Artigo Revisado por pares

Why we cried: John Lennon and American culture

1985; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 10; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/03007768508591235

ISSN

1740-1712

Autores

Richard Aquila,

Tópico(s)

Music History and Culture

Resumo

The murder of John Lennon on December 8, 1980, sent ripples across American society. The public response was reminiscent of the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. President Carter said Lennon helped create the mood and music of our time. President-elect Reagan called the death tragic, adding we have to find an answer to stop such violence. Each of the major television networks devoted nearly half of their nightly news shows to the murder and presented special reports on Lennon's life and music. Radio stations across the nation broadcast musical tributes to Lennon and the Beatles. Americans of all ages rushed out to buy Lennon and Beatle records. Within hours numerous record stores sold out all copies of Lennon's latest album Double Fantasy. Millions of Beatle fans throughout the world staged silent vigils and prayer sessions. For a short time, the death of the former Beatle seemed to dominate the thoughts of millions world-wide, leaving us with an interesting and important question—why did so many people mourn for John Lennon?

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