John Lennon’s Final Interview

Today marks the 30th anniversary of John Lennon’s death. In honor of that occasion, Rolling Stone is finally releasing his last interview. The interview, a nine-hour conversation that took place at Lennon’s home and studio three days before his death, was conducted by Jonathan Cott for a Rolling Stone 1980 cover story. It has never before been released in its entirety. The interview will be available on stands this Friday. But to tide you over, here are some notable quotables that have surfaced online.

Re: Music critics

These critics with the illusions they’ve created about artists—it’s like idol worship. They only like people when they’re on their way up…I cannot be on the way up again.

Re: Being a musical hero

What they want is dead heroes, like Sid Vicious and James Dean. I’m not interested in being a dead fucking hero…so forget ’em, forget ’em.

Re: The Beatles returning to the road

We just might do it. But there will be no smoke bombs, no lipstick, no flashing lights. It just has to be comfy. But we could have a laugh. We’re born-again rockers, and we’re starting over…There’s plenty of time, right? Plenty of time.

And since you’re likely to hear “Imagine” a zillion times throughout the day, enjoy my personal favorite Lennon song.

Rest in peace, homie.