Newswise — While many young adults may hang posters of rock legend John Lennon in their rooms, few of them think of Lennon as more than a member of the Beatles, says a Purdue University history professor.
"Lennon is one of the few artists who blurs the line between pop culture and politics, so we should remember him as someone who transcended music and was involved in political and social issues," says Michael Morrison, an associate professor of history who teaches a class on the history of rock 'n' roll.
Dec. 8 marks the 25th anniversary of the day John Lennon was assassinated in New York City, and Morrison says he is concerned that fewer young people know of Lennon's legacy beyond the Beatles. Lennon also actively protested against the Vietnam War, and his songwriting also examined important cultural issues such as peace, feminism and racism.
"He was the social conscience of the group, and this really showed during his solo career when he was brutally honest about relationships and politics," Morrison says. "We tend to segregate pop culture into crass commercialism and marketing, but the best of pop culture can reflect what is going on society and even challenge what is going on. Lennon represents the best of what pop culture can do."
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