If you can read this, either the style sheet didn't load or you have an older browser that doesn't support style sheets. Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the page.

(Independent)   FBI thought Lennon was too stoned to start a revolution. Even a broken clock is right twice a day   (news.independent.co.uk) divider line 107
    More: Obvious  
•       •       •

8757 clicks; posted to Main » on 23 Sep 2005 at 2:32 PM   |  Favorite    |   share:  Share on Twitter share via Email Share on Facebook   more»



107 Comments   (+0 »)
   

Archived thread

First | « | 1 | 2 | 3 | » | Last | Show all
 
2005-09-23 11:30:25 AM
Woo HOO!!!
My first greenlight!
 
2005-09-23 11:35:45 AM
quickdraw, hopefully your last
 
2005-09-23 11:37:25 AM
Congrats on the greenlight! Now if only I could find my piece we could celebrate.....
 
2005-09-23 11:44:51 AM
Lennon wasn't the only one...
 
2005-09-23 11:46:34 AM
zappaisfrank: Lennon wasn't the only one...

Are you saying he's a dreamer?
 
2005-09-23 11:48:42 AM
Most people who want to start a revolution are too stoned. Coincidence? or tin-foil hat inducing conspiracy?
 
2005-09-23 12:17:09 PM
CtrlAltDelete [TotalFark]

zappaisfrank: Lennon wasn't the only one...

Are you saying he's a dreamer?


No, I'm saying he was not the only one too stoned back then to get any kind of revolution going. The whole idea of a "revolution" was idiotic, anyway. You had to be on drugs to buy into one word of it!

Personally, I think Lennon was kind of a doofus, really. He was one of the first to cross the line from music into politics, and it's a line I wish he'd never crossed because it opened the doors to people like Michael Stipe and (gulp) Bono!

Realistically, did any of his or any 60's radical's so called "revolutionary" acts change a farkin' thing? Let's reflect; the establishment was in place then....and it's still in place now, and has been ever since...ever! Lennon wanted the war to end, and it did...eventually...several years after he asked everyone to "give peace a chance", by which time he had moved on to other things. Have the radical left made any inroads into american politics in the last 40 years? Not really....Clinton was a centerist, and aside from the occasional blue state governor, it's still stuffed shirt, bible hugging, bribe taking "business as usual" on capital hill!

So, as much as I love the music from the 60's, the people involved were pretty silly sometimes. Besides, Lennon had a major albatross around his neck named Yoko Ono who destroyed much of whatever credibility he may have aquired otherwise.

The only one who seemed to have a clear head was Frank Zappa, and that's because he was the only one who didn't do massive amounts of drugs!
 
2005-09-23 12:28:42 PM
CtrlAltDelete: Congrats on the greenlight! Now if only I could find my piece we could celebrate.....

No prob, I've got papers.
 
2005-09-23 12:31:07 PM
zappaisfrank: The only one who seemed to have a clear head was Frank Zappa, and that's because he was the only one who didn't do massive amounts of drugs!

So true. He also understood that the real issue is freedom of speach. God bless Zappa - wherever that crazy aetheist genius is.
 
2005-09-23 12:38:18 PM
zappaisfrank: The whole idea of a "revolution" was idiotic, anyway. You had to be on drugs to buy into one word of it!

I disagree. I submit to you that the much greater level of corruption in government at the time was dangerous and frustrating to the point of insanity to those who attempted to work from within it. This is a period, say 1968 - 1975, in which racism was not the pariah it is today (there is racism today, but in the majority public view it's reprehensible), people were being killed at protests (May 4th 1970), riots were common, a decade of assasination and death came before them, and people needed for everything to change.

While it might not have had the immediate effect, it did convince a generation what morality could be, and the Carter Administration threw away a wonderful momentum built up by this "Revolution." You can't dismiss it as a druggie festival entirely- it's the same as drinking in hard times and building up emotion to what must be done; drugs can do the same. The drugs were a response to frustration, not a recruitment tool into the "cause."
 
2005-09-23 12:39:42 PM
quickdraw

It's too bad Zappa is gone. The current crop of Republicans Inc. would have provided him with a wealth of material!
 
2005-09-23 12:51:14 PM
CtrlAltDelete [TotalFark]
zappaisfrank: The whole idea of a "revolution" was idiotic, anyway. You had to be on drugs to buy into one word of it!

I disagree. I submit to you that the much greater level of corruption in government at the time was dangerous and frustrating to the point of insanity to those who attempted to work from within it. This is a period, say 1968 - 1975, in which racism was not the pariah it is today (there is racism today, but in the majority public view it's reprehensible), people were being killed at protests (May 4th 1970), riots were common, a decade of assasination and death came before them, and people needed for everything to change.


