from a
new perspective with comments from individuals who were present at the
time. Included are eye witness recollections from Roosevelt Hospital
where Lennon was first admitted after he was shot, during a time of
extremely high security.
Interview subjects for the book are
from a wide range including Yoko Ono, May Pang, Pauline Stutcliffe, to
former Apple employees, photographers, radio DJs and television
broadcasters right down to the person who was Lennon’s groundskeeper.
One of the most significant omissions is Cynthia Lennon, who declined
an interview as she now has her own book on her life with Lennon.
Kane skillfully draws from all these
interview sources to compile a portrait of a compassionate, deeply
sensitive individual who was somewhat of an enigma even to himself.
Kane realizes that the portrait of Lennon he portrays may not be
complete but the effort and sincerity he brings this book will give the
reader the sense that he got to as much truth as he could about
Lennon’s life and personality.
“Lennon Revealed” is written with
admiration and affection without being overly reverential or a
whitewash. Nor is it written from a mud racking or sensationalistic
point of view. Kane admits that Lennon has flaws but never exploits
them. The book comes across as a balanced view of Lennon’s life written
with class and integrity.
“Lennon Revealed” has a positive,
humane approach that Lennon fans will appreciate. It ranks alongside
Ray Coleman’s “Lennon”biography as an essential book on the life
of John Lennon.
Included with “Lennon Revealed” is a
bonus DVD with Larry Kane's interview by Andre Gardner, host of
“Breakfast with the Beatles”, the full footage of John and Paul's last
filmed interview together conducted by Larry Kane (part of which was
seen in the "Beatles Anthology" and the "Imagine: John Lennon" film),
and a clip of the legendary 1975 "Lennon weather report" from "Action
News" in Philadelphia.
Larry Kane is the
author of “Ticket To Ride” an acclaimed book on the Beatles' 1964 US
tour.