John Lennon: Politics, Pop and Power

The 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. We look at his life, music, and cultural legacy.

In 1965, when the Beatles were riding a colossal wave of fame, John Lennon told a reporter: “We’ll either go in a plane crash or we’ll be popped off by some loony.”

Thirty years ago today - it happened to Lennon. Gunned down on the street in New York.

He was the ironic Beatle. The acerbic wit – vibrant, subversive, fearless. On the morning of the day he died, Annie Leibovitz photographed him wrapped naked, vulnerable, around his love Yoko Ono.

We look at  the John Lennon legacy.
-Tom Ashbrook
**Related: hear On Point's show on The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album.

Guests:

Alan Light, music journalist and contributing writer for Rolling Stone, where he’s worked on Beatles coverage. He's also a former editor for Spin and co-founder of Vibe. Rolling Stone’s new issue, just out, features John Lennon on the cover and an unpublished interview with Lennon.

Keith Badman, British author and journalist whose books include Beatles Off the Record, Vol. 1 & 2 and Beatles After The Break Up.