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I am a huge Beatles fan. Not to start a flame war or anything but I have always been of the opinioin that Paul McCartney would have been a star without John Lennon but the converse would not have been true. Both were clearly better than the sum of their individual parts but I always found Lennon to be less talented than PM. That is not to say that Lennon was talentless but next to McCartney, few musicians look like stars. He's so well rounded...bass player, pop vocalist, songwriter, personality.
As for his personality (at least what has been on display), Lennon always seemed petty, childish and the kind of guy I probably wouldn't want to spend time with. So, I guess this comment doesn't surprise me.
I'm sorry to the JL fans out there...all opinion, of course...
It can be a challenge to be heard when you're in a band with a fountain-of-ideas guy such as Paul. Especially considering all the validation given by their success. If John felt pressured, what about George?Lennon complained that, knowing McCartney would come into recording sessions with a boatload of songs, Lennon felt pressured to bring in as many of his own as he could so that he wouldn't be underrepresented on the album.
From what I have heard Lennon was one amazing and amazingly insufferable s**t.
It can be a challenge to be heard when you're in a band with a fountain-of-ideas guy such as Paul. Especially considering all the validation given by their success. If John felt pressured, what about George?
It wasn't easy being a Beatle, I'm guessing.
in an interview with I think Rolling Stone magazine, Lennon was really nasty to Macca, accusing him of ruining his songs by recording them with a boring and unimaginative bass parts, while his songs were adorned with beautiful lines crafted for them.
I for one cannot understand what he is talking about!
Macca laid some lovely lines for Lennon including Mr Kite and most of the white album especailly the slow version of Revolution!
Lennon played bass on Long & Winding Road and made a right hash of it! At least Macca never left any blemish on a released recording!![]()
I'm no expert but you might think the bass lines would naturally be more involved if the bass player isn't concentrating on singing.
When he is singing, he may have played less simply becuse he was doing two things at once.
I don't think I would be too quick to call it delebrate.
-eSmith.
The 1970 Wenner interview is full of things John would later regret saying.He and Paul lashed out at each other in interviews and songs for about 4 years after the Beatles broke up.
Here's another quote from Lennon that is probably closer to his true feelings on the subject: Paul was one of the most innovative bass players ever. And half the stuff that is going on now is directly ripped off from his Beatles period.
I believe there was an inherent jealousy and competitiveness between the two from which we all benefited. I recall a post-Beatle article in which Lennon complained that, knowing McCartney would come into recording sessions with a boatload of songs, Lennon felt pressured to bring in as many of his own as he could so that he wouldn't be underrepresented on the album.
Thankfully we had George Martin to help sort it all out![]()
From what I gather, Lennon didn't really care for creative bass parts.
Isn't the song how do you sleep directed right at Macca as well as Paul penning some music aimed at John off of his first solo album
Inter-Beatles dynamics were often a complete fiasco. Don't get hung up on anyone interview, it's not an accurate picture.
He was probably jealous.
The only talent in that band died. And it wasn't the one who was shot...![]()

John did not like busy bass lines. When he hired Tony Levin to for some of his solo work John told him "I hear you're good but just don't play too many notes"
Can someone post a link to this interview for me please.
I'm not sure if it's in this,but previous posters have said it's from the Rolling Stone 1970 interviews.
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Strap yourself in,it's pretty long.There is also a link on that page for a podcast of the full 3 and a half hour interview!