Money Matters, Simplified.
John Lennon's son defends dad's appearance in Citroen video
by Ishita Sood - March 5, 2010 - comments
The ad shows dubbed clips of John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe talking about why nostalgia is overrated. Regarded as one of the most influential and successful singers of all times, Lennon was one of the founding members of Beatles.
Late Beatle singer John Lennon has been featured in a video for French automaker Citroen, the much-hyped and publicized outcome of which has caused John’s son Sean Lennon to offer an explanation behind the video.
Sean claims that his mother, Yoko Ono, did not use John’s image to gain any kind of financial gain. “She did not do it for money. Has to do whoping to keep dad in public consciousness. No new LPs, so TV ad is exposure to young,” tweeted Sean on his Twitter page.
“Look, TV ad was not for money. It's just hard to find new ways to keep dad in the new world. Not many things as effective as TV,” he added.
Lennon and Monroe in a 30-second video
The ad shows dubbed clips of John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe talking about why nostalgia is overrated.
Lennon says in the 30-seconds video, “Why all this nostalgia? Start something new. Live your life now. Once a thing's been done it's been done, so while this nostalgia -- I mean for the '60s and '70s, you know, looking backwards for inspiration, copying the past -- how's that rock 'n' roll?
Do something of your own. Start something new, you know? Live your lives now. Know what I mean?”
Sean talked about the video and said, “Having just seen (the) ad I realize why people are mad. But (our) intention was not financial, (it) was simply wanting to keep him out there in the world,” said Sean.
This is not the first time John Lennon has been used in a commercial after his death.
According to Rolling Stones, in Dec. 2008, a digital version of the singer was used in a commercial for One Laptop Per Child, which created equal hullabaloo.
John Lennon’s career
Regarded as one of the most influential and successful singers of all times, Lennon was one of the founding members of Beatles. After the band broke up in 1970, Lennon enjoyed a successful solo career. His albums ‘Imagine’ and ‘Plastic Ono band’ were among the top selling albums in those times.
In 2004, Rolling Stones ranked Lennon as #38 on its list of “The Immortals: The Fifty Greatest Artists of All Time.”
Lennon was also posthumously inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
On Dec. 8, 1980, Lennon was shot in the presence of his wife by Mark David Chapman.