Evan's Gate

Tim English is a noted authority on musical plagiarism. He has been in the Chicago Tribune and on BBC Radio 2.

His research is expertly presented here as a playlist divided into the four seasons that make up a year.

In this case the year is 1980. The creative rebirth of John Lennon and the tragedy of his death in the same year.

If you think you already know everything about Mr. Lennon you will be gobsmacked when reading this book. You will discover so much about the former Beatle you did not understand.

Why John Lennon stepped out of the music business for five years was the birth of Sean. He took on the new role of house husband. Today we accept this role for men as normal. In the 1970’s this was considered strange.

Mr. English informs his readers of all the music being released during John’s absence.

The tempermant of an artist is fragile. For a while John Lennon was musically set adrift after the sixties. The long shadow of The Beatles had to be accepted by him. He knew his solo work would never compete with that legacy.

We discover why The Beatles became rock’s most influential group. We find John struggling to find his next chapter.

Among the artists that made John want to record again are Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen.

He stayed on top of every musical shift in the seventies. He loved Donna Summer. Blondie were his favorite group. Along with The B-52’s, The Pretenders, and Elvis Costello, new wave caugh his fancy as well.

Artists like John Lennon absorb the culture around them like a sponge. Their taste becomes eclectic. What they want to express musically is an exacting process.

Double Fantasy took several years to create.

This book provides the rest of the missing pieces. It’s a journey music lovers should take. You may find yourself learning how to be a better listener. Your musical taste will be much improved too.