They needed it to change, but besides civil rights, what did? Government is still corrupt, possibly more so now than then. We have the occasional riot but it's seldom in response to government actions or policies. Maybe protesters aren't being shot by National guardsmen, but many of them took rubber bullets while protesting the world bank in Seattle. Bush also has his "free speech zones" located miles from anywhere he may go so no one sees the protestors anyway! Opposing viewpoints are being supressed by conservative media owners, which in a way is worse than being shot at. The current situation with the pro war vs. anti-war crowd is yet another battle between the long hairs and the crew cuts. What has changed?

While it might not have had the immediate effect, it did convince a generation what morality could be, and the Carter Administration threw away a wonderful momentum built up by this "Revolution." You can't dismiss it as a druggie festival entirely- it's the same as drinking in hard times and building up emotion to what must be done; drugs can do the same. The drugs were a response to frustration, not a recruitment tool into the "cause."

But the drugs were ultimately the undoing of all of it! They may have started with drugs as a method of coping with the situation, but eventually the drugs became more important and the project was abandoned. The "movement" died when McGovern got his ass waxed in the 1972 presidential election. Carter won because Ford pardoned Nixon and because people who voted for him were voting against Nixon retroactively.
 
2005-09-23 12:58:51 PM
I dunno CtrlAlt.
I think the current admin. is WAY more corrupt. I find myself missin farking Nixon. Even the worst of the war mongerers in the 60s didn't give huge tax breaks to the rich and cut medical services to the poor and elderly.

The reason the cultural revolution that started in the 60s lost steam is because of Disco and cocaine. I remember watching the transition from peace signs, denim and sandals to polyester, coke spoons and platform shoes.

The 70s were so embarrasing. The only thing good about it was the sex.
 
2005-09-23 01:24:56 PM
I'm not at all saying the current administration isn't corrupt; but understand the administration doesn't need to play as dirty as Nixon used to- the public seems to be more apathetic than it did in the 60's.

You watch, I'll be in DC tomorrow for the "Troops Out Now" rally- how will that ever compare to those who have spoke on the mall before? People then turned on their televisions, saw a speech and were either outraged or thankful- some apathy sure, but not the embracing collective thought of "who gives a rats ass" that we see now.

There were plenty of socialist movements and "catholics for peace," etc.,. that never touched a drug and never drank alcohol; and they had pretty strong numbers- so I don't think it was the drugs that brought everything down, although you're right- it didn't help.
 
2005-09-23 02:58:39 PM
There was more apathy than you remember.

What we have now is 300 channels. Back in the day a march on the Mall would be the only thing on all 4 channels so you had to see it. Today.... Not only do we have cable/Tivo et.all we also have DVDs and video games. There would have been just as many distracted disinterested Americans then if we had the entertainment options we have now.

It wasn't just the drugs either. Lets face it. The combination of the Pill and no STDs made for a lot of very distracted folks. Plus, damn hard to go to a protest march in platforms.

Good on you for going to the rally. Wear a peace sign for me.
 
2005-09-23 03:02:30 PM
quickdraw

How long did it take?
 
2005-09-23 03:02:44 PM
quickdraw: The 70s were so embarrasing. The only thing good about it was the sex.

No thanks. If i wanted a trip into bush that large, I would do it Conrad style and go to the Congo....

Thank you Gilette....
 
2005-09-23 03:06:14 PM
Quickdraw,

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Where did you get that line? I think I heard it the other day from either tv or somewhere on the web,....
 
2005-09-23 03:06:37 PM
I've got blisters on me fingers!
 
2005-09-23 03:07:23 PM
...to Liberace, who apparently had a gambling problem.

So that's what they called it back then!
 
2005-09-23 03:08:06 PM
zappaisfrank

The way I see it, right is doing a great job of digging it's own grave. Some of their actions are more looney the left's and will come back to haunt them. Nixon, by comparison, was for more saner then GW and Nixon was down right nuts.

/IMHO
 
2005-09-23 03:09:45 PM
Marx & Lennon!

Firesign Theater: How Can You Be In Two Places At Once When You're Not Anywhere At All
 
2005-09-23 03:10:03 PM
Nixon paranoia.

Good thing we have several former Nixon vets in powerful positions in the Bush administration today. They will keep Ringo Starr from taking our freedom.
 
2005-09-23 03:10:44 PM
submitter sounds like my grandmother.
 
2005-09-23 03:12:44 PM
zappaisfrank: CtrlAltDelete [TotalFark]

zappaisfrank: Lennon wasn't the only one...

Are you saying he's a dreamer?

No, I'm saying he was not the only one too stoned back then to get any kind of revolution going. The whole idea of a "revolution" was idiotic, anyway. You had to be on drugs to buy into one word of it!


