"A DAY IN THE LIFE"
John Lennon - An Incomplete Life

October 9, 1940. 0h how we all miss you John Winston Ono Lennon. December 8, 1980, the day he was
murdered in front of his home at “The Dakota” in NYC, will always be remembered by all who were alive,
just as we remember November 22, 1963, and September 11, 2001.
John certainly does not need an introduction, and there’s not enough room in this format to cover the
depth of this man’s life. Needless to say, what he, with and without the Beatles accomplished, and left
for all of us to enjoy, is immeasurable. All these years later, he is still revered, appreciated, respected,
and emulated throughout the world.
This was my 1st piece after not drawing for 40+ years. After thinking about it for almost 3 years, I
stopped procrastinating, and put a pencil back in my hand. I did it as a 65th birthday (7-24) gift for my
wonderful, fellow Beatle loving brother and amazing drummer, Bruce, back in June of 2014. I was so
lucky to have 2 older brothers growing up because I got to hear what was happening from the early 50’s
on. The day I started, I had Lennon blasting on the stereo, and even shut the AC off to be "inspired" like
the old masters ha ha. The first word I wrote was "IMAGINE", (in his eye), as this was how John perceived
the world we live in. It is now evident not enough of us listened hard enough. At his mouth you can see:
“How can I go forward when I don’t know which way I’m facing?” That’s a novel in 13 words!
Throughout the piece, you’ll see words from “Imagine”, “How?”, “Revolution”, A Day in the Life”, “Help”,
“In My Life”, “Just give me Some Truth”, “I’m Just a Jealous Guy”, and “Nowhere Man”: all key songs in
his amazing songbook. I never tire of hearing them.
I had intended to finish the face; with a full head of hair and the rest of his jaw and chin. There was to be
a full border of words all around his face that would give it a dark background. As I was coming in to the
piece to start that process, I eyed it, sort of suspended in space; incomplete; just like his life, so I left it
like that.
We miss his music of course, but it was the wit and the honesty that John exemplified. "Just give me
some Truth". John's music will live on forever; as a Beatle, and as a solo artist. "IN MY LIFE", you've come
to be a great friend. Happy Birthday John. Thanks for the inspiration.

Brad Beyer