The artist John Lennon considered more important than Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan combined
During the mid-1960s, The Beatles and Bob Dylan reigned as two of the most influential musical acts globally. At their first meeting in 1964, their collision introduced the Fab Four to the joys of one thing in particular: cannabis. However, while both parties held mutual admiration for each other’s work, a noticeable competitive edge existed at various points during the decade.
When their paths first crossed in New York in 1964, Dylan apparently got The Beatles so high that Paul McCartney felt he’d unravelled the secrets of existence. However, Ringo Starr, unfamiliar with the customary sharing procedure, held onto the joint instead of passing it on. Recognising the band’s inexperience, Dylan’s road manager, Victor Maymudes, then rolled a joint for each member. “We got high and laughed our asses off,” Starr recalled.
However, while McCartney and Dylan held substantial significance in the realm of legendary musical status, John Lennon notably favoured a different, less recognised rock singer. This revelation is intriguing, especially given Lennon’s indifference and varying loyalty to both artists over time.
In a 1970s Rolling Stone interview, Lennon was questioned about the artists that he admired. As expected, he danced around the subject at first, labelling himself as an “ego-maniac”. Following that, however, he expressed admiration for a diverse array of musicians, citing names such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Frank Zappa. He also lauded visual artists like Andy Warhol, Salvador Dalí, and Marcel Duchamp.
He then proceeded to discuss his wife, Yoko Ono. “Yoko is as important to me as Paul and Dylan rolled into one,” he said. “I don’t think she will get recognition until she’s dead. There’s me, and maybe I could count the people on one hand that have any conception of what she is or what her mind is like, or what her work means to this f*ckin’ idiotic generation.”
Perhaps Ono’s lack of prominence is what led Lennon to express bitterness towards other artists for such a long time. His attitude towards Dylan’s artistry, for example, remained immovable. When confronted about his opinion towards the singer, he once replied, “I see him as another poet, or as competition,” adding: “You read my books that were written before I heard of Dylan or read Dylan or anybody, it’s the same. I didn’t come after Elvis [Presley] and Dylan, I’ve been around always.”
When discussing Dylan’s work in one of his final interviews, Lennon also admitted to having a bias against the preaching style that Dylan was catering towards, remarking, “I don’t want to say anything about a man who is searching or has found it. It is unfortunate when people say, ‘This is the only way.’ That’s the only thing I’ve got against anybody if they are saying, ‘This is the only answer.’ I don’t want to hear about that. There isn’t one answer to anything.”
Never Miss A Tale
The Far Out Bob Dylan Newsletter
All the latest stories about Bob Dylan from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.