Imagine that went right over your head.
 
2005-09-23 03:12:49 PM
quickdraw: Good on you for going to the rally. Wear a peace sign for me.

Oh you know I will!
 
2005-09-23 03:13:15 PM
And for those lacking knowledge, Lennon was against war but not really for a "revolution". Read the song lyrics.

The Beatles were more conventional then revolutionary.

Harrison went to San Francisco and was revolted by the wacked out druggies.

Somewhat shaggy hair and some drug use were the only revolutions, besides musical, advocated by the Beatles.
 
2005-09-23 03:15:17 PM
The only one who seemed to have a clear head was Frank Zappa, and that's because he was the only one who didn't do massive amounts of drugs!

Anyone that names their children Dweazil and Moon is on MASSIVE amounts of drugs.
 
2005-09-23 03:19:03 PM
Socialism is bad mmm'kay
 
2005-09-23 03:19:46 PM
Elvis met with Nixon in 1970 and said the Beatles were pro drugs pro revolution and Nixon sent the attack dogsFBI, CIA on them.

Elvis was the biggest drug abuser there was. His doctor would give him anything he wanted. Elvis didn't give a shiat about the Beatles intent he was a sore loser because they were blowing him away in record sales.
 
2005-09-23 03:20:10 PM
thekubrix: Quickdraw,

Even a broken clock is right twice a day

Where did you get that line? I think I heard it the other day from either tv or somewhere on the web,....




Withnail and I.


/..if it means burglary!
 
2005-09-23 03:23:31 PM
palexc: submitter sounds like my grandmother.

Your grandmother is cool.
 
2005-09-23 03:25:19 PM
Fumuunda: Anyone that names their children Dweazil and Moon is on MASSIVE amounts of drugs.

I know - wierd isn't it? He really didn't do any drugs though. He obviously didn't need them.
 
2005-09-23 03:30:57 PM
Fumuunda: Anyone that names their children Dweazil and Moon is on MASSIVE amounts of drugs.

You'd think that, but you would be wrong. Zappa was practically a tea-totaler.
 
2005-09-23 03:32:19 PM
I'm so glad he was killed when he was. I wouldn't be able to take his self righteous bullshiat in the 80's. Not to mention his shrill biatch.
 
2005-09-23 03:33:26 PM
Read Zappa's autobiography (which is a great book) and you'll quickly find out that he didn't have much interest in drug use. He was definitely addicted to cigarettes and coffee.

/Billy was a mountain, Ethel was a tree growing off of his shoulder.
 
2005-09-23 03:33:59 PM
dhurrrrrr fark John Lennon because he lived in the 60's, had long hair and occasionaly smoked pot
 
2005-09-23 03:34:16 PM
>although you're right- it didn't help.

What doesn't help the so-called "peace movement" is that it's so called "leaders" are total wackos, that the people organizing it are admitted communists (no, really, no matter how they might spin it), who are not actually for "peace," but instead actively cheer for the Islamofascists.
 
2005-09-23 03:34:52 PM
Can we just turn this into a Frank Zappa appreciation thread?
 
2005-09-23 03:37:00 PM
Elivs = 18 #1 Hits
Beatles = 17 #1 Hits

Beatles did that in a period of six years
Elvis did his over a period of 20 years

I have great respect for the beatles, but Elvis did far more to break down barriers in music, and society than the Beatles did.

Beatles had 34 Top Ten hits. Very impressive.

Elvis had over 100

In multiple genres from Blues, Rock, and even Gospel. He also appeared in more than 30 movies.

I actually don't like Elvis much, but in terms of influence?

Sorry. No question. He really is the King.
 
2005-09-23 03:39:11 PM
There was the Tinsel Town Rebellion in downtown Hollywood...

So basically I guess that belief about Lennon kept him from
getting offed like many of the rest of the "rock stars" of
that time who were considered threatening and/or subversive.
 
2005-09-23 03:41:33 PM
nuclear_asshat: In multiple genres from Blues, Rock, and even Gospel.

Yeah, but Elvis stole music from a lot of musicians that never saw a dime from the record sales.
 
2005-09-23 03:43:49 PM
Lennon was never going to lead a revolution. He was more a less a marketing component of it. Doing PR work. Heck, most people are too something to be revolutionaries. We all find a thousand excuses as to why we can let things go on the way they are. Right or Left - we'll get drunk, argue politics on some internet forum, watch porn, etc. Very few people are committed enough to their ideals to actually do something about them. The rest of us just sit back and mock them.
 
2005-09-23 03:46:06 PM
Would he be so hot if he weren't dead?

/Damned
//Grave Disorder
 
2005-09-23 03:46:43 PM
I really had no idea Zappa was drup free and never would have guessed. I'm gonna have to check his biography for sure.

