Imagine: Big doings for the 30th Lennon tribute
For the 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute, the event's organizers at Theater Within wanted to do something big.
After years in the theater group's intimate space near the Dakota and smaller venues at Lincoln Center and Symphony Space, they wanted more people to be able to experience their tribute to Lennon.
Moving it into the historic Beacon Theatre this year gave them that opportunity, and they plan to make the most of it with a star-studded lineup that includes Jackson Browne, Cyndi Lauper and Patti Smith. Joe Raiola, the tribute's co-creator, said the extra work is all part of the labor of love.
"John really spoke to the best in us," Raiola said. "This has never been about honoring a rock star. This is about honoring someone whose influence is hard to measure. Even if you talk about Gandhi and [Martin Luther] King as proponents for peace, their influence was basically national - in their own countries, mostly. Lennon's influence is global and it's going to last as long as his music."
One of the artists paying tribute to Lennon Friday night is R&B star Meshell Ndegeocello, who says she didn't discover his music until she was in her 20s. "I remember when I was introduced to his catalog exactly," the 42-year-old said. "That was the beginning of me realizing what a great songwriter he was and wondering, 'Can I be a great songwriter?' "
How did you pick the songs you plan to do?
Well, just the time we're in, I thought "God" would be a good thing for me to address. It just seemed like a good message to get out. And I had already done "Imagine" for another tribute project, so that worked out.
What is it about "God" that drew you to it?
My favorite lyric is "I just believe in me, Yoko and me, and that's reality." It just speaks to me personally and a lot of the doubts and the struggles I go through. I just thought I could bring a sincere voice to it.
What is it about Lennon that still resonates with you?
(Laughs) Well, as my 11-month-old son makes a lot of noise, I love the stuff that I read about him that he quit for a period of time to be with his family. I really believe that we live in a day and age where people will do anything for fame and glory and he wasn't afraid to leave The Beatles. . . . I know he's a rock star, but in my opinion, he was also a great man. He modeled what he believed. He had a way of being to be admired.
The 30th Annual John Lennon Tribute
When | Where: 8 p.m. Friday, Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, Manhattan
Info: $90.95-$327.45; 212-465- 6500, ticketmaster.com
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