Random Excellence: John and Yoko by Lilo Raymond

John Lennon was shot and killed by a deranged fan outside the Dakota, where he lived with his wife Yoko Ono, 40 years ago today. He was 40 when he died.

This picture, taken not long before John was murdered, is by Lilo Raymond, a photographer whose easy-going, gentle pictures I've always liked. It was featured in the book Yoko published after John's death called John Lennon Summer 1980, credited to "Yoko Ono with Eight Photographers." Of the eight, Lilo was the only woman. You can read what she has to say of the experience in the book if you go to this link and click on the relevant thumbnail (left, middle). She had a way with high-key light; many of her pictures seemed to be of light. Posters of her work were very popular. I remember a book of hers called Revealing Light but I haven't seen it now in many years. Lilo died in 2009.

The best book I've read about John Lennon's work is Revolution in the Head by the music critic Ian MacDonald. Ignore the Kindle preview, which contains only supporting matter and nothing from the heart of the book, which consists of appreciative and informative mini-essays on every Beatles song in chronological order.

Mike

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(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:

Marcelo Guarini, We miss you John

Marcelo Guarini: "A minimalist homage to the great musician John Lennon in the 40th anniversary of his absurd, tragic death.

"I tried to convey his iconic image with round dark glasses using as few elements as possible, here two tubes from paper towel rolls, a bent piece of cardboard and some post-crop vignetting. A small but heartfelt tribute to his life and music."

Benjamin Marks: "A wonderful image, and one that I had not seen before. I was in high school when John Lennon was shot and I remember the news ripping through the corridors. By 1980 the Beatles' music wasn't culturally front-and-center; in fact, it was the comfortable music of many of our childhoods, played on records that became nicked and scratched until the skips in the albums became—in our heads—parts of the songs. But he was the first public figure I 'lost' and in a manner so randomly stupid and vicious, particularly considering what he had given the world."

Comments

[Albert Smith]

I'll never forget December 8th 1980. I just spent several months in Germany with the Air Force and got back to the States on the 8th. I never turned on the TV having not seen my wife for some time. The next day, we were in a store shopping and the radio had news on the hour. The reporter talked about Lennon's murder in the past tense, and I stood in the store in total denial... I couldn't believe what I heard. I'm a news junkie, and I had no idea.

What a kick in the gut.

What a waste.

[Graeme Scott]

Thanks for the Lilo Raymond link: I'd never heard of her. Very inspiring stuff.

I'll be stuck in a bloody freezing damp church in Wiltshire for most of Thursday ( Covid delayed window fitting - should have gone in during the Summer ). Not exactly Lilo photography conditions but I'll see what I can do with our new Canon M6 Mk2 which I'm quite enjoying.

Have stuck one of these on it:

https://7artisans.co.uk/collections/canon-lenses/products/7artisans-55mm-f1-4-for-canon-eos-m

It's a hoot.

Always liked Ringo Starr's lead vocals.

[Benjamin Marks]

A wonderful image, and one that I had not seen before. I was in high school when John Lennon was shot and I remember the news ripping through the corridors. By 1980 the Beatles' music wasn't culturally front-and-center, In fact, it was the comfortable music of many of our childhoods, played on records that became nicked and scratched until the skips in the albums became -- in our heads -- parts of the songs. But he was the first public figure I "lost" and in a manner so randomly stupid and vicious, particularly considering what he had given the world.

[Jnny]

What a lovely tribute by Marcelo!

[James]

Great shot by Lilo Raymond.
What a lovely tribute by Marcelo Guarini - "We miss you John"
One of my all time favorite songs is 'In My Life'

[Jim Arthur]

Lilo Raymond’s picture does have a very relaxed, easy going feel to it that I like. It’s possible that this is a candid moment which is my favorite type of portrait and my favorite use for a 135mm. I also really like Marcelo’s picture. It’s well done and very creative. Marcelo’s pear picture from a past Bakers Dozen also caught my eye.

[Edward Taylor]

Mike, I knew I could depend on you to remember John.

John Lennon was much more than a Beatle or a musician. He was a man with emotions that all of us could relate to. He was a pacifist and he bravely stood up for what was right, even at his own expense. In short, even though I didn't know him personally, he was a friend.
He was one of us.