Imagine-John Lennon-Interview of Daniel Ichbiah
 Daniel Ichbiah is the author of the books 'And God created them Beatles' and 'Beatles from A to Z'.
The interview on the album Imagine was directed by Jérôme Colin in the program Enter sans frappe

Single of John Lennon released October 11, 1971.
The song "Imagine" that appears in the fall of 1971 seems to show a Lennon assagi. This hymn to peace reaches the 3rd position of the US parade hit and allows him, for the first time since the separation of Beatles to reconnect with success.
While the song then goes on the air, little attention is actually given to his lyrics. Now, "Imagine", under a romantic exterior, is a rather subversive song. Lennon There are remarks that go against the values ​​of the American society.
"Imagine there's no heaven"
Above us only sky"
"Imagine there's no country"
"And no religion too".
It is over time that "Imagine" acquires a special status. The more time passes and the more it seems that Imagine is more than a song, it is a full anthem with a message transcending time ...
As a result of his passing, New York City celebrated the memory of Lennon and in Central Park, near the building where lived Lennon, a mosaic was placed on a sidewalk with this word "Imagine".
In 1982, WABC, one of the main American radios-she was born in 1921-decided to change format and no longer broadcast songs, only talk shows. A long debate is organized internally to decide on the very last song that will be played by the station. It is "Imagine" which is chosen.
The more years pass, the more it appears that the popularity of "Imagine" has become universal and continues to grow. On the occasion of the millennium change, as rankings multiply, it will gradually become clear that "Imagine" occupies a special place in the hearts of the public.
In 2002, Guinness World Records organizes a survey to find out the British favorite single. "Imagine" finishes No. 2 behind "Bohemian Rhapsody" of the Queen group.
On December 9, 2004, Rolling Stone magazine released its list of the 500 best songs of all time. "Imagine" is ranked third behind "Like a Rolling Stone" in Bob Dylan and "Satisfaction" in (9-11) 8).
In Canada, a poll is conducted the same year to determine the best song of the last 100 years. It is "Imagine" which comes first. A year later, Virgin Radio conducted a survey of the British public and again, it is "Imagine" which ranks No. 1, before "Hey Jude Beatles. In Australia, on September 12, 2006, "Imagine" is voted "best song of all time. "
The song has also been the subject of many occasions and quite often on occasions of support for a humanitarian cause.
Rare enough, the song has even gained recognition from politicians and rulers. On December 8, 2000, a statue of John Lennon was inaugurated in Cuba's Havana Park and for the occasion, President Fidel Castro paid tribute to the singer, saying: "I totally share his dreams". In 2003, to celebrate the 80th birthday of Shimon Peres, Bill Clinton sang "Imagine" in the company of 40 Israeli children and 40 Arab children.
Three years later, another former US president, Jimmy Carter, said:
"In many countries around the world and I have visited nearly 125, you can hear 'Imagine' almost as often as the national anthem. "

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For a complete story of Imagine and Lennon, visit this page:
https://ichbiah.com/extraits/divers/ Imagine .htm