The Lost John Lennon Interview

Counterpunch has just published a lengthy interview with John Lennon by Tariq Ali and Robin Blackburn, in which Lennon talks about religion, music, the political function of culture and his working class background:

"at the time it was thought that the workers had broken through, but I realise in retrospect that it's the same phoney deal they gave the blacks, it was just like they allowed blacks to be runners or boxers or entertainers. That's the choice they allow you--now the outlet is being a pop star, which is really what I'm saying on the album in 'Working class hero'. As I told Rolling Stone, it's the same people who have the power, the class system didn't change one little bit.

Of course, there are a lot of people walking around with long hair now and some trendy middle class kids in pretty clothes. But nothing changed except that we all dressed up a bit, leaving the same bastards running everything."

www.counterpunch.org/lennon12082005.html