John Lennon was one of the most famous musicians and cultural icons of the 20th century as a member of The Beatles. However, despite his widespread popularity and fame, Lennon has also been a divisive figure over the years, garnering significant criticism and hatred from some groups. This article will examine the major reasons why certain people harbor strong dislike or hatred towards John Lennon.

His “Bigger than Jesus” Comment

One of the most infamous reasons Lennon drew ire and outrage was when he made comments in 1966 comparing The Beatles’ popularity and fame to that of Jesus Christ. He said:

“Christianity will go. It will vanish and shrink. I needn’t argue about that; I’m right and I will be proved right. We’re more popular than Jesus now; I don’t know which will go first – rock ‘n’ roll or Christianity.”

This quote, taken out of context from a longer interview, resulted in mass protests and record burnings, especially in America’s Bible Belt region. Many Christians considered it blasphemous. Lennon later clarified he was commenting on society and media attention on celebrities vs religion, not making an arrogant claim. However, the damage was already done and this quote remains a sore point for many Christians.

His Outspoken Political Activism

Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono held many counter-cultural political views and were very outspoken in promoting them publicly. This included:

• Vehement anti-war and anti-violence stances against the Vietnam War that were controversial at the time.
• Calling for nuclear disarmament during the Cold War era.
• Support for civil rights, women’s liberation, gay rights and other social justice causes unpopular with conservatives.

Lennon expressed such views explicitly in songs like “Imagine,” public events like his and Ono’s famous “bed-ins” for peace, and other interviews/statements. This upset many conservative groups who denounced him as a subversive radical figure.

Perceived Hypocrisy and Phoniness

Another criticism often leveled at John Lennon is that he preached peace, love and understanding while failing to live up to those ideals in his own life at times. Examples cited include:

• His earlier womanizing, jealousy and aggressive behavior during his first marriage to Cynthia Powell.
• Later accounts of occasionally abusive and angry treatment toward bandmates, friends and family during The Beatles era.
• Public cheating on first wife Cynthia Lennon with Yoko Ono before getting divorced.
• Letting Yoko Ono supposedly exert excessive influence over him and interfere in The Beatles.
• His early opulent lifestyle despite criticizing wealth and materialism.

Whether valid or not, these perceived hypocrisies between his public persona and private actions led some to denounce Lennon as a “phony” and worthless moralizer.

Yoko Ono Blaming

Lennon’s second wife Yoko Ono has often been scapegoated over the years by some Beatles fans and others as the person who supposedly broke up The Beatles and led to Lennon’s death. While arguably inaccurate and unfair, she remains a highly unpopular figure in certain circles.

As Lennon’s wife, collaborator and great love later in his life, some of the hatred directed at Ono transferred over to tarnish him as well by association. Even today, the “Yoko broke up the Beatles” mindset persists among some fans who will never forgive her nor Lennon for the band’s end.

Murder as a Martyr

Tragically, John Lennon was murdered in 1980 by a deranged stalker, Mark David Chapman. This martyrdom cemented his iconic status. However, it also potentially allowed Lennon’s faults and controversies earlier in his career to be whitewashed.

Some feel Lennon became overly revered as an idol and symbol after his death in part due to the violent manner of his murder, versus a more balanced take on his life and legacy, flaws included. They argue a fair critique of Lennon’s less positive traits and actions got suppressed via this “sainthood”.

Musical Decline Accusations

By the late 1960s, John Lennon and The Beatles began moving away from their early pop rock roots and exploring much more experimental styles like psychedelia and avant-garde music. Lennon in particular became very avant-garde during his solo career with Yoko Ono in the 1970s.

Many fans greatly dislike this “weird” latter-period music compared to his Beatles-era work. They feel he declined rapidly and became far too self-indulgent and egotistical in his musical output after leaving The Beatles. From this perspective, Lennon wasted his prodigious talents for the last decade of his career.

Too Big for His Britches

Building on the points above, another common criticism of John Lennon is that he let his massive success, fame and fortune go to his head. He’s seen by some as an arrogant figure who became too enamored with his own hype and cultural influence later in his career.

Detractors feel the “working class hero” increasingly became a pretentious champagne socialist celebrity who lived in a New York City luxury apartment, collecting fine art. His earlier charm and relatability faded as he pontificated about justice and morality from his privileged bubble.

In this view, Lennon morphed from a likeable, witty pop star into an insufferable, holier-than-thou narcissist as he aged. His reputation suffered accordingly.

Rubber Soul vs Revolver: The Albums That Signaled The Beatles’ Transformation

The Beatles underwent a dramatic evolution in sound between 1965 and 1966, marked by the albums Rubber Soul and Revolver. Analyzing the differences reveals how the Fab Four began transitioning away from conventional rock and pop towards more sophisticated psychedlic and progressive stylings.

Rubber Soul: Maturation from Pop Rock Formula

• Departed from upbeat love songs toward introspective lyrics about maturity, loneliness and insecurity.
• Moved past rigid 2-3 minute pop song structure with longer tracks like “Nowhere Man” and “In My Life”.
• Showed Dylan’s folk rock influence on songs like “Norwegian Wood” with sitar and Indian sounds.
• Prominent use of piano, fuzz bass, harmonium and baroque-inspired instrumentation showed progression.
• Still maintained trademark pop sensibilities in tracks like “Michelle” and “I’m Looking Through You”.