/the more ya know
 
2005-09-23 03:48:13 PM
well put swahnhennessy
 
2005-09-23 03:50:57 PM
nuclear_asshat

He also appeared in more than 30 movies.


most of which sucked total ass. he hated being in those terrible movies which all had the same plotline but a different setting.

not a single elvis movie can even hold a candle to 'a hard day's night".
 
2005-09-23 03:51:11 PM
GreggyB: well put swahnhennessy


Thank you.

And thank you to whomever saw fit to sponsor me in TF.
 
2005-09-23 03:52:21 PM
Frank Zappa was drug free now?

Ok, excuse me while I go and walk over to that little corner of the room over there and laugh for a while. I'll be back later dudes.
 
2005-09-23 03:56:31 PM
Frank Zappa: Coffee Achiever

by Alex Scofield
Interviewer: Is it possible to say where you get your musical influences from?
Frank Zappa: Sometimes you get it from chicken. Sometimes from coffee.

Any history buff can effortlessly rattle off a long list of figures who were, given the advantage of our hindsight, ahead of their time, and whose thoughts and accomplishments were not appreciated until long after their anonymous deaths. Frank Zappa is not one of these people. His first major label album was released in 1966, and from then until his death in 1993, he enjoyed stretches of commercial and critical success. Still, his vibrant presence on the web roughly seven years after his death, as well as steadily enduring sales of his albums on their Rykodisc label reissues, indicate that the 21st century would have been more receptive to his music and thought than world he left and the three preceding decades. His anti-genre musical eclecticism and maverick strain of libertarian politics would have been much more at home in the present than they were during his lifetime.

Zappa had another attribute that would have fit in much better in the late 90s and beginning of the 21st century: his coffee-drinking habits.

Frank Zappa

"To me, a cigarette is food," said Zappa in his autobiography, The Real Frank Zappa Book. "I live my life smoking these things, and drinking the black water in this cup here."

Alas, my friends, this is not INeedCigarettes.com we shall concentrate on the latter of the two aforementioned vices.

Many are ready to assume that Zappa followed the lead of the herd of fellow 60s musicians in consuming a rich spectrum of drugs. His often trippy 1966 album Freak Out! was released a good year before the Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band set the industry standard for psychedelic rock. The bizarre lyrics and sometimes grotesque instrumental features on Freak Out! and subsequent albums led many a listener to believe that Zappas influences were chemical. However, Zappas eccentricities were not born of narcotic drugs; a Zappa feature in a 1976 Suosikki Magazine article says it all:
Q: Do you have a drug problem?
A: Yes, with coffee.
Q: With coffee???
A: I'm an absolutely sober person. I don't consume alcohol. I don't smoke weed. But I drink gallons of coffee.

Coffee: A Driving Force

Even without the specific references to coffee drinking, it is apparent in Zappa's lifestyle and his art that coffee was a driving force. His approach to making music was not the erratic one we might expect from a rock musician. Rather, he played with the ethic of a genuine workaholic.

Biographer/groupie/musician Nigey Lennon describes her baptism by dark roast in her book Being Frank: My Time With Frank Zappa. Upon her initiation into Zappas band, the Mothers of Invention, Lennon was permitted to play only after gulping down horrifyingly strong and dark coffee. When the rest of the Mothers had been similarly wired, the band was finally ready to begin its marathon jam sessions.

"I work as many hours a day as I can physically stand to," he said during an interview with Don Menn for Guitar Player magazine. "The average is about 15 now."

Little wonder that his fellow band members had to drink the most potent of coffee to keep up.

The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Coffee

Zappa's love for coffee was not bound to the rehearsal room, as he drank it on stage as well. Coffee even made it into the recording studio, often home to noise creations by Zappa that challenged conventional definitions of 'music'. For a man who spent his life seeing, smelling, and tasting coffee, it makes sound sense that he would eventually want to hear it, too.

"The other great noise was -- there are two people in this group who play didgeridus," Zappa recalled in an interview with Bob Menn in Best of Guitar Player. "One of them is the woman from Australia who is also the oboe player. And one afternoon, I imagined this awful sound that could be created if one were to take a didgeridu and play it into a partially filled coffee pot. And I asked her whether she would do it. She said yes, and let me say, it is truly nauseating. I was laughing so much I had to leave the room."

Overachieving, overreaching, overworking, Frank Zappas approach to his work and art is reflected in the incessantly wired world of coffee drinking America. INeedCoffee.com salutes him as a true coffee achiever.
 
Displayed 50 of 107 comments

First | « | 1 | 2 | 3 | » | Last | Show all



This thread is closed to new comments.

Continue Farking
Submit a Link »





Report