Revolver: Psychedelic Experimentation

• Heavy Indian instrumentation like sitar, tabla and drone on “Love You To”.
• Tape loops, sampling, musique concrète techniques in avant-garde “Tomorrow Never Knows”.
• Backwards guitar and vocals, unusual processing and effects all over the album.
• Draws influence from contemporary acid rock and psychedelia.
• Varied eclectic styles: children’s novelty (“Yellow Submarine”), Eastern mysticism (“Love You To”), rock distortion (“And Your Bird Can Sing”).

Impact on the Band’s Legacy

• Marked significant growth from conventional pop band into serious artists engaging richer styles.
• Transitioned their image from clean-cut mop tops to trailblazing counterculture icons.
• Set template for progressive/psychedelic rock that defined late 1960s.
• Positioned The Beatles at forefront of 1960s social upheaval and creative explosion.
• Rubber Soul and Revolver remain among the highest critically acclaimed works by the band.

Lennon’s Second Solo Phase: Lackluster or Underappreciated?

After releasing avant-garde noise music with Yoko Ono in the late 60s and early 70s, John Lennon entered the “househusband years” from 1975-1980, taking a break to raise son Sean. He re-emerged shortly before his death with Double Fantasy. Critical appraisal of this final solo period remains mixed:

The Case Against Lennon’s Late Music

• Largely middle-of-the-road soft rock and pop, lacking innovation.
• Mediocre lyrics and songwriting compared to late Beatles/early solo years.
• Vocals lacked power and energy of his earlier singing.
• Double Fantasy tracks feel pretty but insubstantial.
• Lennon seemed to have lost singular creative vision.

The Case For Lennon’s Late Music

• Double Fantasy’s domestic songs (e.g. “Beautiful Boy”) have touching emotional directness.
• Soft rock polish grounds Lennon’s trademark avant-garde inclinations.
• More varied genre styles than typical “dad rock” – new wave, early synthpop, 1950s inspired tracks.
• Lennon’s singing becomes more mature and nuanced.
• Fascinating true snapshot of where Lennon was at creatively and personally near his death.
• Shows artistic growth by avoiding repeating past styles.

The truth likely lies somewhere in between. While not matching his former peaks, Lennon’s later work deserves reconsideration in his overall oeuvre.

Was John Really a Bad Husband and Father?

One of the most controversial parts of John Lennon’s legacy centers around claims he was abusive and neglectful as a husband and father figure, contradicting his public peace and love image:

Evidence of Lennon as a Bad Spouse/Father

• He admitted being physically abusive to first wife Cynthia early in their marriage.
• Cynthia claims he later abandoned her and son Julian.
• There are accounts of emotional abuse and cruel behavior toward Paul McCartney, bandmates and friends.
• He spent little time with first son Julian after divorcing Cynthia Powell.
• Got involved with Yoko Ono very quickly after first marriage ended.

Defense of John’s Family Life

• He expressed regret later in life for his behavior toward women as a young man.
• Remained close with Yoko Ono until his death – she calls him a caring, loving partner.
• Tried to reconcile with son Julian before his death.
• Close relationship with second son Sean in final years.
• Cherished time as a househusband caring for Sean.
• Friends say he mellowed in later years – less angry and unhealthy.

Like most complex human beings, Lennon had his share of contradictions as a husband/father. He admitted past failings and tried to grow, showing desire to improve himself.

Conclusion

John Lennon was undoubtedly a brilliant artist who had a towering impact on music and pop culture. However, like any iconic figure, over time more complicated and controversial elements of his life emerged. There are certainly legitimate critiques to be made about some of Lennon’s behavior and artistic output.

Nevertheless, Lennon’s enormous cultural contributions and enduring creative legacy remain undisputed. While not perfect, he wrote some of the most beloved and influential songs of the 20th century. His promotion of peace, nonviolence and social justice causes left a significant impact as well. Overall John Lennon remains one of the most intriguing and enigmatic musical artists of modern times. His stature will continue inspiring debate between fans and detractors for generations to come.

Questions and Answers About John Lennon’s Controversies

Did John Lennon really claim The Beatles were bigger than Jesus?

Yes, in a 1966 interview for the London Evening Standard, Lennon did make the infamous “bigger than Jesus” comparison that sparked major backlash, especially in America’s Bible Belt. However, his quote was taken severely out of context from a longer discussion about fame and religion. He apologized extensively for any offense caused.

Why do some people blame Yoko Ono for breaking up The Beatles?

When Lennon met artist Yoko Ono in the late 1960s, some fans felt she exerted too much control over him and directly caused The Beatles’ split. However, the relationships between the band members were already fractured for many complex reasons like musical differences and lawsuits over management. Singling out Ono is likely unfair and simplistic.

Was John Lennon violent or abusive to women?

By his own admission, Lennon sometimes hit first wife Cynthia during jealousy rages earlier in their relationship, which he expressed deep remorse about later. However, two wrongs don’t make a right, and his early behavior towards women remains troubling. He does not appear to have been violent with Yoko Ono during their marriage.

Why did John Lennon reportedly neglect first son Julian?

After Lennon divorced Julian’s mother Cynthia in 1968, he saw Julian infrequently and even wrote a song containing lyrics critical of him (“Too Many People”). Lennon later expressed regret and tried to reconcile, but admitted he was often absent and preoccupied during Julian’s childhood.

Did John Lennon become pretentious and arrogant later in his career?

Some argue Lennon developed an enlarged ego during his solo career apart from the collaborative balance of The Beatles, leading to self-righteous grandstanding about peace while living in luxury. Others feel this critique is overblown based on selective examples, and that he remained authentic to the end.